Snapping Etelavyrn

Snapping Etelavyrn
Creator	OviraptorFan
Information
Status	Extant
Common Name(s)	Snapping Etelavyrn
Zones	L
Roles	Predator
Classification
Genus	Thalassaraptor
Species	Thalassaraptor etelamadromeus
Evolution
Date	May 29th, 2022
Ancestor	Pinpricker
Descendants	No results

When the Wyvern Plague drove many wyverns extinction, the Seavyrerns were the worst affected, with nearly every species in the genus Thalassaraptor becoming extinct. A few isolated populations of Thalassaraptor fundatus survived in the mountains of zone L. They survived long enough to develop antibodies against the Wyvern Plague, allowing them to eventually recover and return to lowland areas. By this point had several new adaptations leading to a new species.

100 centimeters long, 140 centimeter wingspan

The Snapping Etelavyrn (T. etelamadromeus) is a specialist in hunting Anoculophans, having a longer snout to capture their prey. The wings continue the trend of shrinking in size, making them poor fliers. They rely more on their longer legs for locomotion. Since it has shrunk in size, due to the smaller prey meaning being big only meant needing more resources to live, the Snapping Etelavyrn is capable of weaving through the cocktree forests that dominate the landscape.

The Snapping Etelavyrn relies on sight and hearing to detect prey, as the purple skin color and the clicks of Anoculophans make them easy to find. Once they spot prey, the Snapping Etelavyrn will run them down and grab them with their elongated jaws and shaking them to death.

The Snapping Etelavyrn uses their pristine feathers to show health to potential mates, occasionally grooming themselves while at rest, alongside occasionally calling out while courting. These wyverns stay in monogamous pairs and raise about 4 chicks at a time. With an abundance of prey and the absence of any predators, the chicks live with their parents for about 8 months, being mostly independent at about 4 months, learning hunting skills and assisting their parents with the next clutch. These “helpers” reduce egg mortality rates by spotting Ambisugo malovis trying to feed on eggs. After about 8 months these Snapping Etelavyrns leave their parents territory and find their own territory.

When it comes to colors, the wyvern has dark grey to black feathers along their neck and back as well as the the wings. The exposed skin is dark grey in coloration, except for the wings which are light grey in color. The underside and flanks of the Snapping Etelavyrn possess light tan feathers, with the base of the tail fan also having these colors but progressing to black at the tips.