Aragtora
The Aragtora are a type of animal from Yeseg.
Physiology
Aragtora are most recognisable by the set of blade-like quills attached to their backs. These are defensive, and can be discarded by the animal should they get stuck.
They are large animals, and lengths of over 4m are usual. They can mass 760kg, and store fat in their tails. Their regenerative capabilities are similiar to those of an Earth salamander, and they can live up to 70 years.
Aragtora are carnivorous, and have a large primary mouth containing many canine-like teeth to shear flesh. Their claws, on hands and feet, are adapted to pull other animals from within armour or open flesh. Each of their six limbs is heavily muscled, and this also extends to their sinewy body. Their tail is long, and tipped with a barb containing potent neurotoxin.
The secondary mouth is below the head, and used only for breathing. It can move around on a 'neck' to some extent.
Due to their lightness, Aragtora can reach high speeds, up to 40km/h on good ground. They are quite capable of long leaps and usually pounce on smaller prey.
Diet
Aragtora eat meat (for example, that of the Haranot) and Cirrece.
Intelligence
Like all Yesegian Rektors, Aragtora have multiple large brain ganglia. This redundancy assists in surviving injury. However, Aragtoran actions almost always derive from the frontal, most instinctual brain.
Aragtorans rarely group together, but when they do, they have been known to divide labour and lay ambushes.
They can work out ways to extract prey from within shells or from narrow spaces.
Distribution
Endotherms, these animals can live in reasonably cold climates. However, due to their hunting preferences, they stay in plains.
Life Cycle
Usually, Aragtora ignore each other. However, during breeding season, their malthic glands produce far more aggressor hormones, and two males meeting will end in death for one or both. Females become as aggressive, though they allow the other to escape in most scenarios.
The act of mating is extremely violent, and the couple usually tear deep wounds in each other. However, the areas of the brain responsible for pain are deactivated during this time, and the animals do not notice.
Aragtora are viviparous, and the female usually gives birth to between two and four young. The couple stay together with their offspring between mating and their young's maturation, which takes around seven years.
Interactions with Sapient Species
When Zyrothans emerged from their part of the world, conflict was inevitable between these two dominant lifeforms. Due to the use of tools, Aragtoran numbers dropped dramatically. Only recently has hunting stopped, though some illegal honour hunts take place. Aragtoran numbers have recovered to half pre-Zyrothan numbers.
