Alganar

"While the Alganar is often perceived as a ruthless predator, it's important to remember that it operates within its own boundaries, hunting only in its territory. It may seem terrifying, but in reality, it's a calm creature—focused, territorial, and highly inteligent. It doesn't seek conflict beyond its domain. Most of the misunderstanding about this species comes from projecting human emotions onto its behavior. The Alganar is simply a creature following its instincts, and those instincts are about survival, not needless violence."

— Dr. Liora Vance, Wildlife Biologist.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Alganar has a robust, reptilian design built for ambush predation. It possesses four powerful limbs, each ending in clawed, talon-like digits that provide traction and grip on slippery terrain. Its muscular frame is compact and densely built, emphasizing strength and explosive power over sustained endurance.
The skeletal structure is reinforced with thick, durable bones that support its heavy body and withstand the impact of high-speed lunges. Its spine is highly flexible, allowing the creature to coil or hunker down into stealth positions resembling a fallen tree or a dirt mound.
Scales cover its body, sharp-edged and hardened, serving both as camouflage and armor. These scales are arranged in overlapping layers, granting the Alganar protection from most physical attacks. The pigmentation of its scales can shift subtly, enabling it to blend into its environment, though the range of color alteration is limited.
Its jaw structure is wide and muscular, filled with serrated teeth designed for puncturing and holding onto prey. The bite force of the Alganar is immense, allowing it to crush bone and flesh with ease.
The tail is long, heavy, and whip-like, serving as a counterbalance during sprints and a potential weapon for defense. Despite its dryland habitat, the Alganar's webbed toes allow it to maneuver effectively near water if needed.
Internally, the Alganar's muscles are specialized for rapid, explosive movements, enabling its short bursts of incredible speed. Its respiratory and cardiovascular systems support these brief sprints by delivering oxygen efficiently during high-energy activities, although this comes at the cost of endurance.

Growth Rate & Stages

The Alganar becomes fully autonomous after six months, no longer reliant on its mother. At this stage, it begins hunting small birds and fish, using its stealth and sharp scales to capture its prey.

Ecology and Habitats

The optimal environment for the Alganar is a swampy, dense terrain with plenty of cover such as tall grasses, shrubs, and fallen trees. While it is not a water-dwelling species, it thrives near sources of water, using them as a hunting ground for prey that comes to drink. It prefers environments where it can remain hidden in plain sight, blending in with its surroundings—whether that be a small hill, a pile of leaves, or the trunk of a fallen tree. Its stealth and camouflage abilities allow it to move silently through these areas, waiting patiently to ambush prey. The Alganar is territorial, often establishing a lair or resting place near water, where it can rest and recuperate while maintaining a watchful eye on its surroundings.

Behaviour

The Alganar exhibits strong territorial behavior, with males defending a defined area that typically includes a group of females, ranging from four to ten individuals. Males are highly protective of their territory and will actively engage with other males to establish dominance and maintain control over their space. Young males, once they mature, are expelled from their father's territory, forcing them to venture out and claim their own land. In terms of relationships with predators, Alganars rely on their stealth and speed to avoid confrontation, as they are more inclined to remain hidden rather than face a direct threat. They tend to flee from larger predators if discovered, using their speed to escape quickly, though they will defend themselves fiercely if cornered.
As predators, Alganars are opportunistic and stealthy hunters, waiting for prey, such as boars and deers, to come within reach.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Alganar has poor smell and hearing but excellent sight. Its sharp vision allows it to detect the slightest movements, even in low light, making it a deadly predator when stalking prey near water sources.

Adult Alganar

The Alganar is a predatory reptile species classified within the family Aligatus, known for its stealth capabilities and territorial hunting behavior. Despite its resemblance to large crocodilian species, the Alganar exhibits unique traits, such as its ability to alter its scale pigmentation for camouflage, a feature that distinguishes it from other members of its family.

Scientific Name

Aligatus Alganoris

Origin/Ancestry

Crocodile

Lifespan

170 years

Average Height

70 - 100 centimeters

Average Weight

600 - 900 kilograms

Average Length

5 - 10 meters

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The Alganar has a unique ability to subtly alter the color of its scales, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. While not as advanced as creatures like octopuses or chameleons, this ability enables the Alganar to shift its scales’ pigmentation in small patches, making it resemble natural elements such as fallen tree trunks or piles of dirt and leaves. This camouflage helps it remain hidden while it stalks prey, providing an edge in ambush attacks.

Geographic Distribution

• Eladria
• Syndaras

"The Alganar doesn't like to get wet, unless it's forced! It prefers dry land, and will only venture into water if absolutely necessary. Its physical design is better suited for terrestrial environments, and it avoids water whenever possible. Water is just lure for it's pray."

— Dr. Liora Vance, Wildlife Biologist.

"Recent observations have confirmed that the Alganar is not just confined to hunting smaller creatures. It has been recorded preying on Crawlera as well, a species previously thought to be safe from such predators. This expands our understanding of the Alganar's hunting range and its adaptability in securing its territory."

— Dr. Menghard Vance, Wildlife Biologist

_{Tragically, Dr. Menghard Vance, loving husband and friend, died while observing the Alganar in its natural habitat.}