The Behemoth, by Depri Andreau, Prof. of Natural History, University of Artengia

Adult Behemoth on the move.

Behemoth

    The Behemoth is unlike any other creature on Gloe. They live exclusively in the northeastern area of Gloe and are an essential part of the Orange Free Republic economy. In addition to being the largest living creatures known to exist, they are also asexual and their method of reproduction remains a complete mystery. To date, no infant Behemoth has been found yet smaller adolescents are commonly seen. The accompanying sketch is of an untamed adult specimen which was found traveling along the north edge of the Lynewood several years ago. The sighting was unusual as Behemoth generally stick to their established roads and this one was at least thirty kilometers from the nearest road.
   The typical adult Behemoth is the size of a small foothill, ranging anywhere from 30 to 50 meters tall and 100 to 120 meters in diameter. When resting they can sometimes be mistaken for terrain as trees grow on their backs and their flesh resembles densely packed soil. When traveling, a Behemoth uses it's hundreds of thick root-like legs to move. These root-legs digs into the soil and drag the creature in the direction it wishes to go. The root-legs also serve the function of drawing in water and minerals from the soil.
   A wild Behemoth lives in a symbiotic relationship with two other species. The Acadia tree and the Turnbull ant. One of the reasons Behemoth are mistaken for hills is the foliage that grows upon their backs, grass, small shrubs and Acadia trees cover the back of a healthy Behemoth. Behemoth in poor health can easily be noticed as the flora on their backs withers and dies. The Acadia trees grow in clusters, randomly spaced upon the back and grow a few meters tall. They are broad leaf trees but do not lose their leaves in the winter. Acadia trees produce red plum-like fruit which is edible and quite tasty. The fruit is high in sugar and is very sweet.
   The Turnbull ants living on and inside the Behemoth serve as both protection for the Acadia trees and produces a sap called Chisin. The Behemoth consumes Chisin as part of its diet, although what function it serves is not yet known. Turnbull ants are unique and can be quite frightening when encountered. They are easily the largest insect on Gloe, so they share a trait with their host. Turnbull ants range from half a meter to one meter in length. There are two species of Turnbull, one is solid red and the other is red and black striped. The red and black striped Turnbulls are much less common and more aggressive. Much like normal ants, Turnbulls have workers, soldiers, male drones and a queen. Workers keep the surface of the Behemoth clean and harvest the fruit of the Acadia, taking it into the tunnels they carve into the Behemoth.
   It is not known if the tunneling is painful to the Behemoth, but it most likely is not or if it is the pain is insignificant as Behemoth do not seem upset by it. The worker ants ferment the fruit which naturally produces Chisin. Soldier ants have large, serrated mandibles which can do terrible damage to those they attack. Humans can easily be overwhelmed and killed by three or four of these soldiers although the ants are only provoked when their territory is trespassed upon.
   The queen is larger than the other ants, usually eight to ten times bigger and produce eggs at a much slower rate than their smaller cousins. Whereas a typical black ant queen might produce 50-100 eggs in a day, a Turnbull queen will only produce 1-2 eggs a week. Male drones are only produced once a decade and die within days of fertilizing a queen.
  Behemoth can move up to two hundred kilometers in a twenty four hour period but seldom travel so quickly. They rest an average of 6 hours a day and spend the rest of the time moving on their easily recognized roads. A Behemoth road is an open strip of land, usually covered in short grass and about 200 meters wide.

Next: Tame Behemoth