Sawtooth Bullshark

Apex predator of the Ash Fields

The Sawtooth Bullshark is a small, slender ray creature, known for being vicious pack-hunters. They hunt mainly in the lowland regions of the Fields, making up for their weak figures with numbers. Some have theorized that they have some sort of neural connection with their family, which allows them to see into each other's heads. While it may not be considered mind-reading, these creatures are thought to be able to at least tell what others are doing at any time.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Sawtooth Bullshark has a long slender body, with serrated fins arranged similar to a shark's. Their dorsal and tail fins are long and slender, with their frontal fins rubbing against their bony armored plates. Their heads and snouts are completely covered in the armor, with their snouts having rows of teeth along the sides for killing prey, and their glowing eyes shaped vaguely like an S.

Genetics and Reproduction

These rays are known to mate as soon as they meet each other when traveling alone, only further convincing their partners to mate with quick displays of their fins and snouts. Once the eggs are laid, the parents will invest heavily in protecting them, with one circling the nest to keep watch while the other hunts for food. Then, they switch roles. Their eggs are prized meals for several other predators, and their protection requires more investment than most other species'.

Growth Rate & Stages

Newborn Bullsharks stick close to the nest for most of their youths, spending their time interacting with their siblings and getting used to their lives in a school. As they grow, their fins will become more serrated, and their snouts will grow longer teeth much more rapidly. At this stage, they'll begin learning how to hunt in a group, attempting to get used to being able to see into each other's heads. Some adults will inevitably leave their school to form their own, often being able to hone their skills as a solitary hunter.

Ecology and Habitats

These rays only live in the Fields, sometimes claiming a temporary resting site in places where rock formations are plentiful. Mates will also claim these territories to build their nests, small depressions in the ground made by swiping their snouts through the sand over and over again. Otherwise, these creatures mainly adopt a life of travel, rarely stopping at any one place.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sawtooths will always hunt in groups. Their preferred hunting tactic is to send one ray out ahead to bait their prey into attacking in self defense, distracting them so that the rest of the school can go in on the attack, and easily take them down. The school can also initiate chases with their prey, where one lone scout will rush ahead to cut off the chase, and let the school surround the prey. If alone, these creatures mainly take to attacking newborns instead of adult prey items. The targets of these hunts are usually Rhino Scorpions, Sand Stalkers, Kormozoans, and Crescentfin Fish.

Biological Cycle

As they get older, their teeth will fall out and regrow at a more constant rate. Oftentimes, their nesting sites are easily identifiable by the teeth littering the seabed.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Sawtooth Bullsharks form schools in semi-large quantities. They begin when two Sawtooths start a family together, where the children are tasked with protecting their parents as they get older, while the parents still retain authority over the entire school. Some of the younger rays may take the role as leader for themselves if their parents get killed in a natural disaster, which is common considering these creatures don't fare well in sand storms. The younger rays have also been observed charging in first when the school hunts, mainly to direct attention away from the parents.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sawtooth Bullsharks have four massive eyes which they mainly rely on to sense their surroundings. They can also sense the world with their neural link to some extent, though this input causes them to get easily confused and disoriented when something goes awry in hunts.

Scientific Name

Pristidae tetramatis

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

2,500 lbs

Average Length

14 ft.

Average Physique

Slim

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Purple skin, purple-brown armor, purple glowing eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Ash Fields

Average Intelligence
High