Celerderm

The Celerderm is a large bulky arthropod residing in the rocky areas of the Pits, known for their territorial behaviors and their strong forelimbs. Their preferred method of defense is to use these forelimbs to punch their opponent, mostly used for guarding their territories from other members of their species. If they get chased from their own territory, they can lose the advantage of manually-made defenses.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Celerderms' bodies are slightly long, covered in rough armored segments. Their heads are the largest part of their body, angled with a more upright posture, and containing two bulbous glowing eyes. Their forelimbs sprout from the sides of their heads, carrying tough balls of exoskeleton for punching. Their legs are more slender in build, hiding their minuscule tails from view.

Biological Traits

Female members of this species will generally be larger, with more pronounces spikes on their heads, as well as slightly spikier forelimbs. The spikes' purpose isn't clear, but believed to be used to intimidate other Celerderms.

Genetics and Reproduction

Once in the year, when the currents are still, female Celerderms will leave their territories in search of a mate. They will search for a male's territory, sneaking up from behind him once they find one. The female will jump onto her target, and begin sparring with him in order to subdue him. She will repeatedly punch his carapace, while he will try to defend himself and make her back off, and if he loses, he will be forced to bear her children. After the ordeal is done, she will head back to her territory to lay her eggs. Because these eggs are virtually indestructible, she can afford to leave them alone while she hunts for food.

Growth Rate & Stages

When the young Celerderms are fully incubated, they will have to use their forelimbs to break themselves out of their tough eggs, where some will fail to break out and die. For most of their youths, their mother will stay at their nest and watch over them, but will loosen her watch as soon as they become juveniles. From here, the young will accompany their mother on hunts, where they will hunt small prey to feed themselves. They will continue doing this until they feel they can live on their own, as their mother will stop paying attention to them after long enough. If some young stay for too long, they will be violently chased off by their mother.

Ecology and Habitats

Celerderms inhabit the Halocline Pits, and spend much of their time inside manually claimed territories. Celerderms will often choose an area with numerous rocks in sight, before punching them to small chunks, and pushing the piles around the perimeter for defense. Some territories have been found near underwater rivers, believed to be to discourage other creatures from coming closer. This species is very aggressive towards every other being that attempts to travel near its territory, including other Celerderms, and will attempt to chase them off on first sight.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Celerderms feed on a variety of different species, but favor the resources from the Sea Beetle hives, due to being built on the seabed where they cannot escape them. Celerderms will crawl towards a hive, and when a swarm emerges to defend it, it will spray a blinding gas to confuse the hunters. While they are distracted, the Celerderm will begin punching the hive, and attempt to kill the queen as quickly as possible. If successful, the hunters will disperse and the Celerdem can live off the food and Sea Beetle carcasses inside for as long as it lasts.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

This species makes use of its large eyes, which can move independently of each other. Their sight is much more developed than its hearing or smell, but they do use hearing to some extent in their daily lives. 

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

On rare occasions, Celerderms will chase a smaller creature towards the Sea Beetle nests, and will simply wait for the hunters to distract themselves with it. The Celerderm can then destroy the hive with less of a risk of getting mauled by the swarm.

Scientific Name

Stomatopoda lacum

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Endangered

Average Weight

460 lbs.

Average Length

15 ft.

Average Physique

Bulky

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dark brown shell, red limbs, glowing orange eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Halocline Pits

Average Intelligence
High