Hermit Kraken

Hermit Kraken are massive undersea creatures living in the deepest parts of the ocean. Their bodies are a small part of their overall size, overshadowed by the mass of tentacles surrounding their beaks. They can live for centuries and do not appear to have any limits to their ultimate growth, and thus are among the largest creatures to exist on Brunivard. Until they outgrow the largest ones available, they will use Abyssal Nautilus shells as protective homes.
Hermit Kraken are introverts, and prefer to stay on the bottom of the ocean, scavenging food that falls from more populous layers of the ocean. Coming up from the bottom makes them really irritated, leading to their reputation among smaller races for being savage monsters. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hermit Kraken live physically isolated lives, but sing almost constantly to one another in subsonic tones that echo through the coldest layers of the deep ocean. Few non-kraken are able to understand their slow, deep sounds, though some researchers have theorized that it might be related to the language of the Ginnunghval.
When smaller, they are preyed upon by larger creatures of the deep, just as they do. As they grow, fewer creatures are willing to engage with the kraken, until the only creatures willing to attack them are Storm Giant hunting parties with something to prove.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Unique among animals studied by this research group, each major tentacle cluster seems to have its own secondary stomach, circulatory system, and rudimentary brain. After feeding, undigested food is transported through esophogeal tubes to these secondary stomachs for full digestion.

Biological Traits

The Hermit Kraken's thick, rubbery skin is ridged to help it latch itself onto the inside of a scavenged nautilus shell. The body itself is whale sized and the tentacles can be 10 times longer. Three to seven semi-autonomous clusters of tentacles are rooted near the beak. The Hermit Kraken has two very large eyes, one on each side of the head, each surrounded by light sensitive spots that serve for additional visual sense up close.

Genetics and Reproduction

When food is plentiful and the kraken is growing quickly, occasionally one of these tentacle clusters will begin to develop further. The brain begins to mature and other internal organs will start to form around the stomach and circulatory bodies. After some years of development and learning, the tentacle cluster, now a young Hermit Kraken, will calve off and commence an independent life. The parent kraken will typically procure a fresh Abyssal Nautilus of the right size for its offspring, providing both a new home and its first independent meal. This process happens every five to ten years when the Hermit Kraken is small and growing quickly, and will happen less frequently as the kraken ages.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hermit Kraken grow more quickly when food is plentiful and when they are smaller (up to the size of a wagon.) As they get bigger, their growth will slow, but never really stop. The oldest have lived for centuries, perhaps even thousands of years.

Ecology and Habitats

Solitary beasts, the deepest parts of the ocean are the preferred lair of the Hermit Kraken.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Hermit Kraken enjoy a slow metabolism, but still require a great deal of food to sustain their sizable forms. They are meat eaters, though not choosy about fresh vs. scavenged. If a whale carcass happens to fall into its territory, the kraken will readily consume it, driving away other scavengers. When hunting, the kraken will rise to find prey it can ensnare and consume. They only have to get near enough to a school of prey to reach with their longest tentacles. They will gorge until full, consuming tons of food, then retreat to the deeps, where it can take weeks to digest the meal.

Lifespan

No known limit.

Average Length

Longest known Hermit Kraken tentacle was measured at 147 meters.