Thanadon

Apex predator of the Sand Plains

The Thanadon is an enormous fish with bony armored plates covering the front half of its body, a strong and fast predator even by the standards of its supernatural home. It is thought that they are even strong enough to destory a Sobek submarine. Pieces of their armor cover the creature's mouth to form structures similar to teeth, which sharpen themselves by constantly rubbing against each other. On top of being self-sharpening, these teeth also make a noise reminiscent of blades scraping against each other whenever the Thanadon moves its jaws.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Thanadon has a long bulky body covered in tough scales. On its head and midsection, even tougher armored plates. The plates curve around its eyes, gills, and fins, and also form a beak structure convergent with teeth. Its tail fin takes up a third of its body, while its dorsal fin only takes up about a fifth.

Genetics and Reproduction

Thanadons have generally shown to not take kindly to meeting other members of their species, but there are times when they can make exceptions. During certain times of the year, female Thanadons may engage in duels with the males to test their physical attributes. They will swim around them from a distance, before ramming into them at high speeds, repeatedly biting them on their armored heads. They may also aim for their undersides, and push them up with their jaws, or wrestle with them in the sand. If the male has enough strength left after the ordeal, then they will mate, and the new father will leave to endure other tests of strength.

Growth Rate & Stages

Newborn Thanadons will stay with their mothers for their entire youths, learning basic survival skills from her from time to time. Oftentimes, the young will stay in a hidden area while their mother hunts for them, left to defend themselves against any other predators attempting to make a meal out of them. Once the young near adulthood, their mother will turn on them, attacking them to test their physical endurance much like with their father. If they survive their mother's wrath, then they will begin a life on their own.

Ecology and Habitats

Thanadons swim around the Plains, splitting their time from travel and making a temporary home. They will occasionally mark a territory for themselves by clearing out a flat area, but won't keep it for long, mainly due to other Thanadons that may pass by and start a fight. Other times they can be found traveling around the Plains, looking for large structures to hide behind and wait for unsuspecting prey items to sneak up on. Bite marks and large scuffs have been found on several rock in the Plains, possibly due to these creatures sharpening their beaks on them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

These fish eat a wide variety of different creatures, feeding on Sea Snappers, Brine Worms, Gladioceras, and Sandfish. When hunting, they take measures to keep themselves hidden, either behind large structures or from far away, relying on their prey's limited sight. They can swim extraordinarily fast, able to catch up with their prey before they realize they are in danger. They also tend to fight with each other over food, rushing in and going on the attack whenever they see another Thanadon make a kill.

Biological Cycle

Some Thanadons have been found with hardened clumps of sand stuck in between their armored plates, hindering their movement. It is unknown how this sand accumulates, or if it accumulates over time by wrestling in the sand, or spontaneously from some other means. 

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Thanadons have keen sense of sight, and mainly rely on sight both for hunting their prey and for simply getting around. On top of sight, they also have well-developed sense of hearing and smell.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Large swarms of krill have been found near where Thanadons lurk, suggesting krill rely on these creatures for brief safety, seeing as krill is not part of their diet.

Scientific Name

Dunkleosteus maxillam

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Weight

2,400 lbs

Average Length

22 ft.

Average Physique

Slender

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Dark green-brown skin, dark brown armor, purple glowing eyes

Geographic Distribution

• The Sand Plains

Average Intelligence
Fairly high