Garlaneth
I was walking through the Quag, enjoying the ebb and flow of the world's energy from her waters when I tripped over a bratulum tree. My ankle screamed in pain, so I found the nearest boulder to sit on and examine the extent of its injury. As soon as I pressed my hand on the stone to sit, I watched as the world turned over and I landed on my back in the water, stunned. Standing over me was a monstrous sight, a snarling face with saliva dripping onto my face. I quickly rooted into the soil and encased it in a frozen, mossy cave. I ran after that. I knew it would live, but I knew I might not if I didn't flee immediately. I checked back a few days later, it was gone.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The garlenth are large reptilian mammals that roam the saltwater shores of the Simmering Quag. It is classified as a mammal because it is warm blooded and its young drink its milk, but that is as far as its similarities seem to go. Unlike other mammals, it is covered in scales and heavy plates that protect against water loss and from other more pressing dangers, but it does have fine hairs along its underbelly and on its face. It is important to note that, unlike other scaled creatures, the garlaneth does not molt (shed all its skin at once) and instead loses its plates and scales one at a time. The garlaneth also has a cloaca, which is the biggest difference between it and other mammals. The male garlaneth can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length, while the females rarely get passed 10 feet (3 meters).
Garlaneth are opportunistic ambush predators that lie down along the beach, disguising themselves as hardened clay stones that are often found along the shores and in the tidal marshes of the Simmering Quag. They curl up in a ball; the spines along their plating are sensitive and can feel the shifts in air currents when something draws near. When their prey is within range, they lash out their tail in a hefty slamming attack to stun it until they can unfurl itself, pounce, and kill it. The fangs that are located outside of the mouth of the garlaneth can actually be moved, they sink in to the flesh of the prey and are intended to stop the prey from wriggling free from its grasp. The salive inside its mouth is venomous and contains a hemotoxic proteolytic venom that degrades tissue, breaks down blood vessel walls and muscle tissue, and destroys red blood cells.
Genetics and Reproduction
Garlaneth have the longest extent lifespan of any creature on Tenrashé, this is due to the fact that they do not die of old age. They live in the wild until some external factor kills them, which is theorized to be linked to their ability to survive extreme oxygen deprivation, though they still only live for an average of 100-120 years as they spend a lot of time in the sea or the tidal marshes where other predators and harmful bacteria live.
Females mature sexually at 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and between 12 and 14 years of age, whereas males mature sexually at around 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and around 16 years of age. Garlaneth breed annually and mate during the wet season, when water levels are at their highest. Both parents will protect the nesting territory, which is typically a section of shore along tidal rivers or freshwater areas. The female chooses the nesting site. Nests are frequently located in low-lying areas, frequently in mud, with little to no surrounding vegetation, but they are buried beneath a thin layer of mud. Although some clutches have had as many as 45 eggs, the female typically lays between 20 and 30 eggs. The average size and weight of the eggs are 8 by 5 cm (3 by 2 in) and 113 g (4 oz), respectively. A new hatchling typically weighs 70 g. Even though the female watches over the nest for 75 to 100 days, flooding and occasionally predation cause a high rate of egg loss. The temperature of the hatchlings, which is directly correlated to their proximity to the sea, determines their sex. They are more likely to be male the closer they are to the cool ocean. The female garlaneth displays an amazing degree of maternal care. In response to the hatchlings' "yelping" calls, she digs up the nest, even gently rolling eggs in her mouth to speed up hatching. The female stays with the young for several months and carries the hatchlings to the water in her mouth. Despite her best efforts, a lot of baby Garlaneths are lost to different predators. Only about 1% of the hatchlings will grow up to be adults. When brought to water by their mother, garlaneth hatchlings fight frequently and are extremely aggressive toward one another. After about 10 months, the young naturally begin to spread out, and after about 3 years, they begin to display territorial behavior. Due to their aggressiveness and intense territoriality, they are never observed in gatherings or loose groups. Even females will take an additional 7 years to reach sexual maturity.
Females mature sexually at 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and between 12 and 14 years of age, whereas males mature sexually at around 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and around 16 years of age. Garlaneth breed annually and mate during the wet season, when water levels are at their highest. Both parents will protect the nesting territory, which is typically a section of shore along tidal rivers or freshwater areas. The female chooses the nesting site. Nests are frequently located in low-lying areas, frequently in mud, with little to no surrounding vegetation, but they are buried beneath a thin layer of mud. Although some clutches have had as many as 45 eggs, the female typically lays between 20 and 30 eggs. The average size and weight of the eggs are 8 by 5 cm (3 by 2 in) and 113 g (4 oz), respectively. A new hatchling typically weighs 70 g. Even though the female watches over the nest for 75 to 100 days, flooding and occasionally predation cause a high rate of egg loss. The temperature of the hatchlings, which is directly correlated to their proximity to the sea, determines their sex. They are more likely to be male the closer they are to the cool ocean. The female garlaneth displays an amazing degree of maternal care. In response to the hatchlings' "yelping" calls, she digs up the nest, even gently rolling eggs in her mouth to speed up hatching. The female stays with the young for several months and carries the hatchlings to the water in her mouth. Despite her best efforts, a lot of baby Garlaneths are lost to different predators. Only about 1% of the hatchlings will grow up to be adults. When brought to water by their mother, garlaneth hatchlings fight frequently and are extremely aggressive toward one another. After about 10 months, the young naturally begin to spread out, and after about 3 years, they begin to display territorial behavior. Due to their aggressiveness and intense territoriality, they are never observed in gatherings or loose groups. Even females will take an additional 7 years to reach sexual maturity.
Biological Cycle
Garlaneth are the apex predators, so they don't have many natural adversaries in the wild. They can rest easy knowing they won't have to worry about animal attacks. However, a garlaneth's lifespan can be impacted by other things. Garlaneth will be hunted and killed by poachers and hunters for their skin and sold in Drethka.
Garlaneth do not age biologically, but they are still vulnerable to the side effects of aging. They start losing their teeth as they get older. They cannot hunt or eat if they are missing their teeth. They eventually pass away because of this. They are also prone to cataract development. Despite the fact that they can frequently go up to a year without eating, this also has a negative impact on their hunting abilities. They can actually sustain long periods of energy from their body fat due to their highly developed metabolisms.
Additonal Info
Growth Stages
Egg
A female adult garlaneth depending on her health, will construct one nest per year. She can decide to construct one huge nest far from predators or several smaller nests close to one another. After that, she will normally lay between 30 and 60 eggs. The eggs will then be incubated for the following 80–90 days. The temperature of the nest during the incubation period has an impact on the sex of the hatchling.Hatchlings
Sadly, the survival rate for baby garlaneth is not very high. Due to predators that consume the eggs, many of them will not hatch. Sometimes water near the nest causes the mother to lose eggs. Baby garlaneth that have hatched from their egg are called hatchlings. The moms of garlaneths will care for their young until they are old enough to leave the nest. Hatchlings often take 4 to 15 years to reach adulthood.Young Garlaneth
Garlaneth's young require meat to grow. They will keep becoming bigger and bigger while they are in this stage of their life cycle. Over the next few years, they will gradually start to change into their adult selves. Garlaneths have a huge, broad, and strong body, whilst their young are frail and lean. The babies are a lighter grey to match the sands, while the adults have plating that is similarly dark grey and orange in color.Adulthood
A garlaneth reaches sexual maturity at age ten. The garlaneth's body length at this time ranges from 5 to 10 feet. Garlaneth adults spend the entire night searching for prey because they are nocturnal creatures. While not hunting, they can be found lounging or tanning at the mangrove treeline's edge.
Lifespan
100-120 (not old age)
Average Weight
Male: 2,400 lbs (1088.622 g)
Female: 250 lbs (113.398 g)
Average Length
Male: 20ft (6m)
Female: 10ft (3m)
Geographic Distribution
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