Chinvis
Chinvis are one of the species of rodenvis that survived the Great Breaking and the successive floods. Rodenvis are honey maker burrowing bugs, famous both for their cuteness and their viciousness when they feel threatened.
Although nowadays they can be found in every part of Xalier, in the wild they are more likely to be seen near the warmer mountain bases.
Although nowadays they can be found in every part of Xalier, in the wild they are more likely to be seen near the warmer mountain bases.
DID YOU KNOW?
Several clans and families who have allegedely been working with rodenvis since before the Great Breaking have always said that before it they were never found in the wild in the colder highlands.Among those who give credit to those claims it has been theorized that their current preferred locations are due to that memory.
Basic Information
Anatomy
In the rodenvi scale (the biggest being the watarvi (with an average length of 40/50cm)
Despite a couple of differences, all types of chinbees share similar base characteristics:
The rear legs sprout on the middle and lower abdomen and are more robust. They have claws and sticky pads specially designed to walk in difficult terrains (such as smooth vertical surfaces).
A ring of stings around the lower half of their bodies which they raise as a warning. If that fails, they can release them at a great speed.
Their second defense mechanism, usually used as a last resort, consists of spraying propolis from a gland located under the base of the stings.
Despite a couple of differences, all types of chinbees share similar base characteristics:
Legs
They have three pairs of legs. The front legs are located in the upper part of their body. They have small padded feet which they can use to grasp things.The rear legs sprout on the middle and lower abdomen and are more robust. They have claws and sticky pads specially designed to walk in difficult terrains (such as smooth vertical surfaces).
Antennae
They also have a pair of antennae in their head. They use them to touch, smell, taste, and even detect small vibrations in their surroundings.Wings
Their wings are strong enough to carry them up to 2km nonstop (the smaller chinbees) and up to 10km (the largest).Hair
Their bodies are covered in dense thick hair.Defensive Mechanism
When threatened, rodenbees have two defensive mechanisms at their disposal:A ring of stings around the lower half of their bodies which they raise as a warning. If that fails, they can release them at a great speed.
Their second defense mechanism, usually used as a last resort, consists of spraying propolis from a gland located under the base of the stings.
The currently known subspecies of rodenbee are:
- Wacarbee
- Bunbee
- Carbee
- Chinbee
Genetics and Reproduction
Chinbees can reproduce all year round, but they "hatch their eggs" at the beginning of the warmer months.
Female chinbees's gestation period is 60 to 75 days. They birth their young still inside the placenta after which they wrap them in a soft thread and bury them under a gooey secretion they make with pollen, in the burrows they make in the softer parts of the cave systems they like to inhabit.
Female chinbees's gestation period is 60 to 75 days. They birth their young still inside the placenta after which they wrap them in a soft thread and bury them under a gooey secretion they make with pollen, in the burrows they make in the softer parts of the cave systems they like to inhabit.
Growth Rate & Stages
At the end of the cold season, chinbees dig out the eggs and roll them around the hive, and stick them in the crevices of the caves to help them come out. The sharp rocks cut the soft thread and the new chinbee comes out ready to join the rest of the community.
Dietary Needs and Habits
In the wild, chinbees have been known to eat plant leaves, fruits, seeds, small insects, pollen, and sap. Wacarbees may also sometimes eat small fishes.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Chinvis like to burrow. Their hives are usually a complex set of underground tunnels, reinforced with chinvi glue.
After the Great Breaking and the successive floods, many species were lost, but those who survived learned to burrow in the crevices of mountains, or in tunnels and caves. After the lowlands were habitable again, several colonies remained in the mountains.
A chinvi hive size can range from 100 members up to 200. They form communities and although every female can reproduce, they care for all the young together as a group.
After the Great Breaking and the successive floods, many species were lost, but those who survived learned to burrow in the crevices of mountains, or in tunnels and caves. After the lowlands were habitable again, several colonies remained in the mountains.
A chinvi hive size can range from 100 members up to 200. They form communities and although every female can reproduce, they care for all the young together as a group.
DID YOU KNOW?
When looking for the, thought mythical, honey shroom, the explorer Saru came upon a hive of more than 500 individuals, and had to be assisted once ze managed to escape after making a very good impression of a pincushion).Uses, Products & Exploitation
Aside from the honey, many other products derive from chinvis:
Wax: the residue from the secretions the chinvis produce to process their honey. Honey.
Honey Silk: Made with the thread of the leftover pupa.
Chinvi Glue: chinvis eat tree sap which they mix with nectar and the sticky liquid they produce to scare away predators. The final mix becomes an extremely hard type of glue which they use to weave leaves and make their burrows sturdier.
When the Vadani plague ravaged the south of Xalier killing the population of badger wolves, the natural predator of a type of rondenvi called Acuranvi, they became a plague, and now they are a popular street food, specially during racing season, and festivals.
Wax: the residue from the secretions the chinvis produce to process their honey. Honey.
Honey Silk: Made with the thread of the leftover pupa.
Chinvi Glue: chinvis eat tree sap which they mix with nectar and the sticky liquid they produce to scare away predators. The final mix becomes an extremely hard type of glue which they use to weave leaves and make their burrows sturdier.
When the Vadani plague ravaged the south of Xalier killing the population of badger wolves, the natural predator of a type of rondenvi called Acuranvi, they became a plague, and now they are a popular street food, specially during racing season, and festivals.
Scientific Name
Rodenvi
Lifespan
5 to 8 years.
They are friendly animals, if a bit shy, although people should do well not to underestimate them as they can be quite fierce and even dangerous when provoked, after all, despite being so cute and small, chinvis are among the common cause of death for inexperienced travelers or honey seekers, and more than a few "experts".
The problem is always the same, people not recognizing the land they are about to step on is housing a hive below. The problem is that the sturdiness of the hive is from the point of view of the chinvi, not the navasti about to cross it.
Many have fallen to their deaths when the ground under them gave away. That in itself is not a problem, unless the unfortunate individual had managed to fall in the honey pool. Where unless someone rescues sim in time they will suffer a most horrid death.
The problem is always the same, people not recognizing the land they are about to step on is housing a hive below. The problem is that the sturdiness of the hive is from the point of view of the chinvi, not the navasti about to cross it.
Many have fallen to their deaths when the ground under them gave away. That in itself is not a problem, unless the unfortunate individual had managed to fall in the honey pool. Where unless someone rescues sim in time they will suffer a most horrid death.
Cute! Are there also actual bees, or do chinbees substitute them in your world? Also, you mentioned predators, who are they?