Nea Entry: Tsuchinoko

Tsuchinoko (ツチノコ or 槌の子)  also called bachi hebi (バチヘビ), meaning "bee snake," are a large, stumpy species of Amphisbaenian (More specifically a genetically engineered descendant of Amphisbaena microcephala) that inhabits much of Nea's sand sea areas. Despite a reasonably wide distribution they are hard to see creatures for they spend much of their time "swimming" through the sands of Nea's vast desert exoenses. Unlike its ancestors who possesed slender, worm like bodies to dig through the mud and undergrowth, the tsuchinoko evolved a short, torpedo shaped body to further aid them on "swimming through soft sand in search for their prey, usually sandguppies and sand sharks. Their eyes like most of the eyes of their bretheren are small and almost vestigial,this is no hindrance however considering they spend most of their time with their faces buried in the sand. 

 The tsuchinoko was named like that by the Neanean settlers of japanese ancestry mainly due to its accidental resemblance to the mythical beast of japanese folklore, unlike the mythical Tsuchinoko however, these creatures are not venomous, though they will bite if they feel threatened or cornered. They are also considered a delicacy in some areas, specially in the southern limits of their range. 

Nea's concept, as well as the map and silhouette by:
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Part of the Nea Contest/ Initiative
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