Ambrosiaraptor

The Ambrosiaraptor split from its ancestor, the lesser Argusraptor and lives in the forests of northern Dixon-Darwin. The success of the terrible Argusraptor and lesser Argusraptor in outcompeting other predators resulted in large populations of both. Competition pushed some lesser Argusraptors south and west, into wooded biomes dense with vegetation and the nests of Xenobees and Xenowasps. These hives were attractive targets, filled with protein-rich larvae and eggs and energy-packed honey. The Ambrosiaraptor has evolved a number of features which make it excellent at finding and harvesting entire hives of larva, eggs and honey. The first are irises which are positioned around the opening of each eyestril. These are each connected to a sphincter which can widen or narrow the opening to the eyestril. The benefit of this is two-fold. By narrowing the openings on its upper eyes the Ambrosiaraptor can operate in bright sunlight without sacrificing too much of its sense of smell. It can also prevent angry Xenobees and Xenowasps from getting into the very sensitive and crucial eyestrils which the raptor relies on. These irises cannot, however, prevent dust or debris from getting in entirely, as the Ambrosiaraptor lacks a pupil. Centrifugal crying remains a necessary behavior for the Ambrosiaraptor. The line of armor plates which run down the Ambrosiaraptor’s back are in fact four distinct types of structures which have evolved over time for different reasons. The largest “plate”, located above the organism's leg, is in fact the raptor’s true head. This carapace protects the brain of the Ambrosiaraptor and is the oldest of the armored pieces. The first four segments behind the carapace are spinal plates which house and protect complex lungs, a trait first developed in the Harnessback. Additional spinal plates developed over time, as seemingly useless plates which lacked lungs provided additional protection against stinging prey. There are five such spinal plates between the lungs and tail of an Ambrosiaraptor. The six plates which are between the carapace and the “jaws” of the Ambrosiaraptor are the most dissimilar to those present on the Argusraptor. These plates have their origins in a casque, like those found in Terran Hornbills. Ambrosiaraptors are born with a small casque which continues to grow throughout their juvenile years. As they grow the casque will detach when it gets too large and begins to impede the organism's vision. A new, smaller one will grow in its place. By adulthood an Ambrosiaraptor will have three to five “discarded” casques which are fused to the skin on top of its proboscis. The mouth of the Ambrosiaraptor has undergone some changes which better suit the organism’s diet and hunting habits. The tusk-like jaws are proportionally longer than those of a Lesser Argusraptor. These tusks are somewhat concave on the inside, leaving room for the Ambrosiaraptor’s long tongue. The tongue of the Ambrosiaraptor is very long and dexterous, capable of digging minute larvae and eggs out of a hive. Ambrosiaraptors live in small packs of three to six individuals, led by a breeding pair. Mated for life, the breeding pair cooperate in stealing hives. One will slam its hooked tail against the tree or other structure to which a hive is attached, drawing as much attention from the inhabitants as possible. With some portion of the Xenobees or Xenowasps distracted the mate will approach and slam its own hook into the hive, then wrench the structure free from its mooring. It will vigorously shake the hive to spook as many remaining adult inhabitants as it can to leave, then quickly run away. Xenobees and Xenowasps are not like terrestrial bees, all adults can and do breed and nothing like a “queen” exists. As such these communities will quickly give up on chasing after their hive, as the structure is unsalvageable after being ripped down. For these newly homeless Xenobees and Xenowasps it is a better use of their remaining energy to quickly rebuild than to pursue any sort of revenge. While honey, larvae and eggs are the favored food of the Ambrosiaraptor, it is not above hunting smaller organisms. The Honey Toadtuga shares the same niche as the Ambrosiaraptor and the two organisms often interact. Being larger and equipped with jaws that can easily crush the Toadtuga’s defensive spines, raptors are a major threat to the fluniform. Between predation and competition the Honey Toadtuga is now under threat of extinction in those biomes which overlap with Ambrosiaraptor territory. The coloration of the Ambrosiaraptor varies based on its environment. Generally the upper body of the raptor will be of a color that blends in with the predominant foliage and the legs will be of a color that blends in with the ground.