Marine Wyrm
Related to the Sand Wyrms of the Northern Wastes, Marine Wyrms have adapted to a deep sea lifestyle, inhabiting the ocean floor in coves and trenches. Marine Wyrms are not quite as mobile as their desert dwelling cousins, attaching their rear ends to any protected pits or coves they can find, remaining anchored until their death. They do however, grow to much larger sizes than land based Wyrms, and are able to stretch and extend their reach up to 6 meters from their homes. For this reason they are the best ambush predators in the worlds ocean, remaining completely hidden in darkness until any unfortunate prey creature swims too close.
Basic Information
Anatomy
An aquatic offshoot of the Wyrm family, Marine Wyrms have developed a very different lifestyle from their desert dwelling cousins of the Wastes.
Able to grow larger than their terrestrial brethren, these creatures can reach lengths of 12m. Their front mandibles have also undergone significant changes since migrating underwater, becoming adapted to moving water instead of sand. As such, their mandibles can spin at great speed, essentially becoming a turbine that sucks food in, shredding it before being swallowed.
Genetics and Reproduction
Asexual, releases offspring in bursts, which spread out looking for anchor spots. Survival rate is very low for juvenile Marine Wyrms, so they have to make up for it in numbers. Once a Wyrm has had time to anchor and develop, its safety is all but guaranteed as few creatures are able to predate upon it.
Growth Rate & Stages
Beginning life with mobility, Marine Wyrms look for ideal locations to anchor for adulthood. Once a spot is found, the animal attaches itself at the base, and over the span of a few weeks a membrane rapidly grows to surround and penetrate its anchor for a more permanent hold.
Ecology and Habitats
Lives a fully aquatic life in the shallower regions near coasts. Juveniles prefer to anchor in caves or protected areas, though it isn't a hard requirement. Ideally a Marine Wyrm will set up in a location with heavy traffic, where passing bioforms can be occasionally grabbed for food.
Dietary Needs and Habits
A sedentary ambush hunter, Marine Wyrms simply lie in wait for prey to pass by. Once within detection range, the Wyrm will quickly uncoil for a lunge at the tresspassing bioform. To assist in target aquisition, it will spin its front mandibles to create a strong suction that hinders escape.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
After ages spent underwater, Marine Wyrms have retained their extraordinary sense for vibration and fine tuned it for ocean life. While their range of detection is more limited than their terrestrial relatives, their sensory needles are more developed. This gives them the ability to "see" in finer detail, and while in motion. For this reason, attacks from Marine Wyrms are faster and without the pauses needed by Sand Wyrms.
Geographic Distribution
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