Cyclops

When it comes to the subject of megafuana, many people are quick to view them as rampaging, destructive giants. Many large carnivores get this image, and even some non carnivorous species (like trolls) get the reputation of knocking down villages and chasing peasants through the streets. It is a crazy assumption that is probably fueled by the same people who call everything a "dragon," and it often ignores many behaviors and traits of these so called monsters. One good example of that is the Cyclops. Bring up the name "cyclops" to people and they instantly think about it smashing through their walls and stealing their women (what is up with that?). I am sure people would swear upon their holy tomes that Cyclops are bloodthirsty hunters that lay waste to entire civilizations, despite the fact that these creatures are ambush predators. Kind of hard to imagine one of these things stomping its way through town when they spend a good chunk of their lives not moving. 

Though their massive size and monstrous appearance (speaking for others, not me) would make people assume a vicious killing beast, Cyclops prefer a more leisurely form of hunting. This is allowed by their specific adaptations and the environments they live in. Cyclops can be found in a variety of environments that are within subtropical and tropical climates. Be it forest, swamp, marsh or rainforest, a Cyclops can reside there as long as the area doesn't experience harsh winters. Its reptilian nature makes it reliant on heat and humidity, though they can survive through very mild cold seasons. In such scenarios, their large size and stores of fat can allow them to weather through these cold times. 

Though Cyclops are famous for their single eye, the other thing that makes them so memorable and intimidating is their sheer size. In their usual sitting posture, an adult Cyclops measures around twelve to thirteen feet tall at the hump. Remember, this is when they are sitting! When they are standing and walking (which is quite uncommon to see), that adds about another four feet! Their weight is not measured in pounds, but in tons! When these things stomp around, you can feel it! It's crazy! With such a size and mass, it may be easy to expect them to smash their way through the forest devouring all they see, but that is not the case. One thing that everyone knows about Cyclops, but they never truly think about, is that they have one eye. 

It may seem stupidly obvious for me to say something like this, but Cyclops only have one eye. A rather big one. What you only see of this organ in life is a small fraction of it, as the rest is covered by thick scaly hide. Since they only possess one eye, this organ is extremely complex and powerful to make up for that fact. We still do not understand the scope of its seeing abilities, as it is such a massive and intricate organ that it would takes years of study to even crack the surface! The reason you only see a small portion of it goes back to the obvious fact that Cyclops only have one eye. While many species are blessed with extras, the Cyclops cannot afford to lose its one and only eye. That is why most of it is covered in thick hide, so that it is not damaged by attackers or debris when they are stomping through the forest. This may also explain why Cyclops are ambush predators instead of pursuing predators, as it is much harder to track and chase prey when you have one, delicate eye. So they instead chose to go a slower route when it comes to hunting, and they are quite good at it!

Like I said before, Cyclops spend a lot of their lives not moving, as that is how they hunt prey. They search their habitat for idle ambush spots, usually around drinking holes or well-used paths, and plant themselves amongst the vegetation and trees. This is usually done at night, when such areas are not in use. Though possessing only one eye, they have incredible night vision. The skin that covers their eye will shrink back to expose more of the organ so that it can better see in the dark. They will target areas with dense brush and cover, so that it better hides their bulk. They will also use their long arms to gather branches, leaves, dirt and other debris to pile onto their form to breakup their silhouette. To top it off, their hide is capable of making alterations to its green coloration, that way they better blend with the foliage. When all is perfect, the Cyclops will begin its vigil as it waits for prey to come. In this state, Cyclops don't move a single inch. It is incredible to watch them when they hunt, as they sit still as statues. You can't even hear them breath! There is a tale I remember someone telling me that was about a town that was being haunted by a Cyclops. The village lived deep in the forest, and only had one road in and out. One day, a logger was going to take a shipment of wood out when he just happened to spot the eye of a Cyclops peering from the foliage. Terrified, he turned his horse team around and fled back to the village. He told everyone about it, and the town panicked when they realized that their one road was now taken over by this colossal creature. As they talked amongst themselves, they realized that this monster had to be responsible for disappearances in their area. Any lone walker of the street was probably snagged and gobbled up. They waited and watch edthe creature for a few days, hoping that the lack of traffic would force the creature to look elsewhere for food. It didn't leave. They then spent the next few days trying to figure out how to slay it. Dozens of ideas and suggestions were tossed around, but no one had the courage to face such a horrible beast. Days turned to weeks, and the town soon was faced with dwindling food supplies and resources. The creature was going to starve them out of their homes! Just as they were losing hope, a hunter emerged from the surrounding woods, looking to buy some supplies. The townsfolk begged her for help, thinking that she may have the know-how on how to defeat such a beast. She agreed to help, and she went down the road to confront the creature. Everyone in town prayed and waited nervously, wishing that the hunter would be victorious. A few minutes later, the hunter came strolling back into town. Immediately, everyone rushed to her to ask what happened. They demanded to know if she killed the creature, and she looked to them quite puzzled. "How was I supposed to kill it? That thing has been dead for weeks!" I don't know if such a tale is true or not, but I got quite the chuckle from it!

Anyways, the Cyclops will remain motionless in its hiding spot, waiting for prey to walk by. Their powerful eye will be ever vigilant, searching for the slightest movement. When a living creature walks into range, the Cyclops will strike. I say "living creature" because the Cyclops will literally attack anything that gets in front of it, no matter the size or species. With a huge mouth and stomach, they can consume practically any creature that happens to catch its eye. Dissected Cyclops specimens have been found with the remains of horses, deer and even bears in its stomach! When it comes time to strike, the Cyclops can go two different routes. If the prey is human-sized or smaller, it will lash out with its elongated arms. Though they are thin, they have wicked claws and an iron grip. This move is meant to snare prey in their grip and then yank them forward into the gaping maw. When it strikes a target perfectly with its arms, the prey seems to practically vanish. One second they are there, then the next they are gone. If prey is larger than a human, it will still lash out with its arms, but it will also lurch forward with its open mouth. At that size, the claws cannot properly pull in the prey, but it can slow them so its maw can grab them. The large tusks that it possesses also helps in these scenarios, herding prey towards the mouth and impaling those who try to flee. It will bite down on the prey and then pull them back into its hiding spot. Victims may thrash and fight, but its thick hide repels such meager attacks. Using its powerful jaws, it will crush the bones of prey and then swallow the remains. Its large stomach can hold a large quantity of food, allowing the Cyclops to eat everything it can without the worry of running out of room. Such stores are crucial when the food supply dwindles, as the stagnant creature can just live off its previous meals. Even then, its slow lifestyle allows it to last for months without a fresh meal.

With such a size and reputation, Cyclops are widely known and feared. Travelers who walk the overgrown roads or wander through the thick forest are always watchful for these waiting giants. Their patient hunting behavior and their ability to remain perfectly still for days has given them the image of guardians for certain cultures. Statues of these creatures have been made to protect temples, holy hunting grounds and places of worship, their watchful eyes quite fitting for such a task. These statues also work a lot better than one would expect, as when it gets covered in moss and vines, it gives the appearance of a real hunting Cyclops! It is a joke amongst researchers that you have to be careful when it comes to studying Cyclops, as you may spend a week staring at a lifeless hunk of rock instead! For others, hunting Cyclops may be profitable by selling certain parts. Their tusks are used for carvings and ornaments, while their eye jelly has been seen as a delicacy when spread on fancy breads. Their thick hides serve well for defensive clothing, and I have spotted makeshift shields sporting their scaly skin. Hunting them, though, is a daunting task. Though they do not show much ferocity when eating prey, they can be vicious when attacked. Their massive bulk can easily squash foes and their huge maw can swallow many attackers whole. What's even scarier is that their hide flushes into a dark emerald green when angered, practically turning their skin black. Add that to their deep booming roars, and you got quite the fearsome foe! Those who go missing or wander off are often believed to be victims of such creatures. In certain cultures, it is frowned upon for virgins to wander into the forests and jungles alone, as it is said to attract the attention of these titanic beasts. Of course that is a belief, of course it is. Why are people always coming up with stuff like this? It is so bizarre. If I ever am forced out of the field of natural history, I know a pretty good thesis I could work on. It may take years of study and deciphering, but maybe I could finally understand this bizarre paranoia.    

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian 
      

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The cyclops was always a creature that I puzzled over when it came to coming up with a design. The ones based on elephants have kind of been done over and over, so I wanted to find something different. So instead, I looked for an animal that had weird eyes and went with that. Now we got chameleon cyclops, that kind of turned out looking a bit like Kraid.