Sunday, August 30, 2009

COW 151


Common Name: Yellow-Ringed Lance-Head
Scientific Name : Lanceacephalous maculates
Planet of Origin: Zianovis
Environment: Rocky Deserts

Yellow-Ringed Lance-Heads are most easily distinguished from other species of Lance-Heads by the yellow spots and rings on their body. However, being close enough to the animal to see these spots may be dangerous.

This species hatches from round, tennis ball sized eggs. The eggs of this species are a mottled grey-brown that blends in with the surrounding rocky environment. Eggs are very tough and rubbery and incredibly impact resistant because they must survive the fall from their mother’s perching place, near the top of a cliff, to the cliff’s base.

Hatchlings instinctively move away from the cliff base that they hatched around. Females will remain roaming predators for a year, after a year their bodies will begin to expand and they will search for a suitable cliff to make their permanent home. Once settled in, their primary means of hunting will be their swollen bioluminescent bodies. Many native creatures are attracted to the beautiful blue light; when a victim gets within the Lance-Head’s range she will fire one of the harpoon like structures on her head. These harpoons contain venom that will paralyze impaled victims within seconds. Once paralyzed the Lance-Head is free to reel the victim back in and ingest it at her leisure.

Male Lance-Heads remain slim, agile, wandering predators for the rest of their lives, when they sense the presence of a female they carefully make their way to the top of her cliff, however they must be especially careful that they are not mistaken for prey.

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