(Un)Official Ecological Studies Of Various "critters"

[KairaSilvermist]

Greetings, fellow Tenno! You're probably wondering what this thread is all about! Well, essentially, it's like this: We have Critters in Warframe, but only two kinds. Sand Skates, and Kubrow. Until we get more, this "Thread" will only list the Ecological information that we collectively posses about these two Creatures.

 

Before we begin, I will define Ecology for you, so you know what to expect; Ecology is the scientific study of how creatures interact with their environments and surroundings. Possible information can be from how diverse and numbered a specific breed of a creature is, to how dense the population in a given area is. We are basically going to be dissecting how these creatures live, eat, hunt, and anything else we can find out about them. The best part? This can be done without using a Codex Scanner at all.

 

I would like to point out, I am only doing non-faction "Critters", so Infested, and the Mutalist Osprey are out.

 

Let's begin with the first added to Warframe, the Sand Skate:

 

 

Sand Skates live on Phobos, a large desert terra-mass that is located nearby Mars. At one point, Phobos was likely covered in a large quantity of water, or wracked by constant windstorms, as indicated by the large canyons that mar its surface. This point is further reinforced by the "Swimming fin" shape of the Sand Skates, and how they appear to "Swim" through the sand, indicating both clever adaptation to the slow loss of water over the millennia, and a tougher hide than would be found if it had stayed in the water, due to the coarse sand constantly braising the surface. The colour of the sand and dust indicates that, like Mars, Phobos has an above-average iron content in the terrain.

 

The Skates themselves have a flattened body, and a darker top, suggesting a natural camouflage to help them hide from predators, and perhaps a way to sun themselves if they get too cold. If they are found, they defend themselves by using their muscles to fire a multi-barbed spine that can cut through a Tenno or Grineer's armor, and cause minor bleeding for a short period of time. Sand Skates, like Manta Rays, don't seem to have any toxins laced in their spine, however, they seem to be a lot more aggressive.

 

Sand Skates seem to move in very small groups, of no more than four or five at a time, indicating either live-birthing, and a family mindset, or a single Clutch of eggs born at one time binds closely with each-other and stays together until breeding time, at least.

 

A Sand Skates' diet seems to consist primarily of small insects that live in the sand, and slightly larger things, up to small lizards. As it is a Desert-planet, a Skate would get MOST of the water it needs from its food, needing little to no drinking from the scarce water sources.

 

Our next creature we're going to examine will be the Kubrow:

 

Kubrow inhabit the damp forests on Earth. Judging by their bone structure, and where they inhabit, Kubrow could be a long evolution chain of creatures ranging from Wolves, to Llama, to Panthers, or even Platipi. They live in dens, which seem to be connected in multiple areas, due to Kubrow from one den not attacking Kubrow from another den. The reasons behind this could simply be no interest in a territorial squabble, or that they are from the same "Colony" of Kubrow, just simply choosing to leave the nesting grounds from a different area.

 

Kubrow have a coarse, black fur covering their body, over a thick, tough skin, which is resistant to small-arms fire. They don't rely on camouflage, so much as simply taking down their prey as a coordinated pack, suggesting that they have a bond from birth, and are trained by the pack leaders from a young age to fight and hunt with the Pack. The shape and size of their noses and ears seem to suggest poor eyesight, and a preference for diurnal hunting, where their senses of smell and hearing can come into play alongside their eyesight, though, due to their enhances senses of smell and hearing, can accurately hunt at night, in order to defend their Den(s).

 

Kubrow seem to have teeth similar to a Human's; sharper in front, and flattened at the sides, indicating a mostly Omnivorous diet, though we cannot rule out that Kubrow aren't scavengers form time to time, as we Tenno encounter them most often near areas with a number of Grineer. The Kubrow seem to share little love for either Tenno or Grineer, choosing to hunt BOTH groups with the same ferocity and the same movements, with varied results depending on the alertness and reaction speeds of the target.

 

Their claws on their paws are short and stubby, indicating they are primarily for gripping the terrain, much like wolves, to increase their mobility in conditions that would slow down a Tenno, such as a windstorm or a heavy downpour, both which would create unfavorable conditions for movement.

 

Kubrow do NOT preform live-birthing, and seem to be egg-layers, though as of now, it is unknown if it is a single egg or a clutch of them. Kubrow likely are all raised together by a single parent, as a hunting pack, whose job it is to bring in food from certain areas to benefit the Colony.

 

Kubrow have a habit of picking up various items dropped on the ground, whether they be collects of nanites used to reinforce a Tenno's armor in the field, or a container holding various resources that are used in various recipes. The Kubrow have a habit of taking these items straight to their den. This indicates one of three things; They hoard shiny items, and use them to chew on at times, they eat these as part of their diet, indicating a diet similar to a scavenger, or they use them as gifts to impress a possible mate so an egg, or some eggs, can be laid, and a young Kubrow reared.

 

 

Please, fellow Tenno, if you find out anything else about these two creatures, or if you find another creature that does not belong to the Corpus, Grineer, or Infested, let me know, that I may catalog it for future reference. The more information we find out about these creatures, the more steps we can take to domesticating some of them! Any information you find, let me know what section and subsection of the galaxy you were on. I need to be able to clarify this information. Video evidence will NOT be shunned, and will be welcomed! Let's catalog them all!

 

So far we've gotten several snippets that I've missed from several of you fellow Tenno! For now, there may be more, but this is a rather complete listing of what we have now. If you do find something else that someone has missed, please do not hesitate to inform us!

Edited July 17, 2014 by Mewfan

[Xalev]

I lack further findings, but i am quite impressed with what is compiled here, hopefully more will come to light after we tame kubrows. 

[SignumCruxis]

The elusive Orokin cats must be documented here.

[Un1337ninj4]

*Kubrow

 

Kurbrow kinda had me as a typo but after a while I found it annoying (Sorry!)

 

Thumbs up anyway.

[KairaSilvermist]

The elusive Orokin cats must be documented here.

 

Orokin Cats? If I run across them, I will most CERTAINLY list the information I can about them.

Where about have the rumors of their appearance circulated?

[KairaSilvermist]

*Kubrow

 

Kurbrow kinda had me as a typo but after a while I found it annoying (Sorry!)

 

Thumbs up anyway.

 

I have edited the main post, and fixed that typo, thank you for pointing that out.

[DienosPhos]

I am impressed Tenno, thanks for this entry.

[Llyssa]

Sand skates are/were officially described as being escaped aquarium pets from the orokin age that were purposely designed to live without water.

 

Kubrows share the same vein--they're genetically engineered pets that were let loose.

 

Have to take that into consideration first.

 

Also, it's of note that any fluid motion, including wind, could form canyons, cutting around the denser rocks and cleaving away the soft sand.

[KairaSilvermist]

Sand skates are/were officially described as being escaped aquarium pets from the orokin age that were purposely designed to live without water.

 

Kubrows share the same vein--they're genetically engineered pets that were let loose.

 

Have to take that into consideration first.

 

Also, it's of note that any fluid motion, including wind, could form canyons, cutting around the denser rocks and cleaving away the soft sand.

 

This is information that I did not know, having not watched many DevStreams, and not using Codex Scanners on these two creatures. Regardless, Sand Skates and Kubrow are living, and breeding, in these two environments quite actively, hence why Ecological findings can be taken into account. Once upon a time, they may simply have been "Genetically modified pets", but now, they are their own species, in their own niche of the galaxy, living and adapting to their surroundings.

 

I cannot dismiss the evolution factors either, no matter the gene modification. Selective Breeding is a form of gene modification that Humans use on cats and dogs all the time, to enhance breeds, and perhaps breed out genetic transfiguration, like increased aggressiveness towards the young.

 

As for the Wind creating the canyons, this is entirely possible, and considering Phobos is a satellite of Mars' that can be taken into account, as well as the possibilities of Water at one point.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Mewfan

[Hexagoros]

Sand skates are/were officially described as being escaped aquarium pets from the orokin age that were purposely designed to live without water.

 

Kubrows share the same vein--they're genetically engineered pets that were let loose.

 

Have to take that into consideration first.

 

Also, it's of note that any fluid motion, including wind, could form canyons, cutting around the denser rocks and cleaving away the soft sand.

 

Meh, I almost don't care anymore.

 

I'm just so tired of everything being 'Orokin' in origin.  It would actually be more interesting if these were just system creatures that Tenno happened to encounter on their journeys, it would give a sense of environment to the various planets, as well as some much needed context to the areas.

 

Just slapping 'Orokin' on everything tends to be a bit drab.

 

The OP's descriptions are actually kind of cool, allowing for some backstory, certainly much cooler than than just 'The Orokin did it!'  which blocks off any real backstory/evolutionary theory.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Hexagoros

[Celle-Reveris]

See: differences between wild kubrow and tenno "made" kubrow for further support of changes in the species with time

(Tenno/Orokin era kubrow being more "guard dogs" or closer to domesticated dogs for companionship)

[KairaSilvermist]

Meh, I almost don't care anymore.

 

I'm just so tired of everything being 'Orokin' in origin.  It would actually be more interesting if these were just system creatures that Tenno happened to encounter on their journeys, it would give a sense of environment to the various planets, as well as some much needed context to the areas.

 

Just slapping 'Orokin' on everything tends to be a bit drab.

 

The OP's descriptions are actually kind of cool, allowing for some backstory, certainly much cooler than than just 'The Orokin did it!'  which blocks off any real backstory/evolutionary theory.

 

 

Honestly, I wasn't aware when Kubrow or Sand Skates were added to Warframe, hence why I hadn't watched the DevStreams, nor looked at the codex. I did what I do in Monster Hunter: Watched the creatures for a bit, and picked up on things.

 

And I strongly agree, too many things are simply "Orokin", like the Sonic Screwdriver, being used as a storytelling crutch to explain gaps in the lore. Hopefully, someone from DE sees this, and possibly either adds more critters, or doesn't throw around Orokin as much. It's alright to explain that that's what the frames and weapons are based off of, but I don't think it's alright to also say that these creatures are Orokin as well.

 

EDIT: I would love if Sand Skates were made a bit less "Cosmetic", and more like Kubrow, having an area where they retire to, and showing more than just similar AI to the Grineer. I love them, don't get me wrong, but I cna only do so much on speculation, so I don't know wexactly how they bed down and breed.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Mewfan

[Monybags33]

No matter if their "Orkin Pets" or not Id still like too see more wildlife in this game, it gives it not only a much more realistic feeling but also changes the pace of missions in my opinion. For example many times when I was playing on earth (witch I hardly do anymore because of my frames) me and my friends would be doing the same old same old like every other mission when suddenly we encounter what seems to be hundreds of Kubro ready to eat us alive.

 

Turns out they were attacking the Grineer but we decided to attack as well and between them and the Grineer it was actually really enjoyable. My point to all this is that once Warframe introduced the Kubro I expected them to be pretty pointless and only their for show (like the Desert Skates are sadly). Despite my horrible FPS on earth I actually find it enjoyable to go on any earth missions with the Kubro prowling around, they actually make it fun and give movement to a what would normal be a boring environment lacking of any life at all.

 

We need more environmental features period, that's all I have to say.

[KairaSilvermist]

A lovely post that I am going to Snip for convinience

 

Not only do I agree, but I feel that more critters gives me more to do besides "Shoot that guy in the face".

 

I spent about an hour running around an Exterminate on Mariana, just watching the Kubrow and how they moved around. The Sand Skates, though primarily cosmetic, do move around and seem to interact a bit, but not as much as the Kubrow :)

 

More cirtters gives us Tenno more things to study and research, and that is ALWAYS good!

 

[KairaSilvermist]

Updated OP with information regarding what I currently know of Kubrow eggs.

[Ataire]

You might want to add that Kubrows sometimes pick up loot, such as ammo packs and resources, and carries it to their den. Implying that Kubrows might have a different diet than one might think. Which kind of makes sense that they have ferrite armor, if they eat ferrite that is.

[KairaSilvermist]

You might want to add that Kubrows sometimes pick up loot, such as ammo packs and resources, and carries it to their den. Implying that Kubrows might have a different diet than one might think. Which kind of makes sense that they have ferrite armor, if they eat ferrite that is.

 

I don't see them wearing Ferrite armor. Only their fur. I'm basing what this is not using the Codex at all.

 

I have seen them picking up loot, which brings to mind either scavenging behavior, hoarding behavior, or they use shiny gifts to attract a mate. Adding information. Good work, Tenno!

[(PSN)redman74]

"Sand Skates, unlike Manta Rays, don't seem to have any toxins laced in their spine, and seem to be a tad more aggressive."

 

Manta Rays have no venomous barbs in their tails. Harmless filter feeders bro.

 

 

 

Love the thread btw. Keep it up.

 

Edited July 16, 2014 by (PS4)redman74

[KairaSilvermist]

 

"Sand Skates, unlike Manta Rays, don't seem to have any toxins laced in their spine, and seem to be a tad more aggressive."

 

Manta Rays have no venomous barbs in their tails. Harmless filter feeders bro.

 

 

 

Love the thread btw. Keep it up.

 

 

 

I was unaware that Mantas did not have the venomous barbs. Someone told me that at one point. removing indications of Toxins.

[Yaerion]

Interesting, but sadly, not in its preferred habitat.

Extracted from General Discussion and dropped in a more favorable environment.

[RejectionOfFate]

I cannot help but read the information for each species with an Australian Accent..

 

Rest in Peace, Steve Irwin.

[KairaSilvermist]

Interesting, but sadly, not in its preferred habitat.

Extracted from General Discussion and dropped in a more favorable environment.

 

Apologies, was unaware this belonged here, in Fan Zone.