Numberblocks (scientific name: Kyubosoma arithokephalus) are a species of Learningblocks from Grammarithmos that are endemic to the Numberland continent. They are an intelligent species along with their Alphaland-dwelling peers and inhabit human-like intelligence. Each Numberblock kind represents a specific number, and due to that, it is theorised that there will be an infinite amount of Numberblock kinds. 

Anatomy

A unit (Numberblock One) has a perfect cube body and an internal skeleton made out of antigrafosteon, like all alithotouvlaki. Unlike the Alphablocks along with other plakasomids, Numberblocks (and other Kyubosomids) lack any fingers on their hands, which makes the hands appear as nubs. Numberblock feet also have no protuding feet, in which they have lesser surface area on their feet. Like Alphablocks, Numberblocks have a symbol-like structure floating over their head known as a numberling, albeit not protected by a glass dome, which displays their value. Their skin also acts as an exoskeleton, though Numberblock skin is thicker and more durable than an Alphablock's.

Units are usually red with gradient maroon-to-dark maroom limbs, but there are other variations of its colouration like versions of red, orange, yellow, green and blue, whether lighter or darker (pun possibly not intended). It is unknown how these variants happen, but it probably have something to do with genetics and distribution of pigments.

A remarkable ability they have is their ability to merge two or more of their kind into an entirely new kind. When they combine their bodies together- literally -the sides from where the bodies meet opens up and dissolves along with the insides. Looking inside the body during the joining process reveals that the insides of the Numberblocks turns to goo and reform into new organs and bones as the Numberblocks become one new being. The Units also change colour depending on what Numberblock they're becoming. Using this research, any Numberblock bigger than One is actually many units working together as a single organism if you think about it. This type of colonism is actually not that uncommon, as we have real life examples like corals, siphonophores and man o' wars! Really fascinating if you ask me... Units tend to work together to carry out life processes like respiration, digestion, and reproduction. 

There is no limit to how big a Numberblock can be, so as a result, there are very huge Numberblocks made out of of thousands, or maybe, millions of units cooperating as one giant organism. Due to their legs not being able to carry their immense weight, these Numberblocks basically sit around idly across their continent like giant living monoliths, greeting anyone that passes through their direction.  It's quite a beautiful sight to see, and I'm glad I got to witness it... I even took a photo of it below.

Along with their amazing abilities comes their biological misfortunes. Unlike most Alithotouvlaki, Numberblocks have lost the ability to asexually reproduce. A plausible reason has to do with a kind of magical technology that's only found throughout Numberland; which are Magic Mirrors. Due to the Numberblocks' overdependence on the Magic Mirrors, the hormone gland responsible for mitosis decreases overtime to the point where it's redundant. The good news is that only modern Numberblocks lost this ability to mitose, as some Numberblocks still possess a functionable hormone gland that can produce antigrafogen. 

A Numberblock's numberling is more than just a display, as it also retains the Numberblocks' identity and personality. When a numberling is knocked out of a Numberblock's head, the Numberblock will start to forget about their identity, which can cause confusion to the Numberblock unless the Numberling is returned to its original owner. A Numberling to a Numberblock is like what a letter is to an Alphablock; both are essential for their social lives as well as their identity in general.

Numberblocks have specialised cells located outside their bodies that can change colour depending on their value presented by their Numberling. Those same specialised cells are also responsible for their ability to glow (bioluminescence). These cells create bioluminescent pigments which makes the body glow. Many suggestions have been made about the use of its bioluminescence, which is that it is used to attract mates, draw attention towards itself, or perform some sort of social nightly event where they glow like blocky fireflies on the ground. 

Diet

Like their Alphalandian far relatives, the Numberblocks' diet usually consists of fruits, nuts, berries and vegetables. However, they also hunt and drink animal products, making them omnivores. They tend to practice agriculture and animal husbandry for centuries and are still being practiced today.

Traits

Each Numberblock has its unique appearance and personality, but they also have certain traits that tells us about their factors. Below shows a list of factor a Numberblock could inherit

Facial features

• Square eyes - This Numberblock is a square number (a number that has a whole number as its square root)

• Rectangle eyes - This Numberblock is a super (duper) rectangle (however there are some Numberblocks whose eyes aren't rectangular despite being a super (duper) rectangle)

• Stepsquad mask - This Numberblock is a step-squad/triangular number, however there are some exceptions

• Small face - This Numberblock is a prime number, however some composite Numberblocks do have small face

Accessories

• Pants - Usually worn by most super (duper) rectangle, however there are some exceptions

• Boots - Worn by step squads

• Rainbow accessories/features - This Numberblock is a multiple of seven

• Dice-like features - This Numberblock is a multiple of six

• Superhero octopus mask - This Numberblock is a multiple of eight

Physical Traits

• Four sets of arm - Some multiples of Eight have this

Figure Outs

When one or two Units/Numberblocks merge together, they make new Numberblocks. Those new Numberblocks with a full personality and looks are called 'figured-out Numberblocks'. However, there is a chance that they will form a compound Numberblock. Compound Numberblocks is a term used for Numberblocks that look like their tens and ones component. Regular Numberblocks usually act like a single person, with a unique personality and such, but Compound Numberblocks act as the components that they're made out of instead of a single entity. Figuring it out is where a Numberblock or other factors converts a Compound Numberblock into its own character. It is unknown how this happens, as Zontouvlakologists are still trying to figure out this phenomenon.

Reproduction

I have seen that in the spaces where the biology of the Learningblocks are not being discussed, specifically on Reddit or something something, people seem to react quite negatively to people giving Numberblocks reproductive organs. Just to let you know, this is for educational purposes, as this site is made to explore the biological speculation and plausibility of fictional block creatures. If you don't like it, then this site is probably not for you. (I know that the people who didn't want the thought of blocks reproducing the traditional way are probably kids, but still wanna let you know before we start)

In a similar fashion to Alphablocks, Numberblocks have two openings used for sexual reproduction; front bottom for the males and bottom back for the females. During mating season, both genders will often impress their mates using their luminescent displays. Once the displays gained some interest, then the mating begins. Numberblocks have long gestation periods than Alphablocks, being up to 12 weeks, possibly to develop their thick, durable shell. So far, this sort of mating behaviour has only been studied on Units, but it's possible that other Numberblocks can exhibit this sort of behaviour.

Stages of life

After exiting out of the womb, Baby Units are born helpless and weak. They have to cling onto their mother to feed on the nutritious liquid secreted out of the glands located at the back. Baby Units are also born with small limbs, so walking can be a bit awkward for them. This stage is the most vulnerable as the Blockling can't run away from predators. Parent Units have to monitor and watch the Blocklings all the time because of this. At age 6, the Blockling's limbs will grow big enough for them to be able to walk by themselves.

At ages 7-10, Blocklings will start to be more active. Parents still have to monitor them as they can be curious which makes them an easy target for predators and other disasters. Blocklings at this age also have to be taught various things since they're still new to the world and also to build their character.

At ages 11-14, this is where the Units are no longer called Blocklings and start to become more mentally mature. They're now ready to interact and merge with other Units to make new Numberblocks. However, they are not sexually mature until their age of adulthood, which is 16.

A unit's life typical stops at the age of 90, but their lifespan can be lengthened when joined together to make new Numberblocks. The multiple-unit Numberblocks can live for 5 centuries given the right conditions.

Culture

One aspect of Numberblock culture that one could gaze upon is their way with arts. Numberblocks are fond of artforms, especially in patterns and in their surroundings, and will try to recreate it in their works. Various artworks on canvases, clothing, accessories and even their own bodies are very popular in their culture and their societies and have never failed to impress anyone, whether it's a Numberblock or even us. These pieces of art can range from patterns of swirls, dots, and body stamps to huge sculptures made out of stone that shows stories of people at their olden times. 

One of the forms of their art are clothesmaking. Embroidery, sewing and fiber arts helped the Numberblocks make all kinds of wearable crafts. These clothes can vary depending on the culture. Some can tell stories, others are made to show the beauty of nature as a whole, but more popular examples make most of the researchers gasp in awe at the elegance of block-made crafts.

But Numberblocks aren't just known for their work of art, in fact, their confectionairies are also one-of-a-kind. Desserts made from both native and intergalactically imported grains like block cakes and pi pies can satisfy anyone's tastebuds with its sweet taste. Other foods from the Numberblocks' cuisine include blockblobs, numbernoodles and smoothies.

Like Alphablocks, Numberblocks tend to form complex civilisations. Huge cities and towns like Town Square and NumberCity can house hundreds, if not, thousands of Numberblocks. In the past, they tend to make their houses out of stone and build large communities, conquering two-thirds of their land with their society. Thousands of structures are made along with their art. After the discovery of English and Mathematics, their civilisations advanced quickly. There are a few old civilisations that are still standing today, but most of the enlightment have already modernised, with technology and robotics being commonplace in a Numberblock city.