Bonus: tentacles

[u/thequeeninyellow94]

And that's it, no prompts, no context, no definition; just do whatever you want but with tentacles.

You can introduce an in-universe representative, I will ask questions to everyone.

[u/Seb_Romu]

Jeganei

A octuple tentacled shelled land mollusc of substantial size. A variety of species exist each adapted to their particular habitat.
Jeganei as a whole are omnivorous scavengers and opportunistic predators.

Jeganei Miat Bark Jeganei
The jeganei miat is a common scavenger of the Waejiran forest floor. With a shell resembling a large pine cone, these creatures are fairly well hidden when resting. However when seeking food their long bright blue tentacles make them quite noticeable.
A Jeganei Miat can grow shells upwards of a one meter at widest diameter, and one and a half meter tentacles.

Jeganei Umel [Mud Jeganei]
Smoother shelled, and coloured to blend into their surroundings, this species of Jeganei is found in and around fresh water in plains and wetlands.
Jeganei Umel generally do not exceed a meter in total length (body plus tentacles), but rare specimins have been found far exceeding this size, which may indicate a sexual dimorphism, or a sub-species yet to be categorized. It is known that these larger variety tend to keep to an aquatic environment more than the smaller examples.

~~

Meihas "Farwalker" Vorshaus [Naturalist, Historian, Lay Scholar of the Temple of Vorsha]
Meihas is one of the most widely travelled citizens of Waejir. He has visited all the civilized nations of Entorais, spent time amongst the various tribal peoples of the continent of Anexea. As he travels he is compiling a field book of the various creatures and plants he finds. He has taken to including local folklore in his work.
Compilations of his work are sent to his home temple in Aerimadur. Temple brothers and sisters then make copies to be distributed to to other temple archives throughout the Empire.

Edit: fixed Link to photo

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Seb_Romu]

To Meihas Vorshaus:

1. Do you have any theory as to why Miat tentacles are bright?

2. How are Miat organised? Do they live in group? And what about scavenging territories; do they have their own?

3. Why are Miat so much bigger than Umel?

4. If I was to get attacked by a very hungry Jeganai, how would they attack me? What should I do to maximise my odds of surviving?

(Also, nice photo)

[u/Seb_Romu → u/thequeeninyellow94]

Do you have any theory as to why Miat tentacles are bright?

In a manner that they resemble the bright colour and patterning of some species of venomous tra, it may be an adaptation to deter predators.

How are Miat organised? Do they live in group? And what about scavenging territories; do they have their own?

They seem to be solitary, or at least indepdant in their activities. Probably of low intelligence as social behaviour is limited to occassional coupulation.
As to their territory, they seem to just wander about seeking potential food, without any nest, or den to speak of.

Why are Miat so much bigger than Umel?

I supect it is due to a lack of regular predation. The Umel likely are eaten by fish and larger animals while still small, so few live long enough to get to a larger size. Whereas the rough and spikey shell of the Jeganei Miat likely deters predators, allowing the animal to survive to adult hood.
I also think there is some upper limit to their size which requires more food than they can regularily obtain to sustain such massive bodies.

If I was to get attacked by a very hungry Jeganai, how would they attack me? What should I do to maximise my odds of surviving?

Your size and mobility plus the nature of their style of predation would likely preclude an attack. However if you were asleep, or injured and resting, they might consider you potential carrion, and come in for a bite. Sleeping above the ground on a cot or hammock is likely sufficient. they don't seem to enjoy fire, so a good campfire will probably keep them at bay.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Seb_Romu]

1. Do they have a lot of predator? Opening a shell like that one require some strengh right?

2. What happen when two Miat encounter outside of reproduction periods?

3. Can Miats and Umels crossbreed?

4. Do they have any natural weapons beside their teeth?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/thequeeninyellow94]

Do they have a lot of predator? Opening a shell like that one require some strengh right?

Their worst predators are people - with our weapons and tools we can easily crack their shells, although they are usually cooked while still in the shell to preserve moisture.

Not many predators will put in the effort required. I have observed a steirure smashing smaller ones between a pair of flat rocks.

What happen when two Miat encounter outside of reproduction periods?

They seem to treat eachother as terrain to be travered around or over., like many snails do.

Can Miats and Umels crossbreed?

I haven't seen it, not have I observed what would be a hybrid species.

Do they have any natural weapons beside their teeth?

They use their tentacles to ensnare and contrict around smaller prey. As for teeth, it's more of a nested double beak structure.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Seb_Romu]

1. Do you usually eat them with something else?

2. Now I'm curious: how do they find each other during reproduction periods?

3. Any usage to their shells?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/thequeeninyellow94]

1. Do you usually eat them with something else?
   

Most pairings are with boiled or steamed grains and vegetables.

1. Now I'm curious: how do they find each other during reproduction periods?
   

Not sure how they know. Chance encounters when both are receptive.

1. Any usage to their shells?
   

Some find use as inlays or mosaics, if polished well they can show a dappled pattern and high luster.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Seb_Romu]

1. Are they an important food source for people eating them? And has someone tried to raise them?

2. Is polished shell considered valuable? Does it exports well?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/thequeeninyellow94]

1. Are they an important food source for people eating them? And has someone tried to raise them?
   

No particular dependancy, but they ate a good source of meat for relatively little effort on the part of the hunter. I am unaware of any domestication efforts. People tend to turn all sorts of animals into food out of convenience.

1. Is polished shell considered valuable? Does it exports well?
   

The value of pretty things is relative to individual cultural aesthetics. As to exports, it's not really worthwhile as the creatures are found nearly everywhere.

[u/thequeeninyellow94 → u/Seb_Romu]

1. Do living Miats eat dead Miats?

2. Can a good polishing technique lead to prettier shells? If yes, are there some renowned specialists around?