- Element: Shadow or Water; rarely Plague
- Breed: Bogsneak
- Primary Colors: Abyss - Phthalo - Azure
- Primary Genes: Giraffe, Jupiter, Laced, Ripple, Tapir
- Secondary Colors: Abyss - Phthalo - Azure
- Secondary Genes: Current, Edged, Hex, Saturn, Striation
- Tertiary Colors: Caribbean to Turquoise
- Tertiary Gene: Smirch, Thylacine
As word of Baldwin's transformation and the successful replication of the effect spread, the population of the Bogsneak breed exploded overnight. Dragons all over clambered to create Bogsneak eggs of their own, some for prestige, some for study, and some for less scrupulous reasons.
As with most other things, security levels varied from place to place, and in those where such measures were more lax, individuals managed to slip through the cracks. Drawn by the call of the water, a small population established themselves on the islands that mark the border between the Tangled Wood and the Sea of a Thousand Currents. Over a surprisingly short amount of time, the elemental influences of both regions began to show their effects on the innate energies of both themselves and their offspring, opening up a new niche and avenue of opportunity that they are quickly capitalizing on.
While Silt Prowler nests are still largely confined to the Sea of a Thousand Currents and the Tangled Wood, some Prowlers have managed to travel as far as the Scarred Wasteland. The harsh conditions and lack of bodies of water, however, have largely prevented them from being able to establish in the area; as a result, Plague Silt Prowlers are still very rare.
Silt Prowlers display an even greater affinity for water than the average Bogsneak, spending roughly 80-90% of their time in water; they usually only come to shore to nest, rest, and shelter from storms. Silt Prowlers will often dig a tiny den into a river bank or beach within their territory and expand it as needed (though if they're lucky enough to find an underwater cave, they'll quickly move in); the main entrance will more often than not be underwater, to avoid detection, though larger dens will sometimes have smaller bolt holes added that lead directly to the surface, usually hidden or covered in some way. Prowlers that have moved further out into the Sea of a Thousand Currents tend to be more nomadic, using the fronds of kelp beds to anchor themselves down when needed.
The majority of the Silt Prowler's diet comes from underwater plants and marine animals, such as seals and seagulls, though Prowlers that live near land are also quick to snatch a terrestrial animal if it strays near the water's edge for too long. Prowlers engage in ambush predation, swimming underneath their prey and using their dark coloration to blend in with deeper water until they get close enough to lunge.
Silt Prowlers are still largely solitary in nature, though nesting pairs have been known to combine or share their territory while the eggs are incubating. Monogomous pairs are slightly more common than polyamorous groups due to their desire for solitude, though the subspecies as a whole has a rather lax attitude towards breeding and pairing. They have developed one interesting trait, however; a cry of distress from a Bogsneak hatchling, whether Silt Prowler or otherwise, will immediately draw in any adult Silt Prowler within hearing range, rushing in to defend the hatchling regardless of any biological relation or lack thereof.
Curiously, the tertiary markings of Silt Prowlers are bioluminescent, and can be consciously controlled by their owner. They are mainly kept dark, so as to avoid detection by potential prey, but can be lit up for mating, territorial displays, and to ward off potential predators.
From the beginning, rapid adaptation has been a hallmark of Silt Prowlers; there have been reports of individuals changing over their lifetimes to better suit the particular environment of their chosen territory. In addition to physical changes, Silt Prowlers appear to favor apparel that aids them in blending in with their environment, to allow as great an advantage as possible in ambushes. The following types of apparel are most commonly seen, usually in darker, cooler colors:
While Silt Prowlers favor apparel that allows them to blend in, they appear to look for the opposite when seeking out items to decorate their dens with. They frequently pick out items that are shiny, bright in color, or glow, as well as items that are soft to line their beds and nests with.