Batax Lindworm
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Batax Lindworm is a typical member of its family with a long serpentine body, slender frame, stout hindlegs, and small wings with large grasping thumbs. The species is particularly well adapted for loose sandy soil and deserts in northern Africa, oftentimes staying motionless and buried in the sand for hours waiting to ambush prey. Their rough keeled scales are thought to help camouflaged them by scattering the sun's light to better blend in with their environment and break up their outlines, especially for birds and other dragons.
Genetics and Reproduction
Unlike many dragonkin species, the Batax Lindworm is a brood parasite. They do not raise their own young, instead preying on other dragon species to do so for them. They will often line up their mating seasons with those of other dragons in the area, including sentient dragons, and after those have laid their eggs, females will invade their nests to replace them with their own. Oftentimes, the females will also consume some of the other dragons' eggs, depending on how many she lays in that nest, often no more than two. The other eggs will remain untouched and often become food for her own offspring. Different locales exist of the Batax, which vary the most in their eggs, often adapted to preying on a particular species. Their eggs are quite large for their body size, in order to better match those of other dragonkin and be less likely to be removed or destroyed.
After hatching, young batax will often begin to consume the other eggs in the nest, ensuring their own survival by making themselves the only offspring left. This is often done when the 'parents' are away from the nest hunting. Should the other eggs have hatched prior to them, they will also consume the hatchlings. It is unknown why many dragons will continue to raise the lindworms, despite the fact they are obviously a different species, and many researchers believe that the Batax may retaliate against dragons that abandon the parasitized nests or destroy the eggs, giving evolutionary pressure in way of wasting less resources to just raise the young.
Ecology and Habitats
The Batax Lindworm is a desert dwelling species, most commonly found in the Sahara. They can go weeks without water and up to three years without food, well adapted to the extreme conditions. They thrive in sand dunes and regions with loose soil, easily burrowing and burying themselves in it to escape the most extreme temperatures.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The species primarily feeds on reptiles and is generally not affected by venom, making cobras and vipers easy targets. Young lindworms will also feed on small lizards, insects, and ants, however both adults and their young have eggs as a large part of their diet. They are known to consume them shell and all, and very likely get most of their moisture from feeding on other species' eggs.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Origin/Ancestry
Natural, dragonkin
Conservation Status
Least Concern
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