Taxonomy:
– Kingdom: Animalia
– Phylum: Cnidaria
– Class: Hydrozoa
– Order: Siphonophorae
– Family: Poutinalidae
– Genus: Poutinalis
– Species: Poutinalis astropoutine
Physical Description:
The Poutine Troll resembles a blend of a Portuguese Man o’ War and a squid, with a hard, slimy brown armor covered in medium-sized white protrusions. From a distance, it resembles the appearance of gravy and cheese curds, lending to its name. Its head is adorned with six small black eyes and a beak-like mouth similar to a squid or octopus, but larger and equipped with small serrated teeth. Between 30 and 60 tentacles, resembling fries, extend from its body, with the number varying based on age and size.
Habitat:
The Poutine Troll is a space-dwelling creature, often found drifting in the void of space. It is known to inhabit regions near asteroid belts and derelict spacecraft, using its corrosive ink to break down and consume materials from space debris.
Behavior:
Solitary by nature, the Poutine Troll only interacts with others of its kind during its rare mating period. It has a defensive nature and will only attack if provoked, using its corrosive ink to fend off threats. The ink is potent enough to eat through the hull plating of spacecraft. They are known to live for centuries, with most specimens observed being around 500 years old, and some as old as 1,000 years.
Diet:
The Poutine Troll feeds on space debris and small organisms it encounters in the void. Its serrated beak allows it to break down tough materials, while its tentacles are used to grasp and manipulate its prey.
Reproduction:
The Poutine Troll is asexual and capable of self-pregnancy. It mates every fifty years, producing two offspring each cycle. The offspring are independent from birth, as there is no child/parent relationship.
Conservation Status:
The Poutine Troll is rare, with sightings being infrequent. Its solitary nature and long lifespan contribute to its low population density, but it is not currently considered endangered due to its wide distribution across space.
Cultural Significance:
The Gitchi-mando people have numerous legends about the Poutine Troll, often depicting it as a mystical creature of great power and wisdom. These legends contribute to the creature’s enigmatic reputation within the Canadian Expanse.