Cirrilid

A small cephalapod with a conicle shell that lives in the warm shallow water of the Camoreyt Sea. Fast swimming and friendly, they have been domesticated by many of the populations throughout the sea as a pet and messenger.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tendrils and large eyes emerging from a spiralling shell. A varied number of cirri, and two longer arms surround a small, hard beak. Eight distinct teeth on the radula assist with digestion. The eyes, unlike other cephalopods, have a transparent lid, that can allow them to see more clearly outside of water.

Genetics and Reproduction

Cirrilid lay eggs, with females sticking fertilised eggs onto rocks or other hardy surfaces during late winter. Occasionally, they've been known to attach eggs to boats, carrying them far afield.

Growth Rate & Stages

Cirrilids grow slowly, and don't reach sexual maturity until around 10 years old.

Ecology and Habitats

In the wild, Cirrilid live in the deeper edges of the reefs that surround the many island of the Camoreyt Sea. They nest and shelter during the night in crevasses at a depth of about 30 metres, then return close to the surface to feed. Crillids often island hop, with pods of a dozen or so migrating island to island every week.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Crillids are oppurtunitic feeders, their diet conists laregly on small crustaceans and carrion. They don't need to feed often, unless travelling long distances.

Behaviour

Cirilids are intelligent, and generally calm around humans. They have an excellent senses of direction, and are often trained to travel to certain islands. Instructions are usually given by gentle taps to the shell or to hard objects nearby. Cirrilids are curious, and are confident in their ability to outrun prey.

Additional Information

Domestication

Cirrilid have been domesticated among many population in the Camoreyt Sea for at least 200 years, possibly longer. They have largely been bred for intelligence and speed, although there have been no major changes from the wild population.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Used as messenger for quite some time, delivering messages from island to island, sealed in a pouch mounted below the shell. Such correspondence is slower than a ship under full sail, but much cheaper, and for some of the smaller islands, it is the main method for which they contact the outside world. With the increasing influence of Lareenan and Marnainen] culture, carrier pigeons and magic communication is increasingly replacing swim-mail, and it's considered rather old fashioned on the larger and more developed islands.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Cirrilid, like other nautlids have an excellent sense of smell. Cirrilid are also well tuned to sounds, and find quiet talking very soothing.

Scientific Name

Nautilus nuntius

Lifespan

30 years

Average Weight

Usually only a kilogram or two.

Average Length

Total length from the tip of the feeding arms to the end of the shell is typically between 25-35cm, although dwarf specimens are not uncommon.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The flesh is typically white to cream, and the shells are pale mottled with browns or greens. Some captive specimens are bred to have brighter colours, in reds and maroons in the shell.