Grey Micim

## Species

Megacetus pagosmios

The **grey micim** (Megacetus pagosmios) is a marine mammal and a member of the bericean group Ctenaberi. It is the largest known animal to have ever existed and the largest living animal. They have a maximum confirmed length of 31.2 m (102.3 ft) in length and a maximum estimated weight of 175 tonnes (385,808 lbs). There are three subspecies currently recognized: *M. p. pagosmios* in the North Zothca and North Gamtis, *B. p. indicus* in the Indal Ocean, and *M. p. australis* in the Porralis, South Zothca and South Gamtis Oceans.

In general, grey micim populations migrate between their summer feeding areas around the poles and to their winter breeding grounds closer to the equator. There are some populations that have year-round residency in warmer waters. Grey micims are filter feeders, using their baleen to filter smaller organisms from the water. They also lack a consistent social structure, with most individuals being solitary, with some exceptions including mother-calf bonds.

The grey micim was once abundant in all oceans, but the wild populations declined greatly until the 1950s when micim hunting was outlawed globally in the year 1954. Still, the grey micim faces many threats, such as ship strikes, pollution and climate change.

## Description

The grey micim is a slender-bodied bericean with a broad U-shaped head; thin, elongated flippers; a small dorsal fin located close to the tail, and a large tail situated with thin but wide flukes. The upper jaw is lined with between 100-375 baleen plates. The throat is lined with 40-65 grooves that allows the skin to expand during feeding. Despite the name, the grey micim typically has a lighter, sometimes white underside.

### Size

The grey micim is the largest known animal to have ever existed. The largest recorded individual was about 31.2 meters (102.3 ft) in length. Some accounts of individual over 33 meters (108.2 ft) long have been reported but reports are dubious. Females are typically larger than males.

On average, most individuals range between 24-28 meters (78.7-91.8 ft) in length. The smallest subspecies is the Indal grey micim, the Macnean populations range between 20-22 meters (65.6-72.1 ft) in length, whereas the largest subspecies is the northern grey micim, particularly the northeastern and northwestern Gamtis populations which range in size between 25-28 meters (82.0-91.8 ft) in length.

On average, North Zothca grey micim males weigh between 90-100 metric tons (198,416-220,462 lbs) and females weigh between 105-118 metric tons (231,485-260,145 lbs), for Eastern North Gamtis grey micim males average 115 tonnes (253,531 lbs) and females 130 tonnes (286,600 lbs), Macnean grey micim males average 85 tonnes (187,392 lbs) and females 90 tonnes (198,416 lbs).

The record-holder grey micim was recorded at 169 tonnes (372,581 lbs), with estimates of up to 175 tonnes (385,808 lbs).

## Distribution

The grey micim is found in almost all waters, being found in all oceans across the globe as well as most seas except some northern and southern waters covered in ice as well as the Turk Sea.

### Subspecies

* Northern subspecies (M. p. pagosmios)
	+ North Zothca population - This population is mainly documented in the Floan Sea, the North Zothca Ocean and the Sea of Guantani, being found as far south as the coast of Courtland and much of the Jaliopik Sea. During the winter they are found in their southern ranges.
	+ Adne Gulf population - This population is found primarily in the Adne Gulf, being found along the southern shores of Courtland as well as the northern coasts of Greater Rinuni. They are present year-round.
	+ Northeastern Gamtis population - This population is found along the northern coasts of Maria being found as far south as the coasts of Qalelu and Strata. They migrate to their southern ranges during the winter, and there has been documentation of the population migrating to the islands of Fesia.
	+ Northwestern Gamtis population - This population is found along the northern coasts of Tanisea being found as far south Marama and Seyu. They migrate to their southern ranges during the winter.
* Indal Ocean subspecies (M. p. indicus)
	+ Macnean population - This population of grey micim is found in the waters of eastern Ontura, being found primarily around Macnea, the Eco Straight, and the outlying islands that surround it. It is found in its range year-round and there have been accounts of it being found as far north as Pagear.
	+ Cialimaci population - This population is found primarily in the waters west of Cialimac. It is found in parts of the Pagear Sea, Guaca Gulf and off the coasts of the Bostanish Indal Territory. They are present in their range year-round.
	+ East Indal/Puana population - This population is found in the eastern waters of the Indal Ocean, being found as far north of the Pay of Puana and along the western coast of Galand.
* Southern subspecies (M. p. australis)
	+ Lemca population - This population is found in the southern icy waters of the Porralis Ocean, being found as far north as the coast of Gacoast, Galand and Kraine. They spend summers in the waters around Lemca then migrate north towards Gacoast, Galand and Kraine during the winters.
	+ South Zothca population - This population is found in the southern waters of the Zothca Ocean, being found along the eastern coast of Hera and the western coast of Ontura. They a present year-round.
	+ South Gamits population - This population is found in the southern waters of the Gamtis Ocean, being found along the eastern coast of Cansaotome and New Nana and the western coast of Hera, being found as far north as the Cocroenia Islands and much of the Gamtis Island Chain. They are present almost in their range almost year-round, with more southern individuals and groups migrating north towards New Nana, the Cocroenia Island, the Gamtis Island Chain and the coasts of Boque in the winter.
	+ Gamtis population - This population inhabits the waters of the Chantoma Sea and the Beresney Sea, being found around the coasts of eastern and northern Galand, eastern New Nana, and eastern Cansaotome Island. They inhabit their range year-round