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Gazelladontia
Topic Started: Apr 29 2016, 06:33 AM (76 Views)
the dark phoenix
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the dark phoenix of wonderland
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Gazelladontia:

Yet another Silesaur family from the Little Grand Canyon formation of Pennsylvania. This group is actually rare in this formation with only one species presented and represented by three partial skeletons. Though rare now, Gazelladonts will spread throughout the world and be diverse both in niche and appearance. They would be a reminder of what would have been if dinosaurs survived. But, the dinosaurs kicked the bucket and we're left with reptilian deer. Comparing them to deer though, they will be fit the niche of many antelope, deer, and pronghorn in the future and it all starts with this one small animal about as large as a border collie.

Scientific Name: Pennsaurus bicornis
Meaning: Penn's two horned lizard
Common name: Penn's pronghorn-dragon
Age: Rhaetian
Diet: low level plant matter such as cycads and ferns
Location: Northeastern united states
Habitat: seasonal semi-dry flood plain
Description: Fossils show a small quadropedal silesaur of average build in the torso and tail. Legs are long and tipped with claws to assist in gripping the ground though the inner claws are larger so may be used for fighting. Head is average for a silesaur except for the two spikes of porous texture behind the eye sockets. In life these would have supported two tall spikes of keratin pointing to the back of the head.
Notes: Holotype was a single porous spike thought to have been a aetosaur shoulder spike. When two incomplete skeletons, one missing its back half and the other missing a front leg and tail, were dug up and revealed that the spike belonged to a silesaur.
Behavior: Remains so far show it was a rare animal that possibly only lived in small family groups. Considering its size it may have fled rather than fought when it came to predators. The larger inner claws may indicate fighting between individuals for dominance within the small herds.
Breeding Behavior: Males may have fight with their claws or locked horns to gain breeding rights.
Other: So far, it is the only Gazelladont found in the LGC formation.
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