Pre-human species

Pre-human species on the world of Wenth are catagorized as fauna that evolved without human interference, with records dating over 100 years ago. The majority of these species are cave-based, and please note this is an incomplete list.

Additionally, most discovered Wenth fauna have four main identifying characteristics: Two strips of compound eyes, three limbs, and tripartite jaws (a split lower jaw, with each section operating independently). Most are amphibious or semi-amphibious.

## Cavernous

Cavernous species are categorized as any species specifically evolved to live in the many caverns covering the equatorial region of Wenth. these include:

#### Snog

Snogs are a small, mammal-like species that have been described as 'six-legged angry land bats'. Unlike most other Wenth organisms, these tiny creatures (growing up to five inches at most) spend nearly all of their life on land, crossing water only to search for food. Another way these are set apart from other Wenth organisms are their specialized antennas- Snogs have excellent eyesight for areas effected by Bioluminescence, but their antennae are presumed to be specialized for the detection of possible predators. Appearance-wise, they are covered by a thick coat of dark hair, masking all characteristics except for their short legs, large eyes and antennae.

Snogs are very hard to come across-their small size means they are adept at escaping danger. In the face of danger, however, they can secrete a poison similar in composition to arsenic, which will eventually cause paralysis of breathing muscles if ingested.

Snogs, although not classified as domesticated, are used by many explorers for their usefulness in avoiding dangers in the many caverns of Wenth. When they detect danger, they will quickly start "biting the $%@# outta the closest poor bastard and start trying to pop my damn ears. If the little bastards weren't so useful, I'd just chuck 'em the fuck elsewhere to be someone else's issue." (a quote from Sev Welderson, a human miner). Meaning they will immediately begin attacking the organism containing them preventing escape, while also 'screaming' in an attempt to do the same or perhaps ward off the predicted danger.

Snogs are omnivorous, with their diet mainly being plants and cave moss. However, they have a fascinating ability-they will use a sonic-like scream to stun all insects in an immediate radius, causing them to drop to the ground where they can be picked off by nearby snogs. Snogs are also hermaphrodites. They reproduce by laying hundreds of small eggs in various crevasses they come across, typically soon after they have eaten. These crevasses will then hopefully be fertilized by the next snog that stumbles across it. This strategy, although rather risky-seeming, appears to be effective, as snogs are widespread across Wenth caverns (if you know where to look).

## Air

#### Titans

Titans are massive, constantly 'flying' colonial organisms, growing up to and sometimes exceeding 5 kilometers in length, with an entire ecosystem of plants- either forest-like or simple bushes and grasses- growing on and in their backs, of which they have a symbiotic relationship with. they are shped similar to a manta ray, excepting the tail and mouth parts. They have three strips of compound eyes- one on top where the organism's head would be, one on the bottom of the head, and one in front. It is unknown what need a Titan might have for such eyes, as there is no natural predator of the Titan, but it is theorized this is to stop them from colliding with landmasses and other mountains. They have an internal structure similar to that of a manta ray, but similar to other native Wenth organisms, this is made of a chitin-like substance.

Although it is unknown how the titan floats, the leading theory is that it absorbs the hydrogen gas the plants produce and stores it within its permeable flesh, allowing for flotation. Commonly, Titans are seen floating in Wenth jetstreams, although they can roughly maneuver using their flipper-like appendages.

The plants give the titan energy though photosynthesis (as the roots grow into the titan's permeable flesh), and the titan keep allows the plants to have near-constant sunlight. Titans often have entire floral ecosystems on their backs adapted to these extremally specific conditions, and flying organisms suited to mountainous regions and high altitude often accompany the titan's ecosystem, as titans have no natural predators and the plant cover provides hiding spots from other sky predators. it is unknown how the titans gain these massive ecosystems, but it is theorized that either as juveniles, titans spend time around mountains or high-altitude forests, or seeds are passed through parent to child. They have no need to eat, and it is theorized that the titan can absorb water particles from clouds as it migrates around the equatorial region, around two or three miles off the ground.

Although the death of a titan has never been witnessed, multiple sites of 'titanfalls' have been uncovered, with five being discovered. Titanfalls are a massive nutrient boost in any given region's ecosystem, and are theorized to contribute to the formation of forests due to both the high-density plant matter of the titan's back and the massive amount of nutrients the titan's corpse contains. Most titanfalls in forested areas have only been uncovered due to the massive bones of the titan being exposed due to erosion. Due to the apparent rarity of evidence of a titan's death, these organisms are estimated to live for a millennia or more, or simply do not age. It is unknown *how* the titans die, as they do not show evidence of ageing, have regenerative powers similar to that of an axolotl and have no natural predators.

It is unknown how Titans reproduce. There are currently seven recorded living individual titans on Wenth.