Anolian Crawler

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Anolian Crawler bears a resemblance to the lizards of the surface world, distinct in that it bears six limbs instead of four, an elongated snakelike torso, and a size ranging from 14-18 feet in length and 4-5 feet at the shoulder. Their hide is pebbled and varies widely in colors based on the particular ancestry, but most have a brightly colored frill upon their scalps. The tail of the Crawler is long and whiplike, with a razor sharp crest at the end used for both balance and defense. It's head is shaped much like a crocodile, with the exception of teeth supporting an omnivorous diet, eyes deeper set and smaller, and a pair of bat-like, swiveling ears for directional hearing.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Crawler is a single gender, dimorphic species. Under the right conditions, a functionally male Crawler can convert to female and vice versa. Reproduction is sexual, with the female presenting member laying clutches of up to 12 leathery eggs about a foot around, only two or three of which will be viable. Eggs will hatch in approximately 2 weeks, at which point the infant is fully capable of moving on it's own. .

Growth Rate & Stages

After birth, each parent takes one or more of the infants and ceases to attend to the others, though they usually remain in the same herd. Infants stay with their parents for approximately 1 year, riding on their parents back until they are capable of keeping pace, learning to hunt and forage and being fed by their chosen parent. At the 1 year mark, the parent ceases to allow their child to climb on them, and the adolescent is forced to begin taking care of itself. After 3 years, the infant reaches adulthood and becomes interested in reproduction.

Ecology and Habitats

The Anolian Crawler evolved in the flourishing fungal jungle regions of the Underdark, relying on it's size, speed, and whiplike tail to fend off predators. In these resource rich regions, it consumes small to medium prey animals While it can survive in the more barren areas of the Underdark, it is forced to range widely to find the nutrition it needs and instead travels in herds of 6-8.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Crawler has above average sense of smell and below average sense of sight, which primarily senses infrared light and some of the visible spectrum. It's hearing, however, is incredibly acute, and it is capable of identifying direction of threats with ease.

Origin/Ancestry

Marshfoot, Songrider, Broadback, Duskhide, Razortooth

Geographic Distribution

• The Underdark