Post by General Disaster on Nov 2, 2010 2:44:14 GMT -5
Roescidae Garridontus
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Basic Details
Common Name: (Greater) Elephant Beetle
Average Height: 8-10 Feet
Average Weight: Between one and three tons
Usual Pelt Colour: The Elephant Beetle starts out as a dark blue caterpillar-like larva. Their head is white, a striking contrast to the rest of the larva, with two black pupils in their bulbous eyes. When the Elephant Beetle larva matures into its adult stages the shell starts off as a very dark blue color (the same as the larval stages color). As they mature the shell will begin to shift colors to a dark brown. In the older beetles the shell is a lighter brown such as the color of dirt, and in the oldest individuals the shell can become almost white. This is almost never seen however because the beetles have to live for nearly fifty years before they lose the pigment in their shells.
General Appearance: The larva are about 4" around and 6"-7" in length. They look like a chubby caterpillar with bulbous eyes. They have two horns between their eyes that are around 2" in length. The Elephant Beetle stands at a fearsome height of somewhere between 8"-10" tall and are roughly 7"-8" in width. They each have an oval shell that contains two wings underneath (These are not for flying). They have six legs, each about three feet around with spiny protrusions on them, very muscular to hold up the beetles great weight. They recieve they're name not just because of they're size but because of the horns that protrude from underneath the shell. It begins as just one on the head but splits off immediatley in two different directions and curves upwards, each one is a light gray color. They have two large black eyes that peer out from under either side of the shell to warn of any possible dangers. The wings also resemble massive ears when released from the shell, drooping to the beasts side. It also has two large mandibles right under the horn.
Ecological Details
Habits: Despite their ferocious appearance the Elephant Beetle, as long as it is left to its own devices, is a mostly docile creature. They are territorial but only towards others of their species. They cannot move very fast, on average only about 5 miles per hour. When they are enraged or fleeing possible danger however they can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. The massive wings they keep under their shells are used as fans to cool themselves in the heat, as they are too large to actually become airborne.
The females lay large egg-sacs deep in caverns or shady places, sometimes just being laid under a tree, the large slimy egg-sac sticking to a tree-trunk. It takes about two months for the eggs (which are usually about 3-4 in any given egg-sac) to hatch. During the time of being lain until about 6 months after hatching the female sticks close to her babies, warding off any creature including the father as viciously as she can. This is because other male beetles attempt to eat the eggs of a rival herd, along with the alpha-male of the herd trying to kill any newborn males so as to assert his dominance.
Diet: Omnivorous, though mostly plant-eaters. The Elephant Beetle feeds on trees, grasses, and just about any plant-life they can get to without much trouble. The beetles will stay in a place as long as their is a food supply, left unchecked they will completely obliterate any plant-life in a given area. They have been known to eat off of the trees of Hymnopetra Somnifera, however usually not for extended periods as these creatures become very agressive and eventually the beetle will lumber away with the swarm attempting to sting its eyes or softer underbelly. Elephant Beetles have however been known to eat meat when it presents itself. If an animal that was attacking the beetle is killed the beetle will not overlook this victory meal.
Predators: The Elephant Beetle has three known enemies so far; Flamma Lacerta, Humans and Asteroidia Aeronautica.
Asteroidia Aeronautica are the least of all the dangers. Usually unable to attack the beetle because of their strong shell, the Sky-Star only usually chances upon the beetle as it has its shell open and wings out, leaving its weaker exoskeleton unprotected to aerial attack.
The Flamma Lacerta are not that common of a foe as they usually do not attack the large herds of Elephant Beetles. However they have been known to struggle, some beetle shells having claw and teeth marks. The shell is quite resistant to the Flame Lizards fire breathing attacks however.
Humans hunt the beetles for their shells, tusks and meat. Almost every part of the beetle can be used in some way. Although it is not common to hear of humans killing these creatures. The beetles do live in herds and the herd does defend its members.
Niche: Plains, Grasslands, Mountainous regions.
By Products: Shell: Used for anything from armor to housing. The shell is greatly prized not only for the color and durability, but also because it is fire-resistant, which makes it a must for any persons who aim to hunt a Flamma Lacerta.
Tusks: Used for making weaponry, as they are already sharp and deadly.
Meat: If one is extremely desperate for food the meat of the beetle is edible. Not to account for the taste, or the extreme danger of a human taking on a beast three to four times their size.
Created by: Injustice
(Image will be drawn depending on acceptance).
Basic Details
Common Name: (Greater) Elephant Beetle
Average Height: 8-10 Feet
Average Weight: Between one and three tons
Usual Pelt Colour: The Elephant Beetle starts out as a dark blue caterpillar-like larva. Their head is white, a striking contrast to the rest of the larva, with two black pupils in their bulbous eyes. When the Elephant Beetle larva matures into its adult stages the shell starts off as a very dark blue color (the same as the larval stages color). As they mature the shell will begin to shift colors to a dark brown. In the older beetles the shell is a lighter brown such as the color of dirt, and in the oldest individuals the shell can become almost white. This is almost never seen however because the beetles have to live for nearly fifty years before they lose the pigment in their shells.
General Appearance: The larva are about 4" around and 6"-7" in length. They look like a chubby caterpillar with bulbous eyes. They have two horns between their eyes that are around 2" in length. The Elephant Beetle stands at a fearsome height of somewhere between 8"-10" tall and are roughly 7"-8" in width. They each have an oval shell that contains two wings underneath (These are not for flying). They have six legs, each about three feet around with spiny protrusions on them, very muscular to hold up the beetles great weight. They recieve they're name not just because of they're size but because of the horns that protrude from underneath the shell. It begins as just one on the head but splits off immediatley in two different directions and curves upwards, each one is a light gray color. They have two large black eyes that peer out from under either side of the shell to warn of any possible dangers. The wings also resemble massive ears when released from the shell, drooping to the beasts side. It also has two large mandibles right under the horn.
Ecological Details
Habits: Despite their ferocious appearance the Elephant Beetle, as long as it is left to its own devices, is a mostly docile creature. They are territorial but only towards others of their species. They cannot move very fast, on average only about 5 miles per hour. When they are enraged or fleeing possible danger however they can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. The massive wings they keep under their shells are used as fans to cool themselves in the heat, as they are too large to actually become airborne.
The females lay large egg-sacs deep in caverns or shady places, sometimes just being laid under a tree, the large slimy egg-sac sticking to a tree-trunk. It takes about two months for the eggs (which are usually about 3-4 in any given egg-sac) to hatch. During the time of being lain until about 6 months after hatching the female sticks close to her babies, warding off any creature including the father as viciously as she can. This is because other male beetles attempt to eat the eggs of a rival herd, along with the alpha-male of the herd trying to kill any newborn males so as to assert his dominance.
Diet: Omnivorous, though mostly plant-eaters. The Elephant Beetle feeds on trees, grasses, and just about any plant-life they can get to without much trouble. The beetles will stay in a place as long as their is a food supply, left unchecked they will completely obliterate any plant-life in a given area. They have been known to eat off of the trees of Hymnopetra Somnifera, however usually not for extended periods as these creatures become very agressive and eventually the beetle will lumber away with the swarm attempting to sting its eyes or softer underbelly. Elephant Beetles have however been known to eat meat when it presents itself. If an animal that was attacking the beetle is killed the beetle will not overlook this victory meal.
Predators: The Elephant Beetle has three known enemies so far; Flamma Lacerta, Humans and Asteroidia Aeronautica.
Asteroidia Aeronautica are the least of all the dangers. Usually unable to attack the beetle because of their strong shell, the Sky-Star only usually chances upon the beetle as it has its shell open and wings out, leaving its weaker exoskeleton unprotected to aerial attack.
The Flamma Lacerta are not that common of a foe as they usually do not attack the large herds of Elephant Beetles. However they have been known to struggle, some beetle shells having claw and teeth marks. The shell is quite resistant to the Flame Lizards fire breathing attacks however.
Humans hunt the beetles for their shells, tusks and meat. Almost every part of the beetle can be used in some way. Although it is not common to hear of humans killing these creatures. The beetles do live in herds and the herd does defend its members.
Niche: Plains, Grasslands, Mountainous regions.
By Products: Shell: Used for anything from armor to housing. The shell is greatly prized not only for the color and durability, but also because it is fire-resistant, which makes it a must for any persons who aim to hunt a Flamma Lacerta.
Tusks: Used for making weaponry, as they are already sharp and deadly.
Meat: If one is extremely desperate for food the meat of the beetle is edible. Not to account for the taste, or the extreme danger of a human taking on a beast three to four times their size.
Created by: Injustice