Female Hatchling

Female Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Coronate Leviathan
Birthday: Monday, August 27, 2018
Owner: Imperialism

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Stage Progress: 6.62%
Overall Progress: 53.31%

Element: Neutral An icon depicting the element Neutral

Coronate leviathan hatchlings are tiny and mostly helpless, spending the first few weeks of life adrift in the ocean currents. They have large heads and will gobble down anything within reach, much like the adults, but their underdeveloped fins prevent them from actively chasing prey down until they get larger. It's not uncommon for the currents to send the leviathan far out to sea, even though they mostly dwell in coastal waters as adults. When their fins start to grow in and they can swim against the current, their teeth grow larger and they start to hunt as active predators. Eventually, they'll gain control over their photic sacs and follow the scent of kelp to make their way toward their species' preferred hunting grounds.

The powerful coronate leviathans are difficult to spot in the kelp forests where they hunt, despite their large size. They are easily fast enough to catch food during the day, but their real prowess comes at night, when they use the glowing sacs along their bodies to attract unwary fish and larger creatures that eat them. When something large enough comes along, the leviathans contract and extend their phosphorescent sacs to create pulsating displays of light. The light disorients the larger creature so the leviathan can rush up and swallow it whole. They grow large enough to eat sharks, dolphins, and even other species of leviathans, making them a hazard to anyone exploring the shallow coasts. While they seldom attack ships, they have been known to prey on unlucky sailors who find themselves in the water after a shipwreck.

Sprite art: Lazuli | Description: PKGriffin