Teigat

General introduction

The teigat is, among many others, one of the giant arthropod species that are characteristic for the Moiyeli chamber of the Eastern Erana Cave-tinent (EECT). Like most of the arthropods there, they have never ventured out of the caves. Teigat are giant isopods, about a metre in length and overall a lively and active species.

Appearance, distribution and ecology

Teigat are huge, compared to the surface dwelling isopods, reaching about one metre in length and 30 centimetres in height. Their base colour is a very light milk coffee brown, with the skirt being creamy white. Otherwise their appearance is very similar to other isopods. One aspect, that makes them distinct, though, is their breathing. Unlike all other isopods, they have developped an active breathing system and breath in by lifting their back plates slightly and pressing the air breathed out through trachea-like openings on their belly.

With this breathing, they are constantly producing some noise, something they can tolerate, being generally well protected by their hard shell. The wheezing and snuffing somewhat resembles that of a large hedgehog or pig and is very unpleasant, even fear inducing to some, who don't know the animal or also especially by those who are afraid of creepy crawlies. This is underlined by the fact, that Teigat often appear in large groups and appear quite fearless, as they just move about freely and randomly. Their bad eyesight does not help with this, as they run up to most things, until their antennae hit it. The only exception are their most dangerous predators which they can smell from afar, the Moiyele and the Hhlán faich and Snaici faich. For other predators, they have not developped this kind of smell sensitivity.

The teigat live mostly in the Moiyeli chamber of the EECT, although the tunnel to the Central Erana Mountain Range chamber as well as areas around the entrance to the tunnel are being inhabited by them as well. There are no teigat in the Mukebahari chamber, due to the lack of humidity. They have also not made it to the surface through the Kalon Korkaks opening though and are restricted to a subterranean lifestyle, unlike other giant arthropods.

Teigat can live alone, but thrive in groups. It is not rare to see groups of up to twenty individuals together. They are not closely knit herds though, as they just randomly congregate in some places and might likewise randomly just scurry off in different directions at any given time. Just like regular isopods, the female carry their eggs around in small pouches on their belly, only to release them at the right time - that is when they are two to three months old and about 25 centimetres in length. The teigats diet is quiet diverse. They eat everything they come across and that is either plant, mushroom or a carcass. With plants and mushrooms, sick, dieing or dead parts are preferred over fresh and healthy ones, making them a good cleanup troop in the caves.

Behaviour, cultural role and use

As said, teigat tend to congregate in big groups every now and then. But they can also be found solitarily. They are very docile creatures, feeding mostly of detritus and sometimes fresh plants and mushrooms. To some people they are horrendous critters though, as their poor senses make them run around seemingly aimless and at sometimes shocking speeds. This makes them run at people, only to stop sharply just in front of them, when their antennae touch the obstacle. Being mostly unafraid of other animals, they then start to touch what's in front of them with their antennae. This behaviour, though only an expression of their curiosity, is deeply frightening to some. This has earned them the name 'terror pots' with some, alluding to their caserole-shaped appearance and the terror they spread.

Being a normal sight in the aforementioned parts of the EECT, most people consider them an everyday phenomenon. They are not especially feared - with the exception of the sqeemish - or revered and just a normal animal. One special characteristic of theirs though is their hard shell, that is rich in calcium. This has led to the Dzel Luak using the shells to prepare food, as they noticed it is beneficial for their health. The food should not be too hot, though, as to not melt the chitin. For other uses, such as weapons or armour, the shell is too brittle.

Teigat can not be bonded with, as like all arthropods they lack a higher consciousness. But sometimes Dzel Luak children catch young teigat to keep them as a pet or to tease their friends.