Shuttlebug

Template:Class 2 FaunaShuttlebugs are a small, passive fauna species. They commonly populate caves, but can also be found in some surface areas, such as the Crag Field, Crash Zone, and Dunes.

Appearance

The Shuttlebug has three long flippers at the back end, with three legs in front surrounding a large eye. The sides of each flipper are adorned with a pattern which gives a bright orange bioluminescent glow.

Behavior

Shuttlebugs seem to have two states of behavior. Shuttlebugs found on the surface will swim around much like other small life forms, but Shuttlebugs found in caves appear to only swim in place.

Energy Value

×2000

×250

Future Plans

• In future updates, Shuttlebug eggs will spawn naturally in their respective biomes.

Data Bank Entry

A common scavenger at the base of the food chain. Mouth Parts: Small enough to be of little threat to most organisms, this creature is clearly adapted to feed on the waste products of the ecosystem around it. Three Mandibles: Used to orient themselves when drifting, and to filter through detritus on cave floors. Three Legs: ÄHigh strength muscles can propel the lifeform great distances through the water, as well as ambulating them across the sea floor. Assessment: Necessary waste recycler - Presence may indicate nearby cave systems

Gallery

<tabber> Screenshots=

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  Front view

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  Side profile

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  Bioluminescence

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  Size comparison to the player

|-| Concept Art=

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  Concept Art

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  Animation concept art

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  "Alien Sea v1" Concept Art, featuring Shuttlebugs

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Trivia

• In early development, they were also known as Shuttle Crawlers and Jumpers.
• The Shuttlebug's name may be a reference to the projectile in the sport badminton, called a "shuttle", which the Shuttlebug somewhat resembles.
• Shuttlebugs were planned to shoot ink when scared at one point. It is unknown if this behavior will be implemented in the future.
• There is a document containing multiple unused Shuttlebug behaviors such as:
  • They were initially intended to sometimes pair together until one of the pair would die. Like the inking behavior, it is unknown if this will ever be implemented.
  • Another concept behaviour was that they would hide in Creepvines when feeling threatened - again, it is unknown if this will ever be implemented.
  • The scrapped Snap creature would have been used to tame Shuttlebugs and make them follow you around - this may have been re-oriented towards the Peeper-Stalker interaction (where the player can "tame" Stalkers by feeding them).