Author Notes - Is it just me, or is the Crushblat one of the stranger creatures in the game? Its design is odd, and its name is something else. Oh, and it was a bit of a pain to work with, but I like what I came up with.
When I was originally attempting a 'Piklopedia 2' all those years ago, I had placed this creature in the Amphituber family. The logic was that it too was a frog-like creature that crushed prey beneath it. I can see my logic, but now Pikmin 3 Deluxe describes it as a mollusc, which means it isn't even in the same PHYLUM as Wollywogs. So, that ain't gonna work.
CRUSHBLAT FAMILY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bitropoda
Order: Crushtropoda
EMILY'S PERSONAL NOTES
The heck kind of a family name is 'Crushblat'?
PHYSICAL APPEARANCES
Crushblats bear a passing resemblance to frogs, though there are major differences. Their heads are much more rounded, and their legs are long stalks resembling those of cranes. Near the bottom of their heads, far apart and right above their mouths, are their big reptile-esque eyes. Regardless of species, most of their body is covered in dark spots and their lower jaw is a different colour to the rest of their skin.
The main difference between the species is their colour and size. The Durotesta longuscrus (Calcified Crushblat, called 'Calcifies' from here on out) is mostly purple, with darker purple spots on its body. Its lower jaw is instead a pale shade of orange, and its legs have dark stripes akin to stockings. The Cephalus caliciacta (Crystalline Crushblat, now called 'Crystals'), on the other hand, are almost entirely white. Their spots and eyes are a light shade of cyan, and their legs lack the stripes. Crystals are also much smaller than Calcifies - respectively, the heights of the two species are approximately 5cm/10cm.
Both share the Crushblat family's signature feature - a hard, translucent shell covered in 'dimples'. This shell is created by the silica they absorb through their skin, and it protects their soft skin from most attacks. Sufficient explosives or pelted rocks - including Rockminicus graniticus (Rock Pikmin, see 'Pikmin') - can shatter the shell and expose the creature within. The shell of Calcifies is clear with a slight cyan tinge, while the shells of Crystals are a dark purple.
HABITAT
The Crushblat family originated as water-based molluscs, before evolving into amphibious creatures. Due to this, Calcifies are typically seen around watery areas (Crystals have a much different habitat). They will spend most of their time in or surrounded by water, and can live in all sorts of environments outside of arctic climates, though they typically prefer the warm tropical areas.
Crystals, meanwhile, typically live deep underground in well-like burrows leading to small underground pools of water. This subterranean lifestyle has resulted in them losing most of the pigment in their skin, hence the striking difference in colour.
DIET AND DEFENCES
Crushblats feed by sitting still in the water and absorbing the nutrients within it through their skin. This is an inefficient way of feeding compared to hunting, and so they live a sedentary lifestyle thanks to its low metabolism. In fact, they move so little that Calcifies will not move from their spot when the tide goes out and leaves them beached, hence why they can often be found on land. Due to their low metabolism, however, they usually survive until the water returns. Crystals will search for underground rivers to stand it, to maximise the nutrients absorbed.
Their shells provide an excellent defence against predators. Few creatures are built to break through them, and even then they may have their jaws sliced from the shards. When playing defence proves inadequate, Crushblats can also leap high into the air and crush their attackers with their tough shells. If the victims are small enough, this results in the attackers getting turned into a fine paste that Crushblats are capable of eating through their skin. They hunt like this very rarely, however, and typically only do so out of self-defence.
Note that it is only capable of crushing efficiently if its shell is intact. If something has resulted in their shells being destroyed, their crushing capabilities are greatly diminished. Only the smallest of bugs are squished, and even non-Rock Pikmin can survive the attack.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Crushblats have low numbers and are rarely seen, and so hardly ever share homes. If a Crushblat is found to occupy a certain area, such as the Tropical Wilds, it will be near impossible to find a second one anywhere nearby. They appear to be acutely aware of their limited numbers, and thus will not attack any other Crushblat intruding into their territories. Of course, it is quite likely they do not attack each other due to their sedentary lifestyle and nothing else.
COURTING AND CHILDREARING
Crushblats do not court. Like many other water-dwelling creatures, they simply unleash their genetic material into the water in a 'spray-and-pray' approach. If possible, they will move themselves into a river or other body of moving water, to spread their genetic material as far as possible. While Calcifies do so in water on the surface, Crystals settle with bodies of water underground instead. Once the eggs are fertilized, they become heavy enough to sink to the ground.
The eggs hatch after only a week. Many, many offspring will hatch for most of them will not survive the first two weeks of their life, thanks to harsh water conditions and predation. After two weeks, they increase in size and grow sillica shells sufficiently enough to embark onto land. They rarely do so, however, and usually just to shed shells or find their own spaces. Much like other molluscs, growing Crushblats must shed their shells and grow new ones regularly. In fact, this process is repeated every night until they reach maturity after another two weeks.
While there is always more than enough offspring to replace those before them, the low rates of survival for the young results in there being few mature specimens. Thanks to their underground habitat, Crystals have a higher survival rate due to being able to flee predators by hiding in tunnels and burrows.
OTHER NOTES
Shells shed by juvenile Calcifies are left on the shores near bodies of water. These fallen shells are used as ammo by Skutterchucks (see 'Heavil').
Calcified Crushblats are considered an endangered species, due to only having about 10,000-15,000 specimens worldwide. They were only regarded as such after the initial Koppai expedition, and so the explorers from Koppai have been pardoned from killing one in order to grab its fruit (dubbed a 'Searing Acidshock'). Any other attempts at hunting them will be met with legal action, and attempts to conserve their numbers are slowly proving successful. Crystals have not been considered endangered, though the vast majority of their numbers are too deep underground to count.
NOTES FROM OTHER RESEARCHERS
Calcified Crushblat -
The solid crystal structure covering its torso is both a formidable defensive and offensive mechanism, capable of crushing Pikmin beneath its weight. A bomb rock or an assault with Rock Pikmin can easily shatter the crystalline armour, after which it has no ability to damage Pikmin and no way to keep them from striking its exposed flesh. - Alph
I thought the stalks around their eyes were some kind of symbiotic plant, but nope. Just ordinary whiskers. What a letdown... I hate whiskers. Alph better never grow a mustache like the captain, or I'll be surrounded by them. - Brittany
I bet you it feels pretty safe in there behind that thick crystal shell. But break that crystal and then watch as it goes berserk out of sheer desperation. It knows that when your time comes, you gotta go out fighting. - Captain Charlie
Crystalline Crushblat -
A different colour and a smaller size do not change a thing when it comes to practicality. It still goes down the same way as the other one. What a waste of a perfectly good opportunity! - Alph
I gotta say, I much prefer this one over the other one. It's smaller, and thus cuter. Its white colour scheme is much more pleasing to the eye, for another. And, most important: NO WHISKERS! In every way, it reminds me more of Alph than the captain. Let's hope it stays that way. - Brittany
Unlike its cousin, this critter will run away if its shell is broken. Some may see it as cowardice, but I see it as being tactical. After all, your defences are gone, and you can't exactly help your fellow soldiers if you're dead! - Captain Charlie
Author Notes - The 'endangered species' thing came about because you only fight one in the game, and it isn't even treated as a boss or mini-boss due to the lack of music. It's treated like a regular enemy that happens to be incredibly elusive. Which means you essentially commiting a crime every time you kill it for your Searing Acidshock and/or platinum medal in Mission Mode. Oh well. GOTTA GET 100% SOMEHOW, AMIRIGHT?!
The curse of the neverending 'entries beginning with C' comes to an end as we meet up with the graceful and gentle Dandelfly!
