Greenshell Beetle

Greenshells are semi large arthropods, with shells to protect their soft skin, and dozens of arms sprouting from the shell. These arms are not sharp, but strong in numbers, and can push away a predator's means of attack from the rear. The creature is also known to use them to grab rocks to make a temporary protective fort, or to display their strength to others. The arms are also thought to have minds of their own, as they often aren't entirely in sync with each other.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Greenshells have small compact bodies, almost like a hermit crab's, covered in a soft exoskeletal shell. Their heads have pointed ends, with two large feeding appendages and round eyes. They hide in a bulky sea shell, which has numerous holes in its for its amorphous arms to sprout through. These arms are bright green, made to mimic plants in some cases, and can stretch and retract at will.

Biological Traits

Some varieties living under the Fields have small spikes on their shells and arms, used for extra protection. Male members of this species also have slightly bulkier legs, which are thought to be so only for display.

Genetics and Reproduction

Male Greenshells will attempt to impress nearly any female they come across, displaying his arms for her to see. Sometimes, they'll also show off by lifting large rocks with these arms, with a good chance of getting chased off if the display turns out to be a failure. If a male is deemed expectable, the pair will have their eggs laid, before the father wanders off to find a meal for the two. However, he will never return, as this species has rather poor memory. The mother will keep to herself, laying on the ground with the eggs tightly clutched in her arms, and simply waiting for them to hatch. She will eventually starve as soon as they do hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

When these beetles first hatch, they have to crawl their way out of the mother's lifeless arms protecting their eggs. They start out blind, but able to climb onto the walls and cave roof, and they spend most of the time as younglings attached to the roof to avoid dangerous creatures on the ground. They sense their environment mainly through hearing and smell, with the occasional use of their arms, mainly feeding on various small plants that grow in the walls. Eventually, they'll become too large to cling to the walls, and begin growing eyes in order to sense more threats. Then, they'll be able to actively hunt for meat.

Ecology and Habitats

Greenshell Beetles are found in the Pocket Caves, restricted to the ground as adults. They spend their time crawling through various different tunnels, and occasionally making small resting areas for themselves, by moving rocks with their arms to make a small fort. Greenshells that live under the Forests constantly use their arms to move away plant life blocking their path, and varieties under the Dunes sometimes use them to burrow through sand.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Greenshells commonly eat certain types of algae, Immortaphytes and Rock Mites. These creatures are too large to be under the influence of the Immortaphytes' spores, and so can take their fruits without worry. They often hunt for Rock Mites by staying still and hiding inside their shells, waiting for one to pass by. Once one does, the Greenshell grabs it with its arms, and smashes it into the ground repeatedly until it dies.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures can see to some extent, but sight is only useful for detecting the Armored Proboscis Worm. They hear and smell much better all around, and they can also make use of their sense of touch with their backside arms.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Some groupings of grubs have been found latching on the top of this creature's shell, being protecting by the arms sprouting out and lashing at any threat to the Greenshell's survival. The Greenshell sometimes causes them to fall off merely by accident, but lets most of them stay.

Scientific Name

Testacanthidae prasina

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

421 lbs.

Average Length

6 ft.

Average Physique

Slim

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Red skin, grey-brown shell, bright green arms

Geographic Distribution

• The Air Pocket Caves

Average Intelligence
Fairly low