Manderous Eel

The Manderous Eel is an apex predator notable for its unusual lifecycle. Adults are common throughout the Red Gulf, while juveniles and larvae can be found in volcanic oases in western Baiyotes. They are prized by fishermen for their skin, which can be made into tough, waterproof leather.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The adult Manderous Eel is a legless, aquatic eel that can grow up to 30 feet long. It has a thick hide, long dorsal and pelvic fins, and a mouth filled with rows of needle-like teeth. It is typically dark red or brown in color. Under duress, an adult eel is capable of heating its body tremendously, allowing it to melt the hard soil of the Baiyotes tundra.
The Manderous Eel larva has little in common with its parent, instead resembling a bright red or scarlet salamander. Recently hatched larva are typically less than 6 inches long and grow to about 2 feet before transitioning into a juvenile.
Juvenile Manderous Eels eat as much as they can, growing shorter and fatter. Their hind legs begin to grow as their front limbs atrophy, resembling something closer to a frog. During their long migration back to the sea, juveniles typically lose their legs, eventually slithering back into the sea, lengthening into their adult form.

Biological Cycle

The life cycle of a Manderous Eel goes through three distinct stages. An adult eel can live for up to 20 years as a predator in the Red Gulf, before journeying back to land to reproduce. Spawning eels brave the harsh tundra of Baiyotes, climbing out of the water and slithering to the nearest volcanic oasis.
Many eels do not survive the journey, burrowing into the soil to die. Their corpses undergo a petrification, protecting their internal egg sack from the cold, where they can lie dormant for decades. In some areas, eel burrows can saturate the landscape, mostly inedible and invisible, until a volcanic eruption, wildfire, or demon migration ignites the area. At that point, the eggs hatch from the heat, devour what's left of their mother, and begin the journey to the nearest oasis again. The potentially enormous amount of larvae hatched during these events is known as an "eel bloom," which can quickly invade oases and strip them of all plant life.
However, most eels do make it to a volcano, where they lay their eggs in shallow nests, cover them with their own bodies, and die. Dozens of larvae can emerge from a single clutch, which is usually not enough to overwhelm the oasis. They are voracious herbivores as well as prey for larger creatures. After a period of 8 to 16 weeks, larvae have typically grown enough to progress to the juvenile stage.
Juveniles become omnivorous, growing fat and squat like a frog. After 12 to 16 weeks, they have stored up enough fat to make the arduous journey back to the sea. A grown juvenile moves primarily by leaping, so its front legs begin to atrophy, consumed by the intensive energy needs of the trek. By the time they reach the coast, juveniles closely resemble their adult form, long and sleek, with only a pair of muscular legs to distinguish them.
After entering the water, they quickly reabsorb their hind legs, growing into their true adult form.

Lifespan

20 - 30 years

Average Weight

2-3 tons

Average Length

15 - 30 feet

Geographic Distribution

• Baiyotes
• The Red Gulf