Ripping Waterworm

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Ripping Waterworm
(Ankersuge cutlus)
Main image of Ripping Waterworm
Species is extant.
Information
CreatorJvirus Other
Week/Generation26/161
HabitatMaineiac Polar coast, Maineiac Temperate Coast
Size15 cm Long
Primary MobilityUnknown
SupportUnknown
DietCarnivore (Strainerbeak, Scuttleball Gillfin, Shadow Seaswimmer, Umbrascale Lyngbakr, Crushermaw Scylarian, Viridimaw Lyngbakr, Cruelfang Hafgufa, Amphibidoon, Grazhun, Nonessie, Wading Leafshell, Marine Shocker, Marine Urpoi, Shellear, Surge Gilltail, Globe Gilltail, Blue Gillfin, Sealid, Vicious Gilltail, Emperor Seaswimmer, Vicious Seaswimmer, Spotted Shocker, Bloodfin Scylarian), Scavenger
RespirationPassive (Transcutaneous)
ThermoregulationEctotherm
ReproductionSexual, 2 Sexes, Eggs Buried in Sand
Taxonomy
Domain
Kingdom
Subkingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Eukaryota
Binucleozoa
Symbiovermes (info)
Pterigiophora (info)
Rostroichthyes
Palustrigyrinia
Cetacankistridae
Ankersuge
Ankersuge cutlus
Ancestor:Descendants:

The ripping waterworm replaced its ancestor in Maineiac Polar Coast and Maineiac Temperate Coast. Having lost its former food source, this species was forced to rely on scavenging. During the day, the ripping waterworm hides between rocks or partially beneath sand, using its coloration to its advantage as camouflage. But when dusk comes and the night rises, the ripping waterworm reveals its nocturnal lifestyle. They scour the waters of Maineiac, sensing chemicals given off by carcasses. When a carcass is found, the ripping waterworm digs into and feeds on the flesh, usually in large groups composed of other ripping waterworms which were attracted to the same carcass. In the case that a deceased food source cannot be found, the ripping waterworm will turn to an unusual diet of feeding on organisms much larger than itself. To do this, they sneak up on potential prey under the cover of darkness, usually while the prey is asleep or drowsy. Then, the ripping waterworm will bite a chunk of flesh out of the animal before fleeing into the night. Wounds left by these attacks are not particularly harmful to large animals, but are damaging enough to leave a scar that can last for the remainder of the victim's life.

In the situation that a ripping waterworm is attacked by a predator, it has several defense mechanisms beyond fleeing. The Dorsal and Caudal fins of the ripping waterworm are both sharp enough to pierce skin, especially if a predator attempts to bite the organism. In the case that this is not enough to deter a predator, the ripping waterworm has a pair of detachable spines on its sides, which can be punctured into a potential predator and in turn gives the ripping waterworm time to escape. These spines grow back in around two weeks after being detached. The focus on piercing methods of defense makes the organism especially vulnerable towards highly armored threats, which the ripping waterworm has no choice but to flee from.