Black Butt'haba
This turtle is native to the Methei Sea, primarily living near the islands to the north. They are very capable swimmers and are able to traverse large distances without much rest. It is unknown how they keep precise navigation.
The butt'haba is an excellent hunter. Its dark shell means it can approach a school of fish unnoticed. After that, several turtles will join up in order to heard the fish so that attackers can get as many as possible. They have very sharp, serrated, beaks that can be used both to quickly kill off several of their prey but also is an excellent weapon against predators.
The sea creature that presents the biggest threat to the black butt'haba is the giant sea otter. The otters divide the group of turtles and singles one out before attacking.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Butt'haba flesh is considered a delicacy amongst many and their shell make for a beautiful sculpting material. This is one of the major reasons why the species hasn't grown more in numbers than it has.
In the sea, the chemical make-up of the shell makes it the ideal habitat for a form of medical lichen. For this reason, the black butt'haba is sometimes captured and then released unharmed in order to just harvest the plant. Killing the turtle would make it a lot more difficult to get more later.
Lifespan
300 years
Average Length
250 cm
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