Cicatrizargo

When the argusraptor complex evolved in the mid Bononian, they were a super effective group of predators, outcompeting most other carnivores in the areas they shared. Most of the predators that responded adapted by changing their lifestyles to avoid competition, such as the passarurso or kuraimingaku. For one group of terrorbeak, however, they would respond to the ecological pressures put upon them by the argusraptors by stepping up their own game. Overtime, they would split off and become a distinct group of highly effective predators known as the cicatrizargo.

At a casual glance, the cicatrizargo resembles the terrorbeaks they descended from, retaining much of their ancestral anatomy. This is because many of those traits still suit them well, like the long legs that allow them to cover a large amount of ground in a single stride. The long butt nostril still helps with balance, which is quite helpful for when the cicatrizargo is in pursuit of prey. Their coloration is quite helpful for blending in within the mixed woodlands and closed rainforests the cicatrizargo dwells in. The species will use their excellent vision and good sense of hearing to find potential prey.

While the species is still territorial, they are no longer solitary since the highly competitive argusraptors naturally have an advantage over solitary hunters. As such, the cicatrizargo is now quite social, sharing its territory with many others of its kind. This all comes into play with a unique hunting strategy possessed by the taxon, where they hunt for small game alone but are always within eyeshot or earshot of another member of the group who is also foraging. By hunting for small game, they remain in good condition for when they come across either larger prey that is not in peak condition or other predators that have made a kill. If they spot either, the cicatrizargo will let out a low rumble as it approaches. This notifies other members of its group that it has found potential food while also not alerting the target of its presence. This quickly leads to a chain reaction where what starts out as one cicatrizargo hunting the compromised prey or showing up at the carcass to challenge the predators currently there will then become five and then twenty. In certain cases as many as thirty-five individuals will arrive on the scene to take advantage of the same food source, which makes taking them on a daunting task for whatever is their chosen target or an obstacle of said chosen target. The beak and teeth of the cicatrizargo have become calcified to provide further strength and durability, allowing them to better tackle large game and fight with rival carnivores. If they do take down the prey or drive the predators away from their kill, the cicatrizargos will then jostle amongst one another for choice pieces of the carcass, with the larger and more aggressive individuals usually coming out on top.

Cicatrizargos will regularly hunt other predators, since this removes potential competition while also granting them a meal. Usually, this is when they catch other predators off guard and ambush them, but there are also situations where they will gather together to attack them head-on. This mainly is when individuals detect the presence of twineshrogs, since these plents have wised up to the traps made by such shrogs and will scan the ground for any hints that something might be wrong while foraging. If a nest of such shrogs is found, cicatrizargos will gather together to break in and kill the shrogs living inside. As such, twineshrogs are no longer as common as they used to be in areas where cicatrizargos share their range.

Because their beaks and teeth are fully calcified, they are not very flexible at all which means it was hard for mothers to give birth to large and well developed young. This would in turn result in young that found other ways to get out being selected for, which culminated in the one or two young born at a time tearing their way out of the mother’s throat. Being plents, who do not have a windpipe within this area, this was not fatal for the mother, and the cicatrizargo has developed a particularly strong immune system and blood that clots quickly so that the throat can recover as quickly as possible and only leave behind scars. With this reproductive strategy, young cicatrizargo are able to be born well developed and fairly large, meaning they can fend for themselves almost immediately. They will still follow their mother around for a few months, since not many potential predators would dare come close to an adult cicatrizargo. They do still need to get their own food, however, and they are at the very bottom of the pecking order when it comes to a large carcass, which in turn means after a couple years the youngsters will often leave behind their family’s territory to join with other groups or establish their own territories.