Mont dragons

Mont dragons are a docile creature that lives in Northern Serodechia and Eastern Kunth. The beasts are not actually dragons, but due to their natural ability to sense magic as well as their huge size earned them the "dragon" nickname. They roam around Serodehia carving swathes of fallen trees in their wake and grazing on the smaller pine trees and prickly shrubs that are native to the region.

Serodechians adre these creatures for their size and strength. They are regularly used to demolish buildingsand carry large loads of heavy resources such as stone and metal to settlements far away. They are also used by caravans because they easily navigate rocky terrain. They are difficult to train, and respond best to food-based rewards. They do not perform any special tricks except what is naturally in them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

These beasts are four-legged creatures that superficially appear like giant snapping turtles. Their 'beaks' are designed to crack through tough branches and their digestive systems are sturdy enough to handle spiny and even poisonous plants. Their shells are hard and easily collect sediment and plant matter. This helps them build up a hard outer-layer to protect them if they get stuck between mountains or in canyons. They are gray to brown in tone with spiral shapes on their backs.

Genetics and Reproduction

Mont dragons are patient ones. They live for over five hundred years, eight hundred when in captivity. These years are nececary because they only ovulate once a decade and gestate in their bodies for up to a year. If specimens of either sex find no other Mont dragons in a century, they can reproduce asexually though this only results in one offspring. The eggs they lay, no more than three, are not ready to hatch for another two or three years. After that, they still wil not hatch uless the humidity in the air is under 50% consistantly for three months.

Growth Rate & Stages

Mont dragons gro continuously but slowly. At the end of the first century, they are the height of an average horse. At the three hundred year mark, they will be the size of a large elephant if their diet is healthy.

Ecology and Habitats

Mont dragons prefer a mountainous environment with sparse vegetation. A grassy valley with sparse trees in the midst of snowy peaks will help them thrive. They often suffer from parasites that eat the excess vegetation off their shells and crawl intoo the nooks and crannies to feed off their blood. They prefer to nibble on the leaves of larger trees and snap off the dead branches. They sometimes eat the whole tree if i is already dead. For this reason, there are very few small mammals that live in trees and holow logs in places they live. Though they never intentionally eat animals, the occasional bird's nest and squirrel hole is inevitable.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The average Mont dragon eats 300lbs of vegetation per day. They reqire a variety of textures from long grases to toughened tree branches to mineral-rich roots. Though they do eat fruit they don't eat it often. They more often rip the flowers off before they grow into pods. They won't touch already rotten trees but they gladlymunch on the few dead trees that lean against one another.

Biological Cycle

Mont dragons are continually growing. The largest recorded was half the size of a blue whale. Females ovulate once every ten years and when they do, males in the area are alerted by a strong, sickly-sweet odor they leave in their waste.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Large beak meant for snapping wood. relatively smal eyes with limited vision. Heat sensors and membraneson the surface of the head for ears.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Native to Northwestern Serodechia and Kunth. They are now an invasive species in Southwestern Doorn and northwestern Audrita. They were likely brought over by human settlers who fancied their size and weight for transport and demolition.

Average Intelligence

The same as any species of turtle.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The eyes of the Mont dragon are dim, but they have very sensitive ears which they need because they make a lot of noise as they walk. They can also sense their environment through a Jacobson's organ which also alerts them to magic concentrations.

Scientific Name

Dracarae Gargantua cyclidae

Origin/Ancestry

Mont dragons

Lifespan

500 years

Conservation Status

This species is now invasive to Doorne and northern Audrita.

Average Height

200 feet

Average Weight

4 tons

Average Length

200 feet

Average Physique

Round shell, clawed feet fit for climbing mountains, long necks built for reaching to and tearing off dead branches.