Brine Worm

Brine Worms are small, but long creatures living in the Plains, not to be confused with the Brine Swimmer. Because of their relatively small size, they almost never put up a fight with other denizens of their habitat, but they do have venom on their side. If a predator doesn't back down, Brine Worms will spray a cloud of toxins that will seep into the skin of their opponent, and burn it from the inside. Then, they will swim away as fast as they can.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Brine Worms' bodies are covered by an exoskeleton with small bumps on several areas, appearing similar to salt. On the sides of their bodies are large skin flaps that act similar to fins, aiding in the creature's propulsion. Their heads are small and round, containing a beak that opens horizontally, four glowing blue eyes, and bristled appendages for filter feeding.

Genetics and Reproduction

Brine Worms will normally mate without fail when meeting one another, storing their eggs in a tight crevice somewhere in their environment, either under a corpse or in between large rocks. Mother Brine Worms will guard the eggs for a short time before eventually caving in to the need to feed herself. The mother will never return to her eggs, likely due to this species having rather poor memory.

Growth Rate & Stages

Newborn Brine Worms are extremely small, so small that most other creatures wouldn't bat an eye at them. However, they can still be easily killed due to their small sizes, and lack of venom. The young will scurry and flee at any sign of a potential threat, while also attempting to stick close to large passive creatures, latching onto their backs with their beaks. Baby Brine Worms have been spotted on all sorts of creatures in the Plains, but they seem to favor the Fixoderms, due to them being so large that they face few threats at all.

Ecology and Habitats

Brine Worms are only found in the Plains. They spend their time swimming close to the seabed, weaving around pocket clusters of Copper Stems, and usually slithering in tight crevices. These creatures appear to have a very simple lifestyle of traveling for their next meal, and hiding for long periods of time from larger creatures.

Dietary Needs and Habits

These worms are omnivorous, eating a mix of Spadeleaves, groups of krill, and carrion from fresh carcasses. They often make use of their venom to make the carrion easier to eat, and they can swing their bristled appendages back and forth to fling krill into their mouths. They are also extremely skittish when feeding, fleeing at the mere sight of any creature larger than them. Sometimes, they may still stick around at a distance until the new arrival leaves the scene.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Brine Worms mainly rely on sight in their survival, but they can also use their antennae to sense their surroundings to some extent.

History

The Brine Worm used to live in the area that is now the Frozen Wastes, before it was frozen over. It is possible they could've lived near the brine pools in the area, as a means to deter predators from attacking them. After their environment became frozen, they migrated through the Ash Fields, and only settled in the Sand Plains for being a more forgiving environment.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Newborn Brine Worms attach themselves to larger creatures to stay safe, with the added bonus of the creature potentially bringing them to clouds of krill nearby, providing effective transport as well as security.

Scientific Name

Eunice muriam

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Endangered

Average Weight

3 lbs

Average Length

10 ft.

Average Physique

Slim

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dark grey shell, dark yellow-green fins, glowing blue eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Sand Plains

Average Intelligence
Very Low