| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Gorgon mastix |
| Category | Corals |
| Type | Anchored |
| Attitude | Passive |
| Biome | Shallows, Plateaus |
| Scan Tool | Bioscanner |
The Whip Gorgon is a widespread anchored lifeform found in the shallow waters of Planet 4546B.
Appearance
The Whip Gorgon has long whip-shaped tentacles with pink tips. The base of the organism is maroon, transitioning to a more orange color in the middle section.
Resources
The Whip Gorgon can be harvested for resources:
- Fibrous Pulp: Dropped when the coral is hit with a Survival Multitool.
Databank Entry
Source: Scan a Whip Gorgon
Gorgon mastix, the whip gorgon. A soft coral similar to the earthly gorgonians — it lacks the hard limestone shell of a true reefbuilding coral.
1. Earthly namesake
Named for the extinct Leptogorgia virulata, Earth’s sea whip. Like the sea whip it is a predator, and it must defend its soft body from parasites and predation.
2. Spine defenses
Unlike the terrestrial sea whip, which developed a chemical arsenal to repel unwanted contact, the whip gorgon colony has developed specialized ‘soldier’ polyps which migrate to the surface and develop a brittle spine. When disturbed, this spine snaps off, releasing the soldier’s payload of toxins. It is impossible to project the effects of this sting on colonists, but mechanical similarities to the infamous Australian gympie-gympie plant suggest negative outcomes ranging from chronic agony to total sleep deprivation lasting weeks to years.
3. Carnivorous diet
‘Civilian’ polyps in the whip gorgon use their stings to kill and digest microscopic prey. They lack the brittle spine and powerful toxins of the soldier prey.
ASSESSMENT: Avoid contact. Consider pruning back with hand tools.
Gallery
In Game
 
