A rough idea of some of the raptor crab’s internal systems.
Note 1 — Gills: Their “gills” are mobile, made for breathing air, and act like a kind of rigid external nostril (they also contain olfactory receptors like a nose). Ekts are semi aquatic, however. Their bodies are covered in small, thin setae and microtrichia that create a film of air around the body called a superhydrophobic coating, a little like a water boatman. It prevents drag when they dive or swim and allows them to breathe underwater for a few minutes at a time. They will periodically replenish their air bubble by surfacing. They swim by kicking their legs and steering with their small hind limbs.
Note 2 — Organs: They have an organ, similar to the pancreas, that produces stomach enzymes capable of digesting rocks and dirt that is ingested while eating or that have been digested by their prey. However, since Ekts began cleaning and processing their food and therefore ingesting less excess dirt, it is easy for them to end up with excess enzymes, resulting in a kind of acid reflux that can be dealt with by purposefully ingesting rocks.
Their blood is copper-based, low viscosity, and filled with organic antifreeze glycoproteins. They have a unique organ called a cuprukidney that filters out excess copper from their blood and cleans their systems, as they consume a large amount of copper from the blood of their prey and abundantly mixed in with the rocks they ingest.
Note 3 — Segmental Valve: This specific intestinal valve marks the mobile joint between the segments of an Ekt’s body. Ekts can temporarily close this valve to prevent absorption of nutrients in the intestine if they have ingested something dangerous, or if they cannot afford to waste valuable nutrients but their back segment is in danger.
