Squigs

A Squig (short for "Squiggly Beast") is the simplest known form of Orkoid life. There are many types of Squig, each generally filling some functional or utilitarian role in the Ork ecosystem. They currently serve as the Orks' primary food source along with Orkoid Fungus, much like herd animals are for Humans.

There are many types of Squigs, but each can be generalised into a single variety, such as edible, musical, hair, medical, parasite-hunting, face-eaters, pet, buzzing and paint Squigs. Some, like the face-eater types, are little more than snapping, fanged mouths on legs.

Squigs naturally grow and breed within the cesspits of Ork settlements, subsisting on the larger Orkoid species' refuse, as well as local plants, animals, and each other. Tending the Squigs is the duty of the low-caste Orkoids known as Snotlings.

It has been theorised by the Genetors of the Adeptus Mechanicus that Squigs were created by the Orks' creators, the "Brain Boyz," as part of a simple, mobile ecosystem that sustains the Greenskin species as they travel from world to world, contributing to the success of this collection of species in conquering large parts of the galaxy.

Squig Eatin'

Squig herd — Snotlings herding a group of Squigs.

All Squigs are edible, but some Squigs are specifically bred as a food source by the Orks. Gretchin are responsible for cooking the Squigs raised and tended by Snotlings, though Orks will eat raw Squig if a cook cannot be found.

The rarest form of these Squigs are referred to as Juicy Squigs and require a special Gretchin cook to be prepared properly. Orks reserve the eating of Face-Eater Squigs for special contests.

Notable Squig Variants

Squigs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and all are extensively used by the Orks. The following represents an extensive list of all the known Squig variants; it is likely that there are many more that remain currently unknown to the xenographers of the Imperium. The notable Squig variants include:

Attack (Cave) Squigs

Attack Squigs are one of the most common types of Squig. An Attack Squig is a bouncing ball of claws and razor-sharp teeth, with immense variations in morphology between individuals, with some having horns and a devil-like tail, while others are single-eyed or single-nosed creatures. Gretchin use them as both a food source (if the Squig doesn't eat them first!) or as a weapon of war, pushing herds of them into the enemy. Orks like to keep them as pets, and sometimes even as weapons as well.

Bag Squigs

This type of Squig has a large, gaping mouth and a bag-like body that is almost entirely composed of stomach. The stomach functions secondarily as a pouch that allows the Squig to survive by slowly digesting food it stores up inside its body. If the Squig is dried out, it can be made into a flask for drinks. If it is tanned like leather, it makes a useful bag or belt pouch.

Bile Squigs

Bile Squigs comprise any breed of Squig that squirts, spray or vomit harmful fluids. They are a common ammunition for Squig Launchas and Heavy Squig Launchas used by Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies. Typically launched by the handful, these disgusting creatures squeal and thrash while madly jetting acids, lubricants, poisons and flammable bio-slop in every direction. The foe are drenched in disgusting -- and often harmful -- slime, leading to much hilarity amongst the Rukkatrukk crew as their victims slip, skid, scream in pain, burst into flames, dissolve or worse.

Bitey Squigs

Bitey Squigs include any squiggly beast with sufficient jaws, claws and stingers to savage the target and anything standing close by. They are a favourite ammunition for Ork Squig Launchas. Launched gnashing and snarling into the enemy, they latch onto the first thing they hit and do not stop chewing until they are bludgeoned, stomped or shot to death.

Bomb Squigs

Bomb squig2 — Imperial analysis of a Bomb Squig's components

Bomb Squigs are little more than common Squigs with explosives strapped to their sides or gripped firmly in their teeth. When properly goaded, they run headlong at their master's desired target, detonating their explosive payload when in close proximity. Bomb Squigs are used by Ork Tankbustas. A Bomb Squig is an ordinary Attack Squig covered in dynamite, Stikkbombz and other explosives. A Bomb Squig will charge towards an enemy vehicle and explode in a ball of fire and debris.

Those Bomb Squigs which accompany herds of Squighog Boyz often have their legs replaced with a single prosthetic wheel, and are ridden by Snotlings, who are not intelligent enough to tell that their steeds are rigged to explode.

Boom Squigs

The Boom Squig is infamous for its defence mechanism of violently exploding at the slightest provocation "to warn off predators." Typically triggered by direct physical contact or surprising loud noises -- or sometimes even by its own bouts of indigestion -- Boom Squigs detonate with such force that they kill or maim anything unlucky enough to be in the vicinity.

Needless to say, these creatures not only make for excellent ammunition for Squig Launchas, but they are also dropped by the crews of Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies as living landmines, and are favourite props when it comes to Greenskin practical jokes. Nothing provokes greater amusement amongst a Rukkatrukk crew than hiding a Boom Squig under their driver's seat, though this can prove inconvenient for everyone if it happens to trigger while the buggy is in full motion.

Bowel-torrent Squigs

The name speaks for itself. These Squigs are known to be among the most revolting and panic-producing organisms in the galaxy.

Burna' Squigs

The Burna' Squig can burst into flames after being thrown.

Buzzer Squigs

Buzzer Squigs are an insect-like variation of the Squig typically used by Orks in a Squig Katapult, as they are very vicious and a swarm can strip the flesh off a man-sized creature within seconds. Buzzer Squigs are found among Ork fungus groves and are trapped in pots by Gretchin. The special pots are made from sun-baked mud, drilled with tiny holes to allow the Squigs inside to breathe. The top of the vessel is corked shut and sealed with more mud once a good number of Squigs has been put inside.

Normally the Squigs feed by burrowing into other, larger Squigs or small animals such as rats, so when they are captured they soon begin to get very hungry. They can be kept without food in the pot for many solar weeks, getting angrier and more savage all the time.

Gretchin can tell which pots contain the angriest Squigs from the high pitch of the droning and the vibrations of the pot as the Squigs try to burrow out (the walls of the pot must be made thick and hard). These pots, each containing a small swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, are the missiles fired by the Squig Katapult. The pot cracks open on impact, releasing the swarm of enraged Buzzer Squigs, who attack anyone nearby.

Buzzing Squigs

The Buzzing Squig has tiny, propeller-like wings on its tail -- miniature airscrews that allow it to fly like a buzzing insect. When it contacts flesh (which it can smell), it bores in and eats its way straight through the unfortunate target. Upon emerging from the victim, it immediately dives back and bores through again, or sets upon another victim.

Orks have learned to use these deadly nuisances as weapons. Gretchin are set to work trapping them for dispersal as swarms around the battlefield. Buzzing Squigs may also be kept in pots and thrown from makeshift catapults like the Squig Katapult. When the pot containing the Buzzing Squigs cracks, it releases a swirling swarm of these flesh-eating monsters.

Chewin' Squig

The Chewin' Squig is another variant of the Gob Squig. An Ork can pop this sort of Squig into his mouth and chew on it while he sits and thinks (or sits and enjoys not thinking).

Colossal Squig

Colossal Squigs are the largest variants of Squigs known to exist. These cyclopean monsters boast an insatiable appetite, and are in essence no more than an impossibly vast fleshy maw studded with row upon row of scimitar-bladed teeth.

Eating Squig

An Eating Squig is a limbless blob used as the primary Ork food source. It resembles an elongated, squarish slug with two eyes and a small pug mouth between its two eyes.

Guard Squig (Squig Hound)

Ork Kaptins have been breeding a form of Squig known as a Guard Squig, or Squig Hound to some. This creature has all the ferocity of an Attack Squig, but is bred to be utterly loyal to its master and to stay by his side and protect him at all costs. Squig Hounds can be almost affectionate with their keeper and tend to lie at his feet like a contented dog unless danger arises.

Face-Eater Squigs (Gnasher Squigs)

The Face-Eater Squig is a toothed variety of Squig used both as a weapon and in the infamous Ork face-eating contests. These Squigs, which are also known as "Gnashers," or "Gnasher Squigs," are a vicious mass of sharp teeth and claws. In their active state they appear to be just a gnashing mouth and very little else, though they look much like any other Eatin' Squig when they are at rest. Because of their violent nature, Gnashers provide the Orks with endless entertainment, and Squig-eating is one of the Orks' favourite pastimes. The Ork and the Squig both open their mouths and bite, in a parody of a kiss. If the Ork eats the Squig, he wins. If he keels over backwards, he loses and usually the Squig eats him!

Flesheater Squig

In order to increase their wealth, some Orks breed large, ferocious beasts known as Flesheaters. The Flesheater has a great, gaping mouth like a crocodile, full of rows of sharp fangs that are similar to an Ork's canine teeth. Flesheaters continually shed and replace their teeth, and all the Orks have to do to collect this wealth is send a Gretchin to collect the teeth, who, of course, aren't overly keen on this duty. Like Ork teeth, Flesheater teeth also deteriorate after a few years. Flesheaters are extremely long-lived, but rarely breed in captivity, making them even more valuable. Most Orks who own Flesheaters are either already Nobz, or become Nobz on account of the wealth derived from owning these Squigs. Not surprisingly, impoverished Orks sometimes attempt to steal a Flesheater, or even raid rival settlements to capture them.

Gas Squig

The Gas Squig produces a toxic gas so Orks with gas masks throw this Squig in combat, using the Squig itself as a chemical weapon.

Gob Squig

Gob Squigs are small enough to be put into an Ork's mouth and left there for the rest of the day (or the next few days, if the Ork forgets about it). The Squig cleans the Ork's mouth out by rooting round the teeth and eating the juicy bits of food that are stuck between them.

Hair Squigs

Hair Squigs are a parisitic variety of Squig which possess small bodies, no legs, no eyes, and a pair of pincers in place of a mouth. They have long hair running from their tiny bodies that Orks like to customise and dye after clamping the Squig's pincers onto their own hairless heads, though this customisation has no effect on the Squig's health.

Hairy Squigs

The Painboyz have discovered medicinal uses for some Squigs, in particular the Hairy Squig. The Painboy simply applies it to the open wound, which it holds closed with its tiny, needle-like teeth. The Painboy then twists its tail off, leaving the head imbedded in the flesh, repeating the process until the wound is "riveted up." The Hairy Squig then feeds off blood oozing from the wound, thus keeping it clean and free from infection. By the time it shrivels and drops off, the wound has usually healed.

Herd Squig

Herd Squigs have been specially bred and developed by Runtherds for the purpose of herding and controlling the herds of Runtz. They are related to the many varieties of pet Squigs, but have been selectively bred for their speed, intelligence, ferocity and endurance. Their long, sensitive snouts and keen ears enable them to track down errant Snotlings and Gretchin wherever they might hide. Herd Squigs are excellent tracking beasts, and can follow trails which are days old.

Horned Squig

The Horned Squig is a Squig which is gifted with long, sharp horns stretching from its head that Orks often jam into barricades to serve as living obstacles.

Juicy Squig

The Juicy Squig is a very rare and delicious type of Eating Squig that may perhaps be the only known Ork delicacy. This Squig lives at the very bottom of an Ork fungal drop, and are not only rare, but difficult to find and bring up from the depths. Since these Squigs are seldom caught by the Gretchin and Snotlings, they often grow quite large and become even tastier as they get older.

Mimic

A particularly popular type of pet Squig is known as the Mimic. This Squig has a beak-like mouth and is vaguely parrot-like in appearance. Mimics can be seen perched on the shoulders of many an old and haggard Ork, casting expletives and insults at Greenskin passersby.

Oily Squig

The Oily Squig is a variety of Squig bred by Ork Meks to create fuel for the Orks' ramshackle vehicles. They create the fuel, an organically-synthesized version of promethium, in their rotund bellies, and it can be squeezed out of their anteater-like trunks. These Squigs have no mouths, other than their trunk, and are not combat-oriented like their far more aggressive counterparts. There exist two varieties of Oily Squigs, one with arms and a distinct head, and one that resembles an Attack Squig with a trunk for dispensing their fuel oil.

Orkeosaurus

The Orkeosaurus is the largest breed of Squiggoth that is used by the Orks. The Orkeosaurus is larger than all other Squiggoths, including the Gargantuan Squiggoth. The Orkeosaurus is usually found amongst Feral Ork tribes and is rarely, if ever, seen in use by the more technologically advanced Ork tribes.

Paint Squig

This small, vividly coloured Squig excretes powerful dyes that are used as warpaint. These paints are also used by Gretchin artists as pigments for wall paintings and decorative banners. Many Paint Squigs have tufts of hair on their trails, which allows the artist to use the Squig as both a brush and tube of paint simultaneously. The shells of Edible Squigs are also used by Gretchin artists as paint pots and palettes.

Parasite-Hunting Squig

Parasite-Hunting Squigs are tiny but voracious feeders used to clear an Orks' body and clothes of parasites. An Ork simply drops a handful of these Squigs into his clothing and lets them crawl around. The Squigs prey on lice, ticks or leeches the Ork may have acquired in the course of his many unsavoury habits. When the engorged Parasite-Hunting squigs drop out of the Ork's clothing, the Ork simply gathers them up and pops them into his mouth for a juicy chomp.

Screech Squig

This type of Squig has oversized lungs that allow it to make an extremely loud screech.

Spiky Squig

This type of Squig is covered with spines which it can shoot out at any threatening creature rather like a porcupine. These spines inflict a poisonous sting on anyone struck by them. Squigs of this kind are used in some bionik arms fitted with cages and a quick release system, so they can be used as a close combat weapon.

'Sploding Squig

An unusual subspecies of Squig, 'Sploding Squigs possess multiple stomachs, each containing a thick broth of unstable digestive chemicals. When agitated, usually though violent shaking, the 'Sploding Squig's digestive juices combine into a combustible liquid, causing the Squig to explode in a shower of meat, teeth, and bone fragments. While typically thrown in combat, 'Sploding Squigs are also often buried and used as mines. Orks are known to force-feed 'Sploding Squigs a meal of scrap metal before battle in an effort to enhance their lethality.

Squigeon

Squigeons are the Squig counterparts of the Terran carrier pigeon, often utilised for sending messages during battle amongst Ork tribes that lack more advanced methods of communication.

Squighawk

Squighawks are a wild, flying species of Squig that are large enough to eat Orks. They are often too difficult to be trained and are rarely used by Ork Runtherdz.

Squighog

Squighogs are large, four-legged Squigs used as cavalry mounts by squadrons of Ork Squighog Boyz.

Squighounds ("Growler Squigs")

Squighounds, commonly known as "Growlers," are a variation of the Attack Squig, used by Ork Slaverz to help them keep the Gretchins and slaves from other races in line, some have four legs, although two-legged varieties certainly exist. "Growlers" are also often kept as a form of pet by other Orks, as they are roughly the size of a small dog, hairy, and particularly vicious. A Pet Squig often scurries about behind its master, barely under his control, giving its owner no end of amusement -- especially when the Squig snaps at the ankles of another Ork.

Squigosaur

Squigosaurs are large, two-legged Squigs that Beast Snaggas ride upon. The most well known Squigosaur is the legendary Big Chompa ridden by the Snakebite Beast Snagga Beastboss Mozrog Skragbad.

Squigpipe (Musical Squig)

This special type of Squig is used by the Orks as a musical instrument. Several tube-like proboscises emanate from this Squig's bag-like body. The Musical Squig can be tucked under one arm and inflated by blowing down the proboscis. Then, by squeezing the Squig, weird and terrifying sound scan be made through the creature's proboscis pipes. This turns the Squig into a musical instrument, much like the bagpipes, but a thousand times more cacophonous. Orks like to go into battle accompanied by the squirl of this Squig.

Squigshark

Squigsharks are the Squig counterparts of Terran sharks that inhabit Ork-infested worlds. They are known to be very dangerous beasts and many Ork sailors end their lives as a snack for Squigsharks.

Squiggoths

Squiggoths are the largest type of Squig, huge quadruped monsters used by the Orks as beats of burden and sometimes as living weapons. Since they're so large and tough, some Orks like to lash armour plating and gunz onto the larger Squiggoths, which can rival tanks and buildings in size.

Stikksquig

A Stikksquig is an exploding Squigg similar to a Bomb Squig that is often used by the crew of Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies in lieu of Stikkbombs as a form of anti-personnel grenade.

Swab Squig

The Swab Squig is a type of Hair Squig, but unlike the long trailing hair of its cousins, its round body is covered with short, fluffy fur. Orks use Swab Squigs to mop up during operations, and they come in handy for emergency handkerchiefs too.

Syringe Squig

Syringe Squigs are primarily used for medicinal purposes. This medical Squig has natural properties which Painboyz find used in their craft of patching together battle-damaged Orks. Syringe Squigs have a long needle-sharp proboscis with which they inject venom into their prey. Syringe Squigs exude a soporific venom which makes a fine anaesthetic for Orks.

Vaccine Squig

A Vaccine Squig's own immune system produces natural vaccines and antibodies to a host of different pathogens that are extracted and used by Painboyz to aid diseased Orks.

Vampire Squig

The Vampire Squig is a blood-sucking creature with long sharp fangs, used by Painboyz to bleed the patient and suck bad blood and pus from septic wounds. The Squig does not seem to mind what the blood is like or from what species it comes so long as it gets a regular and plentiful supply. When times are hard (which for Orks is when there's not much fighting) the Painboyz are forced to find other ways to keep their pets alive, which they do by extolling the benefits of regular bleedings to otherwise healthy Orks.

Wyrdsquig

A Wyrdsquig is a little known psychic Squig subspecies, that has close genetic links to the Gnasher Squig. This subspecies is rarely encountered in the wild and possesses psychic abilities similar to those of Ork Weirdboyz. The Wyrdsquig is often employed in battle as a "psychic bomb," releasing a catastrophic telepathic shockwave at the moment of its death.

Canon Conflict

In accordance with older canon, xenographers of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos once held that Squigs were bred by the lost Ork caste the Greenskins refer to as the "Brain Boyz," who were actually most likely the Old Ones, the ancient, reptilian intelligent species that dominated the Milky Way Galaxy millions of standard years ago and may have created the Orks' ancestors, the Krorks, to serve as a "biological weapon" to defeat their enemies the C'tan.

However, Squigs were originally introduced as a Tyranid unit said to have been derived by the Tyranids from Ork DNA. It is now a generally accepted fact that the Squigs were the result of the Tyranids' manipulation of Orkoid genetic material. The Orks discovered the first Squigs aboard a Tyranid bio-ship and subconsciously recognised them as being "Orky," subsequently taking the little creatures home with them. Squigs then spread throughout Ork space.

This reality explains how Squigs have appeared in both the Ork and Tyranid armies. Since then, Tyranid Squigs have been recognised instead as the Tyranid bioform that are now known to the Imperium as Rippers.

Since the release of later editions of Ork codexes, this Tyranid origin for Squigs is no longer considered canon and instead has been replaced by the possible origin of Squigs as a deliberately created part of the Orkoid ecosystem by the Orks' creators.