Frozen Female Hatchling
Name: unnamed
Species: Viridis Crab
Birthday: Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Owner: kinija1
Element: Void/Life 
When a magi goes out to pick strawberries in the summer, they should be careful, because there are always a few viridis crabs nestled in the sweet strawberries. They love to doze in the sun for hours, soaking up the heat. If disturbed, a crab hatchling will either retract into its shell or come out further, to see what's happening. Viridis crabs are green in color, with sharp claws and eyes on stalks. If picked up too swiftly, or startled, viridis crabs retreat completely into their shell, and only their sharp claws can be seen poking out. If a hatchling feels endangered, it will not hesitate to pinch. Their claws are amazingly strong, and the attack can be quite painful. Usually, though, crab hatchlings are sweet tempered, too busy climbing or sleeping to be bothered. Though these younglings are very small, they love to climb trees, and one would be surprised how high up they can go.
Though their size may make them seem insignificant, viridis crabs are valuable companions. They have a most unique power over food, allowing it to ripen quickly and remain edible for a long time. This magic is very valuable to villages with food shortages, or to help magi on a long journeys. Viridis crabs are so small that most magi bring them on trips, as they are easy creatures to carry. They are most content when sleeping in a pocket, usually beside a rock that is spelled to be warm. These crabs require hot temperatures, and during the winter remain inside, where the snow cannot reach them. When warm weather rolls around once more, flocks of viridis crabs scuttle outside, to bathe in the warm sun and begin growing new plants. It is interesting to note that as these crabs grow, they require bigger shells. They will hunt endlessly for the right shape and fit, and move quickly into the new strawberry, discarding the old. The new 'shell' will quickly be made permanently full of life, and the viridis crab will continue on its way. A fussy crab may repeat these steps many times before becoming satisfied with their new home. These companions will switch shells once or twice a year, as they grow ever larger. They never stop growing, and can reach up to three fists in size. If their shell is too small, the crab will grow more slowly and become irritable. This happens if there are no strawberries available, but at The Keep there are always strawberries, even in the depths of winter.
Sprite art: BettyxMe (hatchling) | Description: Damien