ANKHEG

The anhkheg has a chitinous shell which is brownish in color. Its underside is pinkish. The creature's eyes are glistening black.

The anhkheg burrows through the earth like an earthworm preferring soil rich in minerals and organic matter. Thus it will usually be found in forests and choice agricultural land. This causes farmers great consternation, since the anhkheg likes to supplement its earthly diet of soil with a bit of fresh meat, human or otherwise. 

Since its mouth is not designed to rip and tear meat, its mandibles crush its prey and secrete a digestive enzyme causing an additional 1-4 points per turn [round] until the prey is completely dissolved. 

If sorely pressed in battle it is able to squirt its digestive acids 30 feet once per six hours. However when it does this it cannot digest anything for the same length of time, so it usually will bite. A squirt of digestive acid causes 8-32 hit points of damage to the creature struck, half the amount if the creature makes its saving throw. 

The anhkheg's favorite method of attacking is lying 5-10 feet underneath the ground until its antenna detects a likely victim passing overhead. Then it burrows out directly underneath the prey and grabs it.

Ankhegs of different sizes exist, typically from 3 to 8 hit dice and 10 to 20 feet long. Attack damage related to it’s bite or acid does not normally change due to size within the stated range nor does armor class (although size will affect XP, THAC0, and saving throws).

Environment. Temperate/sub-tropical, inhabited and/or patrolled areas (plain, scrub, forest, hills)