Ampelosaurus

Tier: 6
Type: Terrestrial herbivore
Passive growth time: 5 hrs 58 min

Band size: 3 sub adults/adults, 1-6 juveniles/adolescents
Hierarchy: Patriarchal/Gerontocracy

Mating bond: Polygynandry
Nest size: 1-3 offspring per pair

Diet tags: Herbivore & frugivore
Preferred food: Berries, melons, bananas & roots. Licks salt rocks for extra salt in diet

Behavior

Ampelosaurus are very gentle, medium sized sauropods. Ampelosaurus tend to remain docile until threatened or disturbed. They are very social and often stay nearby fellow herbivores, even following them at a distance for some time if the chance to join the herd never presents itself. Ampelosaurus must balance a tedious personality of either unwavering kindness or explosive protectiveness, although typically quiet and docile, they may grow extremely protective of herdmates and become hostile if a threat is nearby. Herds of Ampelosaurus are led by the oldest male within the herd, or the most knowledgeable female if no males are present.

Recommended behaviors

╸Ampelosaurus prefer to stay in one familiar area, but they will migrate in the search of food and while looking for a social group.
╸Ampelosaurus are fond of their herdmates and commonly snuggle, groom, and show tenderness to each other, even if it isn’t appreciated at times.
╸Ampelosaurus have a massive sugar-tooth and relentlessly seek out bananas, berries, melons and roots.
╸Ampelosaurus attempt to intimidate potential predators by stomping, whipping their tails, showing off their dewlaps, and bellowing if they get too close.

Mating

When the male Ampelosaurus within a herd are ready to mate, their necks and dewlaps become flush with color and they become much more vocal. If the females are receptive to mating as well, they too will become brightly colored a little after the males begin to shed. When the season moves into full swing, the males will go into rut and spend many hours of downtime arching their necks toward the sky to show them off. If there are many males aiming to attract females all at once, they will stand close together with their necks touching in order to compare their colors, battle worn scars, and size. Males never resort to violence, and those that do are driven off by both the males and females within the herd. Female Ampelosaurus are typically drawn to old, experienced males.

Nesting & offspring

After rut is over and males have gathered their females to them, the females will leave with their selected male and migrate to a good nesting location. Desirable nesting locations consist of densely forested areas with plenty of water and sweet fruits and berries. Female Ampelosaurus will build their nests on the water’s edge within dense reeds or other suitable foliage. During this time, the females will shed their bright colors. The selected male will pamper his females and bring them food while they watch over the clutches. Young Ampelosaurus live quiet, still lives. Immediately after hatching, they instinctively know to lay still within the foliage near the nest. The oldest hatchling may guide their siblings to hiding places until their mother returns with food for the young. They will continue this behavior until they reach juvenile age, when they will finally follow their mother back to the rest of the herd and abandon the nest entirely to return to their original home.