Zozain Wyvern (Zo-zane)

Inhabiting dryer climes like the Ureret Desert of Aitreas, the zozain wyvern is a breed of wyvern specifically adapted to sandy and hotter environments. Though they don't intend any particular harm, they are feared by people who live in their territories, for their hunts can be erratic and devastating.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Zozain wyverns stand about twelve feet tall with a fifteen foot wingspan. From head to tail, they're about fourteen feet long, though the tail makes up only a quarter of that length. Unlike normal wyverns, zozains are covered in thick, layered exoskeletal plates which protect them from the sand and packed dirt they burrow through. They have longer claws than normal wyverns for burrowing as well, and their tail is short and stubby so as to not get caught on anything or drag behind. It also lacks the stinger airborne wyverns as, resulting in a stronger poison breath instead.
Their wings are of a thicker leather than most wyverns, which allows them to withstand the pressures of burrowing. Because of this, zozains are capable of shorter and faster bursts of speed than other wyverns, but will rarely be caught flying long distances. They are burrowers who occasionally fly to hunt or flee.

Genetics and Reproduction

Zozains mate once every fifteen or so years, which results in a clutch of six to ten eggs. Typically, only two to three of these eggs survive, because zozains will often eat them at random. It is unknown what causes this behavior. Eggs take three months to hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

A zozain stays a hatchling for about a year, during which time its exoskeleton begins to develop. They learn burrowing, but are largely flying creatures, during this time. Once they become an adult, they become full-time burrowers and will develop an underground lair to serve as their den. They then live for around twenty-five years, but can live for up to forty.

Ecology and Habitats

Zozains prefer hot and dry environments where they can burrow in sand or packed dirt and create their dens with their elongated claws.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Zozains hunt almost anything. As apex predators, they will hunt anything they can kill and then eat it. They tend to eat only their body weight per month, and can even eat less if food is scarce, going into a defensive hibernation where they remain aware of nearby prey but preserve energy.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Zozains can smell exceptionally well, and feel vibrations up to a mile away; however, they have worse than average eyesight.

Origin/Ancestry

Subspecies of Wyvern