Chuck Tingle

STACKLE - TIMELINE #79781143

Added 2023-11-28 16:05:50 +0000 UTC

(Timeline Tuesday #122)

As far as crustaceans go, stackles are certainly one of the most unique to ever arrive on our timeline. These creatures are flat and round, perfectly circular and featuring a hard edge to their bodies that creatures a distinct, puck-like shape. They come in a variety of hues, always vibrant and full of color. The hues of a stackle colony are dispersed evenly across their population, always filling in the space where a particular color is lacking.

Stackles sport two large eyes on the front of the bodies. Their top is featureless and flat, but their bellies play host to eight scuttling legs which the creatures use to carry themselves around. These legs can be tucked away in a stackle’s body when they begin their tower formations. Their shells are hard, but with enough force they can be broken.

This species features simple animal intelligence and no verbally spoken language, however their skills of communication are one of the most fascinating things about them. Stackles announce messages to other groups by stacking themselves on top of one another, creating uniquely colorful towers. The arrangement of their hues, from the size of the stack to the order in which they’re placed, conveys a shockingly unique message.

While stackles are typically frightened of humans, a quiet and careful observer can over catch these creatures stacking themselves in the woodlands they call home, sending out their messages to other stackles in the area.