uh cause i was feeling existential and less cosmic than usual so here is a lizoard or rot idk update: how is this like my most popular project i have better things than this T_T
The Mulberry Lizard is an evolved form of a Magenta lizard. It came about in the Corrupted Factories, when many lizards were feeding on Rot. This led to more and more of the magentas being infected, until a random genetic variation occured that allowed the lizard to coexist symbiotically, instead of keeping it inside. Naturally, this lizard was much more successful, as it could blend in better and was faster, stronger, and had a slower metabolism. This mutation was very persistent genetic-wise, and soon spread to all the new lizard babies. After a few generations, all lizards had this gene. Due to the many Rot cysts bearing a passing resemblance to mulberries, the name Mulberry Lizard came about. They do not breed like other lizards, instead releasing “spores” that modify a preexisting Protorot patch, which in turn becomes some sort of a cocoon, after which a small mulberry lizard comes about, looking more like a small brother long legs. Due to their infection, some may say that “this is just a regular old rot lizard”, however the mulberry lizard is born with the rot, and if it is “purified” it will die a horrifying death involving internal organs shutting down, slow bleeding, and practically no movement or higher brain capacity. This is due to the fact that many of its internal processes are controlled or regulated by a symbiotic form of Rot, thus bypassing the need for precious brain power. Due to this, the Mulberry Lizard is much smarter than other lizards, and can recognize slugcats as sources of food (one way or another). Their abilities are nothing much, wall and pole climbing, slightly faster movement, however they have the bizarre ability to burrow into rot cysts and come out through another, nearby one, not unlike pipes. Their mouth is covered in tendrils, which can ferry food into the lizards mouth. It is unclear how this unique form of feeding came about but it seems to work for them. They are completely blind, but are almost supernaturally sensitive to vibrations. In times of shortage, they have a behavior called “scysting”. This is a process wherein a lizard curls up and becomes almost completely immobile. This dramatically slows down body functions, but can only be reawakened when nutrients are absorbed in, by way of a normal proto long legs. #lizard
