Griffin

Powerful, intelligent and extremely dangerous, griffin are deadly foes. Never get on the wrong side of these creatures.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Griffin have 6 appendages, including enormous wings, and four muscular legs, forelegs resemble talons. Their heads and shoulders are feathered and they have a curved beak similar to that of a raptor. Coloring is usually solid, although the shades of feathers and fur occasionally differ slightly. Feather plumed tail. Coloration: yellow gold to rose or peach gold, white gold, or blushed pearl. Rarely graphite, charcoal or amber coloration (common in the smaller, related species inhabiting Southern deserts). Appears to shine in direct sunlight. Hollow bones and strong pectoral muscles enable flight, possesses a nictitating membrane to protect eyes while hunting. Thought to have high concentrations of ether in its bloodstream, griffin blood is a highly prized medicine. Griffin territories are often excessively rich and green, although hypotheses tying this phenomenon to their ether-rich blood remain mostly speculation.

Genetics and Reproduction

Griffin lay eggs, clutches of one to three. Eggs are 10" in diameter pearly white blushed gold or pink. They mate for life and raise young with their partner. Females come into heat roughly once a year, indicated by highly pigmented feathers on their wingtips.

Growth Rate & Stages

Eggs hatch after 8 weeks of incubation. At birth gryplets weigh 2-4 lbs, and wings and head are covered with white downy feathers. They begin lose their down at 8-12 weeks. Their first set of feathers is not used for flight, they molt again before growing primaries strong enough to support their weight. They fledge at 2 years and reach full size at 8 years, 2 years after they lose their dull brown or grey juvenile feathers and the spots on their coats disappear. They usually leave their parent's territory at 10-12 years, although in some cases they stay on to help raise the next litter, especially if one of the parents dies. Litters usually overlap by a few years, and older siblings play a vital role in protecting the nest while both parents are out hunting. After leaving the nest, a griffin will find its own territory to defend. Griffin reach sexual maturity at 8 years but usually find mates between 12-14, after they have established themselves in their territories. They typically raise 3-4 litters in a lifetime.

Ecology and Habitats

Lives mostly in thick deciduous or coniferous forest, controls large territories that must include viable nesting sites such as cliff sides with caves or wide ledges.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivorous, will eat small amounts of vegetation to help with digestion. Primarily feeds on deer-like ungulates and occasionally fish.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Extremely keen eyesight and sense of smell.

Scientific Name

Grypus magnus

Lifespan

45 years

Average Height

Adult Male: 5' Adult Female: 4' 5"

Average Weight

Adult Female: 900-1,200 lbs Adult Male: 1,200-1,800 lbs

Average Length

Adult Female: 8 ft Wingspan: 20-22 ft Adult Male: 9 ft Wingspan: 22-24 ft