spitworm

Spitworms are pale white and have no legs, they dig tunnels and the older they are the larger the tunnel diameter gets. They have several enemys like humans, dwarves, elves and gnomes, all want something from the worm.
The worm can use spit to defend itself and is very accurate when spitting at an attacker. the crystal skin is extremely hard, and when skinned properly it can be used for several purposes.
There is a myth about a spitworm of 1000 years old and the skin produces crystals of mythical quality.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Having no legs and no head they are most similar to worms. Their whole body is made of a crystallic shell that sheds regularly. they leave their nest in three to four months after birth and have a diameter of 20 centimeter a length of 1m20, adding 1-2 centimeter each year and 10-20 cm in length.

Biological Traits

They have unlimited livespan

Genetics and Reproduction

Spitworms are hermaphroditic and create a complex structure of tunnels to lay eggs. Deep down below the sand the eggs hatch independently. Young spitworms can eat other eggs to get an initial headstart with feeding. They do eat eggs, but do not feed on each other when alive.

Growth Rate & Stages

within a week the eggs start to hatch, the larvae grow into a longer worm, with spit capability. The spit is used to allow them to create tunnels. The sand is nurturing the worm and provides the basic for the acid.

Ecology and Habitats

they prefer to live in sand ground (not massive rocks) and create tunnels by eating sand and crystalise their tunnel walls. The normally stay in their home regions withing a 20 mile radius.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They need sand. they eat it during their tunneling and use it to create acids and crystals.

Biological Cycle

The spitworms keep growing and have no cause of natural death. when not actively killed by hunters or other natural causes like starvation they keep living. They continue to grow, but are also hunted for their acids and crystalline skin.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

teh produce acid, that can be used to liquify many solids (sand, stone), they produce crystal bits and pieces on shedding, larger plates can be salvaged by cutting a slice of the worm with an electroslicer

Geographic Origin and Distribution

they have clusters in the sea of sand.

Average Intelligence

they are unintelligent.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Spitworms are agressive, territorial and hunt proactive at animals that wander into their tunnels. They have a radius of several 100 feet to feel seismic vibrations. They have no eyesight, no smell. but they are masters of vibration detection. (some druids say that the spitworm can sense the vibrations of a human heart more then a mile away.)

Scientific Name

acephalou apodous

Origin/Ancestry

worms

Lifespan

endless but on average they get caught after 50 years

Average Height

they add 1-2 cm each year in diameter.

Average Weight

30kg at 20 cm diameter and 1m20 length

Average Length

after one year 22 cm diameter and 1m30 to 1m40

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

ivory white, with crystalline skin in all kinds of colors. The tunnel coating is depending on the sand, acid and some other elements.