آخر تحديث في فبراير 16, 2024

في عالم سلسلة الكثبان الرملية لفرانك هربرت, يعد كوكب Arrakis الصحراوي موطنًا لاثنين من المخلوقات الفريدة والرائعة: الديدان الرملية و Sandtrouts.

These creatures are not only integral to the ecology of Arrakis, but they also play a significant role in the socio-political landscape of the universe due to their connection with the production of the valuable substance known as “the spice” or “melange”.

ما هي الديدان الرملية وSandtout في الكثبان الرملية
Sandworms and sandtrout: the terrifying extraterrestrial creatures of the Dune universe.

What Are Sandworms in Dune?

The Sandworms of Arrakis, also known as “Shai-Hulud” by the native Fremen, are colossal, worm-like creatures that can reach up to 400 meters in length.

They are characterized by their segmented bodies, which are covered in a thick, rough exoskeleton, and their three-part jaws filled with crystalline teeth.

The Sandworms are attracted to rhythmic vibrations on the sand’s surface, which they interpret as potential prey. This makes spice mining a perilous activity, as the machinery used in the process can attract the deadly creatures.

The life cycle of the Sandworm is complex and closely tied to the ecology of Arrakis.

The Sandworms produce a type of larva known as Sandtrouts, which are responsible for the creation of the spice.

The Sandworms’ aggressive and territorial nature, combined with their role in spice production, makes them a central figure in the Dune series.

These alien creatures are revered by the Fremen, who consider them to be physical manifestations of the divine.

Sandworm in Dune. من 2021 movie.
Sandworm. من 2021 movie.

What Are Sandtrouts in Dune?

The Sandtrouts, or “Little Makers” as they are sometimes called, are the larval form of the Sandworms.

They are small, leech-like creatures that exist in vast numbers in the sands of Arrakis.

The Sandtrouts serve a crucial role in the ecology of the planet by encapsulating water in the sand, creating a suitable environment for the Sandworms to thrive.

The Sandtrouts are attracted to water, which they encapsulate in a spice precursor.

متأخر , بعد فوات الوقت, these encapsulated pockets of water heat up due to the planet’s geothermal energy, eventually leading to an explosive chemical reaction that creates melange.

The Sandtrouts then consume the melange, growing and eventually transforming into Sandworms.

The Sandtrouts’ ability to transform a terraformed planet into a desert environment suitable for Sandworms is a key plot point in the Dune series.

The character Leto Atreides II uses this ability to his advantage by allowing several Sandtrouts to attach themselves to his body, turning himself into a human-Sandworm hybrid in a bid to guide humanity along his Golden Path.

Sandtrout in Dune. Concept art illustration.
Sandtrout. Concept art illustration.

To sum things up, the Sandworms and Sandtrouts of the Dune series are more than just creatures native to the planet of Arrakis. They are central to the series’ plot, influencing the socio-political landscape of the universe and shaping the destiny of its characters.

Their unique characteristics and roles in the ecology of Arrakis make them a fascinating subject of study for fans of the series.


اقرأ أيضا: ما هو طبل الرمال في الكثبان الرملية?

اترك رد