Fauna

Fauna is the term for animals, in this case, the animals of Planet 4546B. Fauna in Subnautica can be found all over the planet, from the deep and dark depths of the secretive Lost River to the vibrant Safe Shallows, and even to the fiery pits of the Lava Lakes.

Fauna on Planet 4546B comes in all shapes, sizes and forms. Ranging from the tiny, cave-dwelling Rockgrub, to the colossal Sea Dragon Leviathan that spews molten minerals from its mouth. Fauna on Planet 4546B is capable of enduring and adapting to various environments, although unable to thrive due to the presence of the Kharaa Bacterium. Certain species of small fauna can sometimes be seen forming mostly noninteractive shoals. Fauna on 4546B also has yellow blood. The fact that the appearance of some species of the planet being similar to that of planet Earth species can be explained as a simple case of convergent evolution.

The player can scan Fauna with the Scanner, the same as they would with Flora and objects, allowing them to view information about the creatures in their PDA.

Additional scans after unlocking the Data Bank Entry for that particular species of Fauna alert the player as to whether or not the specimen is infected with Kharaa, via the small screen protruding from the Scanner's left side.

Reproduction
Most known fauna species on Planet 4546B are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning that they have a single-sex capable of playing the role of either the male or female in reproduction and every individual being able to lay eggs and fertilize them. Two parents are still required to fertilize the eggs once laid, making it sexual reproduction. At least one fauna species is exempt from this and reproduces entirely asexually although the norm for the planet is sexual reproduction, as can be observed in all species that can be placed in an Alien Containment unit who will require two individuals of their species to produce eggs. The only species that does not reproduce is the Warper due to the fact they are artificial fauna.

The only one of the complex fauna species on the planet known to be an exception to this rule is the Sea Emperor Leviathan species, which is entirely asexual and does not require a mate. It is possible that the Sea Dragon Leviathan shares this method of reproduction as it is likely the closest living relative of the Sea Emperor Leviathan and was being studied by the Precursor Race in order to learn more about the Sea Emperor's reproduction.

The majority of the complex species on 4546B reproduce via egg-laying. Exceptions include the reaper leviathan, peeper, boomerang, bladderfish, and other small prey fish.

Invertebrates make up the minority of fauna species within the crater on Planet 4546B, around 16.45%, contrasting with Earth on which invertebrates make up around 97% of fauna species.

Trivia

 * As of the Dangerous Creatures update, all fauna have yellow blood. Before this update, all fauna had red blood. This is due to the ESRB giving Subnautica a higher rating than expected due to red blood.
 * Scientifically speaking, the fauna of planet 4546B might have high concentrations of vanabin in their blood.
 * Fauna were once intended to possess inherent attributes, that would have caused them to exhibit unique behaviors. These included, e.g., "Fertile" (occasionally lay eggs that can be hatched), "Alpha" (attacked the player if other creatures were killed by the player in the immediate vicinity), "Complex" (specimens take longer to scan), "Greater" (specimens are of larger size and weight). This, however, was scrapped upon the final release.
 * In the very early stages of Subnautica, there were many unused and cut fauna.
 * An unused creature named the Sandworm could only be found in the Entity Gallery. It was intended to stay in one place under the ground, and when the player or an NPC was right above it, it would spring up and would do 1 damage at a very fast rate. It only had animations for shooting out of the ground, going back into its hole, and an idle animation.
 * The unused Grabcrab creature would leave its burrow and search for items to drag back to its hole. These items included small resources and even small fish. Its burrow also had the same model as the Grabcrab.
 * The Rock Puncher was a fauna that would have used its large appendages to smash terrain. However, it is making an appearance in Subnautica: Below Zero in the Thermal Spires Biome.
 * Unused clusters of Bloom Plankton can be spawned in the game, and react to light. They will glow red if a Flare is shining on them, and white if a Flashlight or Vehicle's light is shining on them.
 * In the Early Access Release trailer, the Large Bird can be seen flying among the Skyrays. They were cut entirely out of the game sometime before Early Access, making their appearance in the trailer the last time they were seen.

Faune Фауна