Polypine

Basic Information

Anatomy

Polypines (Anurapina) can get as big as 5 feet tall if the proper swampy conditions are met. They have strong hindlegs for sprining and swimming. They have two orbital eye sockets at the top of their head, however they can rarely see from them. This is partially due to the massive amounts of super sharp quills covering the toxic skin. They also have a powerful cleft tongue used to catch their prey. They don't have teath or any real means to digest their prey oraly. There quills are hollow and excreet toxins that help disolve their prey. The quills are also used as a means to absorb the nutrients needed from its prey.

Genetics and Reproduction

These creatures typically lay eggs in spawning pools. They tend protect their eggs until they hatch. Once they hatch their parents take off. They now have all the protection they need. After they hatch they are one of the most toxic creatures and many creatures avoid eating them.

Growth Rate & Stages

Just like frogs and other amphibia they start out in a tadpole state. As they grow their tail starts to look like a frayed mess. These frayed ends of their become their first sets of quills. The earlier stages of their life after they get their first quills used to be hunted by slavers to use these creatures as whips. The quills can cause serious lacerations and the toxins cause imense pain to those struck by these creatures. Unfortantaly to these creatures if used in this manner tend to perish. If by chance one does survive they aquire a hatred for creatures similarly to the speices of the slaver.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The primary means of consumption of food is catching their prey with their cleft tongue. Then they skewer their prey on their quills. As their prey is on their quills their prey is eaten from the inside out. The quills release acidic toxins that liquify the prey so the quills can absorb all the nutriants. These quills will even melt and absorb bone. It is very common to see these creatures covered with their prey skewered at different hieghts on their quills.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Some of the uses of these creatures are for defensive or offensive measures. When slavery was seen heavily on the Continent of Renstrom slavers would use the early staged forms of these creatures as personal whips to control their slaves. The only other use seen from these creatures is if a mad man set on fortifications placed these creatures at the bottom of pit traps. Making these pit traps living spike pits. When one looks down in these pit traps they just look like regular spike pits but with a deep acidic smell.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Due to the fact their quills overtake the site their eyes provide them naturally. They are highly acceptable at being ambushed in open areas. However, if found in dense swamp forests any creature sneaking up on a Polypine could end up as its next meal. They are able to feel the slightest vibrations in water. This allows them to get the jump on any creature tring to ambush them in swampy or wetland areas.

Scientific Name

Anurapina

Geographic Distribution

• Canous
• Enchanted Mire