Suchyx

Suchyx terasuchus
Length: 35 ft. Recorded lenghts of over 43 are rare.
Weight: 6 metric tons
Lifespan: 60+ years
Diet: Carnivore
Status: Critically Endangered

--Andy's Classification--
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Superorder: Draca
Order: Saurischia
Suborder: Therapoda
Family: Suchodae
Subfamily: Suchorae
Tribe: Suchorini
Genus: Suchyx
Species: S. terasuchus
Nicknames: Water Dragon or Wyvern, Such,Suchy (pronounced soo-key; plural Suchies)

(I based this species off of Suchomimus Tenerenis)

HISTORY
The Suchyx is rarely seen, and is poorly understood until now. It's species name means "winged crocodile" due to the fact that it's snout resembles that of the crocadilians of planet Earth. It is a dragon that remains truly wild, and cannot be tamed. Locals call it the Water dragon due to the fact that those who have claimed to see it say that it never leaves from the water's edge, constantly combing for food, and is said to have a rather nasty temper if disturbed. Because of its rare apprearances in the past, most Archeans assumed that the suchyx was just a hoax, and eventually found its way into myth and legend. Even so, it was treated with such respect that it was said to bring good luck if one passed by you. But because of this superstition, it had been heavily hunted to near extinction.

DESCRIPTION
The suchyx is a fairly large dragon, and the only one of the its family, Suchodea. Though it is highly speculated that it is very distantly related to another more aquatic dragon found on Earth, the Merdag. The suchyx is perhaps one of the best representations of sexual dimorphism. They are more streamline than the Cranigorids. The males are highly conspicuous, having an blue body with a dark blue dorsal stripe that spans from teh back of his head to the tip of his tail, and dtrisp down in stripe-like formation, with smaller stripes underneather it, as well as the thighs. His underbody is yellow, and his head has red markings from snout to cranium, including the lower jaw. His lower legs and feet are red, and his mane is silver. The female is slightly smaller, and is olive green with a brown dorsal stripe fron head to tail, and a white head. Both sexes have yellow eyes and orange irises. Though they have powerful wings, the suchyx hardly flies unless promted to do so, such as evading a natural disaster.

RANGE
The suchyx is native to the large continent of Sao, more specifically combing the sandy shores, marshes, bogs, and any large body of water for food. It is not uncommon for this dragon to travel far inland, though it never tries to stray too far from its territory. They lead solitary lives, coming together only to breed. Occasionally, the suchyx will travel to the shores of Meta. While they are fond of hotter and warmer climates, suchyx can tolerate ice cold environments to a certain extent of time as their blood protiens are specially evolved to remain active under such extremities of climate.

FEEDING
Suchyx are patient hunters, but they're also opportinistic, scavanging the kills of other animals or seeking out carrion. They specialize in preying on amphibious life. Their long snouts are mainly adapted to catching aquatic like such as fish-like creatures and aquatic vertebrates, even larger prey items. But even so, this also gives them the ability to eat virtually any animal it can subdue thanks to specialized teeth that, like a crocodile, can grab prey usign a vice-like grip, and can use a death toll to tear chunks of flesh. Suchys are, in fact, the apex predators of Soa, though at times, they can come into conflict with the larger Folcran during their migratory mating season to Soa.

HABITS
The suchyx may be active, but it is rarely seen, if seen at all. Part of this is due to the fact that they like to remain isolated from others of their own kind, especially other dragon species. Their nasty temper and fast, streamline bodies make the suchyx a formidable opponent when it comes to fighting over territory and a mate, or when faced with another dragon species. It can hold its own in a fight with a foldon or folcran, and seldom wins. They are the most aggressive large dragon, and will, occasionally, pick a fight with other large dragons if agitated for food and territory. Unusually large male specimens can be troubling when combating with male foldons and cranigors. But this hardly happens, especially since suchyx are not pack oriented. And when faced with a mature family unit, it stands no chance. A male cranie can kill a young dragon, but if both opponents are evenly matched (a large male Suchyx against an older adolescent Cranie), long fights can last, though it is rare for suchies to win in a fight. Regardless, it can inflict some serious wounds to an opponents legs, wings, and throat.

Suchyx are excellent swimmers, their streamline bodies are perfectly suited for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, as well as running fast on land.

REPRODUCTION
The suchyx only come together once every eight years when it comes to breeding. During the wet season on the brightest days, rivers, mangroves, and shorelines are flooded, and the male must find himself a stage made up entirely of white sand in which to serve as his display platform. He will issue a mating call to that any soaring female above will notice him. He is especially cautious when approached by a female, though he is larger. At the same time, he will flap his mighty wings and show off his brightly red legs and feet. If she is interested, the female will land in and move closer to admire his feet. The brighter his feet, the more attractive he will appear. His silver mane acts as an eye grabber, as the sychux are attracted to metallic objects. His mane and feet will keep her distracted long enough to keep her right where he wants her, in the center of the stage. If she's receptive, she'll rear her tail in submission. Once the pair have copulated several times, he ends the ritual with a large, long distance flame throwing in the air. Then, they will then seek out an apporpriate nesting sight close inland but still close enough to the water, digging up dirt, sand, and debris, and even shiny objects, including precious Argonium, their catalyst to spark their flame. The male patrols his territory while the female stays by the nesting heep. Male dragons do not help raise their young, and are known to often try to eat the young of other males.

After 3 months, the chicks hatch. Already, the differences between genders is obvious, the chicks resembling miniature infant-like versions of their parents, though the male offspring have red stripes on their legs instead of red legs and feet like their sire. The chicks, numbering about two or three, fully impront on their mother, following her and observing her every move, including hunting. At even day one, the chicks are natural swimmers, but cannot fly until about age six. After about a month, the male is forced to leave as he may be tempted to eat his own offspring. The young dragons stay with their mother for about seven years, and wont' sexually mature until about age six. Mothers fiercely guard their young, and on very rare occasions, have been known to engage in a fight with males when protecting her chicks.

STATUS
The suchyx is probably the rarest of the giant dragons, and the total number is unknown. Reason being is due to excessive hunting by foreign big game hunters who seek out rare animals from different galaxies to hunt and own as valuable display models, as well as for sport on such an aggressive animal. Males are especially at risk, as they are the most sought after. The added violent hurricanes and tsunamis do not help at all, as it could easily decimate a small local population with a single blow. Conservation is a big must for bringing the suchyx population up to parr.