Ankheg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dungeons & Dragons creature | |
|---|---|
| Ankheg | |
| Alignment | Neutral |
| Type | Magical beast |
| Source books | Monster Manual |
| First appearance | |
| Image | Wizards.com image |
| Stats | OGL stats |
An ankheg (also spelled anhkheg[1]) is a fictitious creature from the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is a monstrous arthropod magical beast.
Contents |
[edit] Physical description
An ankheg has six legs and a many-segmented body, all covered in a brown (some closer to yellow) chitinous exoskeleton. The head has black compound eyes, mandibles capable of snapping small trees, and antennae. Usually, ankhegs do not create tunnels, and simply burrow down into the ground. However, they are able to make tunnels if they dig slowly. When seriously pressed, it can spit acid. Spitting acid is usually a last resort, as it cannot digest food for several hours afterwards. Ankhegs are around 10 feet long and weigh 800 lb. One might describe it as a giant combination of ant, cockroach, and larvae antlion.
[edit] Habitat and society
The ankheg can be found near forests or agricultural land, which can make them a danger to farmers. However, they are often tolerated since their tunnels are beneficial to the land.
[edit] Ecology
While an ankheg is able to survive on organic matter in the soil, they prefer a diet of meat. While hunting, an ankheg will either lie below the surface or else simply burrow into the ground until it detects prey overhead. Somewhat similar to a larvae antlion, the ankheg will attempt to grab the prey with its mandibles. Stomach excretions aid the ankheg in consuming prey that are too large to be immediately swallowed.
While the ankheg itself has no natural predators, humans will occasionally hunt them to protect farmers or else to harvest their shell and digestive enzymes. The shell can be fashioned into armour, highly valued both for its protection and light weight.
[edit] Ankhegs in other media
Ankhegs can be found in the computer role-playing game Baldur's Gate, set in the Forgotten Realms where players can collect their shell and make an armor with them.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Monster Manual (1977)
[edit] References
- Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (TSR, 1989).
- Otus, Erol. "Creature Features." Dragon #5 (TSR, 1977).
- Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1994).
- D&D Miniatures: Underdark #30 (2005).
[edit] External links
- Ankheg – d20 System Reference Document entry
