Dr. Joshua Sweet's Field Guide to the Wildlife of Atlantis

Shemubin: Lava whale. (It is also called kehtuhkentem ohbensuhg, It seems to be like the difference between Orca and Killer whale) Lava whales are a miracle of nature. They are actually able to survive in their homes of boiling mud and lava by a unique healing system. When young, these small creatures live on their mother's backs, unable to survive the lava's heat, and are constantly on the lookout for none other than Atlantean crystal, which they consume a rather large amount of (Somewhere near 50 lbs!) This creates basically the healing system that allows them to live. They are constantly regenerating their skin, as it is literally being burned off by the lava. Lava whales have lost the fear of fire because of this, but their crystal healing supply is so busy healing the creature all of the time, that other wounds, such as cuts or abrasions must heal normally. Lava whales are primarily herbivorous, living off of cave plants, though they are actually able to get several nutrients from powdered stone, much like how some people will eat dirt. The young Shemubin often have a soft spot for fruit. Shemubin resemble a creature similar to the humpback whale, but instead of the two flippers, they have three sets of stocky legs. In the place of baleen, Shemubin have peg-like teeth, which they use to scrape the plants off of rocks. They have a paddle-like tail, much like that of a thick beaver's in which they store all of their fat. They are most commonly gray with blue or gold eyes, but there is also an albino-like species that is a pinkish-orange in color with a peach underside and red eyes. These are very rare and it is a special thing indeed to see one in the wild. Most often though, Shemubin just look like a landmass in a seething pool of lava, as most of them will be hidden from view. As young, they are often a prey item for Charokhs and Gorlocks, but once grown, other creatures do not bother them often. These are the largest creatures in the caves near Atlantis, and they grow to over 65 kelim (Atlantean unit of measure, 2.3 feet. That means about 50 yards!) from the tips of their snouts to the ends of their tails. Shemubin are fiercely protective of their pods, which can number up to a dozen. Shemubin are mammals, and have mammary glands on their backs. They produce a thick, blue milk. Even when as young as three years old, the females will produce milk, if the teats are massaged. In this manner, they are something like cows, because they are milked. They always produce milk, just in case a mother needs to hand off her offspring to another Shemubin so that they can dive under the surface of the lava. Oddly, enough, as baby lava whales are minute in size when compared to adults, people are able to catch them and are fairly popular pets. They are often kept in vats of boiling mud or molten metal, and are common pets among metal workers. Eventually, young Shemubin grow too large and are let loose in the caves, where they find a pod and settle down. Shemubin, when angered roar, though sometimes it is at such a low pitch, that you can only feel it. The most common vocalization of Shemubin though, is singing, much like normal whales.

Chreen: Fireflies. The humid climate in and around Atlantis is perfect for many insect varieties, including Chreen. Chreen live in colonial hives, much like bees. They produce a bright glow, much the same way as flashlight fish, with the help of two types of special symbiotic bacteria that cannot live for long outside of the creature. These create two types of chemicals, which produces an exothermic reaction and creates a glow (this makes them actually seem almost warm-blooded, and the Chreen can supply more nutrients to the bacteria at will, increasing glow and heat). Though they appear the same, there are domesticated varieties of Chreen that do not have the territorial and aggressive tendencies that wild Chreen do. In fact, they are even more social than the Outer world types and are used as a light source throughout Atlantis. Wild Chreen colonies have something of a recognition process by glow. If a Chreen arrives that does not have the same glow as the hive is supposed to, the Chreen from the hive will attack the intruder, seeing it as a threat. This makes having light sources other than fire around wild Chreen hives rather dangerous. When threatened, They 'feed" the bacteria in their system that produce the luminescence to a point at which they spontaneously combust. The flames can easily spread to other flammable objects. Chreen are capable of making a sound similar to that of cicadas and eat many kinds of plant life, though prefer to simply drink nectar and not harm plants.

Yeragos: Also known as the Parrot Lizard, Yeragos resemble small pterosaurs. They, like rabbits, can be raised to be food (Atlanteans often say that imported chicken tastes like Yeragos) or as pets. They are quite friendly and beautiful with many varieties. Yeragos are omnivorous, and will eat nearly anything, much like seagulls or pigeons. The most common type of Yeragos has a green topside, with a lime green underside. The undersides of it's wings and the fin on the underside of it's tail are a golden yellow color and it also possesses a bright red crest on it's head. The eyes are of the same color. Yeragos generally make a squawking noise and a high-pitched shrill, though they do sing in a high-pitched tone. Yeragos are capable of swimming, much like a duck, though are less adept at it as their feet are not webbed.

Tuyeb: These creatures are lobster-like, with two good-sized claws, and a lobsteresque shape. At the end of its tail, the Tuyeb possesses a mass of tentacles. And at its face it has three long whiskers or antenna, which are prehensile and can wrap around things. The crustacean has a slightly armored body, covered in a leather-like shell. However, they have a fatal flaw of a pressure point just above of the shoulder, where if bitten or struck, they will fall unconscious. The basic color should be a maroon color with reddish whiskers and black eyes. They often use their large claws to stir up fish and small crustacean at the bottom of the body of water, and ensnare their prey in the short tentacles protruding at the front of their faces. There is another offshoot of the species basically called the red Tuyeb. This variety has a pinkish color and bright yellow eyes. The underside has the basic Tuyeb color, as it doesn't want to flaunt those warning colors to it's prey, but has the bright color on top to discourage any predator eating it. It unlike normal Tuyeb, has a venom that is quite potent, as most of it's prey is cold-blooded, which makes it particularly nasty for warm-blooded creatures like Bahodmoks or humans. This venom causes massive hemorrhaging, much like a spider-bite, causing its prey to suffer from massive internal bleeding, unless the propped antidote is administered. Luckily, this variety if very docile and is reluctant to waste its venom, and thus, bites are very rare indeed. All Tuyeb can make a squeaking noise when agitated.

Bahodmok: Sometimes called 'Bahodmok tiger' (The term for a young Bahodmok is 'Flopsy') Bahodmoks are quite an interesting creature indeed. Extremely intelligent, they can be compared to dolphins for intelligence. Bahodmoks are solitary, though will tolerate others in its territory if it isn't stressed for food. Oddly enough, they seem to quite enjoy the company of humans, possibly evolved because of being fed in the presence of humans. They have five tusks at the front of their faces and large claws that are not only used to bring down larger prey like their primary prey, Ugobes, but also to dig for roots and small burrowing animals. They have five eyes, and thus keen eyesight. The primary eyes, the two on either side of the middle one, see much like a house cat does in normal light, but the other three are adjusted to be specifically for night-like conditions. If the light is bright, it often closes the night eyes, but keeps all eyes open in the dark. Like normal cats, it has a mirrored surface in the back of its eyes, resulting in an orange glow. Bahodmoks are about the size of a tiger, and are fine furred. They have a dark blue coat with a light blue underside and yellow-orange stripes or sometimes blue ones. (There is also a rare mutation in which they actually have tiger stripes). They have a thick, reptilian like tail that can be used as a bludgeon-like whip. Bahodmoks have a variety of vocal sounds, including purrs, roars, growls, whimpers, and a howl-like noise. Bahodmoks often breed near the Wind Tunnel.

Ugobes: These are slug-like creatures that are occasionally kept as pets. Though Ugobes resemble slugs, they do have a skeletal structure and actually can grow to be taller than a man. In addition, they have four pairs of legs, making them considerably more speedy than one might think. Ugobes have stalk eyes, and may look in multiple directions at once. Generally they have a gray color to them with darker gray spots. Ugobes are herbivores and fruit is a favorite item. Ugobes are raised for food, much like cattle, and have little defense against predators except for their speed, and the fact that they breed like rabbits. Ugobes make a gargling belch sound much like some walruses.

Wemot: Wemot are large ostrich-like creatures with long necks and legs. They have no forelimbs, though the ruminants of them remain in the skeletal structure. They come in a variety of colors and make a giggling honk-like noise. There is a variety that has a purple color with yellow spots, one that is aqua with purple spots, and one with a yellow-green color with gray spots. All of these have a lighter colored underside. Wemots primarily eat seeds, grasses and fruit. They are often raised like chickens.

Dunok Reesoybah: Squid-Bat. These peculiar creatures would most likely be described as flying jellyfish. Dunok Reesoybah can be over 4 kelim wide and 6 kelim long. At the base of their tentacles (of which there is normally about 30, but they are almost always missing some due to troublesome prey. With time, these grow back.) is a ring of nine eyes which are very sensitive to light, and in between all of the tentacles is the creature's sucking mouth. These creatures are invertebrates and actually have no bones in their bodies whatsoever, including teeth. Opportunistic hunters, Dunok Reesoybah float to the top of a cave, making themselves appear to be a group of stalactites. Large spans of cave ceiling are covered in groups (called convoys) of 15 to 50 Dunok Reesoybah waiting for prey to walk by. Dunok Reesoybah are strictly carnivorous, converting their food into hydrogen, the means of their ability to float. Because of this, Dunok Reesoybah fear flame, and are not seen anywhere near Chreen hives. They recognize the flickering and often float away. Flicking a flashlight on and off will induce the same result. Oddly enough, a steady glow (like that of a flashlight or shaded torch) will actually attract them, as their primary prey have bioluminescent spots.

Charokh: (also known as the Land Beast and the Cave Beast) Though Charokhs appear to be strictly large insects, they actually would collapse if they relied solely on their exoskeleton, so they actually have two skeletons, and indo and exoskeleton. The females may reach up to 150 kelim in height, and nearly 315 kelim in length (The males are nearly half this size). Ferocious predators, Charokhs often wait in bored out caverns and wait for prey to pass by, striking out with amazing speed. Though Charokhs will eat anything smaller than themselves, they are wary of things that they don't recognize, and if they encounter such a thing, they will most often bluff and try to scare whatever it is away. Though extremely dangerous, Charokhs have been hunted by Atlanteans for years as a food source, and for their armor. Charokh skins when freshly molted and steamed have been used as paper, though it is extremely brittle. Cherokhs have six legs with spikes at the joints along with six arms, the forward most of which have small grasping claws. They all have a forked horn protruding from their foreheads, which is often used during territorial disputes. Also, they possess a pair of large serrated mandibles, that can actually be used to saw prey in half. As if these formidable weapons were not enough, the Charokh has a long, tapering tail with a cruel blade at the end, though it is not venomous. Most often Charokhs have earthy tones with muddy yellows, browns and greens, with bright red eyes. The saliva of the Charokh is slightly more basic than is usual, a remnant of their larval stage. This can cause minor chemical burns.

Sahggoroth: The larval form of the Charokh, Saggoroths are comparatively small, at about 2½ kelim tall. These creatures, dubbed 'Bug-man' by some explorers, have four legs, on which they stand, and a forward set of legs adapted into scythes. Their scythes can spread out to neatly 3 kelim long, and even worse than that, their saliva is extremely basic, and thus very corrosive. It actually has two separate types of saliva, harmless when by themselves, but terribly dangerous when mixed. It can spray this mixture up to 5 kelim away. When combined, the mixture creates a very basic liquid that causes terrible chemical burns. The mortality rate among Saggoroths is low, but as soon as they become pupae, they are often eaten by nearly anything, like Gorloks, Charokhs, and even the occasional Dunok Reesoybah.

Gorlock: What Gorlocks lack in brains, they make up for in brawn. They are extremely muscular and resemble gorillas only in basic body shape. Gorlocks are omnivorous with primarily carnivorous tendencies, and have been seen traveling in groups of up to 20 members, though the males are most often solitary. They all hunt alone, but sleep in groups (called regiments) for protection. Safety is in numbers. This is the only reason they group together, though they often fight viciously over any food or water. Gorlocks are gray in color, with red, transparent-looking eyes with mirrored surfaces on the back that make them appear to glow. Though Gorloks hunt, they will gladly scavenge, and usually they flock to the kills of other creatures.

Lektah: Also called 'Lizard-men' Lektahs are aquatic reptiles that provide their own light with bioluminescent spots lining their sides. These can glow in a variety of colors, providing something of a 'language' similar to that of cuttlefish. They are herbivores but are very territorial and will attack anything near their own size in the water, though they will give chase onto dry land. They have a tough scaly hide and are a reddish in color. They can reach 2 kelim in length. They also have a line of bioluminescent spots along their backs that constantly glow a green color. This light attracts Dunok Reesoybah.

Shehkee: An Atlantean shark, Shehkees occasionally will escape outside of the Atlantean cave network and into the ocean. The chemicals in the water are different, and they rarely last longer than a few months. Shehkees are predators, eating anything from Lektah to small fish.

Veramas: Atlantean mice. Small, brown and very maneuverable these marsupials are the equivalent of Atlantean mice. They can run like tiny cheetahs, as they have very flexible spines and springy muscles in their legs, there is a lot of power and length in their stride. Their center of gravity is very low to the ground, allowing for sharp turns, and they even have a thick tail with which they can quickly change where their center of gravity. They are herbivores, though they have a particular soft spot for berries.

Rukbat: An Atlantean primate. They resemble monkeys with thick, soft fur. This fur is often used to line armor. They are semi-aquatic and this thick fur waterproofs them much like that of a sea otter. They are omnivores though they prefer plants. They make a high-pitched chittering noise. They have an orangish coat with a gray underside and belly.





Atlantis the Lost Empire, Dr. Joshua Sweet, All creatures except for Veramas and Rukbat, Atlantean crystal, and Atlantean measurements are property of the Walt Disney company. Research for the Chreen, Yeragos, Dunok Resoybah, Bahodmok, and Shemubin came from mostly Atlantis Subterranean Tours: A Traveler's Guide to the Lost City (A welcome book, Disney Editions) Everything else, including all other descriptions, and the entirety of the Veramas and Rukbat entries, belong to Shahnahkehm.