shadowbugtidbits

[shadowbugtidbits]

Shadowbugs: The Wake-Up Call

Befriending a Shadowbug often means you won't need an alarm clock...and you might have to try harder to sleep in.

Once a Shadowbug gets settled into your routine, they will wake up at whatever time you do.

However, on days in which you try to sleep in, your Shadowbug friend will still stick to the routine and wake up around the time you usually do. When they see you sleeping in, they might start trying to wake and get you out of bed so you can start the day.

They might try things such as pulling the blanket off, nibbling your fingers, gently mouthing your head, or giving your face little "mlems". If these don't work, the Shadowbug might opt to go back to sleep alongside you or find something to keep them occupied until you wake up.

Newly befriended Shadowbugs and Shadowbabies are a different story. Due to their circadian rhythms not being aligned with yours, newly befriended Shadowbugs and Shadowbabies have a tendency to try and wake you up in the middle of the night (around 12 AM, etc). So, you might wake up at this time because the lovable lug has started trying to get you out of bed...Which is adorable but can be aggravating.

[shadowbugtidbits]

Little Fun Factoid:

In lieu of animatronic performers, some family restaurants have one or two Shadowbug performers that often interact with the patrons and employees. These Shadowbugs are socialized and trained to be gentle with the guests, as well as given many cuddles and treats for their efforts. A lot of times, the Shadowbugs are just told to "be silly goobers" during their performances and to not do a show if they're not feeling it. The Shadowbugs also have control over the show schedule, so they can pick times they think would be best. There are many human employees at these places to help out so the Shadowbugs aren't carrying the whole load themselves (though they may be asked to go into their shadow form to help clean the indoor playground; those tubes are filthy and hard to clean).

Despite the fact that many people are wary or even terrified of Shadowbugs, many who are neutral towards or love Shadowbugs enjoy going there with their children. Little kids especially love playing games with the Shadowbugs, like hide-and-seek or tag.

These Shadowbugs might be ones that the owner has befriended, or they may be ferals that wandered in and decided to stick around for snacks and affection.

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Sometimes, Shadowbabies will struggle to stay awake if they don't get to take a nap every once in a while.

They might also do this if they're particularly bored, like a young kid in the middle of algebra class.

[shadowbugtidbits]

Shadowbug-Themed Foods (Because Potatoes)

Shadow Sorbet: A scoop of berry sorbet with charcoal added to it, giving it a distinct black coloration; comes with two pieces of black licorice shaped to look like a Shadowbug's antennas

Moobug Milkshake: A vanilla shake infused with chocolate cookies and fudge swirls; topped with whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and comes with a vanilla straw

Shadowbug Supreme: An XL, stuffed and garlic butter flavored crust pizza with five different types of meat; is topped with pepperoni, hamburger meat, bacon, veal, and chicken

Feel free to add your own to this list!

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Some people will tell you that Shadowbugs are incredibly spiteful and easily hold grudges. This is only partially true.

Though Shadowbugs can hold grudges and even take revenge, you would have to do something extremely drastic. Like, you'd have to be going out of your way to seriously harm or kill them, their Shadowbabies, friends, or family. That's the things that they won't forgive. It's a whole different story if these are accidental, however.

A Shadowbug won't be too mad if you accidentally step on their tail or tug at their antennas like some believe. If this was the case, then Shadowbugs would a lot more dangerous (especially around kids, who are more likely to be rough because they might not know any better).

[shadowbugtidbits]

An interesting misconception about Shadowbabies is that if a human were to touch them, they would be putting the little one's life at risk. This is because some believe that if a Shadowbug smells a hint of human on their baby, they will abandon it because they no longer recognize it as theirs.

However, Shadowbugs are very good at differentiating their babies. If they detect the small scent of a human hand on their baby's head, they will still recognize it as their offspring due to the scent on the rest of their body. Shadowbugs also use other factors to differentiate their offspring such as appearance and mannerisms.

Even if a Shadowbug finds a Shadowbaby whose scent doesn't match any of its other offspring, the Shadowbaby isn't in any danger. Shadowbugs often adopt Shadowbabies that aren't theirs if they determine if the biological parents are deceased*.

(*Note: Shadowbugs take turns hunting for their babies in 6-hour increments, with one staying in the den to babysit. If neither of the Shadowbug parents are present after this period, then the Shadowbug parents may be dead from factors such as shadow fever. A Shadowbug might find the deceased parents nearby in some cases and then adopt the orphaned offspring).

[shadowbugtidbits]

Hey. This blog is NOT dead.

The Shadowbugs and I have just been busy with studying and homework because the end of the semester is in sight.

...And one of the Shadowbabies is currently trying to eat my homework. STINKER, NO! STOP THAT, THAT'S NOT FOOD-

[shadowbugtidbits]

Fun Bonding Activities to do With a Shadowbug Friend

1. Play a game (board games, hide-and-seek, fetch, etc)

2. Brain exercises (puzzles, coloring pages, building, etc)

3. Cuddles (snuggling, hugs, cuddle piles, etc)

4. Study buddies (having them accompany you while studying and during exams if possible)

5. Chores (letting them help out with tasks around the house)

6. Chilling out (watching a movie, playing video games, or just hanging around)

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Human: *Hears a noise and opens the door*

Feral Shadowbug: *Is wordlessly standing outside on the porch, partially in her shadow form*

Human: *Jumps a bit and backs away, ready to book it*

Feral Shadowbug: *Stands for a few moments* "Sorry..." *Politely closes the door and leaves*

(Based on this video. Note: I do believe that this bear might be trained due to the tags on its ears, but I might be wrong. It's a cute video though. XD)

[shadowbugtidbits]

An Interesting Tidbit

Some people are deathly afraid of being in proximity to Shadowbabies. The reason for this? Some people think that if they simply glance at or walk by a Shadowbaby while the parents are around, then the parents will immediately react with the intent to k-ll. Thus, these people often hasten their walk or flee in terror when they see Shadowbabies (and curl up into a ball and wait for the end if said Shadowbabies curiously approach them).

Shadowbugs are protective of their young. However, they are not likely to see a person minding their own business as a threat to the young. But they will still keep an eye on that person just in case they get any funny ideas (or if the Shadowbaby gets curious and starts trying to interact with the person).

[shadowbugtidbits]

Shadowbug Mom: *Brings home Skoodge and places him among the Shadowbabies*

Skoodge: *Stays for a minute* "Uhhh...I have to go now..." *Tries to leave*

Shadowbug Mom: *Gently picks Skoodge up by the back of his shirt collar, then carries him back over with the Shadowbabies* "Baby stay." *Nuzzles*

Skoodge: *Sighs, but eventually sneaks away later that day*

[shadowbugtidbits]

I am probably going to post a slightly-improved Shadowbug ref pretty soon. I just need to tweak it a bit and it'll be ready.

By the by, it's not going to be perfect. There might be a few mistakes and goofs, but I am trying to kick perfectionism to the curb in this hobby.

[shadowbugtidbits]

The experience of having a Shadowbug friend:

"When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you...and gives you a hug."

[shadowbugtidbits]

Little Tidbit:

All Shadowbugs have to be extremely cautious when they shake hands with a human or Irken.

Their grip strength is immense, with the largest Shadowbugs being powerful enough to break metal in half by just squeezing it.

If they're not careful, a Shadowbug can accidentally break your hand if they grasp it too hard. Thankfully, a lot of these lugs are aware of their strength and are incredibly gentle when interacting with others. Though, Shadowbabies often have to be reminded to be gentle because they might not know their own strength.

[shadowbugtidbits]

Fun Fact:

Some Shadowbugs have an interest in playing instruments, with some being quite good at it. A few Shadowbugs can play instruments on a professional level and sometimes perform with musicians.

However, most Shadowbugs and Shadowbabies just have fun pressing random keys on a piano or blowing into a harmonica. The music they make from that is still beautiful (and silly) nonetheless. XD

[shadowbugtidbits]

Shadowbaby: "Hah..." *Sniffles* "Hah...HaBrRrRrRrRp-" *Shakes his head and sniffles again* "Hah...haaaaah...HaBrRrRrRrRp-"

[shadowbugtidbits]

Nobody:

Shadowbabies staring at you, wanting a bite of whatever you're eating no matter what it is: