Editing The Horta Report (section)

== Life as a Young Horta ==
[[Image:horta3.jpg|thumb|left|Horta nodules]]Hortas are birthed out of [[silicon nodules]] or eggs. They hatch without any armor and are still soft and exude acid uncontrollably. They are born hungry and begin tunneling and feeding almost immediately and within a week or so their first protective armor shell has formed. They vary about 1/2 to 1 foot across in size and are round or ovoid when first hatched. Often their first meal is whatever is left of their silicon egg shell. As they grow their first armor shell, they gain control over their ability to exude acid to which they themselves are immune. 

Dancing or twirling is one behavior that has been observed in young Horta to express joy and playfulness. This behavior is most often exhibited after they have hardened their first shell of armor and have gained basic control over exuding acid. After their first few weeks of life most Horta are competitive to some degree and enjoy racing games through their caves and existing tunnels.

They are faster when smaller and lighter. As they age and become larger and heavier their armor grows thicker, and they gradually lose the ablity to be as quick. Young Hortas have been clocked at moving up to 7 miles per hour. It is presently unknown what might be its top speed. They can move quickly and quietly when needful even as adults.