Hulking Walker

The two oorgolian gatherers, Orgash and Oolaardin, stood at the edge of the cliff, their antennae erect in confusion. That the position of the dark pillars had changed was obvious.
- Told you they shifted - clicked Oolaardin
- Yeah, but you didn't tell me they walked…- Orgash returned - do you think they're edible?
- Only one way to find out. How do we avoid the basin though?

This gigantic life-form is native to the Ravenous Basin in the badlands of Yulth. They reach 32 meters tall, have 2 legs, a half moon head with a main horn and a glowing patch for comunication, a set of tentacles on their chest, 2 rigid tails for balance. They feed on the microscopic conglomerate of the ravenous basin by walking on it and using the appertures under their feet to gauge clumps out of it.
The half moon shape of their head is due to the gas bag they inflate to keep afloat when walking on the basin.
They are active only during the night, sleeping during the day anchored at the edge of the basin or at any other rock protrusions deeper within. Since they deflate their heads to sleep and their skin has the aspect of obsidian, they are usually confused for pillar formations when in this state.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Despite their size, their composition is mostly hollow in order to allow they to float on the Ravenous Basin.
They have both an endoskelleton and an exoskelleton that both supports their frame and protects agains being feed on by the ravenous basin.
Their feeding appertures are located under their feet and their diggestive systems start in their lower legs with a muscular gizzard supported by an internal exoskelleton.
Their main tail is rigid and mostly used for balance, while their secondary tail, despite sharing the same function to an extent, is harder and can be rotated and stuck on the ground or into the Basin for anchoring.
Their heads have speciallized organs with bioluminescent bacteria with the capacity to process organic material and rapidely produce hydrogene to inflate the air sack. They have large breating holes which are sometimes confused for eye sockets.
The number of chest tentacles changes from individual to individual, and over the course of their lives, growing and waning over the years. They are used for interaction with other individuals and as reproductive organs, allowing each individual to inseminate one another.

Genetics and Reproduction

The species is hermaphroditical. Their reproductive organs are stored in their chest area with their tentacles serving as both insemination
and reception organs. When two individuals meet they engage in a sequence of coordinated tentacle touching with the trappings of a mating dance. If they're satisfied they will inseminate each other, usually at the same time. They are ovoviviparous, developing dark purple skinned eggs inside their chests and laying three to five of them at the edge of the basin right before they hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

The young are born as 2 meter sized versions of the adults and feed on the edges of the basin, progressivelly moving inwards as they grow. Due to the nutritiounous nature of their food, they tend to grow at a fast rate, reaching their adult size with 20 years.

Ecology and Habitats

They thrive on the microscopic conglomerate of the Ravenous Basin, upon which they walk and which is their only source of food.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The smaller juveniles are hunted by the Oorgolians that live in badlands, being a nutritious and relativelly safe meal to harvest, which is leading to their slow extinction. Unhatched eggs are also gathered as food and the shells are dried and used in the construction of shelters.
The death of a larger individual near the edge of the basin or even outside of it is cause for celebrations and it's exoskelleton can be used as a very effective shelter.
Attempts to hunt the larger individuals while they're sleeping resulted in them waking up and walking away or otherwise a waste of effort due to the size and durability of the adults.

- "We'll just go in through the nose. what could go wrong!" Next time you have an idea, keep it to yourself

— Oolaardin to Orgash right after the two were sneezed out of a Walker

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Found only in the Badlands of Yulth

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their main sense is sight. They have two relativelly small eyes at the rounded corners of their heads just above their breathing holes. Their horns are used as listening organs.

Lifespan

50 years

Conservation Status

Endagered. Their population is in the low hundreds.

Average Height

30 meters

Average Weight

15 tons