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Scythe-cleaver
Topic Started: Jul 15 2013, 02:51 AM (92 Views)
Saberrex
Advanced Member
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Posted Image
A female Scythe-cleaver browses on the last leaves on a sauropod-ravaged tree -Illustration by Saberrex

Scythe-cleaver
Therizinomimus
Meaning: Scythe Mimic
Description: large obese theropod
Species: T. obesus
Family: Ornithomimosauria, Ornithomimidae
Length: 50-56 feet
Lifestyle: Browser
Range: Asia, Africa

Distinguishing features: The only theropod that can be called “naturally obese”, this is the spiritual descendent of Deinocheirus, though it is actually much closer to the North American Struthiomimus. The animal is strikingly colored with a dark blue back and a light gray underbelly with a red throat pouch. The enlarged stomach is also a communication organ, with the animal using its large hands to drum on its belly. The sound is like a kettledrum and a bongo being played together and is often combined with the animal’s resonant roar. This is used to attract mates or discourage rivals. The male, being somewhat larger than the female, has a deeper sound to his drumming. When two males meet, the fights are spectacular, with the two combatants not only roaring and slamming on their stomachs like drums, but also slashing at their opponent’s gut with the four-foot long claws on their 8-foot arms to dissuade them. Females are attracted by the noise the contestants make and watch until the victor is decided. The females then fight for the male in the same manner until he decides whom he will take as a mate. They will then pair for life. Eggs soon follow, and the young are just as obese as their parents. The hatchlings remain with them for four years until they leave to establish their own territories. They will live for about fifty years if resident predators do not kill them.

Habits and Habitat: Preferring forests, jungles, and open plains with plenty of trees, this dinosaur is an opportunistic browser. It prefers fruit, leaves, ferns, and bark and will also take eggs, small mammals, and juvenile dinosaurs. It will also feed on bee honey, ripping open their nests and use its long prehensile tongue to lap up the insect’s supply of food and the larvae. Due to their aggressive defense, they are usually not bothered by predators, although Vastatotyrannus and Bengal Nagas are willing to try to attack them. However a theropod attack is rare and unusual and the principle threat to a Scythe-cleaver is another Scythe-cleaver.
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