Desert Wanderer
The Desert Wanderer is a fairly large sized creature living solely on the seabed, their most prominent feature being the flexible arms behind their heads. As well as relying on their spiky shells, they can also use these arms for self defense. These creatures have been observed pushing against a predator's head, picking up rocks to intercept attacks, and even jab predators' eyes with the arms' sharp tips as their method of survival.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Desert Wanderer has a compact body covered in rough armored segments, as well as a very large head in proportion to its body. Its face has several spikes jutting from the top, as well as large glowing purple eyes, and large mandibles protruding from the sides of the mouth. Behind its head are four thin but extremely strong arms, with several clawed digits at the end of each, used mainly for mating and self defense.
Biological Traits
Males will sometimes have more pronounced spikes on their heads, while females will have appendages on their back ends, which are thought to be large gonopods.
Genetics and Reproduction
With their strong arms, Desert Wanderers often pick up little trinkets off the seafloor, ranging from rocks to shells to large sticks. Male individuals are likely to choose the heaviest objects in order to display his strength to a nearby female, who can be choosy over who to mate with at times. If a male gets ignored, the female simply walks away during his display. If not, their eggs will be laid soon after mating, with the mother carrying them with her arms while the father makes a simple nest to store them away. The eggs are often kept behind large natural formations, while the parents leave and attempt to start another nest elsewhere.
Growth Rate & Stages
Once the babies hatch, they'll have to consume every bit of substance from their eggs in order to give them a boost of energy for living out in the open. They start off with pudgy, weak shells and comparatively short arms, and they are likely to travel in groups for a while. They mostly eat plant matter low to the ground, and occasionally feed off of extremely small creatures burrowing in the sand. Once their shells and arms become stronger they are likely to abandon their siblings and start a solitary life, but rarely, some siblings will stick together.
Ecology and Habitats
Desert Wanderers are only found in the Dunes. They spend all of their time simply crawling over vast distances in search of food and mates. Most have been found picking objects off the seabed with their arms, either to impress other Desert Wanderers, or make makeshift campgrounds to rest in.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Desert Wanderer is a generalist omnivore, feeding on krill, Dune Bushes, and Deep Koi corpses. Sometimes, they may actively hunt Deep Koi by hiding near their food sources. Once a specimen gets close enough, the Desert Wanderer will lash out its arms, attempting to restrain the prey. This is not a preferred method to get food, since their prey can easily swim to safety.
Biological Cycle
Oftentimes, sand grains can get stick inside their body segments, slightly restricting their movement, though they can use their arms to clean themselves.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
This creature makes the most use of its large eyes, which allow it to see from virtually any angle. Its smell and hearing are rather poor compared to sight, but it also makes use of its sense of touch with its arms.
Scientific Name
Odocatomo viatorem
Lifespan
Unknown
Conservation Status
Endangered
Average Weight
500 lbs.
Average Length
12 ft.
Average Physique
Bulky
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Black shell, glowing purple eyes
Geographic Distribution
Average
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