Camptosaurus

Tier: 1
Type: Terrestrial herbivore
Passive growth time: 1 hr 38 min

Band size: 10 sub adults/adults, 1-20 juveniles/adolescents
Hierarchy: Horde

Mating bond: Polygynandry
Nest size: 1-8 offspring per pair

Diet tags: Forager & herbivore
Preferred food: Acorns, roots, pinecones, flowers & berry bushes. Licks salt rocks for extra salt in diet

Behavior

Camptosaurus are one of the smallest herbivores. They are very quick and light on their feet with a streamlined body that seems made for speed. While having a preference for more wooded areas with plenty of food and bushes, they have been known to migrate great distances and pack up with other herbivores. Their compact appearance along with their heightened sense of smell and hearing makes them the perfect symbiotic pals, scouting ahead for food and potential predators. Hordes of Camptosaurus are more communal in their hierarchy but have a very fastidious nature and are often observed sniffing and grooming their herd mates, including larger herbivores. It is worth noting that due to the Camptosaurus sensitive hearing they do not tolerate the loud call of the Struthiomimus or other shrill herbivores and actively seek to avoid them.

Recommended behaviors

╸Camptosaurus tend to avoid fights and appear extremely skittish.
╸They love the sound of their own voice, they enjoy singing to other herdmates.
╸Camptosaurus try to avoid Struthiomimus and other high pitched herbivores.
╸Prefers to hang around other hadrosaurs like Barsboldia, Parasaurolophus, Iguanodon and Lambeosaurus.
╸Male Camptosaurus are often bright coloured to ensure attracting mates.

Mating

It is not strength or speed that will determine the best mate, instead the consideration for mating is based solely upon aesthetics. Meaning that the most vibrant males or the most interestingly patterned males are the most sought after by females during mating season. A single male with vibrant coloring could have an unlimited number of mates for the season, including both genders admiration. Breeding pairs are not guaranteed, and females have been known to change their minds midseason and choose a different mate. Males who are not endowed with brilliant colors or patterns still have a chance at a mate however, by creating a nest on their own that might attract an available female not given enough attention. They will often decorate their nests with pebbles, flowers, leaves, or other elements that a female might consider as pretty as their patterns.

Nesting & offspring

Upon choosing a mate for the season the males assume the bulk of responsibility in keeping the females fed, cleaned, guarding the nest, and helping to incubate by bringing in additional bush to ensure warmth. This expectation on the male however can be overly demanding and each female can lay up to six eggs, gleaning more attention from the males. When born, baby Camptosaurus have very poor eyesight and are reliant on smell to keep close to their nests, a newborn away from the nest will usually end fatally. After three days, nests are left behind, and the herd begins migrating once more, as young Camptosaurus develop quickly. Offspring normally remain with the herd they are born into with some exceptions.