Foraging Plain

Foraging Plane – An Alien Ecosystem Simulation

Foraging Plane is a simulation of an alien ecosystem where creatures called Tacs search for food in tidal rock pools. The simulation shows how energy flows through an environment and how creatures might adapt to changes like high and low tide.

About This Project

"I created a simulation because I like simulations, and I saw an opportunity and went for it."

Inspired by science channels like Primer and games like The Sapling, this project was made using Godot Engine (4.2.1). It’s part of my entry into the Science Talent Search 2025, and was also a way for me to learn coding for the first time.

The idea was to build something that feels like real ecology and evolution, but set on an alien world where things don’t work exactly like Earth. I came up with the names “Tac” (from “cat”) and “Sutol” (from “lotus”) to make it feel more alien but still familiar.

Simulation Summary

Tacs are little amphibious alien animals. They move around during low tide, eating Sutols (a kind of alien algae).

When high tide arrives, they must flee to the right side of the screen or they'll disappear (die).

Tacs lose energy when they move. Fast ones burn energy quickly. Eating a Sutol gives them more energy.

If they have enough energy at the end of a day, they can lay an egg. Eggs hatch later—if the parents made smart choices.

Sutols also reproduce during high tide by attempting to grow in neighbouring grid cells.

The simulation is fully customisable—users can change movement speed, reproduction rules, and more.

“It’s interesting because they actually create little colonies.”

What You Can See in the Simulation

A green box: the simulation.

A purple box: the controls (UI).

Green squares = Sutols.

Tac creatures look a bit like fish with pincer-mouths. They glow when they eat!

You can change how quickly Sutols reproduce, how fast Tacs move, and how long tides last. Every time you run it, it’s a little different.

Scientific Focus

Ecosystem Dynamics

This simulation models energy flow in ecosystems. Sutols are producers. Tacs are herbivores. When Tacs eat too much or reproduce too fast, they go extinct. It becomes a “web of betrayal”—not just a circle of life.

Environmental Pressure

High tide creates danger. Tacs need to react fast or perish. It’s a test of strategy and survival.

Strategy Examples Observed:

Explosive Strategy: Fast, greedy Tacs eat everything quickly and then die out.

Colony Strategy: Balanced Tacs reproduce slowly, but their eggs survive. These last longer.

Tools Used

Godot Engine (4.2.1)

GDScript

Krita (for the sprites)

Credits

Dad – Helped me learn to code.

Mum – Gave me the time and space to do this.

Caitlyn Ingrim – Told me about this competition.

Wessel Stoop – Introduced me to ecosystem simulations.

Primer – Helped me understand how simulations work.

My Cat – Broke my computer with milk. I forgave him.

Future Plans

Add proper mutations and heritable traits.

Explore new Tac behaviours.

Make the environment more complex—maybe add predators or weather.

“Life found a way, and my project was completed. For now at least.”