Stalker

Template:Class 2 FaunaThe Stalker is an aggressive fauna species most commonly found populating the Kelp Forest, and occasionally the Crash Zone.

Occasionally, Stalkers can be found swimming into the Safe Shallows while chasing Peepers or other small fauna.

Appearance

The Stalker is a rather large creature, possessing an elongated, fusiform body with smooth skin. Its head features a long snout greatly resembling that of real life gharials.

On its back seven dorsal plates protrude running along from neck to tail, as well as two pectoral and pelvic, purple-tipped fins on each side, and ends with a broad, fluked tail.

The Stalker's dorsal side is blue-gray in color and patterned in dark blue and purple, with a bright green and aqua underside.

Behavior

The Stalker seems to have a fondness for a metal: it will approach the metal objects such as Metal Salvage, Silver Ore and Titanium, pick the object up with its mouth and carry it back to its nest. Sometimes when it picks an object up it will drop one of its teeth. It may also drop them when grabbing a Camera Drone, or attacking a Seamoth. These teeth are required for creating Enameled Glass, which is needed to make a Cyclops and other large objects. Stalkers will sometimes place metal salvage in a certain area with other pieces.

Stalkers can grab Camera Drones(as mentioned above), including ones housed in their sockets on the Scanner Room and will carry them in their mouth similarly to Metal Salvage. During this time the drones are incapacitated and can be taken out of their maximum range, rendering them unusable until the player manually brings them back.

Being predators, Stalkers will attempt to chase and eat nearby Peepers and other small prey. They will also attack the player upon close encounters, with each bite dealing 30 damage. The player should be cautious while exploring Kelp Forests to avoid getting attacked by surprise, as Stalkers often form small groups that will lurk in the dense Creepvines.

At night, beside being more difficult to spot due to being one of only three non-bioluminescent creatures in the game, Stalkers become more aggressive and have a wider aggressive radius, so it is advised to avoid swimming near Kelp Forests at night without adequate protection.

Stalkers can be found guarding or lurking near their eggs, and will attack if the player gets too close.

Stalkers will also collect ores, should the player drop it near them. 

Spoiler alert: The following section contains story related material.
The Stalkers inside Primary Containment Facility's Aquarium are not hostile to the player, and are thus not a threat.

Interactions with the Player

It is possible to temporarily placate a Stalker by feeding them any kind of catchable fish, or by giving them metal salvage. Doing any of the above will pacify the creature for a short while.

After being fed, the Stalker will not only become peaceful towards the player, but it will also start looking for metal salvage, pick it up, and drop it at the player's position as a gift. This behavior can also be extended the more fish the player feeds it.

Keep in mind that this tamed behavior is only temporary. The period of submission can be extended by offering the predator more fish or salvage.

Energy Value

×5000

×1000

Data Bank Entry

A streamline predator encountered in the kelp forests, in wait of prey leaving the safety of the shallows. The stalker's most unusual characteristic is its attraction to titanium deposits. This behaviour tends to put stress on its teeth, which are prone to be dislodged and fall to the seafloor. This habit may be a natural method of sharpening its teeth. Teeth: The stalker's teeth are unusually hard, and fast-growing. Its elongated snout can deliver huge biting pressure to larger attackers, while also being used to reach small herbivores seeking refuge amongst the rocks. Retinal layering on the eyeball suggests adaptation for night-time hunting. Dorsal Ridges: These ridges can be moved independently to deliver superior maneuverability. Pelvic Fins: Long and powerful, the stalker has evolved to hunt even the fastest of prey. Prey: Small herbivores Assessment: Stalker teeth may have applications in enameled glass fabrication

Gallery

• Screenshots
• Concept Art
• Other

Front view

Side profile

Dorsal view

A Stalker Egg

Size comparison to the player

A Stalker at night, displaying no bioluminescence

A Stalker in the Kelp Forest

A Stalker holding some Metal Salvage in the Crash Zone

A Stalker stealing a Camera Drone at night

Concept Art

Carar Bacterium concept art, featuring Stalkers

Model from Sketchfab

The Stalker's old model - the Lava Lizard

Trivia

• As of 14.12.2014 the model of the Stalker was changed. Until then, the model of the Lava Lizard was used.
• The Stalker was also listed as Snout Shark in development documents.
• Stalkers, Lava Lizards and Reaper Leviathans are the only creatures that do not have some degree of bioluminescence.
• Although the Stalker cannot damage the Cyclops, it will attack it which normally results in the Stalker loosing a tooth.
• Stalkers from the Kelp Forest can be observed wandering into the Safe Shallows quite often, sometimes they will bump Lifepod 5, causing it to list slightly. Other times a few pieces of metal salvage in area such as the Safe Shallows will result in a small group of them congregating to play with it, creating a small area dense with Stalkers and danger for an unprepared and sluggish player.