Sunday, June 15, 2008

AVOLORAPTOR





A wild and efficient predator, the Avoloraptor feeds mostly upon herbivores but also upon carnivores, even of a larger size than itself. It lives in warm climates where it can find its principal preys. It attacks with its tail, but its name ("Flying Lizard") come from its particular ability to jump up to 40 feet of height and then glide on its prey to make better use of its anatomy. It lives in small packs of usually 5-6 males and females, and it nests in forests. Its anathomical features are:
- A pair of large and powerful hind legs that propel it, and help it land smoothly.
- A large tail that it uses as whip to stun its preys and to enhance its balance and its jumps.
- A broad and powerful jaw with which it breaks the necks of its targets.
- Leathery memranous flaps connecting its "elbows" and "knees" that it uses to glide, and take its preys by surprise.
- Forward and holed in eyes, like those of a bird of prey.
- Its scales are of an olive green hue with orange red stripes.
- Its hind talons are suited to sink deep and grappling its prey, and sometimes used to cut tendons.
- Fore legs are quite little, but tough and dexterous, it uses them mostly to maneuver while gliding.
- It has hollow bones, like birds.
- It measures 9 to 11 feet in height, 30 to 40 feet in length, including the tail and weighs between 1 and 1.5 metric tons.