Demon Turtle

The Demon Turtle is a small herbivore living primarily on the floor of the Plains. Despite its intimidating features, this turtle is normally a very passive creature, mainly focused on finding it next plant to eat. They are more likely to swim away from a brawl, relying heavily on their speed and their thick shells to protect them from danger. Due to their extremely low populations, it is thought that their forms of protection are rather ineffective.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Demon Turtle has tough, scaly skin over its main body, covered by a shell lined with spikes. Two spikes near the back end of the shell grow larger than the rest, offering protection from the rear. The turtle also has two horns growing out of the sides of its head, which are thought to be used as weapons by some, however, that has yet to be determined.

Biological Traits

Male Demon Turtles have small, but sharp hooks on their frontal flippers, a feature used to latch onto their mate's shell when pairing up.

Genetics and Reproduction

Demon Turtles are often friendly to other members of their species, and if a male shows great kindness and fitness to a potential mate, he'll be able to start the next generation. And, these traits are usually determined by the clean condition of their shells. The Demon Turtle's eggs are laid inside a Pocket Cave, where the newborns will have to fend for themselves when they hatch. The nests in which the eggs reside are usually made of discarded foliage or algae, and are abandoned by the mother soon after being constructed.

Growth Rate & Stages

Newborn turtles will race each other to the cave entrance near their nest, due to the threat of desiccation rather than predators from the Pocket Caves. The newborns are small and pudgy, and lack the spikes that the adults have, mainly relying on speed to get away from threats. They spend their time scurrying and hiding under discarded foliage on the sea floor, until their shells harden enough for them to swim out in the open. From there they may start to drift away from their siblings, and become slightly less skittish in adulthood.

Ecology and Habitats

These creatures live in the Plains, and have been observed sticking close to the seabed where their main food source resides. They show rather hasty behavior when consuming their meals, always fleeing at the mere sight of a potentially dangerous creature. Some turtles will rest on the ground itself, sometimes leaving markings in the sand from the large protrusions on the back of their shells.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Demon Turtles feed on Copper Stems and Spadeleaves, and rarely fight each other over food, which usually leads to feeding areas for the turtles becoming crowded. This also will attract predators more often. They are likely to hide within the branches of the Copper Stems if they feel they are in danger, and if they are seen by a predator out in the open, they will race away as fast as possible.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Demon Turtles have fairly good eyesight, but rather poor hearing. Their hearing seems to be their major disadvantage, as there have been recorded instances of predators sneaking up behind them without effort.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Copper Stems often take advantage of Demon Turtles by dispersing their spores onto their shells. The turtles themselves don't mind the spores, and will carry them all over their habitat, where they will eventually fall off and take root in the sand.

Scientific Name

Chelonia spicea

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Endangered

Average Weight

300 lbs

Average Length

3.5 ft.

Average Physique

Bulky

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Grey skin, dark yellow-orange shell, purple glowing eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Sand Plains

Average Intelligence
Low