Bloodspike Impaler

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Overview

Bloodspike ImpalerMV
Biological Information
Species	Hemospicum tepesi
Height	6–12 feet 20-30 feet (breeding stalk)
Status	Extant
Production Information
First appearance	Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure

Bloodspike Impalers, also known as Hemospicum tepesi, are agave florafauna superspecies created by Legendary Pictures that first appeared in the Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure game.

Name

Bloodspike Impalers are named for their sky-blue coloration and their resemblance to species of Chondrichthyes, particularly sharks and rays.

Origins

The Bloodspike Impaler somewhat resembles a giant agave: concentric arrays of sword-shaped leaves/limbs emanate from a central crown. During its breeding cycle, a very tall, woody stalk emerges, bearing a cascade of white, bell shaped flowers that emit a powerful and sweet fragrance. The mature adults of this plant-like superspecies are mobile, and use their lower array of leaves to ambulate like a crab.

The upper array of leaves is equally flexible, and is used to capture prey. The leaves are covered in a virtually invisible, but extremely strong, adhesive that traps smaller insects and animals. The creature's most formidable weapons, however, are its Bloodspikes. The Bloodspike's crown can exude hydraulically powered, expanding, scarlet, woody stalks that each possess an array of sharp barbs, or spikes, that can pierce skin and deliver a powerful, toxic venom. This process has been likened to a flash of red lightning, as the stalks so quickly expand from the crown.

The venom consists of two separate toxins: a fast acting paralytic and a slower-acting enzyme that liquifies much of the victim's interior contents. Smaller victims are digested externally, as they slowly fall into the gaps between the leaves and decompose. With larger victims, the creature crawls on top of them and digests them through its tap roots. Multiple plants will sometimes occupy a single large corpse. They will remain sucking nutrients until the corpse is desiccated.

Bloodspike Impalers use a variety of hunting strategies. Their flowers lure smaller prey that get stuck in their leaves. They also seem attracted to animal trails, and position themselves such that they can easily reach with their stalks to spike passing creatures. Most interestingly, Bloodspikes will form packs that slowly move to trap their prey in ravines or canyons, or by surrounding them. While slow, Bloodspikes move very quietly, and they often approach under cover of darkness.

The Iwi have developed an antitoxin for the Bloodspike’s paralytic toxin, but it must be administered before the liquifying enzyme has damaged vital organs. The venom decomposes quickly outside a living host, so it cannot be harvested for use.

― Creature Codex

History

Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure

Bloodspike Impalers are among the numerous superspecies encountered on Skull Island.

Gallery

Bloodspike Impaler in the Skull Island Creature Codex.

List of appearances

Games

• Kong: Skull Island Cinematic Adventure (First appearance)