Battle-branch

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by SiraLoba

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The tooth-backed nudibranch (Dentatodorsus terribilis, lovingly called the "battle-branch" by enthusiasts) is a common creature on its native planet. It is named after the fang-shaped spines running down its back (1), which protect it from most predators. These are its main line of defense, and the nudibranch curls into a ball when threatened (2), protecting its soft belly with the sharp spikes.

If the main spines fail to deter a predator, the nudibranch has one last defense: the long needle-like spine on its rear end (3). Contained in the base of this spine are two glands; the large yellow gland contains hydrogenated sulfide ions and the smaller gland contains copper ions. If a predator were to ingest the nudibranch (as some larger fish are known to do; they have very tough esophaguses which protect them from the spines), the D. terribilis stings the inside of the predator with this spear. When this happens, the large gland contracts, squirting the hydrogenated sulfide ions into the smaller gland and creating copper sulfate. This solution is extremely irritating to the predator's gastrointestinal tract and causes immediate vomiting, ideally expelling the nudibranch. The nudibranch only uses this defense option as a last resort, due to the time required to reserve the ions in its glands.

Finished submission for round 3 of Worldcraft on FA

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