Primora Jungle Devil Tortoise

[Catarrh 720]

The Primora Jungle Devil Tortoise

   

   Named for its dreadful appearance, the Primora jungle devil tortoise is, as the name would imply, a tortoise native to the Primora jungles to the southwest of San’Vitar. Its shell can grow as large as five and a half feet in length, and its neck can stretch up to three feet. An adult can weigh around 600 pounds, and live well over 100 years. It feeds primarily on rodents, other smaller species of tortoises, various reptiles and the occasional unfortunate monkey or bird. It waits in the thick underbrush of the jungle floor for its prey to wander close, and, with shocking speed, strikes out from within its shell. Its razor teeth and jaw strength are devastating to anything caught in the devil tortoise’s bite.

   Despite the creature’s menacing appearance and name, the so-called “devil tortoise” is not an aggressive animal. Being a tortoise, its first instinct is defensive behavior. The tortoise relies mainly on camouflage, easily mistaken for a large rock. This is often aided by the growth of moss on the shells of many of these slow moving animals, particularly in much older specimens. When threatened, it will react in a very similar manner to its hunting behavior. It hides in its shell amidst the dense shrubbery until the danger passes. While the tortoise is not known to attack, it will defend itself if the perceived threat comes within striking range. When travelling the Primora jungle, be sure to listen for a harsh hiss, as this is the warning sound of a devil tortoise when approached. They're also known to emit a humming of sorts when agitated. Nearing within three feet is not advised.

   During mating season, the male issues forth its mating call: a low, deep grunt, nearly inaudible to the human ear. The female of the species, however, can detect this grunt as though it were the clearest sound in Athera. The Primora jungle devil tortoise lays its eggs exclusively during the warm season in holes dug by the hind feet of the mother. During the cool season, it becomes fairly inactive, sleeping through the morning and late afternoon. It wakes for only a few hours around midday to hunt during this time. In the warm season, a female may establish one to three nests, with between two and sixteen eggs per clutch. This is surprisingly low when compared to other species of tortoises. It may be speculated that this animal’s low egg-yield could be related to its shrinking numbers as of late. Another culprit may be over-hunting. The fatty meat underneath its shell is considered a delicacy to some, and can also be a source for useful oils. The devil tortoise is, in fact, endangered, and may face extinction if whatever is causing their decline --be it low egg-yield, over-hunting or some other unknown factor-- remains unaltered. The extinction of this vital part of the Primora jungle’s ecosystem could cause untold damage to the balance of nature in the area.

((Just a final note here: For those wondering about using this animal in combat somehow, it wouldn't really be great. As mentioned, it's a defensive animal, and would probably try to bite the crap outta you if you got close enough to try and ride it or whatever. Also, they're endangered, so there wouldn't be a whole lot. If you sent them into battle, you'd probably just run out of tortoises eventually. Also, if anyone's wondering, I have Jistuma's permission for this animal, seeing as it's a pretty harmless one.))

[Catarrh 720]

((Just to re-emphasize, you cannot ride these!))

[Catarrh 720]

((Also, credit goes to jadearr0w for thinking up the over-hunting for oil and meat idea and the humming idea, and for reminding me to make the tortoises make sounds.))

[Destroyer_Bravo 1054]

Rap'Lur intends to breed turtles for kicks and giggles

[Faunherer 44]

Faunher'Gorkil intends to open a shop selling tortoise soup.

[Huh 91]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.