Tanystalker
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The Tanystalker is a reptilian superspecies that was first introduced in the 2025 Monsterverse bestiary book Kong: Skull Island - Creature Codex.
Name
The "Tany" part of the Tanystalker's name is derived from Tanystropheus, an extinct genus of archosauromorph reptiles. The Tanystalkers' cryptozoological classification, Nepentharis calludens, comes from the words "Nepenthes", which is a genus of carnivorous plant, and "callus", meaning a thick or hardened part of the skin.[1]
Development
The Tanystalker was one of two winners for the "Kongtest" creature contest where contestants submitted ideas for new florafauna creatures that would appear in Kong: Skull Island - Isle of the Damned. As a result, a plushie of the Tanystalker may have been made and sent to the person who submitted it, Shayor Sheikh, although no images exist of the plushie.[2] The winning contestant spoke about the Tanystalker on Reddit and mentioned that the final design is a little different from the original entry, which was closer in appearance to a Tanystropheus.[3]
Design
The Tanystalker is a species of reptile with a green lizard-like body covered in scales that can open to resemble lily pads. The scales on its tail, body and neck are leaf-like while the ones on the legs and sides are sharp. The largest of these are situated on the back. A large lily flower sits on the tip of the creature's tail and red feather-like leaves run down the bottom of the tail. The superspecies has reddish petals surrounding its head and a similarly colored tongue within its mouth. The Tanystalker's hands and feet are four-clawed and multiple small spikes emerge from the back of the arms. Its hind limbs are longer than its arms.[1]
Behavior
The Tanystalker is an amphibious, carnivorous, florafauna (carnofloridae) superspecies that resides within the lowlands and wetlands of Skull Island. The creatures are ambush predators but hold onto most of their energy as they require a lot of it to stay active. They remain underwater or in dense undergrowth for long periods of time, their scales opening to resemble lily pads if in contact with water. Prey may be drawn to the fragrant smell of the flower on the Tanystalker's tail. The creature then captures them within its lily-bulb tail before shredding the victim into small pieces for consumption. If their prey fights back and injures the superspecies enough, it may try to retreat, but won't stop attacking. If a potentially dangerous larger creature approaches a Tanystalker while it is hidden, it may reveal itself to flee or fight back. The superspecies can also take in energy through photosynthesis via its leaf-like scales. The Tanystalker usually walks in a quadrupedal manner but changes to a bipedal stance when running.[1]
History
Monsterverse
Kong: Skull Island - Isle of the Damned
While searching for an old downed Sky Devil helicopter, Mason Weaver and the player characters encountered a mound of leaves that revealed itself to be a Tanystalker. They succeeded in fighting the creature off, and it fled into the jungle.
Abilities
Sweet Mist
The large lily flower on the tip of the Tanystalker's tail releases pleasant-scented pollen that can be smelled from 30 feet away.[1]
Lily Trap
If a creature is within 10 feet of a Tanystalker's tail, the lily flower on its tail can "engulf" them, releasing an acid that burns the victim in the process.[1]
Physical abilities
The scales on a Tanystalker's legs and sides are razor-sharp, cutting through the flesh of its prey. When attacking, the Tanystalker slashes the scales against its opponent and may try to grab onto the foe with its tail. The superspecies is capable of slicing their victims up into small pieces.[1]
Extreme photosynthesis
Tanystalkers can gain large amounts of energy within minutes using photosynthesis.[1]
Amphibiousness
Tanystalkers are amphibious, submerging themselves underwater when trying to ambush prey.[1]
References
This is a list of references for Tanystalker. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
Bibliography
- Rowan-Nelson, Awen I.; Ramsley, Chris, eds. (2025). Kong: Skull Island - Creature Codex. Evil Genius Games. ISBN 979-8-9881882-6-1.
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