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The Worm Inside
🕑 Added 2020-02-11 23:01:00 +0000 UTCThe old creature concept from 2014, with some updated lore:
A long standing ancient parasitic or symbiotic relationship between a parasite worm and a lizard. It most likely started out as a purely parasitic relation, only benefitting the worm, but eventually grew into a more symbiotic one where both sides now rely on the other for survival.
The worm's digestive system has evolved to consume as wide a range of nutrients as possible, which it shares with its host. In addition to this the worm is immune to most toxins, which it can carry over to the lizard.
The lizard's tough skin offers a good amount of protection and a home for the worm. Its strong legs provide mobility, and the claws can be used for defensive and offensive reasons. In emergency situations, the worm's many mandibles can also provide protection. It is said the lizard's saliva, which covers the worm's exterior portion, contains several toxins itself to help deter other creatures.
The lizard's entire digestive tract is essentially replaced by the worm's body. Fusing together and becoming one, through which it transfers nutrients to one and the other. The lizard's respiratory and blood circulatory system does most of its respective work, which is shared through the same connection the worm provides its immunity and nutrients.
The worm's mouth is lined with almost a hundred teeth-like mandibles, which it can use to slowly pry away small chunks from whatever food is within its range. Often other animals, as it's primarily carnivorous. The pair uses its large size, weight and claws to overwhelm and hold down their victims, but often does not outright kill them, as it proceeds to slowly devour them bit by bit. It is speculated the lizard's toxic saliva, covering the worm, contains paralyzing agents which are transmitted through the worm's bite.
Most of the worm's soft body sits safely inside the lizard's body. Its slightly tougher head can extend out from the lizard's mouth to help increase reach. To not get pulled out of the lizard it is lined with hundreds of forward facing barbs on the front. This also helps protect the more sensitive connections further down inside.
Some rare cases of extreme growth in the parasite has led to severe disfigurement to the lizard's body and may cause erratic violent behaviour. Which may ultimately lead to the death of both. The worm can not sustain itself anymore without the protection and mobility of the lizard, nor can the lizard without the digestive and immune system of the worm. Both have evolved to become fully reliant on each other.
Even their reproductive cycle has fused together. The worm's eggs embed themself on the lizard's eggs as nodules before they are laid. When the baby lizards break their shells, so do the nodules break. Covering the newborn lizards in parasite larvae who find their way inside to continue the cycle.
