Reef Scylla

Adapting to the lush terrestrial reef of Mason, the reef scylla has split from its ancestor and taken on a more predatory lifestyle. Larger than its ancestor, its jaws have become both thicker and denser, providing them with a powerful bite. The lower portion of their jaw, which originally served as a spike in their ancestors, has become detached and developed its own attaching muscles, allowing it to move independently from the jaws. Reef scyllas use these to dig up the tunnels of their favored prey, the burrowing provuci, as well as tear apart any modular gelatus that gets in the way. Also of notice is the evolution of tiny hooks at the end of their feeding tentacles, a trait that allows them to hook onto prey in order to prevent their escape. Moving beneath the thick, intertwining canopy of various stiltbulbs, the reef scylla uses its sensitive glaucusian pits, it can hear the movement of tiny feet running, digging, and doing all sorts of things underground, indicating to it that a burrowing provuci colony lies underfoot. After digging up the colony, it proceeds to 'hook' as many morsels as they can before the colony as a whole retreats to deeper tunnels. Should any terranites be dug up as well, they will receive similar treatment. During this process, should the reef scylla dig its way through any modular gelatus, its head will often become unintentionally coated in a thick layer of genetic material. Considering it a mild irritant that affects its hearing, the reef scylla will often then rub its head against stiltbulbs, rocks, or even other modular gelatus in order to scrap it off. When it comes to laying their eggs, reef scylla will often make their way to the relatively secure caves that are to be found. In the safety of these dens the young have a greater chance of survival, though this is not the only parental care they will receive. Once they hatch, their "mothers" will secrete a thick, protein-rich secretion for them to feed on, one that forms from glands within their throats. In order to make this, they will need to feed regularly, so for added protection they will often nest together and take turns to leave the caves and feed while others remain behind to watch the young and eggs. After a week or two, they will be weaned off onto burrowing provuci, after which they will head out into the surrounding reefs. It is this strategy has ensured their success on Mason.