User blog comment:Lord Loss/Monster Hunter Theory... Blog/@comment-765166-20120321130133/@comment-4674269-20120331160556

I believe at at the start a Taikun's life, they are born like they are without the orange shell. They live thier early life deep under ground and start out by building tunnel systems with the drill and pickaxe claw. Because they are most likely not blind like other subterrainian lifeforms, the bioluminescent electricity is used to help it see in the dark (Or fend off any wandering Pariapuria in more watery parts of the tunnels). After a secure tunnel system is in place, It starts to grow its orange shell and live closer to the surface. The new hammer claw could be used to smash larger rocks, colapse entire sections of tunnels in order trap prey, and or as a shield against other monsters. The shell works as a protective layer from not only monsters but probably sunlight and in rare cases underground magma pockets from the volcano on the Tide Island. The probably helps with manevering though water if tunnels become flooded when the tide comes. Over time wet sand and mud along with barnicales and corals build up on Zamuza's shell adding another protective coating.