monster bin

Gnarleg

Behavior: calm, curious; highly social

Diet: piscivorous

Habitat: forest

Intelligence: strong memory; puzzle solver

No natural predators

At least a dozen Gnarlegs can be commonly found fishing and socializing in their favorite lake. Their long legs and flexible feet give them an elevated and sturdy view of their prey.

Gnarlegs may walk slowly, but their powerful neck muscles let them snap at prey within milliseconds. A serrated pincer-like jaw holds them in place until they’re eaten whole.

Courtship rituals involve several males (yellow) approaching females (purple) in a circle and bowing so that their iridescent spots catch the sunlight. Females judge the strength of the pose as well as luster.

Coraxl

Behavior: herd animal, lethargic (when calm), semi-aggressive

Diet: herbivorous - low-lying plants

Habitat: savanna woodlands

While usually easygoing, Coraxels are easy to provoke and aren’t afraid to stand their ground. Often, males and females both gain food aggression and throw their weight around over a coveted cluster of ferns.

The fleshy petal-shaped manes are unique in that they contain photosynthetic cells. Because they can substitute some of their diet with sunlight, a Coraxl needs to eat only once every few days.

Coraxl horns and tails are made of the same thick bone. Territorial disputes often result in the two parties entangling each other in their horns, while their tails discourage ambushes from behind.

Death's Grasp

Behavior: Silent. Soaring unless feeding or resting.

Diet: carnivorous

Habitat: mountains

Intelligence: Pure instinct (main body); unknown (symbiote)

Body is comprised of unknown gas.

This multi-organism apex predator is named after its hunting methods. Swooping from above, prey is skewered on its barbed tails. Afterwards, it clings to a cliff side and pulls its meal towards the blind symbiote.

A primarily gaseous body allows Death’s Grasp to effortlessly drift above the sheer cliffs of its environment. It steers along wind currents with flexible scales along its tentacles, as well as the giant membrane that connects them. When diving, it dissipates some of the gasses through its permeable body.

The symbiote's arms hold food in place as it slowly breaks it down with acid from its mouth. Nutrients are shared with the host organism through blood vessels located at the symbiote's "eye" cavities.

Death’s Grasp reproduces asexually. It flies down the mountains to bodies of calm water. Juveniles have amphibious lifestyles and cannot fly until they’ve matured. Their underdeveloped tails aren’t as lethal, but can leave painful gashes on intruders.

Code Name: ‘Angler’

Behavior: opportunistic; casual swimmer; may rest on shore or with head above water

Diet: anything drawn to its front lure (typically fish or nocturnal animals)

Habitat: lakes (usually murky)

Intelligence: dull

Gills can process air as well as water.

If it fits in its maw, it can and will eat it. "Anglers" have naturally poor eyesight, so they depend on prey to wander under their glowing front lure. Its throat sac is capable of expanding up to five times its normal size.

The Angler's arm and tail muscles are surprisingly well developed, but their bodies are overall cumbersome. They tend to push themselves off of rocks or the lake's bottom and float through the water. If they need to chase prey or fight an intruder, their "best" tactic is thrashing.

A few different routines have been observed depending on an Angler's position in a given lake. Scientists have created shorthands for these behaviors, known as "Drift", "Submerge, and "Beacon".

Drift: Similar to crocodiles, its head and lure can be seen poking above the water's surface. This is advantageous for drawing in prey that fly or swim at higher depths. It also signals the location of other nearby Anglers.

Submerge: An Angler tends to dive when it wants to hunt fish or other underwater fauna. If their chosen lake is filthy with little to no visibility, it's not uncommon for them to clumsily bump into each other.

Beacon: The bioluminescent growth on its tail seems to be used as a communication tool with an Angler's kin, and not for hunting. Scientits are still researching the complete "language" of its various light pulses. So far, it has been observed acting as a landmark so other Anglers know one is in their vicinity. When Drifting, it will lift its tail above water to signal to females.

Their tails also seem to pacify other males in close proximity. This reduces the odds of territory disputes.

Of course, since their tails glow at the same brightness as their main lure, prey can wind up in a blind spot for the Angler. At most, it will shake off whatever brushes against it, but it would rather avoid expending the energy needed to turn around.