Ferro-beast
Ferro-beasts are fauna native to the planet of Yimbo-bim,[1] a planet so poor in minerals that the Ferro-beasts evolved a specialised feeding mechanism to digest ferrous metals directly from mineral ore deposits.[2] When a Ferro-beast encounters metal, it becomes crazed and will fight its way through nearly any obstacle to feed.[2]
Ferro-beasts are armadillo-like creatures, two metres long, they are quadrupedal and have tough, rough shells.[1] Their mouth is surrounded by short tentacles covered in suckers which secrete "Ferro-slobber"[2], an acidic syrup that allows the creature to render metal ores into a liquid, digestible "soup".[1]
To find metal ores, ferro-beasts have evolved a complex sensory organ to smell ores over a distance of many miles. The presence of pure, refined metals (such as those on spacecraft and vehicles, or even Necrons) will attract these creatures from many miles around.[2] So ferro-beasts may rampage to eat a landing spacecraft or other metal equipment of sentient species. Ferro-beasts are usually placid creatures but if they smell precious pure metal, they can become insane and rampage, heedless of any danger. In such cases ferro-beasts become dangerous and aggressive.[1]
Images
See also
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, pgs. 210-211
- 2: White Dwarf 314 (UK), pg. 105 – Chapter Approved: Creature Feature Redux
