• Often silent while hunting, though vocal otherwise.

• Tend to make themselves seem bigger with their larger-than-life calls.

• Very protective parents but will abandon nests if a threat persists.

• Can be tolerated by Tier 4+ animals unless they’re nesting.

Herrerasaurus

• Pack Size| Unlimited.

• Nesting| Unlimited.

• Avoids|

  • Solo/Paired/Packed: Wary of larger creatures, but won’t avoid them unless threatened away, usually by those that are nesting. Braver in large packs.

Most people haven’t heard of Herrerasaurus, but after encountering one, it’s not something one would forget. These creatures are absolutely the sneakiest ambush predators on Isla Nycta. They’re the fastest creature on the island, and can even move quickly while crouching through underbrush to track targets. They’ll attempt to eat anything around their same size or smaller, and will do so by sneaking in close, silent and undetected, before bursting from their hiding spots to inflict bleeding wounds that weaken a target over time. A prey animal has little warning as, before they can react, the “Herrera” or “Hera” bites and dips away into the trees, often with other pack members surrounding and repeating the process, attacking from blind spots as one distracts.

While not particularly tough creatures, being capable of being fairly easily wounded by many things they might hunt if not careful, their speed and ambush potential makes them especially deadly, even to humans that are confident in themselves. Many have been fooled into thinking a larger predator was around due to the Herrera’s deep, throaty calls and growls, only to be blindsided by a lightning-fast bite from behind. When encountering a threat, this early dinosaur prefers to run rather than fight, using its speed to simply lose the attacker in the underbrush. However, when unable to hunt for themselves, Herreras are often allowed to scavenge from kills made by other creatures, so long as young aren’t around. They are also protective parents, often threatening creatures away from their nests. Though, if a predator persists, it is still likely these carnivores will abandon the nest to save themselves. After all, babies can be replaced, but breeding females are harder to come by.

• Night hunters who often prefer to hunt around water sources.

• Able to sit in water with their heads above the surface.

• Will usually back down from a territory/food challenge if outnumbered.

• Partial to ‘singing’ (broadcasting) during the night.
  

Dilophosaurus

• Pack Size| 8 adults + unlimited juvis.

• Nesting| Unlimited

• Avoids|

  • Solo/Paired| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Packed (3+)| Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Full Pack| Nothing.

Few sounds strike fear into the hearts of creatures at night like the trilling cries of the Dilophosaurus or “Dilo”. These animals are true hybrid creatures, hunting both land and water-based meals. As a result they are almost universally found near rivers, swamps, lakes, or other water sources, and their immediate vicinity. Due to their relatively fragile bodies and weaker bite force, they tend to be ambush hunters. In addition, their saliva carries an anticoagulant that makes blood continue to flow for a long time after a bite. These things, combined with phenomenal night-vision, make the Dilo an ideal night hunter. While larger packs can get away with hunting during the day, they shine best at night, so to speak.

Packs always hunt via ambush if possible, and allow time for prey to bleed out rather than die from their paltry bite power. They are masters of playing the waiting game, and a wounded animal will often be forced to stay on their feet, alert for hunters lurking just out of sight in the blackness as they slowly bleed to death. A Dilophosaurus pack will almost always back down from a territory contest with things larger than them, and will usually only fight a pack of Utahraptors if they outnumber the other predators. They will seek to defend their young and nests, however, but when it comes down to it, babies are, ultimately, replaceable, and if a battle is being lost, the parents will often leave the young to fend for themselves until the threat has left.

These creatures are, specifically, the reason why going out alone at night is heavily discouraged for anyone on Isla Nycta, unless they want their screams to be the last thing heard as they grow quieter and weaker, until silence, and the Dilos, claim them.

• Lead by an alpha/alphas with other pack members filling a particular role.

• Highly aggressive toward outsiders and extremely territorial.

• Known to play with smaller creatures, mock hunting (without biting), crouching and head-bobbing.

Utahraptor

• Pack Size| 8 adults + unlimited juvis.

• Nesting| Unlimited

• Avoids|

  • Solo/Paired| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama

  • Packed (3+)| Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama

  • Full Pack| Nothing

This is the raptor many people think of when someone says “Velociraptor”, however, after seeing both, I can say these are far more terrifying than their smaller film-based counterparts. Packs are usually headed by an Alpha Pair, almost always mates or mates-to-be, and contain their offspring and other subservient Utahs.

Occasionally, however, a pack might have a single Alpha. This alpha can be male or female, and keeps this right based only on leadership ability as decided by the pack itself. These packs are often rag-tag, more ruthless and territorial, and more prone to in-fighting than family-bonded packs.

Each pack member typically has different roles, be it scout, hunter, or a nurse for young, with the Alphas typically handling some balance of all these roles. Males typically hunt, while females typically rear chicks, but these roles can often reverse when females get hungry. A poor leader (or any pack member that can’t provide food or is a detriment in some way) can, and often is, challenged out of the position, eaten, or kicked out of the pack.

Blood-related animals tend to always get preferential treatment, especially if they are direct offspring of the Alpha Pair. Family packs will not inter-breed if it can at all be avoided, while mixed groups often mate more freely. Often, however, these packs might split off into true family packs and claim their own territory rather than remain in such a chaotic system. As a rule, Utah packs almost universally avoid one another unless merging into a mixed pack, and even fight one another for prime territory, but, despite their ferocity, Utahraptors are not all teeth and death.

Big brains demand to be used, and as a result, Utahs, when full and content, will often “play” with other creatures. Jumping over them, teasingly taunting them, playfully stalking them, or engaging in a strange “head bobbing” or “crouching” display. As a result, while packs of Utahraptors can often be a huge threat to humans, it is not unheard of for a few individuals to express curiosity at the sight of one, making them a wildcard to be carefully watched at all times.

• Very slow starvation rate, can go a long time without food.

• Wanderers that rarely settle in one place.

• Rarely seen, making it difficult to form packs.

Albertosaurus

• Pack Size| 6 adults.

• Nesting| Cannot nest.

• Avoids|

  • Solo| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Packed (3+)| Pue.

  • Full Pack| Nothing.

People tend to hear the name “Tyrannosaur” and think of a huge predator, but little do they know that several such creatures smaller than T-rex exist within that denomination. Albertosaurus is one such creature. These “Albertos” are elusive creatures on the Island, and rarely seen. It is believed that this is due to issues in their genetic sequencing making breeding difficult or outright impossible. Thus, only adults are typically seen. Though they are slightly larger and more deadly than an Allosaurus, they lack numbers, often making them easy targets for packed hunters, though evidence suggests these creatures might pack up to six individuals, if they were able to find one another.

Unlike their larger cousins, these creatures seem to be durable wanderers with a high tolerance for going without food, making them ideal predators in low-prey environments. It seems sad, really, that such a robust species is prevented from reproducing, as otherwise, it is likely they would be very successful animals. As with any large carnivore, human interaction is not advised.

• Highly cannibalistic.

• Often lead by an alpha male or female.

• Territorial and if a rival doesn’t leave, they’re typically killed and eaten unless they submit (4 call).
  

Allosaurus

• Pack Size| 6 adults + unlimited juvis

• Nesting| Unlimited.

• Avoids|

  • Solo/Paired| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Packed (3+)| Pue.

  • Full Pack| Nothing.

If the Cerato is the wolf of the island, then the Allosaurus is most certainly the lion. The “Allo” is, undoubtedly, the king of the medium-sized carnivores on Isla-Nycta. They’re fast, sturdy, hardy, and deadly bleeders with powerful bites, and hunt in large packs of up to six individuals. Only three of them gather enough boldness to attempt to attack a Tyrannosaurus or Giganotosaurus, and their aggression doesn’t end there. Packs claim territory and actively patrol and hunt within it, defending it from other threats that invade it, including other Allosaurs undesired by the pack.

Cannibalism is a way of life for these predators, even extending to weaker members of the pack that can’t provide for the whole or lead to failed hunts. Such individuals often find themselves on the menu after being threatened. If they don’t leave, they are attacked and killed, finally serving a final use as food.

These packs are lead by an Alpha, be it male or female, and this Alpha maintains control by fighting off those who might seek to take control of the pack for themselves. Sometimes, as with Utahs, an Alpha Pair will control the pack, fighting off any challengers to their title together. Amusingly, these dinosaurs also seem to mate for life, having incredibly close familial bonds, and it isn’t uncommon to find a pack of family working together to maintain territory. This aggression makes Allosaurus dangerous to just about anything that isn’t bigger or beefier than they are, and anything that doesn’t retreat, forfeit, or can’t defend itself is sure to find itself being torn apart by these ferocious creatures.

• Weak turning radius, known to hit and run.

• Often roams, restlessly.

• Tend to stay in open areas where they can run freely without getting caught in trees.

Carnotaurus

• Pack Size| 6 adults + unlimited juvis.

• Nesting| Unlimited.

• Avoids|

  • Solo/Paired| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Packed (3+)| Pue.

  • Full Pack| Nothing.

Literally meaning “meat-eating bull” the Carnotaurus or “Carno” is built for three things: running, biting, and bleeding. These are one of the fastest dinosaurs for their size on the island, outrunning every other medium-sized carnivore present on Isla Nycta. While not as durable as the Ceratosaurus or Allosaurus, these predators don’t need to be. They engage in hit and run-tactics, keeping themselves in motion as much as possible, while their teeth tear into their prey, leaving debilitating wounds that weaken them over time from bloodloss. If hunting faster prey, they will chase it down and mercilessly tear them to pieces from behind.

Though fast, however, turning is not the Carno’s strongpoint, meaning they find it difficult to deal with more agile prey. Often traveling in packs of about six members, they often move from place to place, running down meals as they find them, taking a break to eat and rest, before moving on. Young are along for the ride, being quite fast themselves, though much less so than their parents. Together, these dinosaurs are most often encountered in areas of flat plains and open areas, away from forests that would cause them to slow down, and lose their biggest advantage. Those seeking to avoid a Carno, then, should stay to steep slopes and forests where one wrong move could lead to the animal breaking a leg, or being unable to maneuver. Of course, these locations come with their own set of dangers… Regardless, caution is advised for anyone traveling the plains, lest they meet the Meat-Eating Bull, and get the horns.

• Tends to stick around water.

• Known to ambush from lakes to attack smaller prey.

• May share water with other fishers at a distance.

Suchomimus

• Pack Size| 6 adults + unlimited juvis.

• Nesting| Unlimited.

• Avoids|

  • Solo/Paired| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivore Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Packed (3+)| Pue.

  • Full Pack| Nothing.

The Suchomimus or “Sucho” is the second of the island’s water-dwelling predators, and the most common. These are true fish-eaters, rarely seen beyond the water’s edge outside of nesting or taking the occasional break to sunbathe, and typically slow and lumbering on land. Packs are small, usually no more than six adult members and a handful of juveniles. However, much like crocodiles, these creatures are capable of frightening bursts of speed, and have significant stamina, making them nasty ambush predators for anything that gets too careless near the many lakes and streams of the island.

For something that primarily enjoys fish, however, these carnivores aren’t afraid to tangle with bigger, toothier prey. They’re heavy, and will often take on a defensive posture near the shore, forcing attackers to come to them, rather than engaging themselves. This limits their exposure to predators like Allosaurus, Dilophosaurus, Carnotaurus, and Ceratosaurus, all major pack hunters, but does little to dissuade larger creatures like the Giga or T-rex, and even less to disturb the deadly Spinosaurus, itself a water-based creature. As a result, anything getting close to get a drink of water, including humans, should be on the lookout for a wake of ripples near the surface, signalling something deadly might lurk beneath the water, out of sight.

• Groups composing of subs and juvis tend to stay together until one grows to adult.

• Often found living off of smaller creatures until they’re large enough to hunt.

Sub-Giga / Sub-Rex

• Pack Size| 4 mix of sub-adult and juvi.

• Nesting| None; may pack with juvies until max pack size is reached. Adults must leave the pack.

• Avoids (All Subs)|

  • Solo| Acro Pack, Apex Pairs, Tier 4+ Herbivores Herds (3+), Pue, Cama.

  • Paired| Tier 4+ Herbivores Herds (3+), Pue.

  • Full Pack| Nothing.

Curiously, it seems that subadults of large theropod dinosaurs have similar behavior when reaching the age when they must fend for themselves. In order to better survive, they have been seen grouping into small packs of no more than four members that sometimes include juveniles among that number. Together, they are better able to hunt and stalk prey that might otherwise be too difficult for them to kill alone.

They rely on ambush tactics, being too fragile to properly fend off most things their size, and not yet confident enough to throw their weight around. If a member of the group reaches maturity, they will leave, largely being able to fend for themselves, and will occasionally take a sub-adult member from their pack as a mate, the pair heading off together to start a new family group.

• Solos can have 1 hatchling/juvenile

• A pair can have 1 hatchling/juvenile that must leave at sub adult stage

• Often claims territory and will be aggressive to threats that enter

• Will sometimes bully things from their meals rather than hunt

• Will not allow smaller creatures to eat from their meals, and will actively threateningly charge at anything eating from it.

• Highly aggressive toward other apexes

• Will not share food with juveniles or sub apexes that aren't theirs.

• Cannot nest solo at Sub stage. Must be Adult stage to nest or paired with an Adult.

Tyrannosaurus Rex

• Group Size| 2 (adult/adult or adult/sub) + 1 juvi.

• Nesting| 1 egg/juvi max; you cannot nest in another until the previous one is pushed away.

• Avoids|

  • Nothing.

There’s not a soul alive that hasn’t had nightmares of stomping feet, huge banana-sized teeth, and a grim fascination with this deadly beast. The Tyrannosaurus, most usually simply called a “Rex” is the most recognizable apex on the island, sending chills down the back of anything unlucky enough to hear it in the distance. Fiercely territorial, these creatures find a suitable area and, like a tyrant, seek to rule over it.

While the Giganotosaurus will often wander from place to place, a pair of Rexes will claim large swaths of territory and patrol it, hunting as it goes to feed their voracious appetites. Rexes will challenge other apexes for prime real-estate, and if two pairs, or unfriendly solos, come into contact with one another in the same place, they will always fight for dominance with threat displays or even full on attacks. If another apex is within the Rexes' selected territory, they will actively seek to bully off the other apex in the area, greedily hoarding what it sees as its food, even if it isn’t actively eating it. They will fight until one either backs down and leaves the territory, or winds up dead. This aggression seems to extend only to apexes in the area, while smaller creatures seem to be able to hunt in the territory so long as they don’t try and eat the Rex’s personal meal.

Despite this territorial bickering, Rexes are very protective parents, often leading their young around the area, and threatening anything that dares get close to their progeny. Foolish or starving is something that would dare attack a juvenile Rex in the care of its parents, and despite their apparent bulk, these apexes can be very, very fast. Oddly enough, they seem to ignore humans, unless said humans threaten their young, or their territory in some way, such as building structures within it.

• Solos can have 1 juvenile

• A pair can have 1 juvenile that must leave at .6/fresh adult stage

• Rarely claims territory that doesn’t have the presence of water.

• Doesn't need to hunt often as its food stores lasts far longer than other apexes

• Can tolerate creatures Cerato sized and smaller unless they’re in large packs

• Doesn’t seem to care if smaller creatures (velo, herra, austro, and non-apex juveniles) eat from their meals, as long as the Spino isn’t eating at the same time.

• Highly aggressive toward other apexes

• Will not share food with juveniles or sub apexes that aren't theirs.

Spinosaurus

• Group Size| 2 (adult/adult) + 1 juvi.

• Nesting| 1 egg/juvi max; you cannot nest in another until the previous one is pushed away.

• Avoids|

  • Nothing.

While arguments rage across the world of paleontology on whether or not the Spinosaurus walked on two or four limbs (or could fight a T-rex), the variant that appears on Isla Nycta appears to be a bipedal terror from the deep. Whether this is natural or due to genetic engineering is unknown. That said, whatever form this creature takes, the “Spino” is quite sure of its ability to kill.

Boasting a bone-chilling cry and a large sail, these fish-eaters and shore-crawling predators seem to have forgotten their place in the ecosystem, and are often seen roaming the land as much as they are found near or in water. The only thing that can adequately defend itself against these creatures in a fight is another apex predator, and even then, more often than not, the Spino comes out on top.

Curiously, Spinos seem to ignore carnivores around the size of a Ceratosaur and smaller unless there is a pack larger than four individuals nearby, in which case they may see them as competition. Due to their slow metabolisms, these creatures also seem not to care if these smaller scavengers — such as the velo, herrera, austro and non-apex juveniles — eat from their kills, so long as the Spino is not actively eating from it. In essence, they just don’t care enough to expend the energy to push them off. Anything larger than this is often either chased away or winds up on the menu if hungry.

Spino pairs will not tolerate ANY other apex predators in their territory, chasing away or killing any that dare to linger around, unless the other apex is actually a pair of apexes, in which case a territorial dispute usually kicks off. That said, human contact is to be avoided at all costs.