Lockjaw Scuttler

Splitting from its ancestor, the lockjaw scuttlers have developed a powerful, crushing jaw for devouring twinkorals, exploiting a niche not taken up by most other species native to Sagan IV. They bite out deep chunks, revealing softer, tender 'flesh' within. They will also use their jaws for rendering the soft, decaying flesh of dead sea creatures. As they are themselves not without predators, they have also evolved tough bristles on their tail for warding off attackers from behind. They are easily lost, allowing them to stick within the skin and become painful irritants. After descending from the clouds of plankton, lockjaw scuttlers will seek out twinkorals, not only because they are a source of food to them, but because they can remain hidden amongst their numerous branches. They breed only twice a year, but during these times they produces thousands of microscopic larvae, of which a handful are guaranteed to survive, reach adulthood, and breed themselves. As they reach sexual maturity within two years, this is a rather quick process.