Archaeopteryx

Presented here are the base animal statistics for all of the most commonly used familiars-of course, these statistics can also be used for normal animals as well. Small animals like these use Dexterity to modify Climb and Swim checks.

Archaeopteryx (CR 1/4)

Tiny Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +2
Senses: Low-Light Vision; Perception +1

Speed: 40 feet, Climb 10 feet, Fly 40 feet (poor)
Space: 2-1/2 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)
Hit Points: 4 (1d8)
Saving Throws: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +1

Offense

Melee: bite +4 (1d4-4)
Reach: 0 feet

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
3 (-4)	15 (+2)	10 (+0)	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	7 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +0
CMB +0
CMD 6

Feats: Weapon Finesse

Skills: Climb +10, Fly +6

Languages:

Special Qualities: weak flier

Special Abilities

Weak Flier (Ex)

An archaeopteryx can't hover or fly up at an angle greater than 45 degrees while flying.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate or Warm Forests
Organization: single, pair, or nest (4-10)
Treasure: none


Archaeopteryxes are primitive birds. Instead of beaks, they have lizardlike heads with serrated teeth. These ancient creatures lived during the late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. They were first discovered in Germany in 1861 and have since been found in other parts of Europe, as well as in China and North America.

Despite their bird-like appearance, archaeopteryxes also had many reptilian features. For example, they had long, bony tails and claws on their wings. This suggests that they were not yet fully adapted to flying and may have spent a significant amount of time on the ground.

One of the most distinctive features of archaeopteryxes is their feathers. These feathers were similar to those of modern birds, but they were not as well-developed. They may have been used for insulation or for display purposes, rather than for flight.

Archaeopteryxes were also relatively small, with a wingspan of only about one foot. This is much smaller than most modern birds, which suggests that they were not very efficient flyers. However, they were still able to glide and may have used this ability to escape predators or to travel between trees.

Despite their limitations, archaeopteryxes were an important evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds. They provide valuable insight into the development of flight and the evolution of feathers. Without these ancient creatures, our understanding of the history of birds would be incomplete.