sanctuarynetworkdatabase

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This is a real life, alive Giant Squid found off the coast of Japan. This video was recorded on December 24th, 2015. 

This Giant Squid is 3.7 metres long (12 feet), but specimens have been found that are more than 12 metres long.

Watch the video and read more about this encounter below:

Giant Squid, Elusive Creature of the Deep, Gets a Vivid Close-Up

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If you haven’t seen the skeleton of a stingray before, I think you really need to.

It’s far more obvious how they are related to sharks in the evolutionary tree.

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For comparison, the human gestation period is approximately 280 days.

[Image description:

A chart showing the gestation periods of different mammals.

Hamsters: 15-17 days Rats: 21 days Rabbits: 31 days Kangaroos: 32-39 days Squirrels: 44 days Dogs: 60-63 days Cats: 60-63 days Sheep/Goats: 151 days Pigs: 115 days Cows: 280 days Horses: 336 days Elephants: 624 days

Whelping: the act of a dog giving birth Queening: the act of a cat giving birth Calving: the act of a cow or heifer giving birth to a calf Lambing: the act of a sheep giving birth to a lamb Kidding: the act of a goat giving birth to a kid (baby goat) Foaling: the act of a horse giving birth to a foal (baby horse) Farrowing: the act of a pig giving birth to piglets Parturition: the general term for giving birth Multiparous: having two or more offspring at birth Colostrum: early milk that is rich in antibodies and protein Dystocia: difficult birth (usually requiring manual assistance or c-section)

]

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fangtooth moray photos by Sacha Lobenstein

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via Internet Archive Book Images on Flickr

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Welcome to the Sanctuary Network Database Project!

Here you will primarily find records of the Sanctuary Network research into abnormals, in the form of incident reports, resident records, mission reports, species records, and various other files outlining the Sanctuary Network’s knowledge of abnormals.

This is intended as a fun project, and possibly a resource and inspiration, primarily for fans of the science fiction TV show Sanctuary, but also for any fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and simply odd creatures.

Additionally, I’ll be showcasing any work based off of this project here as well (tagged with “work inspired by the database”).

I make no claim to the show Sanctuary, or any content relating to the show such as images, characters, or creatures that have appeared on the show (tagged with “sanctuary canon abnormals”). This is a fan project, not for profit. Other creatures (tagged with “original abnormals”) and anything not belonging to the show’s canon belong to their respective creators.

Use of the Database

You are free to use anything belonging to the database (tagged with “database entry”) in your own work, provided: a. your work is non-commercial: either it is your own private work or freely available to the public, and you make no profit from it and b. if it is available to others, e.g. posted online, this database is mentioned or credited in some form for whatever you drew from it.

Basically, don’t take the work presented here and try to make money off it or pass it off as your own. The blog itself, not to mention its content, is no small amount of work. Don’t be that kind of ass, and we’re great. :)

Database Contributors

At the moment, it’s just me, Rinari.

Administration

This blog is run by rinari7, perhaps more commonly known in tumblr fandom here as tryingthisfangirlthing (not that I truly expect to be known).

I do some research, but I’m not a biologist or really a scientist of any sort. (I do computers for a living, or at least that’s the plan.) If anyone more knowledgeable than I notices a mistake or an inaccuracy, feel free to let me know so I can correct it. (Or if you notice anything else, a typo, inconsistency, whatever. Criticism and questions are what refines and improves a project. :) )

If you’re interested in joining this blog project, feel free to nudge me and we can talk. I do have a certain vision for this, but I’m only one person with lots of other things to do, and very much open to collaboration.

Credits

The theme is Rinari’s. If you want to use it, just ask, and I’ll give you the code, though please be forewarned it is definitely tailored to this site. The aesthetic was shamelessly modeled after the actual Sanctuary database as seen in Season 3 Episode 9 of Sanctuary, Vigilante, though at the moment it’s admittedly not a very faithful reproduction. The background image is a wallpaper found at more-sky.com.

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Abnormal Species Record Template

Database Identification Number - Most Common Name for the Species

Taxonomic Classification:

Name: Common, traditional, or colloquial name(s)

Abnormal Categories: See Sanctuary classification definitions.

Threat Presented: See Sanctuary classification definitions.

Brief Description: Appearance, significant abnormalities.

Established Best Practices for Encounters:

——

Lifespan:

Native Habitat:

Diet: Full range of diet, preferred foods, and hunting or foraging habits.

Reproduction: Including courtship rituals as well as the act itself, until the beginning of the young’s lifecycle.

Lifecycle: From birth or e.g. oviposition through growth and maturity until death.

Social Behavior: Territoriality, family or other groups, response towards humans as well as other abnormals. Include notes about the species’ culture, if applicable.

Detailed Physiology:

Other:

——

Incidents of Contact: List relevant incident and mission reports. Make a note of any contact that does not have any corresponding report (e.g. that happened before the Sanctuary Network existed).

Sanctuary Residents: If applicable. Specific care and/or containment instructions are outlined in each resident’s file.

——

Other Related Documents: If applicable.

File Comments: Used to indicate a need for revisions or updates.

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Classifications

Threat Presented

Classification considers the nature and scope of the abnormal abilities in question as well as the abnormal’s attitudes, disposition, and demeanor. The classification reads abnormality nature - ability level - aggression level (- intelligence, if relevant). A question mark beside a particular attribute indicates that the classification is tentative and currently under further investigation. Intelligence can increase or decrease the effective threat posed by a creature, depending on its natural aggressive tendencies.

Abnormality Natures:

P: Physical, such as increased strength, speed, natural armor, or sharp claws.

M: Mental, such as telepathy.

PM: Abnormal exhibits both physical and mental abilities.

Ability Levels:

L: Low. Species’ abnormality presents little inherent physical or mental danger to a human in nearly any situation.

M: Medium. Attributes such as increased strength, size, or toughness usually belong in this category.

H: High. Abilities pose a very significant threat to humans with whom it comes it contact.

UH: Ultra-High. Individual abilities have large-scale consequences, able to destroy entire cities or otherwise pose a significant threat to large swaths of the population. Reserved for entities such as hyperspecies abnormals, or fire elementals or the Mayan immortality “cure”.

Aggression Levels:

Aggression levels will always differ from individual to individual. Sanctuary residents are classified individually, whereas species classifications are an attempted generalization from the data we have collected so far.

P: Peaceful, as a rule. In their natural state, will only cause harm or injury in self-defense, if that.

N: Neutral. Generally peaceful and friendly, posing little threat if approached and handled properly.

H: Hostile or aggressive, as a rule. Extremely territorial creatures that cannot be reasoned with also fall under this classification.

V: Vicious. Displaying a marked prejudice towards many or all other life forms, or a penchant for senseless killing or cruelty, though they may not always be actively aggressive. Many aggressive intelligent beings actually fall into this category, as they tend not to attack indiscriminately.

VA: Vicious and aggressive. Will attack and attempt to kill most or all life forms that come into contact with it. Treat with extreme caution and do not hesitate to use deadly force if necessary.

Intelligence Classifications:

Do not make the mistake of assuming that since we have not observed human-like intelligent behavior in a creature, that it possesses no intelligence at all. Intelligence classifications are inherently tentative and are considered minimal designations, not maximums. Hence the lack of an “unintelligent” class. This only classifies what we have been able to observe and relate to our own understanding of intelligence. “If you could teach a lion to speak, you still wouldn’t understand it.”

I: Intelligent much as we humans understand it. Individuals are able to reason, to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Classification does not imply any similarity to human thought processes.

S: Sentient. Visibly perceives and reacts to its environment and stimuli, and can usually learn behaviors. Akin to a domesticated dog or cat.

R: Reactive. Responds to stimuli within its environment, to a greater or lesser degree, and follows very basic instincts, but does not visibly learn or adapt to its current environment or display any perceptible cognitive connection of cause and effect. Fungi, amoebas, and other plant-like or single-celled organisms most often fall into this category.

CI: Collective intelligence, or a “hive-mind.” Intelligence similar to I-class is displayed in the aggregate, with individuals often only displaying S-class levels of intelligence and a marked susceptibility to the collective influence. Does not designate merely hive social structures. Classify organisms thusly only after careful, extended experimentation.

D: Dependent. An individual’s mind or will is not free, but it cannot be classified as part of an aggregate. Hierarchical influences fall into this category, such as the one between Kali/“Big Bertha” and the Macri.

Examples:

Mermaids: P-L-P-I

Empaths: M-L-N-I

Folding Men: P-L-N-I

Telepaths: M-M-N-I

Sasquatches: P-M-N-I

Magoi: M-H-VA-I

Vampires: P-H-V-I, as a race, though the only currently known surviving individual (Nikola Tesla) has a classification of P-H-N-I.

Really, Helen, I thought we’d agreed I wasn’t giving up my plans for world domination? — genius-vampire-remember

Abnormal Categories

Many creatures belong to more than one of the following. These are simply biological classifications; “humanoid” implies little about its cognitive abilities or thought processes.

Humanoid

Insectoid

Arachnoid

Mammalian

Reptilian

Amphibian

Avian

Hybrid

Fungal

Plant

Plant-like

Aquatic

Terrestrial

Subterranean

Flying

Elemental

Bacterial

Viral

Algae

Protozoa

Archaea

Hyperspecies

Other (specify)

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Memo

Henry, when will the database be ready? — The_Great

Uh, soon? I just need to finish a few things with the interface... — HearMeHowl

You’ve said that for several days now. Please just get it up and running. I need a functional database more than I need a pretty one. — The_Great

Yes, ma’am. — HearMeHowl

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Species #00589 - Crested Lagoryphon

Taxonomic Classification: Nymphicus cuniculus

Colloquial Name: Crested Lagoryphon, “Mohawk Rabbit Gryphon”

Abnormal Categories: Avian, Mammalian, Hybrid, Terrestial, Flying

Threat Presented: P-L-N-S

Brief Description: Approximately 40 centimeters long and weighing about one kilogram, these small creatures resemble a rabbit with the head and wings of a cockatiel, with a long, flexible tail similar to a lion’s. Their coloring in both fur and feathers is a greyish-brown. Incredibly fast and agile, they are quick to either take to the air or dash to a nearby hiding spot if startled or threatened.

Established Best Practices for Encounters: Due to both their wings and their speed on the ground, they are notoriously difficult to catch. Snares and nets have proven the most effective means of capture. They are naturally curious and not unduly shy creatures, if one is careful not to startle them, and may approach you if given enough time. They are more often than not found in small groups, so observe the area carefully before attempting to capture. They are not particularly territorial, with the notable exception of a mated pair defending their nest and young ones, who will attack any perceived threat with beak, claw, and remarkable ferocity. Like their purely feathered counterparts, they can mimic various sounds within a certain range, and will occasionally use this ability to ward off or misdirect predators as well.

——

Lifespan: Approximately 10-12 years in captivity, less in the wild.

Native Habitat: Australia and New Zealand.

Diet and Eating Habits: Primarily feed on roots, nuts, seeds, fruit, and insects. Occasionally, they have been known to eat grass if no other food is available. Pregnant or nursing females may kill and consume smaller mammals such as mice for the additional protein.

Reproduction:  - Sexual Dimorphism: The females have gray stripes or spots on the insides of their wings, whereas these are yellow in males. The male’s crest is often also larger, and he will tend to make more varied and louder vocalizations. - Courtship: Individuals of the species have been observed to be somewhat picky about which individuals they are willing to mate with. Immediate family members are not considered, and further as-of-yet unidentified personal factors come into play. If a male encounters a female he wishes to court, he will make initial overtures in a dance that often includes rising upon his hind legs, spreading his wings, kicking out, taking flight, and raising his crest. If the female is amenable to being courted, she will dance in return, albeit a much shorter version. The male will then set about convincing her he will make an attractive mate. Most courtships last approximately a week and include a combination of most of the following: bringing food, creating a scratch or the beginnings of a burrow, and further elaborate dances and displays of agility and stamina. - Mating: When a female has decided to take a particular male as her mate, she will present herself to him, flicking her tail. The male will mount her from behind, using his wings to aid in balance if necessary. -Gestation: The female carries 2-4 fertilized eggs inside of her for approximately 14 days, at which point she lays them in a shallow burrow she and her mate will have been constructing and decorating (not necessarily the one a male may have begun as part of his courtship).

Growth and Lifecycle: It takes another 14 days before the eggs will hatch, with both the male and female taking turns incubating the eggs and foraging. The leverets open their eyes after approximately five days, and the mother will produce milk from mammary glands along her underside to feed them for the first week of their lives. After this, their beaks will have sufficiently hardened and sharpened enough to injure the mother, and they will be fed through regurgitation of partially-digested food instead. The juveniles will have most of their plumage in  and be nearly independent with the exception of flight within three weeks. At this point they will accompany their parents from the nest to forage, closely supervised. Their plumage will have grown in fully after thirty days, at which point their parents will accompany them on their first test flight and then cease supervising them. Most children will stay near their parents until the next mating season, but some depart earlier than this.

Social Behavior: They are primarily found in family groups of a mated pair and their offspring, but occasionally two or three pairs will band together in particularly prime territory and travel (roughly) together. Most young who have just reached the age of maturity will strike out on their own to find a mate, but occasionally one will stay behind and help its parents raise their next litter. Lagoryphons mate for life. They follow their food sources and do not establish territories or colonies. Their burrow-nests are shallow and sparsely furnished, and often a lagoryphon will simply create a small, shallow indentation, or a “scratch” in the ground in which to sleep for the night. Adults will defend any other member of their family or traveling groups.

Detailed Physiology:

- Their bones are incredibly light, to better facilitate flight, but they therefore do not have quite the renowned kicking power of a rabbit. - The digestive system is avian rather than mammalian as well. - With the exception of the wings and head, they retain the fur of the rabbit, as well as its claws. - See residents’ medical records for detailed scans.

Other:

- They are not so plentiful at the moment so as to be such an ecological threat to their continent as rabbits, and they are occasionally susceptible both to the natural predators of the native cockatiels and to measures taken to control the rabbit population. However, over the long term there is still the possibility of them becoming more than an isolated problem.

——

Incidents of Contact:

- Mission Report #007698

- Mission Report # 017964

- Mission Report #033127

- Incident Report #001434

Current Sanctuary Residents:

- Residents #002443, 002444 “Bonnie” and “Clyde”

- Residents #003887, 003888, 003889, “Huey,” “Dewey,” and “Louie” (children of Bonnie and Clyde)

- Resident #005978 “Warner”

——

Other Related Documents: 

- 1980s news article from a remote Australian ranching community: “Man claims infestation of ‘rabbit-birds’” (includes a grainy photo of a burrow with a very angry female lagoryphon flying at the camera)

File Comments:

Petition to just call it a “mohawk rabbit gryphon”? Please. — HearMeHowl

If you must. — The_Great

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Species #07753 - Arachnotaur

Taxonomic Classification: Frontinella Hominus

Colloquial Name: Arachnotaur

Abnormal Categories: Arachnoid, Humanoid, Hybrid, Terrestrial

Threat Presented: P-H-N-I

Brief Description: The lower body is nearly completely that of a spider, with eight legs, a cephalothorax, and an abdomen. Joined at the front of the cephalothorax is a nearly-human upper body, from approximately just above the pelvis. Its skin is tougher than that of a human, and cephalothorax and arachnoid abdomen are covered in a tough, chitinous exoskeleton that is highly resistant to penetration.  Between 2 and 3 meters tall from floor to the top of their heads, and as long from the front of the cephalothorax to the end of the abdomen, they weigh between 350 and 400 kilograms, but still remain fairly agile for their size. Spinnerets are located on the tips of their fingers, allowing them to create various intricate and strong weaves. In addition to the fang-tipped chelicerae behind the pedipalps at the front of the cephalothorax, venomous spines can be extended at will from the underside of the wrist, parallel to the palm, to inject a paralyzing venom.

Established Best Practices for Encounters: Approach with respect and courtesy. Attempt to seem as non-threatening as possible. Bring a stunner, as these are more effective than bullets against them. If possible, keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters, preferably more, until friendly contact has been established and the arachnotaur has relaxed at least somewhat in your presence.

——

Lifespan: Unknown.

Native Habitat: Temperate climates. Previously encountered in the Tuscany region of Italy and the Pacific Northwest of North America. Both the Beijing and Asunción branches have previously reported sightings of abnormals in the region that are suspected to be F. Hominus or a similar species, but have been unable to confirm these.

Diet and Eating Habits: Mammals, small or large, form the bulk of their diet, but they will eat insects if nothing else is available. Distinctly prefer rabbit.  - Hunting Behavior: They have been observed to chase or actively hunt prey, but will more often weave snares or nets of their silk and set traps.

Reproduction: Visual examination indicates reproductive organs on the underside of the arachnoid abdomen identical to those of its smaller biological relatives. Females are larger than males, but there are no further external indicators of sex. Thus far, no mating behavior has been able to be observed.

Growth and Lifecycle: At the moment, we surmise that they hatch from eggs. Their lower exoskeleton is shed as they grow, and regularly but less often once they have reached full maturity.

Social Behavior: Only solitary specimens have previously been encountered. Shy creatures, they have been hunted nearly to extinction and tend to react warily to humans, but are usually not immediately hostile. They possess their own language, which seems to consist purely of clicks, hisses, and various guttural sounds, but by necessity they tend to understand at least one human language. They can comprehend our speech and are able to communicate with us in writing.

Detailed Physiology: - They lack the vocal chords necessary to generate human speech.

- In addition to two human eyes, they possess four more simple eyes situated on their foreheads in a diamond constellation. Despite these, however, their vision is not very acute.

- Instead, they mostly sense movement through vibrations through the ground, or in the air, with fine hairs upon their limbs, human back, and arachnoid abdomen.

- Their teeth are sharp, suitable for a carnivore who primarily consumes flesh, but the enamel is extraordinarily hard, to allow them to crunch through thick exoskeletons if need be.

- The various internal organ systems have been notably rearranged. The heart, for instance, is located just under the join between lower and upper body, protected by the arachnoid exoskeleton. The silk glands are located  in the human torso, and their lungs are smaller than a human’s, as their book lungs and tracheae are able to provide for most of their oxygen needs. (See residents’ medical records and CT imagery for more detail.) 

Other: - It seems not uncommon for them to make their livings as secretive, independent agents in the textile industry, known for lightweight, strong, lace-like fabrics.

——

Incidents of Contact:

- Previous resident: Inhabitant of Dr. Gregory Magnus’ laboratory, before all residents at the time were killed during the rampage of Magnus’ genetically engineered warrior

- Mission Report #056889

Current Sanctuary Residents:

- Resident #023891 “Srt’e”

——

Other Related Documents: N/A

File Comments:

If you can communicate with them, why not just ask your resident to fill in some of the blanks in this woefully inadequate documentation? Their social behavior? Their language? If they have a culture, and if there are any bastions of said culture left? Ask for silk and venom samples to determine their chemical makeup? — genius-vampire-remember

Patience, Nikola. She’s new and has been severely traumatized, and the last thing she needs right now is to be bombarded with questions or subjected to medical procedures that aren’t immediately necessary. — The_Great

It’s been weeks. — genius-vampire-remember

May I kindly remind everyone who the psychiatrist here is? Magnus was right, she needs time before you start badgering her in the name of science. — will.zimmerman

Please do not let Tesla anywhere near the spider silk. I don’t want to know what he plans for it, but he’s been making his mad scientist face ever since she got here. — HearMeHowl

Thank you for volunteering to keep an eye on him, Henry. — The_Great

Actually, I kind of... wasn’t... volunteering... — HearMeHowl

I don’t need a babysitter, Helen. — genius-vampire-remember

I assumed that was why you’ve been loitering in my office and distracting me for most of the morning? — The_Great

Helen, do you really need to ask? — genius-vampire-remember

Nikola, behave. — The_Great

If I do, will I get a reward later? — genius-vampire-remember

Perhaps. — The_Great

Ew. Ew. Ew. — HearMeHowl

Okay, Magnus, you really can’t criticize us for off-topic commenting and then do... that. — will.zimmerman

Of course I can. One of the perks of being the boss. ;-) — The_Great

And of being a friend of the boss? — genius-vampire-remember

No. Go help Henry install the new security systems. — The_Great

But that’s the boring part! — genius-vampire-remember

Do you want any hope of that reward, or not? — The_Great

I’m going! I'm going... — genius-vampire-remember

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Jellyfish Mermaid

As voted by my lovely Patreon Supporters, this Fantasy Biology post is about the hypothetical, and rather creepy jellyfish mermaid.

How can we take a jellyfish, which is marginally more than a stinging glob of goo, and turn it into a mermaid? If you want any shred of realism in this species, you’re going to have to clearly define what counts as a ‘mermaid’ and stretch the known limits of nature.

The real, core basics of a mermaid are:

Has the appearance of the top half of a humanoid

Other half is an aquatic creature

Now, it sure is tempting from an artistic point of view to use the body of a jellyfish like a skirt and plop a human body from the waist up on top, but that’s not how a jellyfish works anatomically.

A jellyfish is a fairly simple creature.  Its basically a digestive sack with some stinging tentacles arranged around the opening. They’re radially symmetrical instead of having a left and right. Their mouth is the same opening as their anus. They do have a primitive network of nerves, but nothing you could really call a brain. Box jellyfish even have light sensitive organs that function like eyes, so you do have enough basic features to make a creature from.

Keep reading