Gatorclaws are genetically modified crocodilians that were created centuries after the Great War by Dr. Darren McDermot, a biologist working at the Safari Adventure Replication Facility. Left ghoulified by the radioactive fallout, he sustained himself using the Nuka-Gen Replicator to clone tissue samples and grow them for food.[1] This kind of life went on for centuries until Dr. McDermot spotted a group of scavengers wander into Safari Adventure. Knowing that the Nuka-Gen Replicator couldn't fall into the wrong hands, McDermot became determined to create a specimen that could protect him, as well as the facility. Even after admitting that he was going against his better judgement, he spliced a few of the more dangerous tissue samples he had left in the refrigeration storage at the facility.[2]
After a few years filled with mathematical and chemical research, he finally created something that could protect the Nuka-Gen Replicator: the gatorclaw. However, they could not be tamed as Dr. McDermot had hoped. They were too ferocious, impossible to control. Worse yet, Dermot was injured by the gatorclaws before he could shut the replicator down, leaving it intact and creating new gatorclaws at "an alarming rate." McDermot died of his wounds and recorded a final message pleading anybody to access the cloning lab and deactivate the replicator before it was too late.[3]
Characteristics
Biology
Identical in posture and general anatomy to a deathclaw, gatorclaws have minor external traits that reflect their alligator genetics. They have an elongated, sock-like head and no horns. Their back and tail are protected by heavy platelike scutes, lined on either side by dull spikes. Their claws are very short and more robust than their untampered counterparts. Their skin is a dull forest green, contrasting sharply with their pale grayish underbellies. They can sometimes be seen lying flat in the same manner that alligators do.
Gatorclaws have no tongue. They have the same animation as deathclaws when they "taste" the air with their tongue, but the gatorclaw appears to just sniff the air. It has a glottis like a deathclaw, but the tongue model appears to have been excluded.
Gameplay attributes
Their overall behavior is the same as that of the deathclaw, including walk cycles, attack animations and idle animations. They still use their claws to attack, despite having an ideal jaw structure for biting attacks. They also do not appear to have any grabbing attacks seen in deathclaws.
Once their related quest is completed, it is no longer possible to spawn anymore, as the cloning machine will endlessly spawn gazelles with no chance to end the process.
Variants
Gatorclaw
The most common variety of the gatorclaw, a total of 19 can be found all over Safari Adventure.
