Garloid

Garloids (*Proteus Garloidia)* are a species of amphibians that inhabit most of Flopcraft in several habitats. They are best known for their entire lack of a brain, and their nutritious milk that is a common favorite among garloid farmers and their families. While their entire genome is well documented, their origin and prevalence is an anomaly to modern zoologists, suggesting garloids either have some unknown traits or their success as a species has been artificial.

It produces a sweet, highly nutritious waste product referred to as "milk." Despite the name, the substance is not really a milk, though it is produced through similar mechanisms/structures.

## Biology

### Anatomy

The common garloid is normally 2-3 feet in length, with a circumference of 4-6 inches, and they most closely resemble a long plump worm with slimy and venous flesh. However, due to their simplistic genome and high mutability, this size can vary, sometimes drastically. A subspecies of garloid, the Leviathan Garloid (*P. Garloidia Orbis),* have been observed at 600 meters in length, although usually at around the same diameter of 4-6 inches.

The mouth of a garloid is highly alien, consisting of a small hole surrounded by teeth, inside of this maw is an extendable eyestalk, the eye is identical to that of a human, and is the only complex organ on the creature. Garloids use pheromone sets stored in visible bio-luminescent spots, these sets vary differently between garloid breeds, and as such mixing breeds in the same tanks usually leads to fights and death of garloids.

Garloids pigmentation tends to range from white to brownish-red. There is no scientific evidence suggesting white or albino garloids produce better milk, this is a myth. The color variation seems to have no reason in some cases, but there is a higher density of sand colored garloids in deserts, and brown garloids in swamps. This suggests there is some process that encourages camouflage.

There is a significant lack of organs in garloids. There appears to be primitive nerve receptors covering the body of a garloid, allowing them to feel touch and react instinctually. The garloid has a single linear track digestive system, where certain water-based fluids are processed and nutrients dissolved in the liquids can be processed. However, the garloid rarely needs to truly feed. Rather, they can sustain on pure water for years at a time, making them effective in areas with no biological matter or useful chemicals to consume.

#### Ecology

A well kept garloid can live upwards of 10 years, and one garloid instance, Penis-man, had lived 4000 years before its passing. This is mainly due to a non-existent metabolism and decreased cell-decay, allowing for a proper sedentary lifestyle.

They are highly resilient, although a garloid cannot survive temperatures below -80 degrees Celsius, or above 300 degrees Celsius

Garloids are genderless, and reproduce infrequently despite what their large population may suggest. Only once in their life, a garloid can produce 4-5 'seeds' that are often taken by wind, water currents, or other means of travel. If settled in water and mud for a period of time, new juvenile garloids will grow and reach maturity after 1 month. Oddly, some garloids simply do not produce seeds. There is a 23-29% chance that a garloid will not reproduce in its lifetime.