Bugbear

Bugbears are massive tardigrades that live in large bodies of water. They are most commonly found in Australia, where they may have spawned legends of the Bunyip.

Physiology
The closest relative of the Bugbear is the microscopic water bear, which can be found in mud puddles worldwide. They resemble their minute cousins very closely, except that they are often twenty feet long and weigh more than two tons. In coloring, they are light green.

Like water bears, Bugbears can dehydrate themselves in order to survive lean periods and droughts. When this happens, they simply burrow into the soil and hibernate until rehydrated.

Reproduction occurs when a Bugbear releases spores into the wind, which remain dormant until submerged in water. Bugbear spores are still viable up to a hundred years after production.

Behaviour
Bugbears lie in wait in lakes and rivers, and wait for unsuspecting animals to come by. Common prey includes water buffalo, saltwater crocodiles, and humans.