Hippogriff

Basic Information

Anatomy

In terms of anatomy, hippogriffs don't differ too dramatically from their griffin parents. They have the front legs, head, and wings of a bird, and the back half of a horse. In fact, most of the feline anatomy makes no appearance in hippogriffs.

Anatomically, hippogriffs lean more towards horses than griffins. Their bones, while still similar to griffins' in density, lean more towards the strength provided by the horses. Hippogriffs are much larger than griffins and live in larger numbers, but have a more tempered personality ill-suited for fighting with other species.

Genetics and Reproduction

Only the two largest species of griffin, royal griffins and golden griffins, have been known to successfully breed with horses to produce a hippogriff foal. However, nowadays, most hippogriffs come from a lineage of pure hippogriff; the last successful "first generation" hippogriff breeding took place centuries ago. The practice has since been banned due to the harsh treatment griffins in captivity often face.

Growth Rate & Stages

Hippogriffs are much longer lived than griffins, often reaching ages of 25 Earth years / 14 Thean years. They stay with their parents for the first two years of life, at which point the younglings leave to join another flight (also called herds). Females are easily accepted into new groups, while males must battle for control of the flight. The losing stallion then heads off to a life of solitude, becoming more aggressive as he loses socialization, or to join a "bachelor flight" of herdless males that provide protection to one another as they seek out a flight to lead.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Hippogriffs live in herd-like structures called "flights" of 3-10 females, led by a male. Males who are too young or old to successfully fight for control of a flight live alone, or in groups of other single males called "bachelor flights."

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Hippogriffs are most commonly found in the Sunrise Plains. Here, they're safe from the larger species of griffins that might compete with them for food. The wide ecological variety of the surrounding areas (forest to the north, mountains and jungle to the south) allows for individual flights to adapt separately to their environment.

Average Height

48-72" (at the shoulder)

Average Weight

500-1500lbs

Average Length

25-30' wingspan