Dewback (SciiFii)

The dewback (Rosrursusaurus africanus) is a species of large reptile, closely related to the lizards, with the monitor lizards being its closest living non-dragon relative, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii, possibly due to some SciiFii's scientists being fans of the Star Wars franchise, and introduced throughout the scrublands and deserts across North Africa and Arabia to help boost biodiversity. The dewback usually stands at 1.3 to 2.1 meters (4.2-6.8 feet) in shoulder height and can reach lengths of 2 to 3 meters (6.5-9.3 feet) long. Though most of the dewbacks are green, dewbacks with red, brown, gray and most rarely blue scales are known to exist. It is common for these scales to have a mottled or camouflage pattern to them. The dewback gets its name from its main method of hydration; by licking the morning dew off of its neighbors' backs. The dewbacks' thick, rugged, sand-colored hide has a special melanins that cut the sun's glare while also helping to preserve precious body fluids. Omnivorous, the dewback's prey is usually cat-sized or smaller, and it also eats desert sages and tubers. Though usually slow, the dewbacks are capable of concentrated bursts of speed (up to 50 kph). Dewbacks are social animals in can live in groups of up to around 10 individuals at a time. Cold-blooded and sluggish at night, they conserve energy by insulating themselves in huddled groups. Dewbacks travel in single-file lines and at a very leisurely pace. Because of the dewback's size, it has very few predators, but the eggs of dewbacks, which they bury in the sand, are easy prey for many of the predators, including fennec foxes. Dewbacks compensate with a high rate of reproduction, producing 50 to 85 eggs per year. The conservation status of the dewback is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the dewback's wide range. The dewback is easy to keep, care for, and breed in captivity, and is easily tameable, despite its large size.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii