Struthiomimus

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

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

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

Diet tags: Herbivore, insectivore, forager & ovivore
Preferred food: Berry bushes, acorns, roots, pinecones, flowers, insects & fresh eggs

Behavior

Struthiomimus prefer grasslands and open woodlands and generally live in the vicinity of other larger grazing animals, creating a valuable partnership in which larger herbivores stir up the group providing roots, and small insects for the Struthiomimus to feed on. In return, this bird-like creature warns the other herds of encroaching danger with their impeccable eyesight, well known for their broadcast that can be heard for miles. This also leads to young carnivores keeping an eye out for a Struthiomimus, since their alarm calls cause panic in other herbivores in the area. This agile herbivore rarely stays in one place for long and uses its long legs for running long distances. It is not uncommon to see them engaging in combat with their herd mates for competitive reasons, or trying to get the attention of a female.

Recommended behaviors

╸Prefers to roam around grasslands and open woodlands where visibility is good and spotting predators is easy.
╸Struthiomimus do not go well with Camptosaurus since their diets go very close to each other.
╸Struthiomimus tend to seek out other herbivores groups to band with for protection.
╸They spend their days running laps around their herd mates, keeping an eye open for danger

Mating

Struthiomimus are more matriarchal with females in the herd outnumbering males. These females are seen as more dominant, and males will typically compete for their attention by pushing others out of the way of her gaze. The matriarch will only breed with the most persistent and cocky male. His impressive moves include dropping to the ground, shaking his wings and tail, and swaying his head and neck from side to side- as well as displaying his speed and strength of his legs. After proving his worth, the most attractive males make a nest in the ground for the matriarch and will perform an elaborate dance to attract her interest.

Nesting & offspring

The matriarch will lay the largest clutch of eggs, which are positioned in the center of the flock's nesting area where they are safest, and the other Struthiomimus often will lose some of their clutch due to competitive pecking between males. The dominant will only assist the matriarch in taking turns incubating their eggs, whilst the other females will often have more submissive males beckoning for their attention to sit on the eggs as well. Though tending to sabotage the dominant male’s legacy by cracking the eggs. Once the chicks hatch, their mother is there first to greet them to the world. As they get older, Struthiomimus offspring become more self-sufficient, and it is not uncommon to see them sprinting about yards upon yards from their parents looking for insects and berries to feed on. Struthiomimus often split up at young ages to find herbivore herds to follow.