The vast oceans of Proteus are inhabited by a myriad of unique life varying from the small passive Hoverthorns, to the enormous and intelligent Collector Leviathan, and the simple sponges and kelps that decorate the seabed. Proteus is also home to abnormally large creatures, such as Leviathan-Class Organisms and even Titan-Class Organisms of immeasurable size.
Lifeforms that appear in game but are unscannable can be viewed on Unscannable Lifeforms. For lifeforms mentioned but not seen in the Subnautica series, see Extraterrestrial Life.
Biology
Unlike previous titles, the lifeforms of Proteus are not divided into flora (plant-like), or fauna (animal-like). Instead being divided by whether they are mobile (capable of active movement) or anchored (remain attached in place). This is due to life on Proteus not having evolved organisms with plant-like biology.
Additionally, distinct sexes are present in many of the lifeforms of Proteus, unlike Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero.
Lifeforms on Proteus have significant biochemical differences to those found on Earth, and even those of 4546b, chief amongst them being the bioplastic makeup of many of the organisms. Curtain Gorgons have a makeup similar to PVC, the shells of Great Jaws are constructed around a bioplastic matrix, and the Fibrous Pulp that can be acquired from many organisms is described as closer to vinyl or latex than the cellulose found in Earth plantlife. It is for this reason that Protean lifeforms are indigestible to humans in their natural state. Protean animals have blue blood, a trait common in marine invertebrates on Earth.
Protean organism’s equivalent to HOX genes, which control an organism’s bodyplan, are known as HOLOX genes (as mentioned in the Hoverthorn databank entry). HOLOX (holobox) genes are distinct in that each HOLOX gene contains the bodyplan instructions in full, though only specific portions are active in each gene.
Mobile Life
Note: The original source contained a template {{LifeformTable|Mobile}} which dynamically generates a list of mobile creatures. As the raw content did not provide the expanded list, please refer to the in-game scanner or specific creature pages for detailed stats on mobile lifeforms such as the Hoverthorn, Waxmoon, and various Leviathans.
Anchored Life
Note: The original source contained a template {{LifeformTable|Anchored}} which dynamically generates a list of anchored creatures. As the raw content did not provide the expanded list, please refer to the in-game scanner or specific creature pages for detailed stats on anchored lifeforms such as sponges, kelps, and Curtain Gorgons.
Trivia
- Prior to the Adaptive Measures Update, Anchored Life was referred to as Sessile Life.
