Gasopod

The Gasopod is a whale-classified, defensive fauna species. It can be found in the Safe Shallows, Crash Zone Mesas, and the Dunes vents, slowly cruising through the water.

The Gasopod is able to damage the player and other fauna by releasing its yellow, acidic Gas Pods from its tail. They can be harvested if the player is quick enough to grab them before they explode and turn into a deadly underwater mist. They can be used to craft Gas Torpedoes or as ammo for the Propulsion Cannon.

Gas Pods will not be affected by the Stasis Rifle, and they can't be obtained by killing Gasopods.

Appearance

The Gasopod is a pinniped-like creature with a swollen, nearly spherical body that ends in a rotund tail. Its weight is concentrated mostly in its tail, and its skin consists of large, leathery scales while the skin on its bulging, round belly is smooth in texture, and the area around the tail is covered in large, green-yellow pods.

The Gasopod has two large, circular eyes with broad, unblinking eyelids and a wrinkled trunk ending in a cylindrical mouth representing a gas mask with five holes comprising the mouth, the largest of which contains several long tooth-like spikes. Two small ear-like fins extend from its neck and it has large, paddle-like flippers that protrude towards its sides. It also features a dorsal fin towards its rear end.

The Gasopod's eyes are of the same color as their pods. The Gasopod's back is a bluish gray, while the belly is a light aqua green color.

Behavior

Gasopods will aimlessly swim around and will flee if approached by the player or shark-classified fauna. While fleeing, they detach a few algae pods from its tail which shortly explode, forming poisonous clouds that rapidly deal damage to anything caught in them. Gasopods become less active at night and will not scare as easily. Gasopods will still release their algae pods while stunned by the Stasis Rifle.

Gasopods will avoid swimming near Lifepod 5.

Uniquely among fauna, a Gasopod swimming at a high enough speed can deal contact damage to the player and seabases. Gasopods will only move at the velocity required to cause damage when they themselves are fleeing from damage. Additionally, the Gasopod itself will take damage upon collision.

Energy Value

• Gasopod: 700 Energy
• Gasopod Egg: 231 Energy

Data Bank Entry

A slow-moving lifeform, and one of the larger herbivores on the planet. Providing a substantial meal to would-be predators, the gasopod protects its domain by filling the surrounding water with poisonous and corrosive pods whose contents dissolve even synthetic fibers.

1. Filtration System: Thick, non-reactive skin and multiple gill layers render this creature impervious to the noxious acid clouds it produces.
2. Algae Gland: A bulbous, sack-like appendage on the rear end. A luminescent yellow algae grows inside the sack and produces the poisonous compound. Abdominal muscles can contract, causing the algae gland to emit the noxious compound into the surrounding water.
3. Large Pelvic Fins: Capable of powerful movement through the water when moving in small herds.
4. Behavior: Gasopods appear to be social in nature, and may even use their emissions in their relationship rituals. Their audible calls are likely signifiers of nearby threats, or food sources.

Assessment: Approach with caution - Acidic pods may be retrieved and re-purposed

Gallery

Size comparison with the player

Gasopods in the Crash Zone Mesas

A Gasopod undeterred by the presence of a Reaper Leviathan

A Gasopod in the Dunes

Gasopods in the Safe Shallows

A Gasopod releasing its Gas Pods

Closeup view of the face

Closeup view of the mouth

Closeup view of the tail

Defense mechanism

Concept art

Model from Sketchfab

Egg model from Sketchfab

Trivia

• The Gasopod was the first creature to be added to Subnautica.
• Gasopods were originally going to spawn in the Bulb Zone as shown in this fauna chart.
• The front facial features of the Gasopod closely resemble a Soviet era GP-5 Gas Mask. This is likely a reference to its method of attack that releases a gas cloud, much like real-life chemical weapons.