Common Grazing Spikeshoulder

Common Grazing Spikeshoulder
Creator	D̜͙̟͉ìn̨̹o̬̗C̼̮̣͡óaͅt͜
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Common Grazing Spikeshoulder
Zones	B
Roles	Base-consumer
Classification
Genus	Megaslontus
Species	Megaslontus acribrachium
Evolution
Date	September 13th, 2019
Ancestor	Megaslontus terrastial
Descendants	Armored Grazing Spikeshoulder Megaslontus footcaneus

Descended from Megaslontus terrastial, this flightless herbivorous moxipod has lost the membrane which formed its wing through a genetic defect. This makes it so that its former wing bones seem like they are protruding outwards, making them act as arm spikes which help to deter large predators such as Dracowyverious raptordracornis, Draconiraptor tromerovenator, and Dracuanguilacerta audioacrus, who have to weave in to avoid accidentally jabbing themselves on the protrusions and still get a good hit, especially if it is moving. The extensions of the arm and leg bones are slightly stronger and more dense than in their ancestor because of this, to prevent them from snapping easily. Pseudosukalensis purplensis may occasionally prey on younger members of this species but typically avoid the adults which are too large to take down by themselves.

The Common Grazing Spikeshoulder (Megaslontus acribrachium) has increased in size from its former sixty centimeters (60 cm) in length to one-hundred twenty centimeters (120 cm) in length. This is because its source of food, Clenis (Lorensia clearensis), is abundant, and because their larger size helps to protect the adults from predators. Their legs and foot padding are enough to support this additional weight, and their constant and nomadic grazing meets the energy demand.

Common Grazing Spikeshoulders take a year (1 yr) to mature and gather together to live in groups or herds just like their ancestors. Males have colorful rudders which are pointy for appeal while females have shorter, duller rudders as a form of sexual dimorphism as they do not need pointy rudders to make themselves stand out. After mating once a month, the female will lay up to fifteen (15) soft eggs near the trunks of trees and cover them up in foliage to camouflage them and to prevent them from drying out, and this makes it easier for the sexes to distinguish each other in a large herd. After developing in the egg for six (6) weeks, each baby will hatch and travel together in numbers and will join in the first herd they come across for protection.