Discovery
While conducting field-work for another study of ours, the team was approached by a local farmer who warned them that a cattle leech was in the area. Since no tracks or signs of one had been found, the warning was dismissed. During the night, several pack-animals were attacked and drained of their blood. The farmer was sought out and questioned as to his knowledge of the attacks. He claimed that he knew that the creature was near, because all the snail were gone, even when it rained.
During future field-work the team heeded his warnings and attempted to follow this method of detection. Areas that were investigated during earlier surveys were found devoid of the animal, only to be haunted by a cattle leech in the following days. By following this method, the team was able to save their animals and members, greatly reducing the costs of the survey. After their return, we noted this strange connection and decided to investigate further, hoping to further reduce future cost.
Observations
Our first step was to breed a small population of the snails as a body for experimentation. The third attempt at breeding a small colony succeeded and set us up for the following experiments, which will be explained in greater detail below. The larger challenge was catching and keeping a cattle leech contained for the duration of our studies.
1. Exposure to Scent
When exposed to the scent of the cattle leech, the snails did not flee as expecxted. What happened, however, was that they seemed to grow more aggressive. Even after removal from the test chambers a specimen attempted to "bite" a researcher. We were unaware at the time, but this would result in what we were looking for.
When exposed to the scent of the cattle leech, the snails did not flee as expecxted. What happened, however, was that they seemed to grow more aggressive. Even after removal from the test chambers a specimen attempted to "bite" a researcher. We were unaware at the time, but this would result in what we were looking for.
2. Food Source
Despite captiuring the smallest specimen we could find, it was wholly uninterested in feeding on the provided snails. Removing the shells to make them more palatable did not result in any change. The creature simply ignored the snails, which did not seem to mind it in turn and went on with their daily life.
Despite captiuring the smallest specimen we could find, it was wholly uninterested in feeding on the provided snails. Removing the shells to make them more palatable did not result in any change. The creature simply ignored the snails, which did not seem to mind it in turn and went on with their daily life.
As we returned to the first group of snails, something peculiar had happened. All of them, except one, were dead. They had apparently entered a sort of frenzy and killed each other. The remaining snail had smashed all of its competitors shells and retreated into its own. The shell was almost discarded, but a student decided to keep it as a memento of the failed experiment.
After two days, the student reported that the shell was growing in size and seemingly changing its texture. The shell was placed in a fish tank and we continued our observations. During the following days the shell continued growing without being fed. After inquiring with the arcanist of the team, she confirmed our suspicion, explaining that the creature inside was drawing in a sizable amount of ambient magic to fuel its growth.
After a total of thirteen days since the death of the other snails, the cattle leech emerged. The shell opened up, splitting into four appendages around the beak. Upon hatching, the creature began to immediately grow in size. At this point the employed guard made the decision to terminate it and informed us about what had happened. We assume, that if left uncheked, it would have grown to the size of the regulal specimen we found, before attempting to bury away.
Further Steps
We propose further studies into the nature of this transformation, to determine if this is the natural life cycle or influenced by outside forces. Further, it is wort a consideration to eradicate the plains snail from the face of the continent to remove this significant threat from our lands, protecting the investments of the company.In that regard we request not only the re-classification of both creatures into one, but also humbly ask for our grant to be extended so that we may continue our studies, now focused on a more practical way of implementing our found knowledge. Specimens bred in captivity could provide vital information that will help us fight and eradicate them.
Excerpt:
In the following paper we propose that the Plains-Snail is actually an early stage of life for the feared Cattle-Leech. We will explain our findings and what led us to them.
In the following paper we propose that the Plains-Snail is actually an early stage of life for the feared Cattle-Leech. We will explain our findings and what led us to them.
Plains Snail
The common plains snail is a fairly unremarkable type of snail. It may grow as long as the index finger of a grown man. The shell it carries grows to about a third of the length and may house the entire creature. It is almost perfectly circular, often chipping away with age. It exhibits a spiral on the side, which grows clockwise, although rare specimens with counter clockwise growing shells have been reported and are often seen as a lucky find.
The snail feeds on small plants dwelling close to the ground, occasionally climbing up the stalks and attacking the leaves. During dry periods they tend to stay in the shade and move as little as possible. During wetter conditions, they leave their hiding spots and become more agile, frequently moving into different areas, looking for mates.
They are generally considered to be of no concern to the average citizen, only angering gardeners and occasionally cooks that mistake them for a more palatable species.
Cattle Leech
The cattle leech is a predator that mainly roams the plains of the continent. It attacks everything large enough, most often cattle or pack animals. Desperate and especially hungry specimens have also attacked people and attempted to feed on them.
They will grow as long as they are able to feed themselves. Only few have been kept in captivity over the years as they are increasingly hostile and frequently attempt to burrow away. A specimen kept like that is the largest ever recorded, equaling the lengths of two Mooncattle and the width of one. After its death studies showed that the animal was incapable of supporting its own weight any further.
The cattle leech will drink the blood of its prey, leaving behind a desiccated husk, before burrowing underground and moving on to its next target. They usually hunt at night, as they do not possess eyes, this somewhat evens the battlefield between them and their prey. In appearance they are long and wormlike, with wrinkly skin covering them. Where the face should be, a long beak sits surrounded by four chitinous appendages. Their colouring tends to mirror their environment, while older individuals take on a pinkish red hue.
Left unchecked they can decimate entire herds and subsequently cause great harm to any business in the area.
The common plains snail is a fairly unremarkable type of snail. It may grow as long as the index finger of a grown man. The shell it carries grows to about a third of the length and may house the entire creature. It is almost perfectly circular, often chipping away with age. It exhibits a spiral on the side, which grows clockwise, although rare specimens with counter clockwise growing shells have been reported and are often seen as a lucky find.
The snail feeds on small plants dwelling close to the ground, occasionally climbing up the stalks and attacking the leaves. During dry periods they tend to stay in the shade and move as little as possible. During wetter conditions, they leave their hiding spots and become more agile, frequently moving into different areas, looking for mates.
They are generally considered to be of no concern to the average citizen, only angering gardeners and occasionally cooks that mistake them for a more palatable species.
Cattle Leech
The cattle leech is a predator that mainly roams the plains of the continent. It attacks everything large enough, most often cattle or pack animals. Desperate and especially hungry specimens have also attacked people and attempted to feed on them.
They will grow as long as they are able to feed themselves. Only few have been kept in captivity over the years as they are increasingly hostile and frequently attempt to burrow away. A specimen kept like that is the largest ever recorded, equaling the lengths of two Mooncattle and the width of one. After its death studies showed that the animal was incapable of supporting its own weight any further.
The cattle leech will drink the blood of its prey, leaving behind a desiccated husk, before burrowing underground and moving on to its next target. They usually hunt at night, as they do not possess eyes, this somewhat evens the battlefield between them and their prey. In appearance they are long and wormlike, with wrinkly skin covering them. Where the face should be, a long beak sits surrounded by four chitinous appendages. Their colouring tends to mirror their environment, while older individuals take on a pinkish red hue.
Left unchecked they can decimate entire herds and subsequently cause great harm to any business in the area.
Comments
Author's Notes
On an unrelated note: I really want to re-watch tremors and recently got (and painted) a Grik-Mini.