Spynx Ecology



Information
Desert-dwelling Fanged Wyverns with powerful limbs and jaws. They use their forelimbs to manipulate the terrain to attack prey and predators alike. Rudimentary wings allow for gliding short distances.

Taxonomy
Order: Saurischia - Suborder: Four Legged - Superfamily: Lion Wyvern - Family: Spynx

Spynx are a part of the Fanged Wyvern class. This class of monsters include Zinogre and Komodon.

Habitat Range
Spynx has adapted to survive in the harsh conditions of the Desert, Dunes, Sandy Plains, and arid regions of the Everwood.

Ecological Niche
Spynx are primarily scavengers, as carrion makes up a large part of their diet. Whoever, they occasionally hunt for prey such as Kelbi, Aptonoth, Rhenoplos, and Apceros. Lesser predators such as Great Jaggi, Gendrome, and Cephadrome could also be easy targets. Even though these Wyverns are mostly scavengers, they face competition from the likes of Rathian, Seregios, Tigrex, Sand Barioth, Nibelsnarf, Tigerstripe Zamtrios, Dinovaldo, Deviljho, Rajang, and Elder Dragons like Kushala Daora and Teostra. Monoblos, Diablos, and Rust Duramboros are also major threats to a Spynx. Komodon is the biggest competitor as both play the same ecological role in their environments.

Biological Adaptations
Spynx are equipped with powerful jaws and limbs. They utilize their jaws to bite down on throat of prey and holding them down until they die, killing them via strangulation. A single strike from their forelimbs can crush boulders and are sometimes used to manipulate the ground to attack prey and predators, mainly by causing rocks to shoot out of the ground and impale victims. The tail acts similarly to a whip and the spine at the end, when extended, can cause severe lacerations. The wings on their back have degenerated over time and can only allow the monster the glide short distances.

Behavior
Spynx spend of a majority of the daytime resting, and become active at night to feed. They will readily steal another monster's kill. Spynx form prides with a dominant alpha male, similar to real world lions. However, contrary to actual lions, male Spynx go out and hunt while females stay behind and care for young. They are often seen fighting with Komodon.