Aight so here's some Gloink lore
in terms of Sexual Dimorphism, Cisgender males usually have hoods, Cisgender females usually are larger (though like with humans IRL, Transgender/Intersex/non-binary/Gender non-conforming/Gender-Fluid Gloinks exist, so a hood or size may not necessarily denote an individuals sex/gender/pronoun)
Gloink shell shapes determine markings
Gloinks usually hatch into adulthood when they hit puberty (though "late-hatchers" exist - they can actually get a medical procedure to be released from their shells, though some opt out and simply live as "shelled-adults")
In Gloink society, the larger the Wife, the more beautiful - Pat is considered a very attractive lady.
Gloinks are naturally broody - Pat's family is actually considered to be very small (it's common for Gloinks to have >12 children). They also make extremely good Babysitters/Nursery Teachers/Paediatric Nurses (though sometimes they get a little carried away and end up accidentally taking the babies home).
More lore will come through in comics/Asks/whatever, but I just wanted to give an intro to these wacky critters