Tenontosaurus

Tier: 2
Type: Terrestrial herbivore
Passive growth time: 2 hrs 16 min

Band size: 8 sub adults/adults, 14 juveniles/adolescents
Hierarchy: Kratocracy

Mating bond: Ambiamorous
Nest size: 1-6 offspring per pair

Diet tags: Herbivore, fungivore, & forager
Preferred food: Berry bushes, roots, mushrooms & acorns

Behavior in nature

The Tenontosaurus is a hardy and powerful hadrosaur, aptly named the "Sinew Lizard" due to their long, muscular tails. While they prefer lush, open grasslands, they have the incredible adaptability to survive in a vast array of climates, ranging from the driest deserts, to the lush jungles. Tenontosaurus' are not picky about their preferred foods and will spend the majority of their lives mirgrating between feeding grounds, usually in large herds. While mostly docile with their herd mates, Tenontosaurus are extremely aggressive to anything they might perceive as a threat, hitting their tails against the ground repeatedly and honking loudly in the attempt to appear more threatening. They act especially aggressive towards small raptors like Deinonychus and Latenavenatrix, as they are known to pick off young Tenontosaurus with ease.

Social behavior

Tenontosaurus are extremely diligent and thoughtful of their herd mates. They rarely, if ever, leave others behind and will migrate slowly in order for any sick, injured, or elderly members to keep up with the herd. In times of drought or the lack of food, Tenontosaurus will take turns when eating and drinking their fills, ensuring to leave enough behind for other members to eat and drink. Young adult Tenontosaurus will take up the role of being the lookout, using this moment to prove their usefulness to the herd. They can be seen raising up on their powerful back legs, surveying the land for any dangers. The rest of the herd will relax, spending time with one another for warmth and safety

Recommended behaviors

╸In a herd with other hadrosaurs, Tenontosaurus typically positions itself towards the outer edges, serving as a "lookout."
╸Tenontosaurus without a band or a herd will act skittish and elusive towards anything deemed a threat.

Courtship

When mating season arrives, Tenontosaurus will migrate in larger herds, gathering at small watersouces. There, males and females will begin to intermingle with each other. Males will do their best to impress females by showing off their long, powerful tails. Males challenge one another, brawling and slamming their tails to the ground in an attempt to prove their strength and prowess. Ultimately, the decision is left up to the female, as she will show her approval towards her chosen suitor by circling around him and making soft calls. The newly formed pair will then join a herd, often returning to the female's original herd, and stay together for the rest of the mating and nesting season.

Nesting & offspring

Tenontosaurus herds will collectively lay all their eggs at once, preferring to stay in open, grassy fields as they do. Males will take up the role of regularly patrolling the fields, observing their surroundings closely for anything that might pose a threat to the herd or nests. Females will nest close to each other, taking turns watching one another's nests while others feed and drink. As the babies begin to hatch, the parents will encourage their young to get up and moving as quickly as possible since the herd will soon leave the nesting site behind to avoid attracting predators. Young Tenotosaurus are extremely playful and confident, often playing chase with others of their age and taking part in tail slamming competitions. Their parents will teach them the caring social structure of the herd and the importance of staying close to the herd. Once reaching an older stage of life, young Tenontosaurus will chose to either stay with their herd, or leave to join a new one.