Cheetah Griffin

And many a savannah, one can spot the golden hide of the cheetah griffin, resting in trees or swooping down one passing animals. They are among the fastest of griffins and also among the frailest. As such, they are even more cautious and rely heavily on their first blow putting down their target. Be it in the skies or among the grasses, they are skilled at hiding, waiting for opportune moments.
Cheetah griffins are in general positively inclined towards other species and often form alliances that allow them to compensate for their own shortcomings. They often aid in scouting, hunting or similar tasks, usually rewarded with food. They also sometimes serve as war mount, where they excel as skirmishers and carriers of ranged troops. In these cases, they either need a skilled rider or to keep things slow, as their capacity for sudden acceleration could leave their rider with whiplash even in the best of cases.
In battle, cheetah griffins arm to strike first and eliminate the need to strike second. If they feel confident, they are more that willing to give chase, as their prey will tire long before they do. They are very cautious by nature and prefer to back off in the face of actual opposition.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Cheetah griffins are quadrupeds blending avian and feline features. Their front half is covered in tawny feathers, while their rear is covered in short, yellowish fur with dark spots. Their two front legs end in birdlike talons, while their hind legs end in clawed paws. Two wings sprout from their shoulders and their head ends in a beak. Among griffins, cheetah griffins rank as the fastest. Their large lungs and robust vascular system allows them to maintain top speed for prolonged periods of times without experiencing exhaustion. Their top speed lies at about 90 meters a second to, which they can almost immediately accelerate to, though this takes an enormous toll on their body.

Genetics and Reproduction

Cheetah griffins reproduce through sexual intercourse. Once impregnated, the female griffin lays one to three eggs after roughly three seasons. It takes another three seasons for the eggs to hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

Cheetah griffin chicks can move from the moment they hatch. By the end of their first year, they can usually talk and fly. A griffin is considered fully mature and adult by age nine.

Ecology and Habitats

Cheetah griffin's prefer vast, open terrain, usually of a warmer climate. They are often found around savannahs or warm meadow regions. They prey mostly on foraging grazers.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Cheetah griffins are carnivores. They rely upon their supreme speed to ambush and kill their prey in one swoop, often backing off to try again later if the first blow proves insufficient.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Cheetah griffins live in small, mostly family oriented flocks of five to seven members. Larger flocks can gather where prey is plentiful. These flocks are usually lead by the eldest, though his is not always the case.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Cheetah griffins are a common species and found in many spheres with at least semi-warm climate.

Average Intelligence

Cheetahs are keen eyed and quick-thinking, good at spotting weaknesses in prey that they can use their inherent skills to exploit. Their nature does tend to lean towards the feral side of things and their flocks rarely develop much. They are very warm and welcoming towards anyone they don't consider prey, which would include most sapient beings who have not angered them.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Cheetah griffin have exceptionally sharp eyes, necessary to take advantage of their heightened reflexes and ability to quickly accelerate.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Cheetah griffins vary as much as other kinds of griffins, though do lean towards names that reflect notable features.

Scientific Name

Variae Aquilae

Origin/Ancestry

Griffin

Lifespan

180 years

Average Height

1.3 meters

Average Weight

270-360 kilo

Average Length

2.3-2.7 meters

Average Physique

Cheetah griffins are extremely fast and agile, with reflexes superior to most other known species of griffins. They are also quite strong, but also relatively fragile.