Difference between revisions of "Triple Gill-Crested Hydra"
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== Life Cycle & Reproduction == | == Life Cycle & Reproduction == | ||
| − | There are three gender phases for this organism. An alpha of breeding size forms a trio with a hormone receptive beta and they locate an old brooder. The alpha and beta each copulate with the brooder depositing half of the genetic compliment. These cells fertilize and collect within the womb of the older, more massive brooder. Alphas are 4m long and mass 600kg. The betas are slightly bigger. The brooders are 12m long and 1,800kg. The alphas stay in the area after the seasonal breeding event and help defend the nesting brooder. They hunt and bring back food items. The betas move off and grow larger and several cycles latter they morph into the larger brooder. Brooders no longer produce reproductive cells and develop a breeding receptical and attached womb. The fertilized eggs divide, differentiate and | + | There are three gender phases for this organism. An alpha of breeding size forms a trio with a hormone receptive beta and they locate an old brooder. The alpha and beta each copulate with the brooder depositing half of the genetic compliment. These cells fertilize and collect within the womb of the older, more massive brooder. Alphas are 4m long and mass 600kg. The betas are slightly bigger. The brooders are 12m long and 1,800kg. The alphas stay in the area after the seasonal breeding event and help defend the nesting brooder. They hunt and bring back food items. The betas move off and grow larger and several cycles latter they morph into the larger brooder. Brooders no longer produce reproductive cells and develop a breeding receptical and attached womb. The fertilized eggs divide, differentiate and tissue specialize. Once the eggs have developed to an advanced, multi-cellular macroscopic organism capable of surviving outside the adult's body, an egg mass of well developed embryos is delivered into the brooding shaft. The brooders nest in long vertical shafts, they excavate these only after breeding. They hide and pounce as an ambush predator. Their white heads blend in with the ice and snow. They lunge from cover from below the ice, snow and soil. This sudden eruption, followed by three biting heads make short work of unsuspecting prey items. They are supplemented by food items recovered by their alpha. They lay a massive egg cluster which is kept warm by their body. The egg mass moves and functions as a separate organism. This oozing, gelatinous blob can slide around and acts as a colonial decomposer/scavenger/reducer. They digest the carcasses left by the adults. They can break down the adults' excrement as well. Their bodies are kept fluid by a blend of glyco-proteins that act as natural anti-freeze. These cellular masses secrete corrosive digestive enzymes to allow phagocytotic absorption of the nutrients. This egg mass usually has to survive a few cycles of frost and hibernation before they are large enough to hatch. Eventually the membranes rupture releasing tiny hunters into the icy waters to swim, feed and grow for many cycles. These brood egg masses prowl the ice near the brood shaft. They can reach 2m diameter and 50kg before they release the larva into the water. |
== Diet & [[Trophics]] == | == Diet & [[Trophics]] == | ||
Revision as of 05:48, 28 May 2015
| Triple Gill-Crested Hydra | |
|---|---|
| Base Information | |
| Classification | Carnivore Hunter |
| Terrain | Marine and Coastal |
| Locomotion | Swimmer |
| Size | 4-12m long, 600-1,800kg |
| Speed | Fast |
| Strength | Strong |
| Social Structure | Few, breeding trios and egg masses |
| Weapons | Teeth |
| Armor | Jack |
| Source | |
| Homeworld | Kikuyu (Gushemege 2931) |
| Multi-world | No |
| Canon | No |
| Extinct | Extant |
| Reference | Non Canon |
A tri-fold radially symmetrical amphibious carnivore from the polar marine and coastal habitats. Adults vary from 600kg to 1,800kg and 4-12m in length. They have a smooth glossy dermal layer with patterns of white and black coloration. Their white heads allow them to blend in with ice and snow. Their black bodies absorb heat and allow them to hide in shadows below the ice shelf.
Physiology & Ecology
Their bodies are a tapered torpedo shape with a long whip like tail which seems like a macroscopic flagellum. It churns through the water in long powerful spiral patterns, often disturbing biolumenscent microscopic plankton, which serve to warn observant natives of its approach. There are three heads arrayed equadistant around the anterior end. The prow is a fatty hemispherical dome over a delicate nerve cluster which serves as a passive acoustical sensor. Each head has a sharp triple bladed beak, three clusters of neon colored compound eyes, and surmounted by a glorious red gill crest. These three vascular membrane rich fins run the length of each head and neck. Their iron rich blood transports gases, hormones and metabolic wastes. The crests serve as fins and are anchored in dense muscle layers. The whole head and neck structures serve as directional diving planes for the high speed swimmer. They aid in directional propulsion in the water at speed, and serves as a gas exchange structure. If kept moist these membranes can pull oxygen from the dense atmosphere above or below water. The necks are extremely flexible and can turn 270 degrees.
Life Cycle & Reproduction
There are three gender phases for this organism. An alpha of breeding size forms a trio with a hormone receptive beta and they locate an old brooder. The alpha and beta each copulate with the brooder depositing half of the genetic compliment. These cells fertilize and collect within the womb of the older, more massive brooder. Alphas are 4m long and mass 600kg. The betas are slightly bigger. The brooders are 12m long and 1,800kg. The alphas stay in the area after the seasonal breeding event and help defend the nesting brooder. They hunt and bring back food items. The betas move off and grow larger and several cycles latter they morph into the larger brooder. Brooders no longer produce reproductive cells and develop a breeding receptical and attached womb. The fertilized eggs divide, differentiate and tissue specialize. Once the eggs have developed to an advanced, multi-cellular macroscopic organism capable of surviving outside the adult's body, an egg mass of well developed embryos is delivered into the brooding shaft. The brooders nest in long vertical shafts, they excavate these only after breeding. They hide and pounce as an ambush predator. Their white heads blend in with the ice and snow. They lunge from cover from below the ice, snow and soil. This sudden eruption, followed by three biting heads make short work of unsuspecting prey items. They are supplemented by food items recovered by their alpha. They lay a massive egg cluster which is kept warm by their body. The egg mass moves and functions as a separate organism. This oozing, gelatinous blob can slide around and acts as a colonial decomposer/scavenger/reducer. They digest the carcasses left by the adults. They can break down the adults' excrement as well. Their bodies are kept fluid by a blend of glyco-proteins that act as natural anti-freeze. These cellular masses secrete corrosive digestive enzymes to allow phagocytotic absorption of the nutrients. This egg mass usually has to survive a few cycles of frost and hibernation before they are large enough to hatch. Eventually the membranes rupture releasing tiny hunters into the icy waters to swim, feed and grow for many cycles. These brood egg masses prowl the ice near the brood shaft. They can reach 2m diameter and 50kg before they release the larva into the water.
Diet & Trophics
They are poikilothermic heterotrophic consumers, they are an apex carnivorous predator within their ecosystem. The alphas and betas are free swimming carnivorous chasers who stalk and hunt amid the ice flows and along shore. They use their three heads and sharp beaks to kill prey. The brooders dig their vertical pits and spring forth using their powerful tail. Their three heads allow them to pounce and attack mutliple trargets at once, each head equipped with its own cluster of compound optical sensors. Any organisms that swim, fly or crawl are their prey. The only advantage is that they seldom work together. A breeding trio usually stakes out a territory big enough to feed them and their egg brood. The egg brood mass slimes about decomposing any organic remains or waste it encounters.
History & Background (Dossier)
A vital tribal totem animal in the Icen Lands of Kaidor on Kikuyu (world).
TAS Advisory
These are deadly predators and should be avoided if at all possible. Trained hunters often fall victim, and amateurs should not be allowed anywhere near them.
References & Contributors (Sources)
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis), Captain, and Lead Naval Architect Ronald B. Kline, Jr. of the Imperial Navy