hollowworld.uk

Land Squid by u/Gabe-Mc-Alpine

A curious cephalopod capable of briefly departing from its watery environment and ambushing prey that might seek refuge from the land. The Waylayer is a carnivorous squid that typically preys on seals and other aquatic life that pass by its territory. Usually not aggressive to smaller creatures, though large specimens might mistake a small boat for prey.

It glides across waters with eight tentacles that it can use to move and hold onto terrain or prey with, as well as two frontal tentacles which can extend outwards with chitinous hooks that it can latch onto prey with and lacerate through flesh. Like most squids, it also has a small beak at the center of its mantle, acting as its mouth. 

Juvenile Waylayers can reliably follow its prey onto land using its eight tentacles it uses to move. Pods of Waylayers, thought to be elder Waylayers teaching their juveniles to hunt, can be seen forcing animals to beach themselves on land to escape only for the juveniles to finish the hunt against the now defenceless prey. Once on land, they are far more vulnerable than at sea. Adult Waylayers are too large to support themselves on land, but can sometimes pull themselves back out to sea.

A Waylayer will typically wait amongst reefs, kelp forests, or other obstacles to hide its size and ambush any creature it comes across. If it's desperate enough, it will begin scouting coasts for potential targets and wait near coastal rocks to launch an attack.

Waylayers will sometimes coalesce in pods, lasting potentially for years, only dispersing when there is inadequate food to feed the pod. While together, Waylayers will mate, raise their young, and act as one unit instead of individuals. A sign of a failing pod is when adults begin eating their young for food, and indicates an imminent dispersal of the pod.


Adult size: 13-15 ft (4.6-4.9m)
Lifespan: Up to 40 years.
Environment: Typically around coasts, reefs and kelp forests.  
Yield: Meat, chitinous hooks

Thanks to @chimp for writing this.