| European packfish whale | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General information | |||
| Universe | Fiction | ||
| Aliases | Eurasian packfish whale Packfisherman (long form) | ||
| Classification | Terreoptera ceratocetus europeas | ||
| Scientific synonyms | Terreoptera cornubasilis (classification V4) Terreocetus rhinophaga (classification V3) | ||
| Species type | Land whale | ||
| Homeworld | Earth | ||
| Environment | Rivers, lakes, coastal swamps and mangroves
| ||
| Intelligence | Semi-sapient | ||
| Biochemistry | Carbon-based lifeform | ||
| Discovered | Sep 22nd, 1824 | ||
| Biological information | |||
| Lifespan | 50 - 60 years (in wild) 40 - 50 years (in captivity) | ||
| Reproduction | Sexual; give live birth | ||
| Average weight | 4.8 tonnes | ||
| Average length | 8 meters (male) 8.5 meters (female) | ||
| Locomotion | Galumphing (limbless) | ||
| Feeding behavior | Omnivorous / Plant and meat eater | ||
| Prey | Plants and animals | ||
| Distinctive features | Rhino-like horns, armored forehead, poor eyesight and dewlap | ||
| Lineage information | |||
| Ancestor(s) | Khrenon emperor (Progeniticetus amphibius) | ||
| Related species | Humphead Antwhale Wranglerfish | ||
| Cultural information | |||
| Alignment | Chaotic neutral | ||
| Organization | Solitary | ||
| Sociocultral characteristics | |||
| Members | Over 90,000 documented individuals | ||
| Scientific taxonomy | |||
| Domain | Eukaryota | ||
| Kingdom | Animalia | ||
| Subkingdom | Eumetazoa | ||
| Infrakingdom | Bilateria | ||
| Superphylum | Deuterostomia | ||
| Phylum | Chordata | ||
| Subphylum | Vertebrata | ||
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata | ||
| Superclass | Tetrapoda | ||
| Class | Mammalia | ||
| Subclass | Theria | ||
| Infraclass | Eutheria | ||
| Superorder | Laurasiatheria | ||
| Order | Artiodactyla | ||
| Suborder | Whippomorpha | ||
| Infraorder | Cetacea | ||
| Parvorder | Mysticeti | ||
| Family | Balaenopteridae | ||
| Subfamily | Terrapterae | ||
| Genus | Terreoptera | ||
| Species | T. ceratocetus T. velifer | ||
| Subspecies | T. c. europeas
T. c. africanus | ||
| Other information | |||
| Status | Near threatened | ||
| Creator | CharlsonIV | ||
| First sighting | Sep 22nd, 1724 | ||
| Possible population | 200,000 (estimated) | ||
The European packfish whale (Terreoptera ceratocetus europeas) is one of two extant species within the medium-sized fictional baleen whale subfamily Terrapterae, commonly called "land whales". It is distributed from mostly Europe, and are also native to the United Kingdom, specifically where it's least populated by humans.
It inhabits coastal beaches, swamps and mangroves across Eurasia. Despite their wide distribution, it is threatened by habitat loss, poaching and plastic pollution.
Taxonomy[]
Ceratocetus terra was the first binomial classification when it was discovered in 1824. It was only after the genus Terreoptera was proposed in 1892, that the taxon was changed to it's modern day classification.
In the 19th century, the animal was often referred to as "rhino whale".
They were called "packfish whales" due to having the ability to fit up to 70 fish in its gular pouch at once, implying that it can "pack" a lot of "fish" in its mouth.
Etymology[]
The etymology of Terreoptera ceratocetus is a combination of Latin and Greek roots that reflect the packfish whale’s distinct traits and evolutionary background:
- Terreoptera:
- Derived from the Latin word "terra", meaning "land," which emphasizes the semi-aquatic nature of the whale and its adaptation to terrestrial environments.
- The Greek word "pteron" means "wing" or "fin," a nod to its cetacean heritage. In this case, it represents the shrunken pectoral fins of the packfish, used more for balance and limited movement on land, highlighting its "land whale" evolution.
- ceratocetus:
- The Greek root "cerato" means "horned," symbolizing the distinctive rhino-like horns that protrude from the front of the packfish’s head and serve as a primary defense mechanism.
- The Greek word "cetus" refers to the mythological sea monster Cetus, which is often portrayed as a whale, highlighting the whale's cetacean roots.
Overall, the name Terreoptera ceratocetus highlights both the land-adapted features (horns, shrunken fins) making it a fitting scientific name for the European packfish whale.
A common misconception and theory was that the packfish whale was named after the famous video game character Pac-Man, however, this was debunked several times, as the species was called the packfish since before Namco created the titular character.
Biology[]
Appearance and intelligence[]
Packfish whales resemble the grandeur of their baleen whale ancestors, albeit shrunk down to about 7-9 meters long. These cetaceans have a more elongated body plan, reminiscent of their basilosaurian ancestors and slightly upright posture, and more features usually found in even-hoofed animals, Their only flaw is their poor eyesight, reduced to make way for stronger echolocation to add onto their terrestrial evolution. The baleen plates were fused together during evolution to make teeth-like structures on the upper jaw. There is a visible "fang" near to the front of the two giant plates of baleen. They know how to use their horns too, being able to swing them at at an almost 180 degree angle. They can also open their jaws at a lateral range of 150 degrees, delivering a splitting bite that can divide a human leg with those cleaver-like plates of baleen. Additionally, that large dark stripe covering their upper jaw is cleverly called a "mask" or "blindfold".
Packfish skull (note the horn cores)
Two male packfish whales fighting over the right to mate
Open mouth, showing fused baleen
Front face
These cetaceans are refered to as semi-sapient as they are very much capable of problem solving of complex tasks by using their prehensile tail as a limb for picking up objects.
Sexual dimorphism[]
Like lots of other animals, packfish whales display different colors to appeal to a mate and to deter potential rivals.
Males have a green base with lighter stripes, with a white underbelly from its jaw to the tail. Males also have a long horn and are smaller than females. Meanwhile, female individuals have a shorter horn and more brown-red coloration. They are also larger than male individuals. The white stripe seen above the eyes on females and juveniles is called a "youth band". Females keep it after they've reached maturity, and males lose them because of their green stripes growing in. However, a mature male packfish with a youth band has been documented, but such condition is extremely rare.
Mutations[]
Like many other animals, there have been recorded discoveries of leucistic, albino and melanistic packfish whales.
Prehensile tail[]
Packfish whales have evolved fluke bones to make their tail fins move on command and to be used as a makeshift hand, but on rare occasions do they use it.
Communication, loyalty and territorial disputes[]
These animals are very loyal to their family members during meetups, spending almost all day with each other, even after a sub-adult packfish separates from their parents, they come and visit each other once or twice every couple of months, especially after they've had a child of their own. Packfish whales are one of the many animals that mate for life, spending their entire life with a mate until death does them part.
They are also very territorial animals, and if they sense a trespasser, which could be another rival packfish, animal or person, they use many forms of intimidation. One is used when dealing with humans, slapping their tail against the ground while letting out loud low-frequency bellows with their head pointed forward. The second technique is with rival males, rearing up with their head pointed upward, spreading their pectoral fins outwards and inflating their dewlap to appear larger and more intimidating. The fighting stance is high, with the white of their eyes exposed, their heads pointed towards the enemy, ready to strike at any moment, either with a nasty bite with those cleaver-like plates or their giant horn.
Behaviors during seasons[]
During spring, packfish whales stay in moist, vegetated areas to better blend in with their surroundings, feeding off fish and sometimes fruit. When summer arrives, their diet stays the same, but they sometimes go to warmer areas to breed and give birth. In autumn, they pause consuming plants and become fully carnivorous, not only eating fish but preying on small animals like wild hogs to even deer. In winter, packfish whales migrate further inland for warmth, but still close to rivers and lakes.
Strange discoveries[]
Ambush hunting[]
In 2016, a mature female packfish was observed by cameras pursuing, hunting down and eating a red deer, it was believed that this individual was desperate for food as this video was taken during snowy weather. This was also the discovery of the packfish's hunting tactic, being an ambush hunter, using the element of surprise against its prey.
Rhubarb thief[]
In 2018, a male packfish was spotted by cameras breaking into a person's garden and started eating rhubarb leaves that was growing there, but he managed to leave after an hour of ravaging through the rest of the fruits and vegetables that were housed in the garden.
Largest packfish[]
The largest packfish ever recorded was discovered in 2006, a female that was 11 meters long, this individual was spotted many times before sadly passing away from old age.
Interspecies communication[]
Some terracetaceans can communicate with eachother. This was discovered when a European packfish and a humphead antwhale were seen communicating with similar sounds, with both individuals showing understanding and acceptance.
Protection[]
Packfish whales are one of the many government-protected species of Europe, being illegal to hunt them.
Biggest horn[]
The longest packfish horn was measured at 1 meter long.
Fluked intruder[]
There have been many sightings of packfish whales breaking into people's homes, often seeing exploring or ravaging their kitchen. Adding onto this, one particular break-in was recorded by a man and his wife waking up to a male packfish sleeping on their living room sofa.
Term for young[]
A baby packfish is called a "junior", or "calf".
History in design[]
Formerly conceptualised by me as a serpentine creature with no pectoral fins or eyes, the European packfish (back then, it was just refered to as Packfish or Common packfish) looked like no cetacean ever seen before. If I wanted to keep labelling it as a cetacean, I had to at least make it look like one.
In October of 2024, I completely redid the proportions of the animal, giving it fins, eyes and a more hunched posture. As I kept working on its All Species page, I grew fond of making it more like a seal-whale than a snake-whale. This reference sheet is showing off the aforementioned pinniped-shaped whale in all its glory.
Gallery[]
Vocalizations[]
- Note, the dewlaps of these whales amplify the sounds they make.
Generic communication
Broadcast call
Broadcast (under water)
For underwater vocalisations, they use a similar technique to their ancestors did; by using their larynx to recycle air, producing an albeit lower-pitched version of modern whales.
Aggressive Vocalizations[]
1
2
3
4
Aggressive (underwater)
The aggressive vocals of a European packfish whale sounds reminiscent of an elephant seal roar, because they are produced in the same way, using the dewlap as a resonating chamber before forcing the air out of the mouth, creating a crackly, guttural and booming popping noise. These are more used on land, often during fights. The underwater aggressive call is used more to convey a message more than an immediate threat.