Garan's Leech
| Garan's Leech | |
|---|---|
 Adult leech | |
| Base Information | |
| Classification | Carnivore/Pouncer |
| Terrain | swamp |
| Locomotion | swimmer |
| Size | 300 grams |
| Speed | V. Slow |
| Strength | Standard |
| Social Structure | single |
| Weapons | Teeth |
| Armor | None |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Victoria (Spinward Marches 1817) |
| Multi-world | No |
| Canon | no |
| Reference | "The Bestiary." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 02 27,30. |
Garan's Leech is native to Victoria (Spinward Marches 1817). Garan's leech is vermiform, radially symmetrical, invertebrate, and endothermic parasite. It feeds through a sucker like mouth lined with teeth.
Victims of the leech often develop an allergic reaction to the anesthesia secreted by the leech. This reaction is often fatal to humans.
Description / Specifications[edit]
Specimens as large as 75 crn in length and weighing as much as 2 kilograms have been found, but individuals more typically measure 6-1 0 cm, and weigh 200-300 grams. Specific anatomical features are not known, as well preserved specimens are rare. Several forms are documented, but authorities disagree as to whether these represent separate species, sexes, or different stages of development.
The animal feeds through a suckerlike mouth locatd anterior to a ring of tentacular projections. These tentacles are coated with small, horny toothed structures which penetrate the skin of the victim, holding the mouth in place. The victims fluids are sucked into a series of holding sacs just under the dermis of the leech. When they are filled, the leech detaches itself from its "head" and falls to the ground. The head remains embedded in the flesh of the victim, where it eventually rots away, usually causing a severe infection. The digestive system is a simple coiled tube running the length of the body, absorbing nutrients from the ingested food, and expelling undigestable material and other wastes from a posterior pore. New "heads" are constantly growing to replace those detached, and an individual will have several developing at one time.
Apparently, there is no maximum size for an adult individual; growth seems to continue throughout life, although at a constantly decreasing rate. Larger forms of the leech seem to specialize in certain species of herbivores native to Victoria, but otherwise, Garan's leech does not seem to be particularly discriminating about what it eats.
Respiration of gases is accomplished through the skin, which must be kept moist to facilitate the process. As a result, Garan's leech is most commonly found in jungles, river banks, and lake shores, but individuals have been found almost anywhere there is a significant amount of standing water. It is postulated that there must be some form of encystment available to the organism allowing it to live through periods of drought, as dry soil samples have yielded animals when subjected to ample water supplies.
In addition to the loss of blood and infection caused by its attacks, the victims of Garan's leech often develop an allergic reaction to the anaesthetizing agent which the tentacles secrete to prevent the attack from being detected until too late. This reaction is often fatal in humans.
Physiology & Ecology[edit]
No information yet available.
Life Cycle & Reproduction[edit]
Some forms reproduce by splitting sections off the tail of the main body after feeding, each section then developing into a complete leech. Other forms lay eggs on the flesh of their victims, which hatch, feed, and drop off. It is not known whether reproduction in these last forms is sexual, or in what form the exchange of genetic information occurs.
Diet & Trophics[edit]
No information yet available.
History & Background / Dossier[edit]
No information yet available.
Derived Products (Goods)[edit]
No information yet available.
Travellers' Aid Society Advisory[edit]
No information yet available.
- The Travellers' Aid Society (TAS) classifies the TBD as non-threatening to most sophonts and makes no special advisory regarding this creature.
References & Contributors / Sources[edit]
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- Loren Wiseman. "The Bestiary." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 02 (1979): 27,30.