Visanimus Whale
"...I managed to get a glimpse of a visanimus whale, those marvelous beasts. It was brought in on a fishing vessel, suspended above the deck by crane. It was crying out helplessly as it was being towed into the slaughterhouse. I felt like it somehow knew what was going to happen to it..."
Basic Information
Anatomy
The visanimus whale has a broad head with a blunted nasal region. The mouths of the whales are lined with hundreds of sharp teeth that function like a spike trap. There are three pairs of sensory organs that are used to locate food. These organist have slender stalks and are tipped with circular bulbi. Each set is located behind each of its fins. The creatures can grow upwards of 95 feet in length and weigh about 200 tons. They have an off white coloration around their body with exception of their fins and tail which are typically a dark blue or gray. Their skin is coated in a thick mucus which is thought to make the whales more hydrodynamic. The mucus has been found to make a good source of fuel and is used mainly by the nation of Promaticous. This mucus is created by gland organs under the skin which takes sediments ingested by the whale and processes it into mucus.
Genetics and Reproduction
The visanimus whale reproduces sexually with individuals either being male or female. Gestation can last up to two years in length with most mothers only carrying one pup to term per pregnancy.
Growth Rate & Stages
After birth each whale, known as a pup, is dependent on its mother for most everything. The pup is unable to feed or protect itself. The only thing that newborn pups know is how to swim and breath. This stage only lasts as long as the new pup has no teeth, which start growing in about two months of age. From here the pup will still stay near its mother for protection until it reaches adolescence. Adolescence is marked by the development of the special sensory organs or whiskers. Upon development the whale looses most of its eyesight in favor of the senses it picks up from the organs. From there the whale will grow rapidly until reaching its full size (about 90-95 feet in length) marking the start if adulthood.
Ecology and Habitats
Visanimus whales reside in the northern oceans during the summer months where they spend their time feeding and preparing for the summer. During the winter the whales move to more tropical waters near the equator where the warmer waters act as breeding grounds for the whales.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Visanimus whales are carnivorous predatory animals. Their primary prey being large fish, crustaceans, and even smaller whales. The whales typically hunt alone by diving under their prey and ramming them from below. Creatures that are caught by visanimus whales are trapped in its many teeth designed to shred anything that attempts escape. The prey is then swallowed whole or mostly whole. Visanimus whales have three stomachs to aid in digestion, the first of which contains rocks and sediments purposely eaten by the whale in order to grind up its prey to make up for its lack of chewing.
Biological Cycle
As the whales grow older they become increasingly reliant on their sensory organs as they become seemly blind. The sensory organs even seem to become more capable as the whales age as well, with older whales being able to predict the movements of other creatures.
Behaviour
During the summer months visanimus whales are solitary, territorial creatures. They hunt frequently to store up energy for their migration during the winter. During the winter the whales are much more social traveling in pods that increase in number the closer they are to the equator.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The whales are hunted relentlessly by the nation of Promaticous in order to produce the fuel known as whale diesel. This fuel is derived from the mucus secreted from the skin of the whales. The extraction process is fatal to the whales, so much of its carcass finds use such as food from the flesh and ornamentation or medicine from the bones.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The visanimus whales can be found in different spots during the year. From the fall to the end of spring they occupy the northern Supra Ocean feeding off the many fatty mamals and fish found in the region. In late spring they migrate to the Mezo Ocean for the duration of the summer. The deeper waters of the Mezo allow for the whales to repreduce in relative seclusion from any would be predators that may prey upon new born calfs.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Visanimus whales are capable of sensing prey from miles away using its sensory whiskers. This has caused the whales to develop poor eyesight as the reliance on these organs has become strong. The whiskers are also able to sense magical creatures and items.
Scientific Name
Oleum Cete
Lifespan
70 - 100 Years
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Average Weight
4 - 5 tons
Average Length
8 - 12 yards
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