This article is about the Peeper. You may be looking for the Oculus.
Template:Class 2 Fauna
The Peeper is a small, yet fast, passive fauna species. It could be considered the mascot of Subnautica. It is easily identified by its large, bright yellow eyes.
The Peeper will try to flee from most life forms larger than itself, such as Stalkers or the player. They can be caught, though their speed allows them to easily outrun a poorly equipped player. With the use of a Grav Trap, Seaglide, Stasis Rifle or Propulsion Cannon, they can be easily captured.
Cooked Peepers have above average Food properties. For this reason, they are very useful for players in Survival mode, and are always worth the catch.
The Peeper is small, with its body being mainly a blue hue, turning more greenish near the tail. Its head is composed of a yellow, beak-like mouth on the front and a pair of large eyes, situated on both sides of the head. The eyes feature black pupils with bright bioluminescent yellow sclerae and brown irises. It is also noteworthy that the Peeper has eyelids.
It has a small caudal fin. There are three holes running along on each side of the body that resemble gills. It has two tube-like organs that extend from its body to the top and the bottom of its head, resembling backward-facing jets, that propel it forwards, leaving water trails when it does so.
Spoiler alert: The following section contains story related material.
Many parts of the Peeper's body are ways to distribute Enzyme 42 to the surface, which are considered seemingly useless when the player first scans them.
Behavior
The Peeper is mostly active during the day, and can often be seen jumping out of the water. At night, it seems to rest more, though it is still somewhat active. When chased by the player, the Peeper may sometimes shut its eyes slowly (most likely to be subtle) making it harder to be seen. It often does so at night, making it near impossible to find and catch in the darkness. It can be heard making chirping-like noises when swimming.
Peepers can sometimes be seen being chased by Stalkers, as they are their preferred prey.
Peepers can often be seen following close behind Reefback Leviathans, in groups of three or four.
Story
Spoiler alert: The following section contains story related material.
Many Peepers were trained by the Sea Emperor Leviathan to carry and distribute Enzyme 42. All living Peepers today seem to retain this behaviour and have adapted to perform it. This is the sole reason why life has managed to survive on the planet since the release of Kharaa.
Uses in Crafting
Energy Value
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Data Bank Entries
A fast prey fish encountered in shallow waters and rich in protein.
Developed, Side-facing Eyes: Capable of discerning colors not just in shallows waters but in a variety of lighting conditions. It is also able to close its eyelids, thus preventing light from reflecting off the lenses and rendering the peeper almost invisible to night time predators.
Powerful Fins: This species has evolved powerful fins which enable rapid acceleration in still water, and the ability to leap meters into the air to avoid pursuers.
Beak: Likely used to break down corals and tough vegetation. An unusually large nasal cavity serves no obvious purpose and appears to be specially evolved to detect a single, specific enzyme. Nothing encountered on the planet so far produces a matching odor.
Expulsion Tubes: The tubes attached to the peeper's torso are connected directly to its stomach and gills, and appear to be designed to expel its contents on demand. Purpose unclear.
While the peeper is well adapted to survive in shallow waters, a number of its features serve no discernible purpose. It would appear to be just as well suited to survive in deeper waters and is somewhat more intelligent than the usual small herbivore.
Assessment: Edible (high-calorie count), further research required
Spoiler alert: The following section contains story related material.
A peeper specimen was observed emitting a faint, fluorescent enzyme trail, and engaging in unusual behavioral patterns.
Peeper is actively approaching other creatures, including predators
The specimen is host to a bacterial infection, however, the infection is currently dormant
Peeper's stomach cavity contains an unknown enzyme of foreign origin
Chemical Analysis of Enzyme:
Bears some superficial similarity to the stomach enzymes of larger predators
Contact with the enzyme appears to inhibit the symptoms of the bacterial infection
Complex structure renders synthesis impossible
Assessment:
Consumption of peepers carrying the enzyme may help to minimize symptoms - Recommend further research into enzyme origin
A catalog of information on the organisms previously contained within the alien facility. A number of entries have been translated.
Small Herbivore Gamma:
This entry seems to reference the common peeper. Shows no immunity to infection - death commonly occurs within 4 days. Shows symptom remission on exposure to Enzyme 42, but symptoms quickly recur. Shows advanced learning behaviors. Shows some capacity to transmit enzymes to other specimens.
Leviathan Embryos:
Adult specimen too large to study in containment. Egg specimens acquired from nesting site. Embryos show no signs of immunity - death commonly occurs within 3 weeks. Small sample of eggs has been retained for continued, high priority research on leviathan hatching mechanisms.
Large Carnivore Theta:
Off-site lab established to study remains. Shows some potential for immunity to infection, but physical remains so far proved insufficient for full reconstruction.
Unidentified Leviathan:
This leviathan species has been assigned designator 'Sea Emperor'. Bone samples from emperor specimens indicate some potential for kharaa immunity. Single specimen captured for study at purpose-built containment facility, constructed in volcanic region at depth 1.4km.
Assessment: While it is unlikely that the emperor specimen is still contained within the facility described, it may be possible to acquire further data there on the aliens' attempts to develop a vaccine.
While all other creatures encountered within the facility are isolated here, peepers appear to be coming and going of their own accord via the alien pipe network. They are exhibiting behaviour unseen anywhere else on 4546B.
On arrival, peepers are approaching the sea emperor
Peepers exhibit a natural affinity for the stomach enzymes being expelled by the emperor
Peepers which have come into contact with the enzyme are returning to the pipe network
Analysis:
This behavior must be the source of Enzyme 42 on 4546B or the area thereof which supports life
It is likely also responsible for the survival of the emperor and the other lifeforms contained within the facility
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