Rift Scarab

Rift scarabs, like most beetles, possess a hardened exoskeleton that provides protection against predators and environmental threats. Their bodies are predominantly flat, allowing them to navigate through the crevices of their rocky habitat with ease. Their elytra, which covers their wings, taper to a sharp point, serving as a defensive mechanism against predators from behind.   While these beetles are equipped with wings, their considerable size and inadequately proportioned wings restrict them from flying over long distances. As a result, rift scarabs are exclusively found within the secluded valley of the Shatterscale Mountains, with their presence most prominent within the rift.   The Rift Scarabs' impressive jaws are capable of effortlessly tearing through the rotting flesh of small mammals and fish. When faced with a threat, these scarabs can use their formidable jaws as weapons, delivering swift and significant damage to potential attackers.   The shell of a mature beetle exhibits a striking jet-black color, with an iridescent blue-green hue. This coloration is believed to provide an effective form of camouflage in dimly lit environments and among decaying organic matter, such as rotting flesh.

Mature rift scarabs are primarily carnivorous creatures, thriving on a diet of decaying flesh of dead animals, including mammals, birds, and fish. Their scavenging habits play a crucial role in the ecosystem, helping to decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the environment.   During their larva stage, these scarabs eat small insects. This is particularly beneficial to tree-dwelling wyverns, who will actively seek rift scarab larvae, bringing them into their dens and nests. The larvae effectively eliminate unwanted pests, which can pose a serious threat to the wyvern's eggs.

When faced with a threat, rift scarabs will rise up on their hind legs, expanding their jaws to appear larger and more intimidating. As they do this, they forcefully expel air from their body, generating a harsh hissing sound that serves as a warning to potential aggressors. This hissing is often accompanied by the sharp clicking of their powerful mandibles, a sound that can echo ominously through the forest.   Should the perceived danger advance too closely, the scarab will lunge forward, utilizing its formidable jaws to deliver a powerful bite. The force behind this bite can inflict significant damage, given the scarab's considerable size.

Rift Scarabs develop a symbiotic relationship with the tree-dwelling wyverns residing in the Shatterscale Rift, such as the Rift Vinetail, during their vulnerable early larval stage. These wyverns actively seek out and capture rift scarab larvae, bringing them into their dens and nests. The presence of the scarabs serves a critical role within the wyverns' habitat by efficiently eliminating unwanted pests, particularly Wyvern Wasps, which can pose a serious threat to the wyvern's eggs.   In this mutual arrangement, the wyvners provide a safe haven for the rift scarab larvae, guarding them from predators and environmental hazards until they reach maturity. However, once the beetles mature, they are expelled from the wyvern's nest, as their newfound size and appetite could pose a risk of them consuming the eggs.