Appearance:
Cobble Trodders look like small, four legged, sharks. They are long bodied and very similar to weasels, and about the same size as a ferret, with the largest of them growing to about the size of a large mink. While their appearance can vary dependent on the breed, all Cobble Trodders have some things in common:

Webbed feet, both their front and back paws are webbed for more ease while swimming.

Long claws, the long claws on a Cobble Trodder's feet may not be ideal for hunting, but they are useful for digging, in the wild, Cobble Trodders dig out their nests in dunes or at the base of trees near a body of water.

Round, swiveling ears. Cobble Trodders have round ears at the top of their heads, they can swivel almost 360 degrees and are a good way to tell how a Cobble Trodder is thinking. Very similar to cats, a Cobble Trodder's ears will pin back when they are afraid or angry, when a Cobble Trodder is Happy, it's ears can be seen, perked, and the inside of their ears will glow. Their glowing ears are also a way to attract mates.

Smooth, soft skin. Cobble Trodders are water based hunters, and have smooth, soft skin that is normally cool to the touch.

Gills, almost all Cobble Trodders have gills on their neck to collect oxygen bubbles while they are swimming or submerged in water to filter into their lungs so they can stay down longer, in very rare cases they are born without gills, this is considered a disability and a mutation.

Rare traits:
While most Cobble Trodders can be expected to have certain things in common, there are a few mutations that occur and are considered very rare, but most do not have more than two of these mutations.

Fur Tufts: This rare mutation has occurred for an unknown reason. When this mutation occurs the afflicted Cobble Trodder will grow fur tufts on their elbows and knees, their chest, the backs of their ears, or along the tail. Biologists are unsure why this mutation has taken place.

Glowing Belly: This rare mutation only occurs on males of the species, and biologists believe it to have been adapted for a better chance at finding a mate, in this mutation, the belly of the male will be the same colour as their insides and will produce a glow when trying to attract a mate or happy.

No Gills: This mutation is considered a disability. When a Cobble Trodder is born without gills it usually resorts to being a land based hunter, as it cannot swim the depths or for as long to hunt in the water.

Long Tail: Biologists believe that this rare mutation is occurring to help Cobble Trodders better defend themselves. When in danger or fighting for a mate, Cobble Trodders use their thick, heavy, and well muscled tail like a club to hit their opponent with, a longer tail means better reach.

Double Ears: The reason for or origin of this mutation is unknown, but a very small percentage of the population is born with two sets of ears, one large, round set atop their head, as is normal for the species, and a smaller, downward set of drooping ears. Upon further investigation of this mutation, it's been discovered that these ears are not just extra cartilage, they have their own set of ear drums, and are fully internally functional.

Albinism: This particular mutation, while devastating in the wild, has become a very sought after pattern for pet owners, and is more common to see in the domestic population, but still makes up less than 1% of this population. When albinism occurs in Cobble Trodders, they lack their normal colour pigment and can be mostly or all white with red eyes. Sometimes you can still see markings on Albino Cobble Trodders, but the markings will be a light silver or yellow colour.

Habitat:
Cobble Trodders prefer living near water, in warm climates, they have a preference to salt water, but some have been found further inland, living near lakes and rivers. They dig out nests in sand dunes, under rocks, or near/in the roots of trees. Cobble Trodders prefer clear water and typically stick to the shallows. This species has only been found so far in North, Central, and South America, though Biologists hypothesize they may also be found in New Zealand, Africa, and Australia.

Diet:
Most Cobble Trodders feed mostly on a diet of shellfish and fish, but larger ones have been known to hunt birds, rodents, and sometimes reptiles. Cobble Trodders are mostly carnivorous, with a few breeds preferring plankton, but beach dwelling Cobble Trodders that are near humans seem to have taken up scavenger behavior.

Hunting:
Cobble Trodders prefer to hunt in shallow water or in underbrush, they have also been known to dig in the sand in search of clams and crabs and usually hunt at night.

Biology:
Cobble Trodders are cold blooded creatures, they bask in the sun for warmth, or for the small population of domestics, they enjoy heat lamps and curling up in clothes (even if you're wearing them!) This unique species breathes air and has gills on both sides of it's long neck. These gills collect oxygen bubbles while in the water to filter into the lungs so the animal can stay submerged for longer periods. Males are typically larger than females, and their sex organs are internal, similar to a snake, until it is time to mate. Cobble Trodders are born alive, they do not come from eggs, as previously thought. Female Cobble Trodders can have one or two pups every time they give birth, they carry their pups for up to seven weeks, and pups are ready to leave their mothers around one year old. This species is surprisingly long lived, with the oldest recorded in the wild being twenty eight years old. The average life span for this species is suspected to be 20-30 years. Cobble Trodders have poor vision, and for this purpose have adapted a glow to attract potential mates. Their sense of smell and hearing makes up for their poor sight. Cobble Trodders can smell potential prey for up to two miles away, and can smell blood in the water as far as a mile away. Their wide, swiveling ears help them hear for miles and avoid predators, or find prey. Their tails are thick and muscular and are usually used to help propel them through the water, but also seem to be a used as a club for defense. Their innards and paw pads tend to be the same colour as the inside of their ears, and in their mouth most have very sharp teeth, with round, forked tongues. These small predators have a unique set of vocal chords that allows them to make a variety of sounds from chirps and whines to growls, and screams.

Breeding:
Cobble Trodders breed in mid summer, and hundreds can be found on beaches during and near this time. Males will fight each other for females, and will collect shells, bottle caps, marbles, or anything shiny that they can fit in their mouths to decorate their temporary mating nests to impress females. A male and female will couple for three weeks before the female returns to her own nest to have her pups.

Behavior:
Cobble Trodders are not normally aggressive unless provoked, they don't seem to care much about other creatures unless they want to eat them or think they may harm them. When threatened, Cobble Trodders will stand on their hind legs, frill their gills out, with their ears back, and growl or shriek. Cobble Trodders have a love of all things warm, soft, or shiny, and are very curious creatures. It's not uncommon for those who live near beaches to find Cobble Trodders making a habit of visiting and stealing bits of junk from around the home or attempting to fit into a place they've never been. The small domestic population has been found to be quite capable of escaping their cages and generally causing mischief for their owners. As pets, Cobble Trodders require a lot of affection and attention or they tend to become feral and not want to be touched, but when raised properly they make affectionate pets that want to be with their owners as much as possible. They love curling up in hoodies, on laps, or in hair, and they'll climb any mountain (you included) to receive the attention they desire. They steal tissues, paper towel rolls, and anything that catches their interest. Cobble Trodders don't seem to mind most creatures, though if you are going to have one, it needs to be the only one you have, they do not live in groups with other Cobble Trodders, and even males and females will fight to the death if they feel their territory is threatened, but can be raised to be good with other pets. It is recommended you keep them away from birds, rodents, fish, and shellfish because they will attempt to eat them. As pets, Cobble Trodders require a heat lamp, a tub or pool (kiddie pools are a good solution) and lots of toys for stimulation, these creatures are extremely intelligent and are amazing puzzle solvers, you need to keep their attention or your house will be destroyed.