Silvathere

Apex predator of the Kelp Forests

The Silvathere is an enormous, extremely aggressive predator with a long tongue used to ensnare prey. They are abnormally strong and fast, one of their downfalls being the conflicts with other members of their species. These creatures start disputes with each other over a meal, mating, or even raising young. There have also been recorded instances of these creatures eating the offspring of other Silvatheres in order to stave off hunger. Any species smaller than their prey they leave alone, as they gain nothing from attacking something as small as them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Silvathere's scaly body is short but bulky, with protective bony spikes running along its back, and four fins around the base of its head. Its tail beats up and down instead of side to side to propel the creature, and has bony tips at the end of each segment. Its long compact head has six glowing green eyes, and its mouth contains rows of small but sharp teeth, and an extendable tongue

Biological Traits

Male Silvatheres will have much larger fins on their heads, and are almost impractically large, leaving their only use to be for display purposes.

Genetics and Reproduction

Despite its rather aggressive behavior, this creature's preferred mating practice is display. At certain times in the year, male individuals of this species will go on the prowl for a potential mate, sometimes getting into conflicts with other males doing the same. When they find a female, they'll stay nearly motionless in front of her, and wiggle these fins back and forth to sway her over. If the display is successful, they'll pair up for most of their lives from then on. If it is not successful, the male usually gets violently chased off, but will still test his luck with others he can find.

Growth Rate & Stages

Silvatheres give live birth, and usually don't give birth to more than a couple offspring at a time. The newborns will stick close to their mothers at all times, with the father able to go farther away from the family in order to chase off other Silvatheres. In her time, the mother will commit to teaching the offspring how to swim fast, defend themselves, and chase down prey. When the young come close to adulthood, their tongues will become strong enough to tackle most creatures in their habitat, but the parents will stick close by for a little while longer. As adults, the young will leave their families usually without warning, and begin a life on their own.

Ecology and Habitats

Silvatheres roam around the forests of the Nightlight Zone in any type of region they can. Because of their size, most stick to swimming above the cover of the kelp populations, spying on prey from above. They can also be found frequently near chunks of land that have been suspended in the open water from ground roots, swimming around the tough roots in order to drop onto potential prey items below. Some will also enter a period of rest on the seabed, but will soon get a move on if it sees another predator approaching.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Silvatheres will prey on Abominable Crabs, Megafin Squid, Paketerids, and Giant Fringeheads. When a victim is spotted, they'll shoot their tongues at their sides in an attempt to restrain them and pull them closer. If the prey attempts to flee, the Silvathere will stay put in place and pull as hard as it can, but it can let go if its tongue gets put under enough stress. Sometimes, they'll resort to simply rushing into their prey and biting them on the head or limbs.

Biological Cycle

Over time, they will get bits of foliage stuck on their rough outer skins from chasing prey items, and they'll never bother to clean it off, as it adds a bit of cover when hunting above the kelp.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Nearly all of this creature's senses are more well-built than others, but it relies on its sight more than anything else, along with its hearing. Occasionally, it makes use of a sense of touch with its tongue, mainly to make sure its eating something that it should.

Scientific Name

Silvatheria exousia

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

2,400 lbs.

Average Length

42 ft.

Average Physique

Muscular

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Green skin, white spikes, glowing green eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Kelp Forests

Average Intelligence
Fairly high