Irritator

## Irritator challengeri

### Behaviour

When an Irritator approaches a player, its behaviour is heavily influenced by its social rank.

## Description

Irritator, a prehistoric creature from the Cretaceous period, is an intriguing dinosaur that captivates the imagination with its unique characteristics. This fascinating creature was first discovered in Brazil and belongs to the spinosaurid family.

In terms of size, the Irritator was a relatively large dinosaur, but not as massive as some of its carnivorous counterparts. It measured approximately 25 feet in length and stood around 8 feet tall at the hip. While it wasn't the largest of its kind, it certainly commanded a formidable presence. Its body was long and slender, perfectly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle, as it likely spent a significant amount of time in and around water bodies.

One of the most striking features of the Irritator was its unique jaw mechanics. Its skull displayed a long, slender snout filled with numerous sharp teeth. In terms of jaw mechanics, the Irritator had a flexible jaw joint that allowed it to engulf and capture slippery prey underwater effectively. It possessed conical teeth designed for gripping and impaling, which would have been crucial for hunting aquatic creatures.

The discovery of the Irritator was a remarkable event in the field of paleontology. In 1996, a group of fossil collectors came across a partial skull and spine of a dinosaur in the Santana Formation of Brazil. These fossils were initially believed to be a completely new species until scientists made an astonishing realization. The skull of the Irritator shared an uncanny resemblance to the skull of a well-known dinosaur, Spinosaurus. It was eventually deduced that the Irritator was a previously undiscovered spinosaurid, and its name, Irritator challengeri, pays homage to this initial confusion and irritation among paleontologists.

Speaking of diet, the Irritator was a carnivorous dinosaur with a taste for aquatic prey. Given its elongated snout and sharp teeth, it is believed to have primarily fed on fish and other marine creatures. The long, slender jaws of the Irritator, along with its flexible neck, would have allowed it to swiftly snatch and secure slippery prey from the water. It likely employed a hunting strategy similar to that of modern crocodiles, ambushing unsuspecting fish and reptiles near the water's edge or lurking just beneath the surface. The Irritator's robust forelimbs would have been instrumental in holding down struggling prey while it used its sharp teeth to tear through flesh and consume its meal.

In conclusion, the Irritator was a fascinating dinosaur with intriguing characteristics. Despite not being the largest of its kind, its unique cranial crest and specialized jaw mechanics make it a captivating subject of study. The discovery of the Irritator and its subsequent restoration shed light on its place within the spinosaurid family and its role in the Cretaceous ecosystem.

## Behaviour

Irritator travel in small groups of three to five, patrolling the banks of the rivers. These creatures, despite their smaller size in comparison to other aquatic predators, use their numbers to harass river-dwellers. Using their long claws, these creatures will nip at or taunt other predators until they leave the kill. Alone, however, Irritator are shy creatures, resting on logs, and fleeing at the face of danger, even if it is comparatively smaller than it.

When a conflict goes beyond intimidation, Irritator are brutal fighters, lashing and slashing at any enemy in their way. With such numbers, it is hard for any lone animal to return any blows.

Irritator males do not raise young. After a female lays an egg (similar to albatrosses), another female is highly likely to pair up with them to raise the offspring. Irritator eggs can be found almost anywhere near the rivers. Mud beds, under the branches of low hanging trees, and even on crevices near waterfalls large enough to hold the creature.

Irritator, upon approaching a player, will have its behavior vastly depends on its social status. If it is a pair of females with eggs, they will not hesitate to pursuit you, skipping out on intimidation and relying on brute force. If it is a gang of irritators, these are more likely to try and intimidate you, stealing food or items. If it is a lone Irritator, it depends on how you approach it. From the water, it will attack you, from the land, it’ll flee into the water.

## Concepts

Irritator concept by LynxSoott"Forest Irritator" by RogerMadruga"Desert"/coastal Irritator by RogerMadruga
## Trivia

* Irritator is the first Brazilian dinosaur to be added to the game and receive a model.

## Gallery

A Irritator model in progress.A render of Irritator.Another render of Irritator.