Thorn-tailed Thinlark

The prickly cousin of the subterranean Quillark, the Thorn-tailed Thinlark is native to the Starkland's driabrl forests, where it hides among the brambles and waits for prey to pass by its inconspicuous tail and paws.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This beast has an avian figure, with a barrel-chested build, spindly arms, short hind legs, spiny hide, and long venomous tail. Its head tapers to a slightly curved, hooked beak. The entire length of its head, torso, and tail resembles an X, like the driabrl's stem.

Mimicry

A master of camouflague, the Thinlark blends into its enviroment with its earthy colouring, modified spines that appear as thorns, and ability to lock its tail and arm joints to secure a more natural, unassuming position.

Stingers and Spines

The Thinlark secretes venom through hollow points of the spines on its lower tail and tip. From the tip up to a foot on its tail, its spines produce less venom. The tail's upper portion has larger, but nonvemonous spines. The size difference of the spines mimic the driabrl's tapering stem.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Thinlark's tail and front paws are its main mehod of luring and securing prey. Its paws swell and change color to resemble the seasonal blooms, buds, and fruits of the driabrl to lure prey. The tail takes a passive role by blending into the environment, staying still, and striking passerbys. Its tail can lash out at a powerful speed, aiming to impale targets upon its spines.
After securing prey, the Thinlark takes it in its beak or claws and forces it through a nearby driabrl thorn. If the victim is already caught on its tail, it will push it deeper onto the spines of its tail.
The Thinlark is actually an omnivore. Though it primarily eats meat, it will eat driabrl fruit, which causes its front feet to swell and warp into the fruit's shape and gain a similar coloring. It will eat several dozen pounds of fruit within a couple days to quickly facilitate this mimicry. After driabrl stops producing fruit, the Thinlark's feet gradually return to normal.

Lifespan

15 yrs.

Average Height

5' 3" ft.

Average Weight

110 lbs.

Average Length

8' 3" / 3' 1" ft. (Body) 5' 2" ft. (Tail)

Geographic Distribution

• The Starkland