Herutātoru

(Japanese) Fell Turtle

ヘルタートル are regular corrupted by Yuki Fuhai.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Herutātoru have large teardrop-shaped bodies that allow them to swim with maximum efficiency, propelled by two large front flippers. These flippers boast flattened forelimbs (for open water swimming) and a pair of jagged claws for grasping live prey.
Instead of a shell, herutātoru have thick, leathery skin covered with plates of bone. The contrast of dark grey skin and white bone give the creature a mottled but faintly geometric pattern.
The heads and necks of herutātoru can be retracted into its body. In this position, the beast holds its head waiting to strike out at prey with phenominal speed. Lacking teeth, herutātoru have a sharp, serrated beaks and backward facing spines in their throat to shred, trap, and swallow the flesh of its meals.

Biological Traits

Span: 3'0" to 8'10" width (flippers extended)

Genetics and Reproduction

Mating occurs at sea between females and one or more males. Eggs are fertilized internally but do not gestate until they are laid.
A female will travel to the shore of her birth and haul herself onto the land. After finding a cold dark patch of sand above the high-tide water line, she digs a hole and lays a clutch of ~100 eggs (85 of which may be fertilized and intact). She then backfills the hole with sand and leaves, either to lay another clutch or return to the sea. Each female may lay 1-9 clutches each breeding season (every 2-3 years). Eggs develop over 20 days and then hatch after gestating another 40 days.

Ecology and Habitats

Most of a herutātoru's life is spent in the open ocean. They can be found anywhere from the surface to a depth of ~4,200 ft. espite not requiring air (Undead), herutātoru do not spend more than 1-2 hours underwater at a time.
Only females return to land in their lifetime. Even then, this migration is only once every 2-3 years to lay and bury their eggs.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivore (predatory and scavenger) despite, being Undead, it does not require food for day-to-day survival. There is no discernable preference for hunting at day or night.

Biological Cycle

All herutātoru are slowly decaying and losing body mass. Unless a herutātoru consumes their approximate bodyweight in flesh every year, it will go dormant until it completely disintegrates or gets consumed by scavengers.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Darkvision

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Undead

Lifespan

Indefinite

Average Height

3' 1" to 4' 5"

Average Weight

550 - 1540 lb

Average Length

6' 0" to 7' 3"

Geographic Distribution

• Seimeinokigen