Australian false lemur (SciiFii)

The Australian false lemur (Anevasmasaura polaris) is a species of non-avian ornithopod dinosaur, most closely related to Leaellynasaura, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the temperate forested environments across southern Australia to help boost biodiversity. About 1m long (~3'3"), with over half that being just its long tail, the Australian false lemur has a lifestyle similar to squirrels and lemurs, hence its name; spending most of its time leaping around high up in the branches and only rarely venturing down to ground level. The Australian false lemur has zygodactyl feet, with the first and fourth toes reversed, and sharp curved claws that help it climb and grasp onto vertical tree trunks. Its face is short-snouted and superficially owl-like, with large forward-facing eyes that give it both depth perception and good night vision during the winter. Its diet is primarily herbivorous, using its short pointed beak to feed on the fruits and seeds of plants like cycads, ginkgoes, and conifiers, but it will also opportunistically eat invertebrates, eggs, and smaller vertebrates. The Australian false lemur is a social animal that lives in flocks consisting of up to about 25 individuals at a time, led by a dominant female. The Australian false lemur is generally monogamous and forms strong pair bonds. Courtship begins with a swift tail wag by the male, followed by a graceful, circular leaps with outstretched legs and head down. After landing, the male will approach the female with a puffed-out breast, bobbing head, and loud calls. Mated pairs will often preen each other's feathers. The male then leads the female to potential nest sites, and the female will choose one. The female dove builds the nest. The male will travel down to gather materials and bring it to her. The male will stand on the female's back and give the material to the female, who then builds it into the nest. The nest is constructed of twigs, conifer needles, or grass blades, and is of flimsy construction. Australian false lemurs will sometimes requisition the unused nests of birds or arboreal mammals such as possums. Most nests are in trees, both deciduous and coniferous. Sometimes, they can be found in shrubs, vines, or on artificial constructs like buildings, or hanging flower pots. When there is no suitable elevated object, Australian false lemurs will nest on the ground. The clutch size is usually between two or three eggs. Occasionally, however, a female will lay her eggs in the nest of another pair, leading to four or five eggs in the nest. The eggs are white, 6.6 ml (0.23 imp fl oz; 0.22 US fl oz), 2.57–2.96 centimeters (1.01–1.17 inches) long, 2.06–2.30 centimeters (0.81–0.91 inches) wide, 6–7 grams (0.21–0.25 oz) at laying (5–6% of female body mass). Both sexes incubate, the male from morning to afternoon, and the female the rest of the day and at night. Australian false lemurs are devoted parents; nests are very rarely left unattended by the adults. Incubation takes two weeks. The hatched young are strongly altricial, being helpless at hatching and covered with down. Both parents feed the young crop milk for the first 3–4 days of life. Thereafter, the crop milk is gradually augmented by conifers and seeds. Fledging takes place in about 11–15 days, before the young are fully grown but after they are capable of digesting adult food. They stay nearby to be fed by their father for up to two weeks after fledging. Australian false lemurs are prolific breeders. In warmer areas, these dinosaurs may raise to six broods in a season. This fast breeding is essential because mortality is high. Each year, mortality can reach 58% a year for adults and 69% for the young. The Australian false lemur has an average lifespan of around 30 years. The conservation status of the Australian false lemur is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the Australian false lemur's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Dinosaurs
Category:SciiFii