This process took a mere round to complete, and the victim's suffocation was then imminent. The monster's defensive properties were noteworthy as well. In any case, the thing took no damage from physical attacks. The tar baby was also immune to cold and poison. As one might expect, though, fire was highly effective against it, setting it ablaze instantly and reducing it to nothingness within three rounds.
Nothing is known, or even suspected, about the ecology or natural habitat of the tar baby.