Subnautica 2 features 43 creature archetypes across the alien ocean of Proteus. From passive grazers in the starter shallows to pack-hunting Leviathans patrolling the edge of the known map, the ecosystem is incredibly diverse.
This guide ranks the major Subnautica 2 creature threats by danger tier, then covers passive fauna with useful scan rewards and survival notes.
Subnautica 2 entered Early Access on May 14, 2026. All creatures’ information in this guide reflects the Early Access launch build as of May 21, 2026.
1. Leviathan-Class Threats
The Leviathan classification covers the largest organisms on Proteus, but the tier spans a wide range of threat levels.
The current build has five Leviathan-class species: two are apex predators, one is a stationary trap, one is defensively aggressive, and one will not attack you at all. Knowing each Leviathan’s distinct behavior profile is the foundation of late-game survival.
1.1. Shiver Leviathan
Use the Camouflage Biomod to safely scan Shiver Leviathans near the red map boundary.
The Shiver Leviathan is one of the most dangerous creatures currently in the game. Its threat comes from pack coordination, not raw size alone. A full shiver consists of one large female and several smaller, faster juveniles.
The juveniles flank while your attention stays on the larger threat. Any contact with a Shiver’s jaws is an instant kill, whether you are on foot or inside a Tadpole.
Shivers become scannable only if you stay at the Void‘s edge and let the creature come to you. Distraction Flares do not work, so follow the scan route in order:
- Stop just inside the red boundary instead of pushing deeper into the Void.
- Activate the Camouflage Biomod and stay completely still.
- Wait for a Shiver to drift into scanner range.
- Complete the scan, then immediately retreat across the boundary into safe water.
1.2. Collector Leviathan
Encountering the Collector Leviathan near the Tadpole Pens platform.
The Collector Leviathan is the main gate between mid-game and late-game progression. It patrols the Outer Bounds and Sparse Plains biomes east of the Lifepod.
Unlike most creatures, it pursues the player relentlessly across biome boundaries. Its sonar pulse can stun before it grabs, and its four bioglass-tipped tentacles deal heavy damage to armor. Scanning it is required to unlock the Sonic Echo Biomod.
The safest way to scan the Collector Leviathan is to use your Tadpole as bait.
- Vehicle Bait: Ride a Tadpole into Collector territory and let it grab the vehicle.
- Positioning: Dismount and position yourself directly behind the Collector’s head while it attacks.
- Scan Window: Hold the scanner on it for 4 seconds without breaking the line of sight.
- Escape: Swim clear immediately and repair your Tadpole once you are safe.
1.3. Great Jaw
Taking a close look at the Giant Jaw Leviathan and a quick glance at a nearby Oxygen Tunic.
The Great Jaw is a stationary Leviathan that operates as a biological trap. It sits with its shell open, silently waiting.
The interior is laced with sensitive pink tendons. If you trip one, the eyes snap open, the shell slams shut, and the creature releases lethal acid. Players caught fully within the shell do not survive.
The nearest Great Jaw sits approximately 280 meters south-southwest of the Lifepod. Players willingly risk the interior because it contains Lithium deposits, Metal Salvage, and scannable blueprints for Portable Oxygen Generators.
- Air Bladder: Equip one before entering. This is an absolute requirement.
- Resource Mining: Use the Sonic Resonator to break Lithium chunks. Position your back against a wall to absorb the tool’s knockback.
- Emergency Escape: If a pink tendril triggers, activate the Air Bladder immediately to rocket toward the surface before the jaws lock.
1.4. Coral Crab
Coral Crabs are not active hunters, but will charge if you approach their coral domes too closely.
The Coral Crab hides under a living coral dome, using it as camouflage and armor, making it visually indistinguishable from the reef until it moves.
It is not an active hunter. It charges using a Dome Ram attack when players approach its dome too closely, or when a nearby Hammerhead rams into its territory. Scanning it unlocks the Water Retention Biomod.
Learn to recognize coral domes that do not sway with the current before closing the distance. Maintain wide spacing, and the Coral Crab will not engage.
1.5. Deepwing Brooder
True Deepwing Egg Clumps restore 80 nourishment and 80 hydration, but oily decoy blobs burst on contact.
The Deepwing Brooder is the only Leviathan-class organism that poses absolutely zero threat. It travels in groups of three, roughly 1,200 to 1,400 meters east of the Lifepod, drifting above the Alien Ruins.
The Brooder drops oily decoy blobs and true Deepwing Egg Clumps while drifting. The main danger is not the Brooder itself, but the surrounding biome’s poor visibility and hostile fauna.
The danger during a Brooder encounter comes entirely from the surrounding biome’s poor visibility and hostile fauna. Bring a Tadpole and visit during the day, as its silhouette blends into the dark open water at night.
2. Apex Non-Leviathan Predators
Below the Leviathan tier are two threats that operate at a level above that of standard predators. Neither carries a Leviathan classification, but both demand extreme situational awareness.
2.1. Marrowbreach Alpha
The Marrowbreach Alpha is roughly 50% larger than a standard Marrowbreach. It lacks a unique scan icon, meaning it appears in shared territory without any warning.
Its file-locked PDA log documents its ability to digest human tissue directly. It occupies the dominant position within its territory and displaces standard specimens.
Unusual Houndgar density around a Marrowbreach is a strong Alpha indicator. It still circles and test-bumps before committing to an attack. Use the Dash Biomod to break engagement during that circling phase rather than waiting to absorb the first hit.
2.2. Epicurean
An Epicurean displaying a bloated stomach is infected by a Tongue Thief and will attack relentlessly.
The Epicurean is a large omnivore abundant in the Karakorum Metal Farms biome. Its standard behavior is already aggressive, driven entirely by hunger.
Its most dangerous form occurs when infected by the Tongue Thief, a small parasitic creature that permanently blocks fullness signals to the brain. Infected Epicureans believe they are starving and attack with unrelenting hunger.
- Visual Tells: An infected Epicurean displays a visibly bloated stomach and a gaping mouth that rests open.
- Vehicle Immunity: Epicureans will pursue players on foot but will not attack actively piloted vehicles.
- Parasite Removal: Fire the Sonic Resonator at the Epicurean’s mouth to expel the Tongue Thief and instantly neutralize the threat.
3. High-Danger Active Predators
This tier covers the main predator layer encountered during normal progression. These creatures feature active hunting AI and engage on sight across multiple biomes, making stealth tools like the Camouflage Biomod absolutely essential for safe navigation.
3.1. Marrowbreach
Use the Camouflage Biomod to easily drop a Marrowbreach’s aggro when it begins to circle you.
The standard Marrowbreach is the primary predator of the Coral Gardens and Graveyard biomes. It operates in a symbiotic relationship with Houndgars, who help locate prey.
Before committing to a full bite, it circles or test-bumps the player. A Houndgar cluster in open water almost always indicates a Marrowbreach nearby. Camouflage is fully effective against them.
3.2. Needler Mango
The Needler Mango nest southeast of the Alien Ruins Research Outpost is the main place to look for Creature Enamel.
The Needler Mango is a large predator with a documented nest roughly 250 meters southeast of the Alien Ruins Research Outpost. The area is the primary source of Creature Enamel.
The Giant Needler Mango claims the dominant position within the nest. Scanning a Needler Mango unlocks the Dermal Garden Biomod, which grows edible algae on your skin to reduce food pressure.
3.3. Surge Jelly
Surge Jellies lack attack animations but deal massive damage to vehicles upon direct physical contact.
The Surge Jelly is classified as a herbivore, but its electrical discharge makes it incredibly dangerous. It delivers a jolt strong enough to kill a player on direct contact and deals heavy damage to Tadpole systems.
Although it drifts passively and does not hunt, treat Surge Jelly as a considerable threat because direct contact can kill the player and heavily damage Tadpoles. Scanning it alongside a Hammerhead is required to unlock the Homing Sense Biomod.
3.4. Twin Sitaray
Equip the Electric Discharge Biomod to actively stun Twin Sitarays before they attack.
The Twin Sitaray is an active electrical predator found in the deeper transition zones. It delivers shock attacks on contact and poses a significant risk to vehicles and base equipment.
The Electric Discharge Biomod is highly effective as a stun option here, reliably disrupting Twin Sitaray attacks before they can connect.
3.5. Scourge Hive
The Scourge Hive is a social predator with group-based aggression. Engaging a single specimen in a hive context quickly draws others.
Do not engage inside Scourge Hive territory without a clear exit route. Fortunately, the Camouflage Biomod is fully effective against them.
4. Moderate Threats and Pack Hunters
This tier contains threats that are entirely survivable with basic awareness, but they will consistently punish players who enter their zones unprepared, ignore territorial boundaries, or take sloppy navigation shortcuts.
4.1. Hammerhead
Camouflage is ineffective against Hammerheads, as they react to territorial proximity rather than sight.
The Hammerhead is a territorial herbivore with jet-driven ram attacks that deal serious damage. It responds aggressively to anything that enters its territory radius, including Coral Crabs.
Unlike most predators, the Hammerhead responds to physical proximity rather than visual detection, making Camouflage generally ineffective. Scanning a Hammerhead alongside a Surge Jelly unlocks the Homing Sense Biomod.
4.2. Nibbler Mango
Deploy a Chum Cloud Biomod to safely distract Nibbler Mango packs if they corner you.
The Nibbler Mango is a pack predator that patrols northern routes out of the starting area. Solo encounters are manageable, but attacking one specimen quickly draws the entire pack.
Scanning a Nibbler Mango unlocks the Slow Metabolism Biomod. If caught by a pack, use the Camouflage Biomod to instantly drop aggro or deploy a Chum Cloud to distract them.
4.3. Sandspear
Avoid swimming directly against the seafloor in sandy biomes to prevent triggering Sandspear ambush attacks.
The Sandspear is an ambush predator that buries itself in the sandy seafloor of the Anemone Hills biome, with only a plant-like lure exposed.
Swim at mid-water height in sandy areas to avoid triggering its attack cutscene. Scanning it alongside the Electric Geordie is required to unlock the Bioluminescence Biomod.
4.4. Houndgar
Houndgar clusters serve as reliable early-warning indicators that a Marrowbreach is nearby.
The Houndgar operates in a symbiotic relationship with the Marrowbreach. On its own, it is a low-tier threat, primarily functioning as a proximity indicator for larger predators.
Scanning a Houndgar alongside a Toxic Sponge is required to unlock the Chum Cloud Biomod.
4.5. Cerathecan
The Cerathecan is most relevant during early biome exploration, before you have reliable stealth tools. Once the Camouflage Biomod is unlocked, activate it to bypass the encounter and keep moving rather than treating the Cerathecan as a major fight.
5. Situational Hazards
These creatures are not biome-defining dangers, but they can punish careless scanning, cave exploration, vehicle use, or close-range movement. Treat them as situational hazards rather than constant predators.
5.1. Foureye
The Foureye is a small predator, but its fused two-body structure makes it tougher than its size suggests. Do not waste time trying to brute-force it during routine exploration; keep distance and treat it as a durable nuisance rather than a quick kill.
5.2. Waxmoon
The Waxmoon uses standard hunting AI and sits in the moderate-risk range. If it closes the distance, use Camouflage or Dash to break contact rather than engage in a prolonged fight.
5.3. Bullethead
Scanning a Bullethead early in your playthrough unlocks the essential Camouflage Biomod.
The Bullethead is found in the caves beneath Observatory Island and in the hot caves of Root Canyon. When resting, it clings to cave walls and rock formations.
Approaching or shining a light on it causes it to detach and attack by ramming at high speed. While its individual threat is negligible, it is one of the most important targets for scanning in the game. Scanning it unlocks the Camouflage Biomod.
5.4. Electric Geordie
The Electric Geordie spawns across Observatory Island, the Karakorum Power Plant, and Root Canyon. It is attracted to the Tadpole submersible and will approach and latch onto the hull regardless of whether the vehicle is actively piloted.
Scanning it alongside the Sandspear unlocks Bioluminescence. Scanning it alone unlocks the Electric Discharge Biomod, providing an 800-volt active shock defense.
6. Passive Fauna
Passive fauna define the tone of the alien ocean. They graze, filter, and drift without initiating attacks. Several are also required as Bioscanner targets to unlock highly valuable utility Biomods.
| Creature | Danger Level | Behavior & Utility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Geordie | Harmless | Common, non-aggressive grazer. |
| Flash Slug | Harmless | Small herbivore. Can be combined with salt to craft isotonic water. |
| Water Slug | Harmless | Scanning unlocks the Water Secretion Biomod (filters seawater into water packets). |
| Hoverthorn | Harmless | Scanning unlocks the Threat Sense Biomod (detects nearby predators). |
| Periscopic Clowncrab | Harmless | Three-legged social crustacean featuring hover-thrusters and visible parenting behavior. |
| Pneuma | Harmless | Occupies mid-zone reef areas. |
| Snorkleback | Harmless | Found in multiple biomes; both adult and juvenile variants are fully passive. |
| Giant Tube Salp | Harmless | Large open-water filter-feeder. |
| Tongue Thief | Harmless (Alone) | A small parasite. It only becomes a threat when it parasitizes an Epicurean. |
