Zone 2

Excursion by gliders and hovercraft.

Temperate regions of the planet's single continent are wide flat plains of stiff brown grass dotted with trees, which occasionally grow together in forests, but are mostly spaced apart from each other. Initial assessment that area is suffering from drought is disproved by sighting of plentiful rainfall. Also plentiful are lakes and rivers.

Large herds of herbivores consume the brown grass. Not vertebrates, despite the size. Seem to be just shell-less gastropods, but capable of great speeds. Herbivore’s undersides not moist but scaly. They bounce on their undersides, and roll themselves into balls for protection. When approached the herds bolt in all directions, or roll into balls, gather in a circle and lie still. Herbivores present in wide array of sizes and colors. While brown would be best for camouflage purposes, the herbivores are brightly colored. The colors shift and change, which leads us to believe that they provide some medium of communication between herd members.

Insect predators, some hopping on two back legs or running full gallop of four. Front to legs serve for grasping prey, like praying mantis. Predators too present in an array of colors. Largest insect predators over 2 m in height.

Prey and predator meet at the lakes for drinking. No attempt is made by insects to attack prey at water side. When the sun is directly overhead, all the creatures at the waterside begin to sway rhythmically from side to side, gaining momentum constantly. Deep sounds rise from the tumult. After about 40 minutes everything stops and the creatures scatter.

Towards evening each kind of species prey or predator, collects with its own kind and goes into a kind of stationary stasis. Creatures line up side by side in intricate patterns which can only be appreciated by viewing from the air. Patters resemble the other patterns noted in the ice of the polar ice cap. This is worthy of farther investigation.