Spitshines

Spitshines are several species of land and one species of aquatic cephalopods who defend themselves from threats by spitting large globs of compact soil at perceived threats. 
== Subspecies ==
So far, five species of spitshines have been observed, the treeshade spitshine, found in forested areas; the gasping spitshine, found in rocky environments; the marine spitshine, found in lakes and oceans; the boxed spitshine, which is polybiomic; and the domesticated floater spitshine.
== Biology ==
=== Tentacles ===
Spitshine tentacles are acidic and inedible, but retain elasticity to make into whips. They also lack suction cups unlike most cephalopods.
=== Eyes ===
Eyeballs are used in potion making, but have little use beyond that.
=== Balloon organ ===
Balloons are a unique organ to the spitshines, which can lift itself and items it is attached to with considerable force. When in rain, marine spitshines can float above the water, while floaters use this organ to achieve constant lift. The floater spitshines are bred to create aerial fortresses because of this property. 
== Behavior ==
=== Hiding ===
These species all have the common trait of remaining hidden just below the surface, only surfacing except to spit large globs of compact soil at perceived threats. Spitshines hide from danger by burrowing in the ground. Works mostly by its tentacles that lack suction cups like other cephalopods but are able to easily submerge and surface through the ground. 
=== Covering ===
Cutting or removing the above ground plant of treeshade spitshines causes the animal to surface. This is possibly because the plant, beyond its use as camouflage, is a breathing tool. Gasping and boxed species use rocks and boxes respectively, but this is thought to be for protection rather than for breathing. Marine and floater spitshines variants do not exhibit this covering behavior.
=== Cleaning ===
Clean whatever it swallows. This is because the animal swallows nearby material in order to hurl it at a target. The animal's mouth is lined with acidic and antiseptic chemicals, to protect the animal from pathogens found in what it ingests to shoot at targets.
=== Spitting ===
The animal is territorial, and will fire a first projectile to ward off potential predators before shooting to kill.
=== Domestication ===
Spitshines get their names from the fact that anything metal inhaled by the creature is cleaned, polished with saliva and spit (forcefully) out in near mint condition at high velocity. The creatures are often used by blacksmiths and reforging businesses. 
Some spitshines, dubbed royal spitshines will yield weapons fit for a king, encrusted in gemstones or even added effects that the creature adds to the weapon through unknown means.
Floater spitshines are bred for their ability to lift objects attached to them, making them useful for creating floating platforms. Their balloon organs are also used for lifting objects or as arrowheads for capturing live prey.
Category:Cephalopods
Category:Animal
Category:Spitshines