Author Notes - I have exactly one job and it's to proofread my own crap. And yet I keep forgetting to do it until it's late at night. It's already about twenty past midnight. I really need to fix my sleep schedule.

MAWDAD FAMILY

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Chilopoda
Order: Scolopendromorpha

EMILY'S PERSONAL NOTES

So I decided to save these big boys for the end because I saw no better way to finish this document. Mostly because I didn't want to end on Whiskerpillars when we have some other awesome critters we could end on instead. This is the first of the big boys.

And this is one of the biggest of those big boys. According to Brittany, this was apparently when the Koppai team realised just how dangerous and scary this amazing planet could really be. Personally, I think this is nothing compared to the Waterwraith… but we're not getting to that jerkface for a little while now.

Louie's notes for this creature disturb me. And it's only partially because eating this thing could kill me, since it's related to those Crawmads that I'm so freaking allergic to. To quote his notes exactly: 'If the legs aren't twitching when you put it on the grill, don't bother.' I can't imagine cooking this poor thing alive!

PHYSICAL APPEARANCES

The Tuberclipeum rex (Armoured Mawdad) can best be compared to a gigantic centipede. It has multiple sections in its body, including a big head and small tail, covered in soft blue skin. Each of its body segments has small gecko-like legs, its eyes are big and yellow, and it has two rows of teeth contained in a sizable mouth. The most notable feature of the Mawdad, other than its gigantic size, is its crystalline shell that covers almost the entire body. Its translucent material is much like clouded glass, and it is quite resistant to most attacks. This shell also makes up its mandibles, which have no soft flesh inside them.

HABITAT

Mawdads reside in hollowed out tree stumps, typically settling in those already hollowed but very willing to dig through the wood itself. It can only be found in warm (but not tropical) areas such as the Garden of Hope, and will become lethargic if it is forced to endure colder climates.

DIET AND DEFENCES

The Mawdad's diet has been described by Captain Olimar as 'voracious', and this could not be a more appropriate term. It has no specific diet, and instead consumes anything that fits in its mouth and isn't nailed down. The contents of its stomach have proven very surprising over years of research, with such objects including: gigantic fruit swallowed whole, rocks, flowers, jars, massive sticks of lip balm, coins, and even a huge device resembling an ancient phone.

Its powerful jaws are not the only thing this creature has going for it. Its entire body, except for its underside, is covered in a rock-hard layer of translucent crystal. This functions as the creature's shell, and it can only moult and grow a new one by smashing it against rocks. Indeed, rocks thrown with considerable force are the only thing that can break through them. This crystal-like substance also makes up their mandibles, which it uses to trap prey before eating them.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Mawdads have a strict hierarchy among their species. Though they live independently, all Mawdads in a certain area are considered to be part of the same group. Mature specimens will engage in aggressive fights, bashing themselves against each other, with the intention to crack their opponent's shells. Multiple rounds of this will commence, until a winner is declared. This Mawdad becomes the 'king' of the group, and is often feared by the rest.

Note that the use of the word 'king' does not mean that only male Mawdads partake in this. On the contrary, females are just as likely to compete and win as the males. When it comes to these fights of hierarchy, sex is irrelevant. Those born with various disabilities, such as impaired vision, are also given the same chance to fight and will be regarded with the same respect if they win.

Those at the top may be challenged by those lower on the ladder. These fights may but will not necessarily end in death for the loser. If the 'king' loses this match, they are removed from the group and forced out on their own. If the lesser Mawdad fails to win, they will still be seen as brave enough to face the leader.

COURTING AND CHILDREARING

Only Mawdads near the top of the ladder are allowed to court. The 'lesser' Mawdads will not even attempt to do so, accepting their lowly position. Many of them may resent this, but others may instead enjoy their life without a partner. Mawdads will only mate with those that are in similar ranking to them, and will never accept a lesser partner unless there is no other choice.

The females will lay several eggs and carry them on the underside of her body. If either she or her mate are the 'king', the other Mawdads in the area will give her a cut of their food. Otherwise, her mate will have to search for food themselves. A mother Mawdad is fiercely protective over her eggs and hatchlings, and will not let anyone or anything near them until they are old enough to grow and shed their own armoured shell.

OTHER NOTES

Its appearance underneath its shell bears more than a passing resemblance to Water Dumples (see, 'Grub-Dog, Aquatic'). Due to how distant the two species are, they are unlikely to have any connection.

NOTES FROM OTHER RESEARCHERS

Armoured Mawdad -

It takes a small army of Rock Pikmin to make a dent in its reinforced crystal shell. Destroying the shell completely is slow going, since it burrows into the ground every time it comes down from the walls. It's too bad we didn't have the tools to adapt the pieces of its shell into armour for the S.S. Drake! - Alph

The crystal all over its body is one of the most beautiful things I've seen on this planet. How people would stare if I could make a space suit out of it! Though maybe they'd only be staring because I'd be in a translucent suit. - Brittany (Emily's Notes: I know I would be staring. … Wait, is this still on?)

I'm so proud of my crew for managing to take this beast down without me! It's especially impressive because they did it without my combat training or steely fists. It's good to know I set such an example for them to live up to! - Captain Charlie

Author Notes - I had way too much fun writing about the Mawdads and their fight to be the highest on the ladder. Probably the most fun I've had with 'social structure' in a while.

We're going in the order of the Pikmin 3 bosses here, so the momma Phosbat is next!