Sandback Turtle

Sandback Turtles are large herbivorous creatures with extremely soft shells. So soft, that they need hardened clumps of sand to protect their bodies. Their shells have multiple pores in them which hide several sticky spines, and because they are too frail to deal damage to predators, they are instead used to stick to the sand in the ground and harden it. With their sticky surfaces, they create a protective pseudo-shell that protects the creature against most blows from predators.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Sandback has a wide body with small scales, large serrated flippers, a large compact head, and a flat soft shell. The shells have several pores in them from which sticky spines protrude, able to clump and harden sand together to protect the creature's backside. Its skin is rough and coarse, and its four eyes are rather small in proportion to its head.

Genetics and Reproduction

Sandbacks will often mate if they have shown exceptional kindness and fitness to each other, simply through traveling together. Their eggs are laid on the seabed, and carried by the father's beak onto the mother's shell, where an indent in the sand will be created to safely store the eggs. Then, they will carry them to a Pocket Cave for them to hatch in the air.

Growth Rate & Stages

Baby Sandbacks have to rush towards the cave entrance after they are first born, and learn how to swim while keeping track of each other at the same time. After their initial first steps into the world, they will flip themselves over and press their shells onto the seabed, pushing their sticky spines outwards to gather a protective coating of sand. Throughout their youths, they will constantly have to reapply the sand after it softens again, and falls off their shells. As they grow, their beaks will also become much stronger, and will be able to break through tough plant tissues, whereas before they solely fed off leaves.

Ecology and Habitats

Sandbacks live in the Dunes, and spend much of their time above the seabed if they're not applying their shells with sand, or laying their eggs for the first time. They are very cautious about the sinkholes found in the Dunes, and they'll tend to avoid going near the floor when they can.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sandback Turtles will eat the Pygmy Palms that grow in the Dunes, but they'll also eat plankton if they get hungry enough. On top of the leaves of Pygmy Palms, the adults will also eat the outer plant tissue, which the plant can repair over time. These creatures also have a habit of sharing food with one another.

Biological Cycle

Over time, their skin, and bare shells especially, will appear a dull brown due to loose grains of sand getting stuck in the grooves of the scales.

Additional Information

Social Structure

If two or three Sandbacks encounter each other, they may pair up to help each other in survival. Over time, they can grow to become very close, and even mate if they so desire. They often defend against predators by putting themselves on the line over their companion, usually biting predators with their sharp beaks as they get in the fray.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sandback Turtles have generally good eyesight, but their sense of smell is extraordinary. It possible that they rely on smell alone to locate the best food source.

History

In the past, it is likely these creatures were almost hunted to extinction by Cave Stalkers, who may have taken advantage of the fact Sandbacks don't commonly take to the offensive. Although Cave Stalkers rarely lived in the Dunes, they could've set up hideouts in places dense with the turtles to sustain themselves. After the end of the Cave Stalker civilization, the turtles slightly recovered due to the survivors inhabiting areas absent of large sinkholes.

Scientific Name

Dermochelys durum

Lifespan

Unknown

Conservation Status

Endangered

Average Weight

320 lbs.

Average Length

9 ft.

Average Physique

Muscular

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Black skin, yellow glowing eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Arid Dunes

Average Intelligence
Fairly high