Armored Proboscis Worm

Apex predator of the Air Pocket Caves

A large worm with three jaws, with a behavior of using its jaws to drill through the walls of its habitat, and make their own secluded dens in the rock. It uses it long slimy tongue to capture its prey, where the tongue spreads over a target in a vine pattern and paralyzes them, while the worm pulls it closer to its maw. Its methods of attack are considered extremely repulsive by some.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Armored Proboscis Worms have large segmented bodies that slowly taper towards the end, with each segment having bony spines facing in cardinal directions. The worm has bony armor covering its head and the first few segments of its body, with gaps for its eye stalks that circle its head. The creature also has three jaws, with serrations on the outside, and when put together work as a large drill.

Biological Traits

Varieties of this species that live underneath the Pits have gas-like properties on their tongues, and their eyes are green instead of orange. Worms underneath the Fields also have much spikier shells, and glowing purple eyes.

Genetics and Reproduction

These worms are often violent when they run into each other, but there is a chance they will take to mating instead if they feel the urge. They will normally spar with each other for a short time, biting their opponent on their heads, and wrestling with each other. Then, they will hook onto each other's bodies with their mouths while mating takes place. Adult worms normally have scars on their bodies as a result of these practices. Their eggs are laid under patches of algae, and the eggs themselves survive by being too slimy to eat, not requiring the watch of the parents.

Growth Rate & Stages

Upon hatching, these worms have minimal armor, but it will soon grow in after a brief period of time. The young feed off of grubs, slugs, and other smaller creatures in their environment, and they will begin drilling holes at a young age. These holes are just deep enough to lend the worms a place of refuge in between traveling their environment for a meal, never sharing it with other young proboscis worms. As they grow they'll be able to drill for longer without running out of strength, building slightly more complex dens over time. Their tongues will also gain their paralysis ability, which they start using to hunt larger prey.

Ecology and Habitats

These worms live in the Pocket Caves, and most have been found resting inside a den they drilled themselves. They are always alone in the dens, even if they've had offspring, and disputes are frequent between worms that travel into each other's dens. When a worm accidentally drills into another's den, a duel will always ensue between them, usually leading to one's death if it doesn't flee the scene. Varieties that live under the Wastes often drill dens around large ice structures to obscure the entrance from others of their kind.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Armored Proboscis Worms feed on a variety of prey, including Giant Cave Crabs, Greenshell Beetles, Inocanthids, and Cave Snails. They lie in wait in a small tunnel they've made, and lash out when a prey item passes by, shooting its tongue at it to prevent it from escaping. Inocanthids, however, are only slightly affected by the paralysis, and thus can escape an Armored Proboscis Worm by themselves. The Greenshell Beetles can also block the worm's tongue with their several amorphous arms sprouting from its back. These worms also have no trouble drinking water from a pool, as they are unbothered by the predators lurking within.

Biological Cycle

Their armor gets worn down from conflicts with other proboscis worms, as well as getting sand in between the segments from traveling their habitat. Worms living under the Wastes also have frost forming on their shells after long periods of rest.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These worms mainly rely on their sense of sight, and their stalked eyes can be retracted for protection. It also has keen senses of smell and hearing, but it doesn't use them as often. 

Scientific Name

Nemertea thoraksis

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

300 lbs.

Average Length

7 ft.

Average Physique

Slender

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Brown skin, dull brown armor, glowing orange eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Air Pocket Caves

Average Intelligence
Fairly low