| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Salpapod tetragnatha ("four-jawed salp-foot") |
| Type | Mobile |
| Category | Scavengers & Parasites |
| Nutrition | Food +10 / Health 0 / Water 0 |
The Quadrate is a small lifeform that can be eaten. The Quadrate itself does not currently appear in game, although the Cooked Quadrate can be seen in Creative Mode.
Appearance
Quadrates share the same general body structure of the Geordie, with four curved fins and a round, central mouth. This mouth, however, is surrounded by four long teeth that protrude from the fins. The colouration of the Quadrate is also different to that of the Geordie: pink, with yellow highlights, and fluorescent blue sclera.
Behavior
Section requires expansion.
Databank Entry
Quadrate (tentatively Salpapod tetragnatha). A carnivorous relative or morph of the common geordie.
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Geordie similarities Shares the geordie's body plan, but trades the geordie's rasping jaw for four piercing teeth.
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Carnivorous diet The quadrate burrows into living flesh to feed on blood and serous fluid. It is difficult to remove without injuring the host. Consider applying light or heat to trick the quadrate into voluntarily detaching.
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Vampiric enzyme Anticoagulant prevents the prey's blood from clotting—similar to the draculin enzyme expressed by Earth's iconic vampire bats. This enzyme is identical to one found in the water slug. Perhaps transferred by a retrovirus.
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Quadrate overcount The quadrate burden on local life is high, suggesting the depopulation or extinction of species that once regulated quadrate populations. Alternately, geordies may be starving and morphing into quadrates to seek new food supplies.
Assessment: may cause serious or even fatal dehydration if it remains attached. Remove by safest available method. Consider cleaning quadrates off organisms you encounter to check for social responses.
Source: Scan a Quadrate
Gallery
Concept art of the Quadrate
Concept art of the Quadrate along with its relative the Geordie
Concept art sheet from Subnautica: Below Zero featuring a fish (C) extremely similar to the final Quadrate
Trivia
- Like the Sandspear, the Quadrate was originally conceived of as a design for Subnautica: Below Zero.
