Deathworm

Deathworms are giant worm-like beasts that plague the region of Dreagor. Often called the scourge of the desert, Deathworms are the most common enemies you will run into when traversing the desert. There are two sub-species, similar to the Spidorcion. The Lesser Deathworm, and the Greater Deathworm. The Lesser Deathworm are most common, appearing all over the desert. They can reach up to 6 feet long and 3 feet tall. Greater Deathworms are significantly rarer, only residing in large open stretches of pure desert. They can reach up to 50 feet long in their elder years, but average around 20 feet long and 5 feet tall. Unlike true worms, all Deathworms have pairs of legs similar to caterpillar or inchworm all along their body, though theirs are significantly more pointed and hard than caterpillars. Lesser Deathworms are hunters, actively seeking out prey. Greater Deathworms are ambush predators, hiding in the sand and waiting for prey to wander near. You’ll have to watch the sand closely if you want to avoid a Greater Deathworm attack.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Lesser Deathworms average 6 feet long and 3 feet tall at adulthood. They have an exoskeleton, albeit a weak one, with plated of bone ridging down their body. Greater Deathworms average 20 feet long and 5 feet high, but if they survive long enough they can grow up to 50 feet long and 7 feet tall. Both Deathworms have 6 pairs of legs, 12 total. Deathworms have a concealed mouth on the front of their face with large teeth in a circular pattern. Lesser Deathworms have 6 eyes, 3 pairs on each side of their head, while Greater Deathworms have none at all

Genetics and Reproduction

There is a mating season each year in about River, in which pairs of Deathworms get together to mate. They each preform a courtship dance consisting of a series of serpentine movements as well as a fair bit of entanglement, then they lock in to each other and sort of wrestle. If the male wins, they mate, but if the female wins, she moves on and picks a stronger male. With most Deathworms this is just normal, but 50-foot-long elder Deathworms need to find another elder Deathworm, otherwise they’ll just crush them. Once they do though, it can cause earthquakes when they get together to mate.

Growth Rate & Stages

Deathworms start out as eggs. Both the eggs of the Lesser Deathworm and the Greater Deathworm are the same size, though Lesser Deathworms yield a significantly larger clutch. Lesser Deathworm eggs will stay the same size throughout incubation, but Greater Deathworm eggs will grow to be about a third larger. The incubation period for Lesser Deathworm seems is about 2 weeks while the incubation period for Greater Deathworm eggs is nearly a month. After this time, the eggs will hatch into larvae. Larvae have a thin membrane instead of an exoskeleton, and are without legs. As they mature, they will grow until reaching over double their original size. They will then enter a stage of metamorphosis, in which they surround themselves in a cocoon for up to two months. After this stage, they will emerge as an adult Deathworm, albeit smaller than a fully matured one. They will grow slightly over the years, reaching their average size or close to it. Greater Deathworms have an additional stage of growth, called a Deathworm elder. They will grow exponentially during this stage, reaching enormous sizes.

Ecology and Habitats

Deathworms have always been found exclusively in Dreagor. There are some confirmed “cousin” species on other regions, but as long as anyone can remember, Deathworms lived in Dreagor. Scientists hypothesize that long ago, Deathworm evolved to bury themselves in the sand and ambush prey. The desert is full of sand, so naturally, they moved there. They evolved for the desert heat and stayed to the hot, sandy climate to continue this behavior.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Deathworm is an exclusive carnivore, getting little to no nourishment from plants.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are found nearly exclusively in Dreagor, with some loosely related cousin species in other regions.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Greater Deathworms have heightened vibration sensing capabilities, and by extension, hearing. They use this ability to pick up vibrations on the surface of the sand, and catch prey walking across it.

Average Height

Lesser-3 feet, Greater-5 feet

Average Length

Lesser-6 feet, Greater-20 feet

Geographic Distribution

• Dreagor
• Slice Between the Earth
• The Great Reptilian