Latenvenatrix

Tier: 1
Type: Terrestrial carnivore
Passive growth time: 1 hr 46 min

Pack size: 10 sub adults/adults, 1-20 juveniles/adolescents
Hierarchy: Bonded pair

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

Diet tags: Carnivore, non-cannibalistic, opportunistic, scavenger & ovivore
Preferred food: Tier 1-2 carnivores & herbivores
Species specific rules: If they have at least 5 sub adults/adults, they can also hunt Tier 3-5 herbivores & carnivores. If they have at least 8 sub adults/adults, they can also hunt Tier 6 herbivores & carnivores

Behavior

Small in stature though they may be, these creatures are highly intelligent, persistent and creative. Without a flock Latenavenatrix will follow larger predators, making alert calls when another predator gets within eyesight. They have also been known to fake calls so they can run in and steal bits of food from a kill. However, all Latenavenatrix are drawn to a flock dynamic and will not be scavengers for long. Once in a flock, they are less skittish, fighting larger creatures and standing their ground, growing incredibly cocky. Their flock behavior is complex and beautiful with a male and female taking up the helm as the leaders. Females typically rule the flock and they say what goes.

Recommended behaviors

╸They are very aware of their surroundings and tend to stick to forest edges.
╸They are very loyal to their packmates.
╸On occasion they are drawn to shiny baubles and other peculiar oddities, and will often snatch trophies off the kills of others.
╸They tend to associate themselves with larger carnivores for easier meals.

Mating

Because Latenavenatrix are monogamous their mating ritual is a serious matter. A male will do his best to prove how fitting he is as a partner. First, he will build an intricate nest, the location which may take days to find. During the nest building, the male will decorate it with pieces of bone or flowers. The male will carry food to the nest and then the preparations are done. He will chirp and trill to gather the attention of nearby females, who will then come inspect his efforts. If found satisfactory the pair will chirp before settling down. The pair will mate for life, never straying far from one another. In the unfortunate circumstances, if one of the mates dies the other will spend a considerable amount of time in grief. They may even stay near their mate's corpse or final location for weeks. Though a Latenavenatrix may move on to find another mate, it is not uncommon for the surviving partner to never form a bond again.

Nesting & offspring

While all Latenavenatrix breed around the same time, it is only the parents who put effort into raising the young. Their clutch may have anywhere from four to eight eggs. A crevice is the most optimal spot for a nest, but a nook among some tree roots or a fallen log can work just as well. Latenavenatrix are not capable of jumping in excessive heights so the nests are low to the ground. One of the parents is always near the nest as the pair will take turns gathering food. When any creature nears their offspring a Latenavenatrix parent attempts to pull off a daring display of bravery. They will feign injury in attempts to distract the threat from the nest. Once the young are old enough they will follow their parents to join with the flock.