Greater White-eyed Megapede {Deinognathus Gigantus}
In this article, we will be covering one of the more common monsters, the Greater White-Eyed Megapede Deinognathus Gigantus.[1] I imagine that most of you know what these monsters look like and how they sound and act and such, but the STARLLIGHT aims to provide information on all monsters, known or unknown, so even the most common will be profiled.
[1] - For those who don't understand binomial nomenclature (which is most people honestly) "deino" means terrible, "gnathus" means jaw, and "gigantus" means giant. So put simply, their scientific name means something along the lines of "terrible jawed big thing". And, if you don't know what "binominal nomenclature" means, it means a two-name naming system. The first name identifies it's genus (the larger family it belongs to, like how dogs are of Canis, the family containing wolves and jackals and such) and the second identifies the creature itself. (Like how the second name of a dog, familiaris, shows that it is domesticated.) Such names make it easier to identify and find information on creatures; a binominal name is completely unique. There will only ever be one species with the name "Canis Familiaris", and it will always be the dog.
[1] - For those who don't understand binomial nomenclature (which is most people honestly) "deino" means terrible, "gnathus" means jaw, and "gigantus" means giant. So put simply, their scientific name means something along the lines of "terrible jawed big thing". And, if you don't know what "binominal nomenclature" means, it means a two-name naming system. The first name identifies it's genus (the larger family it belongs to, like how dogs are of Canis, the family containing wolves and jackals and such) and the second identifies the creature itself. (Like how the second name of a dog, familiaris, shows that it is domesticated.) Such names make it easier to identify and find information on creatures; a binominal name is completely unique. There will only ever be one species with the name "Canis Familiaris", and it will always be the dog.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Deinognathus Gigantus is a ten limbed, vaguely humanoid centipede-like monster, standing at an average height of two and a half metres tall and about that again in length.
They are heavily armoured, and their chitinous covering is a dark navy blue (save for the claws, which are dark grey) with long segmented bodies that end in a double-pointed stinger-like appendage of unknown function, (possibly for mating) flanked by small vestigial claspers on either side.
In terms of its limbs, each pair is just as heavily armoured as the body and ends in two hooflike digits They have three larger pairs of legs (with two claws on each) upon which they stand. The other four limbs are arms upon the upright, torso-like part of the creature, one pair above the other. The lower pair are smaller and vestigal, and above them are another pair of arms much the same, but larger.
The neck is dominated by a large and round head, smooth and domed on the top and ridged along the sides. They have small mouths flanked by giant mandibles that are nearly as long as the head itself. The face itself has few features of note besides the gigantic eyes that dominate it, and the ridges around them.
Deinognathus Gigantus possess two large pairs of composite eyes, both round and a very pale blue, made of panes small enough that they are mistaken for one single eye until closely inspected. The pair at the front are easily the size of dinner plates, and the pair behind them are much smaller, though still quite large.
Biological Traits
They are, like most monsters, very resistant to disease and illness.
Genetics and Reproduction
The methods with which Deinognathus Gigantus reproduces are currently unknown, though it is widely assumed that they court and mate in much the same way as their smaller cousins. It is assumed that they likely only have small clutches of eggs (assuming they lay eggs at all and do not birth live young) because of their size, and that they probably have long lifespans, but yet again nothing is certain here. They are surprisingly reclusive and modest despite their size, which can make them difficult to study.
Ecology and Habitats
From observation, the creatures seem to prefer dark and humid environments full of flora and fauna. They are predominantly sighted in dense forests, though I have been told that they are rather numerous in cave systems as well (I will need to test that myself, I think.)
They appear to den underground, either in simple one chambered nests that they dig themselves, or, if they are able to, in caves. They will usually live in the same den for quite a while, though they will move dens if they need to. The dens they leave behind are happily taken advantage of by other creatures, such as snakes or Frogcats.
They are very shy, but seem to play an important role in the ecosystem as a more benign monster, a large omnivorous grazer who keeps the fast growing flora in check and provides food and habitats for other creatures.
They appear to den underground, either in simple one chambered nests that they dig themselves, or, if they are able to, in caves. They will usually live in the same den for quite a while, though they will move dens if they need to. The dens they leave behind are happily taken advantage of by other creatures, such as snakes or Frogcats.
They are very shy, but seem to play an important role in the ecosystem as a more benign monster, a large omnivorous grazer who keeps the fast growing flora in check and provides food and habitats for other creatures.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Deinognathus Gigantus is a omnivorous forager which will quite happily eat most anything from fungus to flowers to eggs to a certain cryptozoologist's sandwiches. While they will certainly eat small creatures given the right opportunity, they do not actively hunt; they are rather too large, obvious and slow to chase deer or catch birds. They are primarily foragers and browsers who will pull leaves from trees, dig up tubers, shake nests from trees and tear off branches of berries. Interestingly though, unless they are starving they will never strip plants bare or take everything, which shows some level of forward planning. Given where they live there is rarely any great lack of things to eat, but even when there is they seem to do reasonably well despite not being seen successfully foraging much which suggests that they either have other food sources or stockpile for such cases.
Biological Cycle
The life cycle of Deinognathus Gigantus is at this moment mostly a mystery. As of yet no eggs or juveniles have been found (I'm reluctant to believe that they are born near the same size that they are usually found, since that seems incredibly inefficient, or that the ones we see are in fact juveniles because even with the abnormal growth of everything here, I struggle to see how any insect much larger than this could hold itself on land without collapsing under it's own weight) though smaller individuals have been seen in the autumn, which we can take to mean that they are likely born in spring or summer, and stay hidden until they are larger and more heavily armoured.
Most likely due to the mild weather here, they do not usually hibernate like some centipedes, though in particulaly harsh winters they do seem to disappear, and with the lack of bodies we can assume that they either hibernate or retreat underground. (Honestly, I don't blame them.)
Most likely due to the mild weather here, they do not usually hibernate like some centipedes, though in particulaly harsh winters they do seem to disappear, and with the lack of bodies we can assume that they either hibernate or retreat underground. (Honestly, I don't blame them.)
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Their shed carapaces are very strong and light, so can be used to construct furniture, protective clothing and the like, though most people do not think to utilize this. They are also edible, but the amount of work it would take to actually get to what was edible deters most creatures.
They seem to be at least some level of trainable, since they will perform simple favours in response to food or kindness.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Assumed endemic to the needlefloor forest and the surrounding area.
Average Intelligence
They are at least on the same level of intelligence as the common crow, capable of understanding teamwork, bartering, planning and to some level kindness as well.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Predominantly, they speak Œtyœian, a language of thrumming clicks, croaks and whirrs.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Association with other species seems to vary by monster, but as a general rule they are quite curious, and have been observed playing simple games with other monsters and humans. As long as nobody gets aggressive they seem to be more than happy to interact with other creatures.
Hoping you well until the next edition,
R.F. Banks
Editor-in-chief
Scientific Name
Deinognathus Gigantus
Lifespan
15 years (they can live much longer than this, but they are often preyed upon.)
Average Height
2.5 metres
Average Length
2.8 metres
Average Physique
Bulky, heavily armoured.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dark, navy blue carapace over most of body. Eyes are a very pale blue, claws are dark grey.
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