Horned Trilobite

Horned Trilobites are small creatures with armored exoskeletons, making up for their dimunitive figures by traveling in clusters, as well as showing off their large horns. These creatures tend to scurry and hide when faced with a threat, and when a predator gets close enough to them, the trilobites will ram their bodies forward as a last minute resort. With the confined space, their horns will jab into their opponents faces, causing them to back down if struck enough times.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Horned Trilobites sport small compact bodies, covered by several exoskeletal plates. Their heads are large, having two compound eyes, bristled mouths, and two large horns jutting over the creatures' faces. They have several tiny legs packed underneath their armored shells, often completely obscured from view.

Genetics and Reproduction

Some Horned Trilobites will periodically mate with other members of their cluster, laying large batches of eggs in their territory. Even after the eggs hatch, these mates will create more offspring multiple times as long as they live. The entire cluster will work together to guard the eggs, considering they usually have to stay in one area until they hatch, and defending themselves is more imperative in this state. Oftentimes, predators can easily pick them off while guarding eggs, leaving the developing young to get trampled and killed in the conflicts.

Growth Rate & Stages

When these trilobites hatch, they will receive protection from their cluster for most of their lives, until their shells harden enough for them to take care of themselves. Their horns and antennae will only properly develop later in life, and only as adults will they be allowed to travel on their own. Some newly grown adults will stay with their birth cluster, while others will leave, either to join another cluster or form their own.

Ecology and Habitats

Horned Trilobites travel over the floor of the Plains, always searching for a safe place to filter feed in peace, even if that peace won't last forever. Oftentimes, they can be found hiding under rock formations or carcasses. Their tracks can also be found all over the sand, and it is theorized that some of the trilobites' predators follow these tracks when hunting, for a more efficient means of finding a meal for the day.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Horned Trilobites are filter feeders, their mouths full of tiny bristles used to catch a type of plankton native to the Sand Plains. This plankton normally lives close to the ground, which leaves these trilobites opportunities to feed, even if they cannot swim. Horned Trilobites only feed when they are absolutely sure no danger is present, and when a trilobite is feeding, it'll stand still and crane its head slightly up in order to catch the most amount of plankton. This species is found to feel especially secure among gatherings of larger herbivores, relying on the fact the other species are more obvious targets.

Additional Information

Social Structure

This species lives in organized social clusters, built to provide safety in numbers. When pairs of these trilobites breed with each other, the young will be raised with the protection of these clusters. When they become adults, some will leave to join another cluster, or start their own from meeting other lone trilobites doing the same. There, they can have children of their own, and repeat the cycle. Sometimes, clusters can be choosy when accepting outsiders. If a trilobite doesn't show fitness to a cluster, they have a chance to be rejected.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

These creatures make use of their large eyes for sight, but also use their antennae both for sensing their surroundings, as well as clouds of plankton nearby. The antennae can also come into use when the trilobite is hiding, acting as sensors for threats lurking outside.

Scientific Name

Trilobita cornutum

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

80 lbs

Average Length

2.4 ft.

Average Physique

Bulky

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Brown-grey in color

Geographic Distribution

• The Sand Plains

Average Intelligence
Average