Gorgodohve

Gorgodohve
(Sthenopelorios agriosii)
Information
Creator	OviraptorFan Other
Week/Generation	27/167
Habitat	Fermi Plains, Fermi Steppe, Fermi Subpolar Volcanic, Fermi Prairie, Fermi Bush, Fermi Temperate Volcanic
Size	1.3 meters long
Primary Mobility	Biped, Erect Legs
Support	Endoskeleton (Jointed Wood)
Diet	Carnivore (Durameloth (typically youngsters but adults are sometimes also hunted), Rosy Cornizope, Wolverback, Azarus Flapper, Cuniculyn, Fermi Giant Leafkutter, Teacup Saucebacks (occasionally), Minikruggs (occasionally), Saucege (occasionally)), Scavenger
Respiration	Active (Lungs)
Thermoregulation	Endotherm (Trichomes)
Reproduction	Sexual, Live Birth, Two Sexes
Taxonomy
Domain Superkingdom Kingdom Subkingdom Phylum Class Subclass Superorder Order Family Genus Species	Eukaryota Viridisagania Mancerxa Phytozoa (info) Chloropodia (info) Pterophylla (info) Rostrophylla Dromeophylla Dinodypta Paradistannidae Sthenopelorios Sthenopelorios agriosii

Ancestor:	Descendants:
Velocidohve

As megafaunal herbivores began to colonize the interior of Fermi, it made perfect sense that predators would in turn be lured in. This took the form of a group of Velocidohves moving inland and beginning to hunt these megafaunal herbivores, developing several different adaptations for such a lifestyle until they split off into a distinct species known as the Gorgodohve.

One noticeable difference seen in the Gorgodohve compared to its ancestor is the coat of trichomes that cover the majority of their bodies. Derived from the small mane of such trichomes in their ancestors, this fuzzy coat helps maintain their body temperature which is quite important since the inland areas of Fermi can get fairly cold. Those on the back of the head, meanwhile, still serve the role of display with males possessing generally larger tufts to display their health and overall fitness. This is supplemented by the various bright patterns on both the bill and on the Brow spines, which are more vibrant on the males but are present in both sexes.

Living in packs of typically around five to nine creatures, Gorgodohves actively care for one another within the pack as each individual is a valuable asset to the group. Females produce fewer offspring than their ancestor due to a larger size and having more reinforced and thus less flexible jaws, only producing two chicks every year, but the young have a very good chance at reaching adulthood. This is because, like their ancestors, the young receive round-the-clock care from the pack. Like their ancestors, the two sexes for the most part will take turns hunting prey and rearing the young, though some individuals will often participate more frequently in only one of these two activities such as a large male who is better at hunting prey or a younger female that finds it easier to protect and watch over the chicks. If the hunting party has made a successful kill, they will return to the rest of the pack and regurgitate food for the chicks and the adults who stayed behind. After about four months, the young will be large and strong enough to follow the adults on their hunts though it's not until they are six months old that they actually start to participate.

When it comes to hunting prey, Gorgodohves have various strategies that they use depending on the prey. Smaller game such as Fermi Giant Leafkutters and Cuniculyns are usually hunted alone since there is hardly enough meat for two individuals much less a whole pack. As these kinds of prey will often either scurry for cover or get into a defensive position, Gorgodohves will rely on ambush, bursting out of cover and pinning them down with their feet before the victim has time to react. As a sickle claw punctures the hide to maintain their grip, the large snoa will then use their hooked bill and blade-like teeth to deliver a killing bite to either the head or spine. While such a meal is enough to satisfy a single Gorgodohve for a day, larger prey must be hunted to sustain the pack. For most packs, these consist of Rosy Cornizopes and Durameloth poggles, with the prey requiring cooperation for regular success. For Rosy Cornizopes, the pack will split into two groups, one that gives chase and causes the snappers to run in a certain direction, and one group that lives in wait to ambush the fleeing herbivores. If the group succeeds in catching a cornizope by surprise, the Gorgodohves will then try to knock the herbivore down by slamming their bodies into it so it can then be quickly dispatched. On the flipside, Durameloth poggles require the Gorgodohves to also split into several groups with some distracting the adults while others sneak in to snatch a youngster. While a Gorgodohve can certainly tackle these kinds of prey on their own, their rates of success are much lower than if the snoas work together as a pack. The packs will also regularly feed upon carrion if they come across it, whether it is a creature that was taken down by a Wolverback or that died of natural causes.

Certain packs of Gorgodhoves, however, differ from other packs in that they specialize in hunting adult Durameloths. This carries both immense rewards and grave risks, as while a single adult Durameloth can feed the whole pack for several weeks, an adult can easily kill a single Gorgodhove by itself. As such, it requires the effort of the whole pack to take down such big game, with the snoas first trying to startle the herds. This is to try and get the snappers to run, as only then the group stands a chance at actually making a kill. If the herbivores do lose their nerve and stampede, the pack will give chase and start snapping at the tails and heels of the giants to try and separate one. If they do get a Durameloth by itself, the Gorgodohves continue to chase it either becomes too tired to flee or simply has had enough and turns to fight. Once that happens, the pack will surround the snapper with some individuals holding its attention while others continue to nip at the giant's hindquarters. During the whole hunt, the Gorgodohves remain cautious as even an injured and exhausted Durameloth can be quite dangerous, with it often taking several days for the giant to finally collapse from blood loss, exhaustion, or simply having its hindlegs too shredded up to stand any longer. By that point, the snapper is too weak to fight back, meaning the pack does not bother to kill the Durameloth as they eat it alive. Because the Durameloth adults provide plenty of meat but also require extreme teamwork to take down, packs of Gorgodhoves that specialize in hunting them are much bigger than their peers, typically being about fifteen to even twenty individuals strong.