Metallic double jaw

**The metallic double jaw** is an inhabitant of the world of Drenia. Mettalic double-jaws are fierce insectoids that have evolved to compete with dragons, evolving to ingest metals to reinforce their hide, claws and teeths, which can resist dragon fire. The biggest pair of eyes are made for terrain detection, and the second, smallest pair is for tracking prey. One of this beast's weakness is it's underbelly which is not protected by metallic hide.

## Physiology

### Physical description

The Metallic double jaw is a species of giant centiped which can grow to 25 meters. Their shell, teeth and claws are reinforced with metals that they ingest, making them more durable and sharp. It has two pair of eyes, two big ones and a pair of small ones. It also only have eight legs.

### Shell

The shell of the Double jaw is reinforced by the minerals it conssumes, making it highly resistant to dragon fire, however, if it is assaulted non-stop by dragon fire, the metallic outer layer will melt and what will remain will be unprotected shell. It is so heavy that the double jaw will sink if it is in water.

### Claws and teeth

The claws and teeth of the Double jaw are reinforced by the minerals it conssumes, making them more resistant and sharper.

### Internal system

The internal system of the Double jaws are in a way unique, as they have veins, contrary to most insects. This in turn makes the Double jaw's blood system more efficient, which in turn makes it able to grow to the size it grows to.

#### Eyes

##### Prey targeting pair

The smaller eye pair on the Double jaw's head. Half of the brain power of the insect is directed onto that singular pair of eyes. This pair of eyes cannot see colour, but tracks movement.

##### Terrain detection pair

The bigger eye pair on the Double jaw's head. It can see colour and basic shapes, but cannot discern wether something is terrain or prey until the other pair of eye confirms any of the two.

#### Mandibles

##### First pair

The pair that does the cutting of the meat and the grinding of the minerals. It is strong enough to shatter steel and dragon bones.

##### Second pair

The pair that maintains the prey near the first pair. It has sharp fang like structure on it, which are curved towards the insect's mouth. It is only strong enough to maintain prey, but can be brocken off easily if you hit it at it's base.

## Ecology

### Diet

Mostly carnivorous, but also partakes in geophagy. Those beasts will regularly ingest minerals such as silver and iron to fuse with their shells.

## Behavior

### Social structure

Mettalic double jaws do not have a particular social structure other than: THe strongest eats first and gets all of the females

### Communication

They communicate by rattling their shells and growling at different pitches with their mandibles

### Life cycle

Egg ---> Larvae ---> Child ---> Teen ---> Sub-adult ---> Adult ---> Elder

## Interactions with dragons

The double jaws don't have alot of interactions with dragons, unless they go directly in their territory or a hatchling wanders a bit too far. Though, in the adults case, the dragon generally will come out on top, but only if said dragon isn't too cocky and actually know how to actually deafeat a double jaw, in the contrary, well, free food for the insect.