Tangletoad is a wide-eyed amphibian with a tongue as quick as a lightning bolt and more knot knowledge than most critters could dream of.

Species: Wartus Longtonguieus

Habitat: Murky waters, the shorelines of Class 3+ rapids, rarely in desert or dry terrain, but documentation exists of multiple sightings in slot canyons during flood season.

Region of Gearlandia: The wetlands of Gear Hollow and traveling between various Rigging Grounds 

Diet: Flies, Gearlandia gnats, retired cordage, and gummy fruit snacks. 

Behavior: Displaying their legendary Knot-snap abilities, then slowing down to teach new knot enthusiasts ways to tie and dress their knots.

Special Abilities:

• Lightning fast prehensile tongue

• Ties textbook-perfect knots with a flick and snap

• Can grab a passing worm, expertly tie it into various knots, from figure eights to alpine butterflies, and then gently set it free, slightly dizzy but unharmed.

Backstory:
Long ago, Tangletoad was just a curious tadpole fascinated by the intricate root systems and vines that criss-crossed his marshy home. Watching the swamp critters rig and anchor their shelters, he became obsessed with the strength and artistry of knots. Without hands, he adapted; training his tongue to weave, loop, and dress knots better than anyone else. Today, Tangletoad is a wandering knot tutor of Gearlandia, hopping between various Rigging Grounds, offering impromptu knot classes to any critter willing to learn... usually in exchange for a gummy Swedish Fish or a shady spot by the water.

Signature Move:
The “Knot-Snap”- tying a complete figure 8 on a bight midair with just one flick of his tongue. It’s a move so fast it’s nearly mythical.

Gearhead Connection: If you’ve ever taught a rigging class or helped someone "learn the ropes" here on Earth, you might know the feeling of getting tongue-tied mid-explanation. Don’t worry, it just means you share a little connection with the Tangletoad. With practice (and thankfully, using your hands), you too can master your own version of the Knot-Snap.

Bight-Sized Tidbit: Did you know the collective noun for a group of toads or frogs is called a Knot? Yep, it’s true! Also interesting is that there are specialty decorative knots called Frog Knots. So it is 100% accurate to reference Knot Frogs and Frog Knots among your fellow knot nerds!