Forest Lizard, Giant

This giant lizard has brown and green markings on its body, a long, thick tail, and a blunt snout that opens to reveal a mouth full of strong, thick teeth.

Forest Lizard, Giant (CR 5)

Large Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +6
Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +11

Speed: 30 feet, Climb 20 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 19, touch 11, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +8 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 68 (8d8+32)
Saving Throws: Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +3

Offense

Melee: bite +12 (2d6+9 plus poison)
Reach: 5 feet

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
23 (+6)	15 (+2)	19 (+4)	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)

Base Attack Bonus: +6
CMB +13
CMD 25 (29 vs. Trip)

Feats: Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills: Acrobatics +6 (+14 jumping), Climb +18, Perception +11, Stealth +3 (+7 in undergrowth)

• Racial Modifiers: +8 Acrobatics when jumping, +4 Stealth in undergrowth

Languages:

Special Qualities: powerful leaper

Special Abilities

Poison (Ex)

Bite-injury; save DC 18 Fort; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d4 Dexterity damage; cure 2 saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Powerful Leaper (Ex)

A giant forest lizard uses its Strength to modify Acrobatics checks made to jump, and it has a +8 racial bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump.

Ecology

Environment: Temperate Forests
Organization: solitary or pack (2-5)
Treasure: none


Giant forest lizards are carnivorous animals that dwell in overgrown forests, making their lairs in hidden caves and passages. These creatures are highly territorial, nocturnal and spend most of the day sleeping in their lair or sunning themselves on large tree limbs where the sun breaks through the treetops. Giant forest lizards dine on other forest animals, consuming almost anything they find. When food is scarce, they scavenge as well. A typical giant forest lizard's territory covers several square miles.

A giant forest lizard is 9 feet long and weighs nearly 2,000 pounds. Its coloration and markings are browns and greens, allowing it to adapt and hide in the forests. These creatures mate but once a year with the female depositing up to four eggs in the lair. Eggs hatch within 3 months and young reach maturity within 10 months. Forest lizards can live to be 20 years old.

When hunting, a giant forest lizard perches within the trees on strong, overhanging limbs. When potential prey passes beneath it, it drops to the ground and attacks. Prey that is killed is carried back to its lair and eaten or saved for later consumption. In combat, or when warning other creatures that have entered its territory, the giant forest lizard vocalizes, emitting a deep, rolling hissing sound.