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== Mating & Reproduction ==
Mating occurs in early fall. In preparation for this, healthy hermaphrodite specimens will, over the course of a week, take on a rich, vibrant teal color. -This nothue thatis not unlike the favored camouflagedcamouflage of the ice teuthopinteuthopins, -and insignifies theboth attemptas a sign of sexual readiness and also to help attract apotential matemates. TheyThe willprocess surfacebegins early in the morning, with individuals surfacing and findsearching afor secluded, open spot, whereupon they will repeatedly release a heavy thrumming sound as they rapidly vibrate their vocal sacs. While there is great risk in doing so, the desire to mate overwhelms thisthem, and as such they may do this for hours at a time. Should they be successful in their endeavors, they will attract anotherseveral others of their kind,. andWhat shouldfollows itnext showis interestmuch inlike matinghow byother, alreadyearly havingteuthopins takendid onto thereproduce, samethough colorwith one additional step. A small "tournament" patternsoccurs, bothwith willmock engagefighting between the various contestants going on in aorder mockto fight,determine which involvesis smackingthe theirmore powerful individual. Said fights involve smacking beaks together and slapping each other with their tentacles, until one contestant surrenders. OnceIn thetime, a fightvictor is overdetermined, theand winnerwho willthen impregnategoes on fertilize all the loser,other whohermaphrodite's willeggs, thenbefore keepthey theare eggsall placed in theirthe pouch untilof theya hatchcarrier or two, anddepending eventuallyon returnhow tomany normalcontestants colorthere patternswere. TheThis winnerprocess can be exhausting, meanwhileespecially for the victor, canand continuemost towill attractsoon newretreat mates/challengersunderground until- eitherbecause of the matingenergy seasonexpended endsby the winner, theywho themselvesoften becomedoesn't have their own eggs impregnatedfertilized, orthey awill predatorresort shouldto stumblereabsorbing upontheir themunfertilized eggs in order to regain some nutrients and energy. (edited)
The hundred or so eggsyoung eventually hatch inside the pouch, oncewhere they havewill hatchremain aroundfor a week or so as they develop further, nourished by the beginningshells of springtheir former eggs as well as by numerous unfertilized ones. Unlike in their ancestors, beyond this point they are shownshowed no further parental care , and are released in mass. The young must head out into the world by themselves, guided only by their natural instincts, and begin to hunt within hours of their "birth". They put on weight rapidly during this time, and for good reason. With the colder winter months approaching, they need all the blubber they can accumulate, else they risk dying from the cold. Many will not survive, with over 90% succumbing to the elements, predators, and on very rare occasions, even outright cannibalism by older, larger individuals. Those that do survive, though, will reach sexual maturity towards the end of their second year of life, thus giving them a chance to matecarry themselveson the species. ▼Indeed, the two gendered system of their ancestors, which for reasons unknown required three members to complete - two hermaphrodites to impregnate one another, and then a non-fertile carrier to carry the eggs - has essentially been reduced due to how inefficient it was. Now only two specimens are needed, and while though bother are hermaphroditic, only one becomes pregnant - the new carrier "gender" - as the resources involved in producing and caring for the resulting eggs can be costly. With only one becoming pregnant, the other has the potential to continue breeding many more times and, if its success in combat is any indication, pass on its healthy genes to future generations.
▲The hundred or so eggs, once they have hatch around the beginning of spring, are shown no parental care. The young must head out into the world by themselves, guided only by their natural instincts, and begin to hunt within hours of their "birth". They put on weight rapidly during this time, and for good reason. With the colder winter months approaching, they need all the blubber they can accumulate, else they risk dying from the cold. Many will not survive, with over 90% succumbing to the elements, predators, and on very rare occasions, even outright cannibalism by older, larger individuals. Those that do survive, though, will reach sexual maturity towards the end of their second year of life, thus giving them a chance to mate themselves.
== Interactions with other Species ==
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