Snappermaw Waterworm

The snappermaw waterworm split from its ancestor, now living in the waters surrounding Maineiac. The species has entirely abandoned searching for a host to parasitize, instead they simply wait for their prey to come to them. The snappermaw waterworm creates its own home by digging a small burrow, utilizing both their fins and powerful lobed tail to aid in moving the volcanic sand they inhabits. After creating a burrow, they conceal most of their body within it, only sticking out its head and jaws at the burrow's entrance. After a snappermaw waterworm enters a burrow, it will only abandon it if the ground is sufficiently disturbed by a larger animal or during mating. In their burrows, they have adopted a very lethargic lifestyle. They feed only on plankton and detritus, filtering it from the water. Unlike their ancestor, such a lifestyle is possible as their burrows help defend the snappermaw waterworm from predation. However, they cannot use these passive methods of feeding cannot sustain the animal forever. To combat this, the snappermaw waterworm has adopted a carnivorous lifestyle. If a potential prey item, usually a creature over 10 centimeters but below 60, strays too close to the snappermaw waterworm's burrow, the snappermaw waterworm will grab it with their pincer-like jaws. These jaws have evolved small hooks which easily embed themselves into struggling prey, quickly subduing it. Once the prey has been caught, the snappermaw waterworm uses its razor sharp tongue to remove chunks of flesh from the prey. This method of hunting can even overpower prey the same size as the snappermaw waterworm itself. However, it is ineffective against armored prey, as the tongue and jaws are adapted to puncture soft flesh. The snappermaw waterworm has several methods of defense outside of its burrow. Like their ancestor, they taste horrible to most predators with a sense of taste. However, unlike their ancestor they have lost their foul odor in order to encourage prey to approach it. In the case that any snappermaw waterworm is drawn out of their burrow, the dorsal spine can stab predators and the detachable spike on their sides can lodge itself into predators. The chemical released by its ancestors to deter other members of its species now is used for the opposite. during the early spring breeding season, the chemical is released and tells snappermaw waterworms where to find each other. They then congregate into large breeding shoals, laying their eggs in the sand before swimming away to create a new burrow. The young that hatch feed mostly on plankton and detritus before developing large jaws to feed carnivorously.