Diprotodon Carnifex
| Diprotodon Carnifex | |
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| Mammal (Marsupial) | |
| Official Name | Diprotodon Carnifex |
| Common Nicknames | Plains Demon, Greater Wombat |
| Classification | Mammal (Marsupial) |
| Habitat | Arid Plains |
| Domesticated | No |
| Current Status | Extremely Rare |
The Diprotodon Carnifex, also known as the Greater Wombat or Plains Demon, is a marsupial megafauna native to arid plains biomes. With a massive size, this carnivore utilises its legs to crush prey underfoot when they attempt to flee, along with its thick hide to protect from the sun and attackers alike.
History
The Diprotodon Carnifex, also known as the Greater Wombat, has gained recognition as one of the last surviving megafauna. Having survived for untold millennia, this great beast has had stories of it passed down through the generations, both oral and written, telling of its speed and strength. Given it survived the Great Equilibrium with little change to itself, this monstrous beast continues to roam the arid plains in which it first evolved. There has never been a numerous quantity of these creatures, with their diets forcing them to maintain a small population. Due to this, studying them has remained difficult, but over time, they have evolved to become the apex predators of their environments. They continue to be found exclusively in arid plains, with few plans to change that; some even try to keep them there, though attempts to imprison them have yet to succeed without magical assistance. Currently, the Diprotodon Carnifex maintains its role as the apex predator of its habitat; each one ruler of its own dominion. Some observations have been made of their communication amongst themselves, for though they are generally solitary, they seem to have an unexpected quantity of respect for the boundaries of their territory, even stopping the chase when their prey crosses into another's territory (though that prey is generally caught by the new Greater Wombat before the day ends).
Physical Appearance
The Diprotodon Carnifex lacks sexual dimorphism. The average Carnifex can grow to 2m at the shoulders, with a length of 3m head to rear, weighing in at up to 3500kg. The average Carnifex is capable of running at speeds up to 35 km per hour, which it utilises as a surprise tool to hunt herd animals. Their structure is fairly compact, with stocky trunk-like legs capable of handling the harsh ground conditions, and a thick white hide that assists with keeping cool under the blistering sun. Their jaw is fairly strong, capable of exerting several thousand newtons of force, allowing it to crush their prey and devour them whole. Their stomach contains a strong acid that is capable of dissolving the skin and bones of their prey, alongside the meat. There have been reports of possible polymorphic Carnifexes in the form of ones that are more red to align with the ground colour, but these reports have so far been assumed to be Carnifexes covering themselves with mud to further protect themselves from the sun.
Overview
The Plains Demon has never been noted to have been domesticated, and attempts to do so with children that have been successfully stolen from their parents have proved futile, in at least one case ending in the death of both of the researchers involved. They remain mostly docile towards animals that keep a wide berth and are not their prey, but if antagonised, they will charge.
Trivia
- Due to its size and speed, the Greater Wombat prefers to hunt herd animals, running in and stomping as many as possible to cripple them before running after those that flee, coming back to consume those that it crushed. This tactic allows it to consume the nutrients required for its size, whilst not hunting other megafauna.
- The ferocity of the Diprotodon Carnifex defending its mate or children has caused it to gain the nickname ‘Plains Demon’.
- With a relatively small population and a gestation period that requires the parents to remain close to each other, the Diprotodon Carnifex has evolved to mate for life, each couple producing on average 3 to 4 children, of which 2 to 3 normally survive.
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