Clasp

This small, intelligent animal lives partially buried under the ground, but always has it's shell poking out of the surface. Ambush predators, they wait until prey is over their claws, then attack.

Basic Information

Anatomy

They have a large round shell, and have tentacles on the back half of the body and surrounding the mouth. Their main tool is their arms, massive armored arms, used to move and attack.

Biological Traits

These creatures fit the description of a hermit crab and an octopus hybrid. With their tentacles and shell, they really do look like a mix of the two. While they are intelligent, they don't seem to need all of the brainpower to sit in a hole until something moves.

Genetics and Reproduction

In the dry season, males search for females. If multiple males are around a single female, they will all eventually mate, in this vast wasteland, you take a chance to pass on genes. At the start of the wet season, the female searches for water, to lay eggs in. The eggs hatch in about a day to small, independent baby clasps.

Growth Rate & Stages

Once the young hatch, they are completely alone. They don't have shells yet, as those come after their first shed, but they do have a hunger for plants. As the only plant available is the Spreadweed, they must be careful.

Ecology and Habitats

The optimal habitat for this oddity is sand, just plain sand. They have a strange method of locomotion, using their arms, they lift their bodies up off the ground and swing themselves forward.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Their diet consists of, really, whatever moves over their claws, mostly lost parasites or Sail runners. As for habits, they have the strange behavior of singing to themselves when no food is around. It has actually been proved that this settles their nerves and relaxes them.

Biological Cycle

When young, they shed their skin once a week. After about six sheds, the shell starts to form, and then they hibernate for a few months until the wet season's beginning.

Additional Information

Social Structure

For the most part, they are loners, but during the breeding season, they may congregate in the hundreds to a single pool of water, providing a boost of protein to any passing Walker or Shredder.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Their shells seem to grow larger every year. The material used to produce the shell is ivory, the same thing as elephant tusks. This is sometimes shaved off in small quantities and made into small charms.

Facial characteristics

Their face is interesting. On the eyed variety, they have two large black eyes, and two smaller eyes above those. They also have tentacles surrounding the beak, where venom is injected into the prey.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

All deserts of Animoterra, although the individuals in the Crystal Sands are a subspecies, they have no eyes and have thicker skin.

Average Intelligence

About as intelligent as a dog, they can apparently be taught simple commands.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They can hear extremely well to help them with being underground. They also use echolocation, using a frequency far too high pitched for humans to hear.

Scientific Name

Petra Amplex

Origin/Ancestry

They seem to be an introduced species in some areas, but they have blended in well.

Lifespan

The average is around 60 years

Conservation Status

No one is actually sure of their numbers, their disguise is so good, often we dig out normal rocks instead!

Average Height

Usually 1-2 feet tall

Average Weight

Roughly 20 lbs

Average Length

About 1 foot

Average Physique

Usually described as slimy, pale and gross, it about sums it up. Their arms, while long, are not very thick. Do not think, however, that they are weak.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

While the shell is a rock-like grey color, the body is grossly pale and bland.