Triple Gill-Crested Hydra

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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
Weapons Teeth
Armor Jack
Source
Homeworld Kikuyu (Gushemege 2931)
Multi-world No
Canon No
Extinct Extant
Reference Non Canon


Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) Synopsis

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.

Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) 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.

Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) 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.

Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) Diet & Trophics

They are poikilothermic heterotrophic consumers, they are an apex carnivorous predator within their ecosystem.

Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) History & Background (Dossier)

A vital tribal totem animal in the Icen Lands of Kaidor on Kikuyu (world).

Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) 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.

Triple Gill-Crested Hydra (Creature) References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Mongoose Publishing or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.