Spinosaurus

Tier: 6
Type: Semi-aquatic carnivore
Passive growth time: 6 hrs 34 min

Pack size: 2 sub adults/adults, 1-3 juveniles/adolescents
Hierarchy: Decentralized

Mating bond: Polyandry
Nest size: 1-3 offspring per adult pair

Diet tags: Piscivore, carnivore, non-cannibalistic & non-scavenger
Preferred food: Fish, Tier 3-7 herbivores & carnivores
Species specific rules: Must contest other semi-aquatic apexes for the body of water in the POI. They can also hunt Tier 1-2 herbivores & carnivores that are drinking, sitting or lying down within 1 body length of their already claimed body of water, but are not allowed to chase after them.

Behavior

First impressions are often wrong, these intimidating creatures prefer sunning on the muddy banks and watching the rest of the creatures squabble. While curious, a Spinosaurus often will not leave their water source due to their slow speeds and the effort it takes to travel on land. Content to sit and catch fish they rarely venture too far from their territory, preferring larger bodies of water where fish are abundant. While Spinosaurus are highly territorial of their stretch of beach, they have been known to accept another Spinosaurus as company for a time. They do not pack up for life as other creatures do, merely tolerate one another until one or both have worn out their welcome. They do not have a preference for the gender of their companion. Because of their size Spinosaurus are less aggressive towards other smaller creatures on land but they do not like sharing their space with other aquatic creatures.

Recommended behaviors

╸Spinosaurus are slow moving and clumsy. They prefer not to run after their target on land and stay close to the water's edge.
╸Prefers to live in murky freshwater sources instead of clear and high visibility ocean environments.
╸Can stay submerged for long periods of time while looking for big fish at the bottom of water sources.
╸Spinosaurus can appear as very self centered, fussing over their own scales instead of caring for their young.
╸Spinosaurus tolerates Concavenator mainly due to the amount of energy it would take to get rid of them.

Mating

Females are not picky. They do not need the flashiest or strongest male. Instead, a female will mate as many males as she can. This makes the male think he is the father, and will thus not attack or eat her offspring. The more males fooled, the better her hatchlings chance of survival. Males will often dance and give the female fish to show interest in her. Once she accepts, the male will become extremely aggressive to other male Spinosaurus in the area. It is not uncommon for pairs to last only a day or so, and after, the female will immediately look for another male.

Nesting & offspring

Spinosaurus are not the best parents. Males have no interest in raising young, but will defend them against larger threats. Females will protect her hatchlings, but due to their slow speed, they can seem lazy. They will often let their young wander around within their eyesight, calling them back should they wander too far. Females tend to favor the stronger children. Weaker and smaller hatchlings are often ignored. Her energy is better suited to caring for the ones most likely to survive. Hatchlings bully smaller and weaker siblings, and the weak are often left to starve. As the young grow, their mother begins to care less. Eventually, they become too big to tolerate and are pushed out of their parent's space.