Gorbel
The gorbel is actually a composite, colony creature that reproduces via sporing.
The adult gorbel is the final, and generally short-lived, stage in its life cycle, which it transforms into from a stalked fungus-like creature somewhat reminiscent of a mushroom. In this "larval" form, gorbel may survive for upward of 15 years, sustaining themselves on nutrients left from the victims of their adult versions, mineral deposits, and even the remains of exploded adults. The larval gorbal absorbs into it the spores of adult gorbels which explode nearby, adding them to its composite mass of genetic material.
When the larval stage grows near to adulthood, it begins to grow "eyespots" which will become its eyestalks. Over a period of about a week, the eyestalks grow, and the stem begins to split, developing into the gorbel's legs.
Adult gorbel's attack nearly anything, although they generally can only carry small vermin - such as rats - back to their breeding grounds. Adult gorbels have no teeth [see illustration!], and feed by consuming secretions from their larvae.
Because they are not edible, and because of the danger exploding gorbels post, most semi-intelligent or smarter creatures leave them alone, if possible.
RC
