Ground Crawler

The Ground Crawler is a large beetle with a bulky shell, its head being especially large in proportion to its body. This species' prime feature is its ability to produce an extremely high frequency sound, which it uses to damage a predator's hearing, and entice it to run away. It also has a large heavy head which can be used as a bludgeon, but is more often used to compete for the right to mate. Although herbivorous, this species is usually very hostile towards any other creature it meets.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Ground Crawlers have long flat bodies covered in a bulky exoskeletal shell, with its head plate being shaped vaguely like a war hammer. On its head are two vocal sacs that produce a sound of extremely high frequencies, while its mouthparts are located just below. On the underside of its body lay its tiny but numerous legs, and on its tail are two large gonopods that curve inward.

Biological Traits

Male members of this species will have much more exaggerated heads, along with blunt serrations on the sides. Ground Crawlers that live underneath the Fields will have much sharper serrations, and varieties that live under the Pits will have serrations that curve downward. 

Genetics and Reproduction

These beetles tend to mate by starting a short brawl with each other. They battle each other by ramming their large heads into their opponent's heads in the hopes they will back down, and sometimes two males will brawl over the right to mate with an onlooker. Otherwise, only when a male bests the female will he have a chance of starting the next generation. When Ground Crawlers lay their eggs, they are kept in the safety of the mother's curled body, while the father scours their surroundings for food to bring back to the nest.

Growth Rate & Stages

Upon hatching, the young Ground Crawlers are crammed together on their mother's backside, while she travels with the father in search of more plants to eat. For a long time, they will be unable to produce their high frequency sounds, and will be completely defenseless until they mature. After they grow large enough, they'll begin walking on their own, and practicing emitting their signature sounds to each other. It is only when they near adulthood that these sounds will be strong enough to hurt a predator's ears, and they will be able to survive on their own. Most of the young will leave their parents alone, but some siblings will stick together for a little while longer.

Ecology and Habitats

Ground Crawlers live inside the Air Pocket Caves, but are unable to crawl anywhere but the ground. They are most often found by themselves, and are rarely in a period of rest. There have been some instances of them ramming their large heads into the walls, and breaking chunks of rock to fall on the floor. They also rarely go into water pools, as their heads are too heavy to be practical.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Ground Crawlers eat algae off the ground and Roof Vines. In order to reach the Roof Vines, they'll rear back on their hind legs, grab the leaf with their mouths, then pull it from its base once its head weighs it down again. Sometimes, these creatures will relax near pools of water, able to defend themselves well enough from the predators within.

Biological Cycle

Some varieties of this species beneath the Wastes  will have chunks of ice growing on the sides of their heads, sometimes making them heavy enough that they can no longer be supported.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

This creature relies mainly on its sense of smell to get around, along with its hearing. Although because of its tendency to produce loud noises, it may often forgo its hearing in favor of smell. This creature doesn't have eyes to speak of.

Scientific Name

Platerodrilus sana

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

210 lbs.

Average Length

6 ft.

Average Physique

Bulky

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Light brown in color

Geographic Distribution

• The Air Pocket Caves

Average Intelligence
Average