Aolenus
"The Aolenus is a large bird-like predator with sturdy legs, strong enough to lift huge prey easily off the ground. Due to their large size, they can't chase prey for very long, so they prefer to dive and attack their prey from the skies." ― Description in-game
Basic Information
Anatomy
A thin layer of fur covers the majority of its body. Thicker tufts on the chest, cheeks, and underside of its tail offer the Aolenus some protection against the elements; however they lack any real adaptations that would prove useful in colder climates.
Wild Aolenus preen their numerous feathers using their sharp beaks, although some tamer Aolenus have discovered that smaller creatures―such as Jeffs and Peros―will gladly help them preen, provided that they are offered a food reward, of course.
Their stocky, muscular legs―strong enough to drag large prey off the ground with ease―absorb impact when landing. The Aolenus have not ignored this adaptation, and have developed an entirely new hunting system that uses these powerful legs to hunt prey bigger than their typical medium-small meal.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Aolenus are omnivores, able to consume nearly all foods provided by the earth they walk upon. Sharp, angled beaks enable to them to rip open prey and eat fallen berries.
A multitude of adaptations have led to its ability to hunt both large and small prey, each with its own varying level of success.
Small Prey
When choosing to hunt small prey, Aolenus take to the skies, gliding over the land in search of the perfect place to keep and eye out for their prey. The criteria for this includes but is not limited to a high place, a source of food, a source of water, and a profusion of other similarly sized wildlife. Once they have found a place that meets their requirements, Aolenus will settle there and wait for their prey to come to them, albeit unknowingly. As soon as they spot their meal-to-be, Aolenus glide down from their perch. Special adaptations to their feathers quiet the whooshing noises that wings tend to make."Silently, the female Aolenus approaches her prey. As soon as she draws within five wing-lengths of her intended meal, the targeted creature takes notice and begins to flee. With stealth now useless, she ceases to glide and instead flaps her massive wings. While this helps her gain speed, it also buffets the smaller creature with gusts of wind. When the female sees fits, she dives. In a single fluid motion, she lands running, head low to the ground. She snaps her beak wildly in hope of wounding her prey, and successfully catches the fleeing creature's back leg with an audible crunch. Squealing, the juvenile Diesura―for that's what it was―hops away, injured. Without hesitation, a well-placed snap from the Aolenus' powerful beak ends it." ― A Pero recounting the time they saw an Aolenus hunt small prey
Large Prey
When Aolenus choose to hunt large prey, they take flight, soaring over Sonaria's grasslands. Where they hunt is influenced heavily by their parents, who, when their young are able to fly, take them to a place frequented by large land creatures. While some land creatures are loners, most travel in herds for protections. Even the boldest Aolenus know better than to attack a land creature traveling with a herd."The male Aolenus lands on a pillar of rock after spotting a herd of Lmakosauruodon. He knows he cannot take one down alone. He calls out, broadcasting a message to any nearby Aolenus. Down below, the Lmakos are startled by his call. They begin to travel closer together, in order to protect each other. The male sits, and waits for a response. Not but a few minutes later, a female Aolenus pokes her head out of a cave situated in a nearby cliff face. Cautiously, she responds, her call less gravelly than that of the male. Another head, this one with russet feathers, peeks out from beside her. It's her mate. The female and male confer, then the female exits the cave and flies towards the strange male. Her mate follows a second later. The three Aolenus take to the skies together, soaring in a triangular formation towards the herd of Lmakosauruodon. The russet male and his mate peel off from the other male and circle the herd. Feeling threatened, the Lmakos group even closer together. The female sauropods and their young are on the inside of the herd, while the males remain on the outside. The two Aolenus continue to circle the herd for a few more minutes before they gather at the back of the herd, flying in place. The foreign male joins them there. A soft caw from the female sends the males diving at the rear of the herd. They snap at the Lmakos' hind legs, then launch themselves into the sky before the Lmakosauruodons can perform their devastating tail whip. Frenzied by fear, the Lmakos stampede. Driven by their survival instincts, they are much more dangerous than when they are rational. They are also dumber. The Aolenus take advantage of this, and try to split off one (preferably young) Lmakosauruodon from the rest of the herd. While the Aolenus make a good effort, they are foiled time and time again by the male Lmakos on the outside of the herd. Then, they get their chance. A younger Lmako, barely even a teen, sees an opportunity to prove himself to his herd. He turns around and widens his stance as he makes himself look as aggressive as possible. While the two male Aolenus continue to focus their efforts on the rest of the herd, oblivious to the already-separated Lmako, the female notices. Diving out of the sky, she lands on the young Lmakosauruodon's back, her claws puncturing its thick hide. She uses her beak to snap at the Lmako's neck, hoping to damage its spinal cord and cause a fatal injury. However, she's only able to tear its hide initially due to her momentum, and its thick hide only dulls her beak. Changing tactics, she sinks her claws deeper into the Lmako's back. Beneath her, the sauropod cries out in pain. Once she feels she has a good enough grip, she opens her massive wings and flaps them as hard as she can. It's hard work, but it pays off. Once she overcomes the initial drag, the female Aolenus hauls the young Lmako into the air with seemingly little effort. Its weight, however, greatly increases any turns she makes. Heading towards the cliffs she calls home, the Aolenus uses the Lmakosauruodon to her advantage. What would normally be a sharp tilt becomes a nearly one-eighty-degree rotation. While she is angled, the female Aolenus releases the Lmako from her grasp. Its short, stubby legs paw frantically at the air as it tries to right itself. In the end, its weight works against it as the angle at which it falls, coupled with its terminal velocity, results in a painful death. Spine broken by the rocks, it is but a trivial task for the female Aolenus to put it out of its misery. Minutes later, the two males, both looking battered, show up at the sight of the kill.
Lifespan
50 years
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