Qukoha's climate changes radically when the comet Istuss passes through the Kisc Star System. The strong magnetic field of Qukoha interacts with the magnetic field of the comet and the planet is pulled 3 to 4 more degrees away from the pole. It takes about 2 years for the tilt to occur. The climate cools about 30 degrees during this time.
The pull of Kisc and the other planets in the system gradually pull the tilt back to about 21 degrees over the next 50,000,000 years. The comet passes through the Kisc System on a 100,000,000 year cycle, so Qukoha spends about 50,000,000 years at the 21 degree tilt before the comet creates the 24 degree tilt period again.
When the climate cools, the ice caps extend about twice as far down the planet as in the 21 degree tilt phase. The temperature zones generally each fall about 25 or 30 degrees. This has a profound effect on plant and animal life on the planet. Most species that have survived are migratory in some capacity or are hardy in cold climates. Some plants have evolved back into the water and the plants in the deeper waters don't feel the effects of the cold so severely. As the planet warms again, the plants are able to grow closer to the shore. Other plants have evolved hardy structures, mostly small, needle-like leaves and hard trunks that resist freezing.
Animals that have survived the climate changes best are those that are suited to colder climates. Animals that can migrate long distances follow the climate zone as the planet warms and cools. The food resources get more scarce and competition is stronger during the cold times, so the populations are reduced. They flourish more when more of the land is warm enough to support them.
The tropical continent Reetha does not have as many climate zones as the other two larger continents. It also does not get as cold during the cold periods since it is at the tropical region of the planet, so some species are able to survive, but land plants that have leaves containing a lot of water are not able to survive. Fossil records show that plants have evolved to this state, but have perished in the next cold age. It appears this has happened at least twice and possibly more times. Data is still being researched in this area.
Ocean currents spread animals and plants between the northern continent of Lashra and the southern continent of Falashra easily. Most plants and animals in the tropical region are found on both continents. Birds are able to fly between the continents. Birds that can only sustain short flights are able to cross the straits by resting on the islands that almost connect the two land masses. This has helped the animals survive the cold periods, and has helped plants reestablish themselves when the climate warms.
The isolated continent of Reetha is too far from the other
land to readily permit plants and animals to move to it. Wind
borne seeds and seeds that can survive long ocean journeys are
common to all three continents, but there is a great deal of variety
between Reetha and the life forms found on Lashra and Falashra.
Go on to the next chapter.