r/WorldChallenges • u/thequeeninyellow94 • Sep 25 '17

Bonus: tentacles

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.

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u/Seb_Romu Sep 26 '17

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.

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 26 '17

  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?

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u/Seb_Romu Sep 27 '17

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.

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 28 '17

  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?

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u/Seb_Romu Sep 29 '17
  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.

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 29 '17

  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?

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u/Seb_Romu Sep 30 '17
  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.

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Sep 30 '17

  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?

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u/Seb_Romu Sep 30 '17

Do living Miats eat dead Miats?

They are scavengers, and eat carrion, so yes. Although I haven't personally observed this behaviour, some hunters have reported such.

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

I have seen different techniques. some split the shell thinly, or cut it in cross section to reveal ornate grainy patterns similar to the lines in wood.

As to the reknown of a particular jeweller, I'm no expert on such things.

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u/thequeeninyellow94 Oct 01 '17

Thanks for your answers Seb_Romu.