Some concepts of the "desert terror", one of the many creatures that inhabit Sespeteaa, the planet the Eekuls live on.

In the Eekul language: shurwaar (sing.) shurwaark (plur.)

HUNTING
Desert terrors are the fearsome top predators of Sespeteaa's great desert. They usually roam it alone, but it's not uncommon that they group together in temporary packs to hunt. Animals of the desert are small and swift, and are thus easier to bring down using the element of surprise. One terror chases the prey while several others lurk buried in sand, waiting for it to get close enough to catch. This way, it's possible to easily bring down more than one prey if there are plenty of desert terrors. The terror pierces its tusk through the prey's flesh, and once the jaws are closed, there is no escape for the prey unless it wants its skin and flesh severely torn up. If the prey doesn't die immediately, the terror can hold onto it and proceed to rip it to death with its fingers. The terror then consumes the prey by slowly dissolving its tissue into an easily swallowed fluid. If the prey is small enough, it can be put in the mouth and carried around while it is being dissolved.

REPRODUCTION
Desert terrors are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female sexual organs. They can, however, not self-fertilize - two individuals are needed to produce offspring. Normally, both of the individuals impregnate each other and then separate. It only takes a couple of days before the egg is laid, which is rock hard and glowing orange. During the time the embryo develops, the parent carries the egg around in its small front arms, usually safely tucked up close to its chest. When the egg is going to hatch, it rapidly grows as soft as wet paper to make it easier for the young terror to break out of it. Desert terrors always lay single eggs, and are thus very protective of their young, guarding and raising them to adult age. As soon as the offspring has left, the parent will find another mate.

ANATOMY
Desert terrors range from 17 to 20 feet tall (shoulder height), making them one of the largest predators on Sespeteaa. They have thick, very loose black or dark brown skin, that absorbs the extreme heat before it reaches the more vulnerable inner flesh. During the cold nights, the heat gathered from the daylight transfers to the insides, warming the terror up. It also intakes the sunbeams, allowing "vision" when beams bounce between the skin and other objects. On the limbs is a membrane of skin connected to the body, that allows the terror to glide short distances. The skin between the upper and lower jaw has three venting holes in it, which are rather thin when the mouth is closed. When performing physically exhausting activites, the terror needs to intake more oxygen, and therefore it usually keeps its mouth wide open while hopping around. Although jumping is the desert terror's most common way of moving around, it can also walk slowly using all four big limbs.





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Desert terrors and the planet Sespeteaa are my creations.