Arachnobat

Arachnobats are large flying mammals found deep in cave systems on mountain and hillsides in Trecath and the north of the Region of Sarra. They are commonly linked with demon mythology in the Region of Sarra, believed to be the offspring of demons that possess animals to terrorise people.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Arachnobats have a plump body, with thin purplish fur. They have 8 short, spindly legs. Their heads are wide, with a flat nose and two nostrils pointed upwards, giving them a great sense of smell. They have humongous spiky ears which allow them to navigate the caves via echolocation. Their prehensile tail is the length of its head and body, allows them to cling to stalactites on the cave rooves. The large wings have 4 fingers each, equipped with small claws on the end of each finger, and a thin layer of skin connecting the fingers allowing them to fly.

Genetics and Reproduction

Arachnobats collectively mate in their groups in one select cave in their cave system. The mess of mating means that the females don't know who the father is, so instead the entire group looks after all the babies. Gestation period is about 60-90 days, and the females give birth on the cave ground.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Arachnobats go out hunting for prey at night-time, when they're best equipped. They prey on sleeping animals, using their silent flight and echolocation to find the prey detecting heat signatures, and they use their prehensile tails to sneak in a nest and grab randomly at things, hoping they'll drag out some food. They take it back to their caves and the whole group feeds on it. They can survive on one meal per week, but babies need at least 3 to grow.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Arachnobats are common in the north of the Region of Sarra, in Nym, the Northern District, the Central District and Mallodoran. They are also found in Nydiowa, Hanoan, Espya, Giriga, Inland and Shoistan.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Like most other bat species that live in caves, arachnobats are equipped with the gift of echolocation. A high pitched squeak is let out, which reverberates off of walls and bounces back to the bat, letting them know an object is near. Doing this repetitively at fast rates allows them to picture their surroundings in their heads, giving easy(ish) navigation through their cave homes.

Mythology

For a long time, arachnobats were believed to be bad creatures brought from the depths of darkness, or creatures from the Horror Dimension. When demons first came through the rift in the sky above Silica, a small town in the Central District. When a demon would kill someone, arachnobats would swarm the location, which made people associate demons with arachnobats once again. Truthfully, the arachnobats smelt the dead meat and figured it was an easy food source, and wanted to take it back home.

Lifespan

12 years

Average Height

30cm (Head - base of tail)

Average Length

1m

Geographic Distribution

• Greenerth
• Region of Sarra
• Trecath