Mexican Amphithere
Draco americanus mex
The Amphithere [am-fuh-thee-ur) is a family of dragons which inhabits the Americas. There are two main species, Draco americanus mex, the Mexican Amphithere, and Draco americanus tex, the American amphithere. While this piece will only go into specifics on the Mexican Amphithere, if sufficient interest is demonstrated I will probably offer up a more in-depth examination of it's northern relative at a later date.
A dragon must meet four criteria in order to be classified as an amphithere. It must have a serpentine body, two wings, a feathered tail-tip, and be legless. One in ten amphitheres have two or four vestigial limbs, but these are almost always too small and malformed to be of any use to the dragon.
The Mexican Amphithere has long been ordered among the most beautiful of dragons, and ranges in colour from red all the way through to indigo (although hues of yellow and green are most common) They may reach up to twelve meters in length (almost as long as a school bus!) with wingspans of ten to eleven meters. Their necks, wings, the ends of their tails, and their backs,are covered in iridescent plumage, which gives way to small, v-shaped scales. Their underbellies are made of thick, supple skin, which isn't as resistant to magic or weapons and the gem-encrusted undersides of European dragons. It is, however, much more suited to aerodynamic ability, agility and speed. Everything about the amphithere, from it's sleek wings, to it's light scales, to the stablising feather on it's tail, is as it is for a reason; to make this dragon fast, stealthy, and deadly.
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The Mexican Amphithere is found throughout South- and Central America. It prefers to make it's nest in ruined temples, but as these become scarcer they have begun opting for nests in other abandoned, but more modern structures. A female Mexican Amphithere's clutch will consist of between two and four eggs, but it seems that three eggs are the norm.
The Mexican Amphithere has a gestation period of 13 months. The eggs are normally about 30cm tall, and 17cm in diameter. They are a mottled brown colour, with striking, somewhat luminous orange markings. it takes about three weeks for the eggs to hatch, and the chicks which emerge are usually 45cm long.
These babies will be unable to fly until they are three, and their mothers continue to care for them for another two years after that. They won't reach full maturity until they are about 20 years of age, and will continue growing all their lives (About 210 years.)
Amphitheres are not very sociable beasts. Aside from females and their young, They only time they gather is in early spring (late Febuary/early March) over and around the Gulf of Mexico. All amphitheres, (save those unable to fly, and brooding females) of all species congregate there to search for a mate. When the day is up, the entire cohort disperses back to to their nests.
Amphitheres need quite a lot of food to sustain themselves. A fully mature Mexican Amphithere can eat about 800kg of meat in one sitting (and still have room for dessert!). That's about the equivalent of a smart car, or a very large horse.
Draco americanus mex will eat any kind of large animal, but their diet usually consists of cattle, pigs, very large snakes and birds, tapirs, caiman, jaguars, and the occasional human. Keen eyes and agility let it spot it's next meal and weave through the trees with ease. Lacking legs, their main weapons are their tails, teeth, and the element of surprise. An amphithere's tail is prehensile, almost like that of a monkey, and exceptionally strong. They use it the same way a boa constrictor does, squeezing their prey until it expires. Additionally, amphitheres in flight are almost silent, which enables them to sneak up and catch their quarry unawares.
The Mexican Amphithere is a highly intelligent, deadly predator. It is at the top of the food chain in it's respective environment, and has little to fear but high winds and other dragons.
Amphitheres are not very sociable beasts. Aside from females and their young, They only time they gather is in early spring (late Febuary/early March) over and around the Gulf of Mexico. All amphitheres, (save those unable to fly, and brooding females) of all species congregate there to search for a mate. When the day is up, the entire cohort disperses back to to their nests.
Amphitheres need quite a lot of food to sustain themselves. A fully mature Mexican Amphithere can eat about 800kg of meat in one sitting (and still have room for dessert!). That's about the equivalent of a smart car, or a very large horse.
Draco americanus mex will eat any kind of large animal, but their diet usually consists of cattle, pigs, very large snakes and birds, tapirs, caiman, jaguars, and the occasional human. Keen eyes and agility let it spot it's next meal and weave through the trees with ease. Lacking legs, their main weapons are their tails, teeth, and the element of surprise. An amphithere's tail is prehensile, almost like that of a monkey, and exceptionally strong. They use it the same way a boa constrictor does, squeezing their prey until it expires. Additionally, amphitheres in flight are almost silent, which enables them to sneak up and catch their quarry unawares.
The Mexican Amphithere is a highly intelligent, deadly predator. It is at the top of the food chain in it's respective environment, and has little to fear but high winds and other dragons.
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