| Ash Hopper | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| General information | |||
| Universe | The Elder Scrolls | ||
| Classification | Unknown | ||
| Species type | Ant | ||
| Homeworld | Nirn | ||
| Environment | Solstheim, Tamriel | ||
| Intelligence | Non-sapient | ||
| Biochemistry | Carbon-based lifeform | ||
| Biological information | |||
| Reproduction | Sexual; queen lays eggs | ||
| Locomotion | Hexapodal | ||
| Feeding behavior | Detritivorous | ||
| Prey | Decaying matter | ||
| Lineage information | |||
| Cultural information | |||
| Alignment | Neutral | ||
| Leaders | Loyal to their queen (presumed) | ||
| Sociocultral characteristics | |||
| Scientific taxonomy | |||
| Planet | Nirn | ||
| Domain | Eukaryota | ||
| Kingdom | Animalia | ||
| Phylum | Arthropoda | ||
| Class | Insecta | ||
| Order | Orthoptera | ||
| Family | Kwamaidae (Parker Green, 2022) | ||
| Other information | |||
| Status | Data Deficient | ||
An Ash Hopper is a large burrowing insect related to the Kwama found in the Ashlands of Solstheim. They are naturally tolerant of their own kind, allowing them to cluster up remain solitary, but are quite territorial towards potential predators. When they feel encroached upon, they will rise out of the ash they have burrowed themselves into and charge their foe to strike at close distance, as they have no means of ranged attack. However, they seem to be sentient enough to understand if they are too heavily injured in combat, and they will attempt to flee. Interestingly, if an adventurer happens to kill them they simply fall apart, indicating that their body's connecting joints are not very durable.
Ash Hoppers are known to carry the Droops disease, another possible indication of their genetic relation to the Kwamas of Morrowind.
Adventurers on Solstheim are known to harvest their legs, meat, chitin and jelly. As with other chitinous creatures of Nirn, their chitin is used by higher races to fashion chitin armor. Ash Hopper meat and legs are a local food, where they are eaten raw and not used in any dishes. On the other hand, their jelly is used in alchemy, being a reagent for several types of potions.