Sagan 4 Forum [Menu]

Tootsy Nibbler (Tentacularipodia pesictus)
Creator: Jarlaxle
Ancestor: Toothgrip Bristlebunny
Habitat: Krakow Tropical Beach, Hydro-krakow Tropical Coast, Hydro Tropical Beach, Hydro-Flisch Reef
Size: 4 cm long
Support: Soft-Bodied (Muscular Hydrostat)
Diet: Carnivore (Filterbunnies, Bristlebunnies, Rainbun, Warmbuns, Grapplebuns, Flatbuns, Lurkroufos, Vinacrawlers (Juveniles), Immortazmenian Bunvil (Larva), Bundom (Larva), Spinybun (Larva))
Respiration: Passive Diffusion (Skin-Breathing)
Thermoregulation: Ectotherm
Reproduction: Sexual (male and female, broadcast spawning in water, eggs)

The ''Tootsy Nibbler'' has split from its ancestor when some [[Toothgrip Bristlebunny]] eggs made their way back into salt water. Taking advantage of its relatively flat form to hide under the sand, it evolved into a successful ambush hunter. Spreading along the beaches and coasts from Krakow to Hydro. By extending the gastropod-like foot under the nubs of its anal arm, it was able to form little proto-tentacle nubs all along its body, allowing it to quickly wiggle its way under the sand, and aid it in making its way across the difficult and uneven terrain of the coastal benthic zone.

While the bristles around the nubs provide very little in the way of additional traction for locomotion, they take a major role in its hunting strategy, as each bristle is tied to sensitive mechanoreceptors that sense vibrations in the sand and water above it is hiding under the sand. The nerves go through a local neural cluster around proprioceptors local to each nub, used to filter out sensory input resulting from the motion of the tentacle itself to avoid confusion and sensory overload, where they meet in a central ganglion between the eyes.

The eyes themselves stick above the sand and have a rudimentary lens, protecting against the elements while providing a bit of optical focus. While not quite an eyelid, slight muscles in the "lip" above the eye are used to keep it clean and squeeze out dust particles. When sensing anything above it, it will use its tentacles to leap out of the sand and its counter arms to grab it. Its eyesight lacks object recognition, and so it will try to bite nearly anything, only letting go once the chemoreceptors around its tooth counter arm nubs taste something that has proven unyielding in the past, and even then it is quite slow to relent, providing it with its infamous namesake.

While it still breaths through its entire skin, additional oxygen intake is concentrated along dorsal "vents", acting as gills in practice as they are more likely to be exposed while the rest of the body is under the sediment, though not technically gills due to the open circulatory system. It spawns consistently on a nightly basis, resulting in millions of eggs spreading throughout the year, despite the low survival rate it's enough to promise all who'd dare a potentially very unpleasant stroll along the beach.

This is Fantastic name

QUOTE (colddigger @ Feb 15 2023, 01:45 AM)

This is Fantastic name

It is the toootsy nibbler, bringer of ouch, destroyer of toesies, slayer of little stompers, killer of tinsy winsies, and devourer of the little piggies that did not go all the way to the market

It's real diet list includes Sagan researcher toes