Springer
| Springer | |
|---|---|
 TBD | |
| Base Information | |
| Classification | Carnivore/pouncer |
| Terrain | Rough |
| Locomotion | Walker |
| Size | 15cm |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Strength | Unknown |
| Social Structure | Solitary |
| Weapons | Teeth, poison |
| Armor | None |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Unknown |
| Multi-world | Yes |
| Canon | Yes |
| Extinct | Extant |
| Reference | Journal of the Travellers Aid Society No. 9 |
| TBD | |
The Springer is a small creature lifeform that is not a sophont.
- It is a vulpinoid and mammalianoid species that most closely resembles a Terran Fox.
Description (Specifications)[edit]
Springers (Arachnofelis var.), also called cave spiders, spider-cats and shrew-spiders, are eight-limbed quasi-mammalian carnivores.
Physiology & Ecology[edit]
Their origin world is not known, but they are found throughout the coreward regions of the Imperium.
Massing between 250 and 500 grams, springers average 15 centimeters in length. For reasons not completely understood, springers evolved from a four-limbed form. Each limb evolved into two, the upper portions shortening almost into non-existence. The powerful rear legs are adapted to leaping, and the remaining limbs are used for clinging to prey while poison (from two glands in the mouth) is injected.
Silk is excreted by glands in the upper chest area, which is hairless to prevent tangling. Two modified "thumbs" are used to draw the silk from the glands and manipulate it into a web. The silk produced is adhesive only when excreted, drying rapidly to a thick rope. Webs woven of it are coarse networks which signal the presence and location of prey.
Springers normally inhabit caves, dense forests, and rock crevices, but can often be found inhabiting piles of rubble and deserted buildings.
Life Cycle & Reproduction[edit]
Springers are hermaphroditic. Young are born live at any season, in litters of three to five. Since most of their milk glands have evolved into producing silk, Springers supplement their young's diet with regurgitated, partially digested food.
Diet & Trophics[edit]
They prey on a variety of smaller creatures and have a voracious appetite.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
Although spread widely by the mysterious Ancients, their range was increased considerably by colonists of the First Imperium, as a means for biological pest control.
Derived Products (Goods)[edit]
Their pelts are a valued trade item. Some sophonts find the meat tasty, but they are best known as potent forms of pest control.
Travellers' Aid Society Advisory[edit]
The Travellers' Aid Society (TAS) classifies the Springer as mildly threatening to most sophonts and makes a special advisory to take caution around these creatures.
- While not normally dangerous to humans, their bite is painful, and the venom can cause death due to allergic reaction in some individuals.
Image Repository[edit]
Worlds & Sectors (Astrography)[edit]
This creature can primarily be found in the following areas:
Charted Space:
Homeworld: 1105[edit]
The homeworld of this creature is:
- Unknown World
World Listing: 1105[edit]
Significant communities of this creature are known to be found within the following systems and worlds:
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
|
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- Loren Wiseman. "Bestiary." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society 09 (1981): .
- Springer (Creatures) Liz Danforth & Loren K. Wiseman February 2011 Signs & Portents 89
- Matthew Sprange. "Springer." Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society volume 3 (2019): 76-77.