The Calbuco

Genus: Ichthyovipar

Species: calbuvinylus

These shy, burrowing egg-layers are rapidly vanishing from a handful of habitats. Related to both shark and platypus, they enjoy land and water equally. Once the cheerful donors of body parts (shed during periodic molting) many calbucos are now confined and exploited by greedy farmers, or hunted by ruthless poachers. Calbuco body parts, tissues, and eggs are in ever higher demand for uses ranging from manufacturing to fine dining.

Today, the calbuco is rarely seen in the wild except, perhaps, by the most cunning of poachers and a few trusted naturalists. The ranks of free-roaming individuals are depleted, and those that remain tend to be distrustful and reclusive.

Left unchecked, the irresponsible harvesting of the calbuco will undoubtedly lead to its extinction, and thus, the destruction of a vital strand in the web-of-life. Can you feel secure of your perch atop the food chain as the calbuco is systematically obliterated from the face earth? Think about it, then do your part to SAVE THE CALBUCO!

Figure 17c.

A calbuco basks in the sun near a dormant volcano.

Though indiginous to a variety of habitats, the calbuco's ability to thrive in such inhospitable environs has earned it the nickname "volcano rat."