So, this is a speculative evolution project, while many aspects of this come from extant and extinct species, this animal does not exist (as far as we know). The general setting is Terra Nova, a hypothetical India sized piece of land that fragmented off of Gondwana (Africa, Australia, South America, India and Antarctica) in the Cenozoic Period. Terra Nova is in the tropical latitudes within the Pacific Ocean and has a mixture of rainforests, dry scrub, grassland, wetland, and montane habitats.
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Olegosuchus (Olegosuchus protoplumia)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodylomorpha
Family: Sebecidae
Genus: Olegosuchus
Species: protoplumia
Described: Timmins (1994)
Terra Nova is sometimes called the cradle of the ‘Crocodile Renissance’ due to the high diversity of crocodile species present on the sub-continent. However, even among the other radiated crocodilian species, Olegosuchus stands out due to its specialisation into a high-altitude terrestrial carnivore. Living in Terra Nova’s mountains, Olegosuchus has a shaggy pelt of proto-feathers that has made taxonomists reconsider when feathers evolved in the archosaurs, and if feathers were present, or potentially present when the ancestors of crocodilians split off from the ancestors of pterosaurs and dinosaurs. The discovery of this species has sparked intrigue throughout the scientific community, and sparked outrage in certain fringe religious groups, with the species labelled ‘a modern-day platypus’ due to the presence of reptilian and avian features. This claim this species is a hoax has persisted even after footage of living Olegosuchus was broadcasted live.
A relatively large predator, Olegosuchus reaches a nose to vent length of up to 1.5m, with another meter of tail. The most notable feature of Olegosuchus are the primitive feathers that coat the animals entire body save for the legs below the knee. These feathers are simple hollow filiments with no barb or plumes, and reach a length of up to 10cm, with shorter feathers on the snout giving the crocodilian a shaggy look. The feather is brown with black speckling along the flanks, with the quills on the back hardened forming a row of black spine like protrusions along the tail and the back half of the animal. These feathers are used to keep the crocodilian warm, as the species lives at an altitude between 1200m and 3500m above sea level. As a member of the family Sebecidae, Olegosuchus is adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle, with its legs positioned under its body, and a fully functional four-chambered heart giving the species an increased endurance compared to other reptiles.
Primarily carnivorous, Olegosuchus is an ambush predator, dropping on prey from a ledge or sprinning from the undergrowth. While it walks and runs with its legs beneath its body, Olegosuchus can twist its leg joints into a sprawling position, allowing it to lay almost flat and give it a greater burst of acceleration when leaping. An opportunist, Olegosuchus tackles prey as large as the sheep sized Bishop’s king chinchilla (Megachinchilla bishopii) but also predates on smaller animals and will also grub beneath the heather for invertebrates and even eat fruit such as the alligator apple (Malugator montana), when the opportunity presents itself. The teeth of Olegosuchus, like the rest on the sebeccids are zipodont (blade shaped), allowing its to tear flesh from their prey without having to employ the death roll of the semi-aquatic crocodilians. Largely immune to predation, smaller specimens are prey to the crag hopper ground owl (Paleotyto nyctoculus) a flightless owl that is primarily active at dusk and dawn.
Olegosuchus are solitary, but individuals may encounter each other at dust baths used to remove parasites from feathers. When they meet, females access the coat quality of the males and take note of his scent, so that during the breeding season, she can track him down to reassess his quality before breeding. Breeding itself is brief, with the female moving back to her territory and the breeding burrow that will be used when gestation is complete. Gestation takes place five months after mating, and the female Olegosuchus gives birth to a single baby which already if 30cm, long typically 20% of the female’s body length. The baby Olegosuchus remains with the mother for eight months, until it has doubled its size. The female protects her baby and may lead it to areas with food, water and dust baths, but does little to care for it, as baby Olegosuchus are largely able to take care of themselves upon being born.
Picture References
1: A-C-QMF57032-ziphodont-crocodilian-tooth-Quinkana-sp-A-Lateral-view-of-lingual.png (850×493) (researchgate.net)
If you have any recommendations for Terra Nova’s fauna and flora please leave a suggestion, and if you want to take part with this ‘New World’s’ exploration, send me a message.
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