Spiderpuppy

No-one is entirely sure who is responsible for creating these creatures, or exactly what to do with them. In form, they resemble the body shape of a hunting spider, but with the bodily features and behavior of a dog. They hunt small vermin like mice (or sometimes slightly larger creatures, depending on what is available), and are affectionate, if somewhat horrifying, pets. They make soft whimper noises, but rarely bark. Those who can override their usual arachnoid startle-reflex and tolerate such a creature often gain a faithful and loyal friend. However, they elicit an almost supernatural fear and revulsion from most humanoids, so they are usually kept indoors and away from unfamiliar eyes.
Statistics: Spiderpuppies have the same statistics as a dog, with slightly increased (+10ft.) land speed and an additional +1d4 poison damage from their venomous bite. They also have darkvision out to 60 feet. Humanoids usually react unfavorably to them, despite their four dark, glistening puppy-dog eyes.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Spiderpuppies have 8 legs for walking, 2 additional legs (pedipalps) are in the front primarily used to pin down their prey and act as feelers. They have a head that is combined with its upper body (cephalothorax), an abdomen that makes up their lower body and spinnerets that allow them to spin webs similar to that of giant spiders.

Genetics and Reproduction

Spiderpuppies reproduce by mating in a manner similar to dogs. The female will lay eggs that it keeps cocooned in its web. Normally, only 12-14 eggs are laid.

Growth Rate & Stages

Spiderpuppies age at the same rate as a human would.

Ecology and Habitats

Spiderpuppies are quite adaptive and are able to live in any environment one would find rats, squirrels or small birds and lizards.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Spiderpuppies hunt in a manner similar to some subspecies of giant spiders. They are ambush hunters and will bury themselves in the ground where they keep their tunnels with a trapdoor in the entrance held together by its web. They will line the ground of the outer area of their dens in a 5 foot radius with webbing and will detect movement of animals who step on it while travelling by. This is how they will detect their prey and come from beneath the ground, pinning their prey before immobilizing it with its venomous bite.

Biological Cycle

Every year, a spiderpuppy will shed it's outer layer carapace beneath its fur and after one hour, it's new carapace is just as hard and the fur has regrown.

Additional Information

Domestication

Despite their numbers in the wild, domesticated Spiderpuppies are a rare sight but not uncommon either.

Average Intelligence

Spiderpuppies have an intelligence similar to those of a ordinary dog with the exception of those who become familiars as they tend to exhibit intelligence similar to that of humans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Spider puppies have 4 eyes making for excellent vision and allows them to see in the dark. They have ears as well which are comparable to that of normal dogs. Like dogs, Spiderpuppies also have a keen sense of smell. Given their nature, Spiderpuppies also are capable of sensing if something is in their web.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Spiderpuppies form symbiotic relationships with most humanoid races provided they don't react violently on first contact.

Lifespan

50 years

Average Height

2 - 4 feet tall

Average Weight

50 - 150 pounds

Average Length

2 - 4 feet

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

As diverse as dogs and wolves