Dwarf Burrow Lizard

# Overview

T. iugis is a smaller variant of the widespread T. magna. It also has small ridges along its back that distinguish it from other Terrumlacertis. It generally lives further north than T. magna. While not as successful as its larger variant it is still a large predator that is feared in its ecosystems.

## Anatomy

### Size

The Dwarf Burrow Lizard can vary in size by a lot. Male are typically anywhere between 8 and 10 feet in length and between 1.5 and 3 feet tall, not including the front spikes or the crest. Females are generally smaller and more slimly built, 4-6 feet long and 1-2 feet tall.

### Front Arms

The Burrow Lizard's front arms are webbed and have huge claws meant for breaking up rocks. The webbing catches the dirt and rock to be thrown back. It uses this to burrow underground to Protect itself from danger, make a nest for its young, and gather water/food for survival. These claws can also be used in combat for protecting or hunting.

### Mouth

The Dwarf Burrow Lizard's strong jaw can exert a bite force of almost 1200 psi. Its front “Teeth” are actually part of the skull. They use them to stab prey and hold them down until they bleed out. The Burrow Lizard also has many sharp teeth for slicing up meat or fruits and molars for breaking down bones and roots.

### Skin

The Dwarf Burrow Lizard has very thick protective skin, it is usually up to 3-3.5 inches thick. It also has bumpy ridges along its back the run from its crest to the end of its tail. The Dwarf Burrow Lizard has very sparse patches of fur for warmth.

### Eyes

With its larger eye the Burrow Lizard can see light and colour. The burrow Lizard has infrared vision with its smaller eyes so it can seek out the warmest/coolest places to rest. Burrow Lizards do not have eyelids but they do have a very thick brille that can protect the eye with ease.

### Crest

The Dwarf Burrow Lizard has a crest that measures up to 2.5 feet in length. The crest is used for sexual display when trying to attract a mate. A Borrow Lizard has great control over the blood flow in the crest and can use that to change the colour and temperature of its crest during a display. It also uses it as a show of dominance for other Male Burrow Lizards and to scare off potentially dangerous opponents.

## Ecology

### Reproduction and Mating

A Burrow Lizard reaches sexual maturity after 4 years of life. To find a mate a Burrow Lizard will go to large mating grounds where hundreds of Burrow Lizards gather each year during warm seasons. Using the crest on its head male Burrow Lizards attract mates by fluctuating the heat and colour in its crest. They will also produce distinctive clicks and grunts as mating calls. Males will compete with each other over females and the females will choose the male with the biggest and most colourful crest. Once a Burrow Lizard finds a mate it will stay with that mate until their death and keep having children until they die. Female Burrow Lizards will typically lay between 20 and 30 eggs in their lifetime, 5-10 eggs per pregnancy. Young Burrow Lizards are raised in a cave until they reach maturity, they are then left to live on their own. If a male does not find a mate they will wander the plains and survive until the next mating season.

### Diet

The Dwarf Burrow Lizard is an opportunistic omnivore. If it finds small creatures that are easy to catch it will eat them. This diet consists mainly of small insects, small reptilian or mammalian creatures,  and other smaller members of its species. A Burrow Lizard will also dig under large plants and forage their roots for nutrients. They also periodically forage for fruits and vegetables on the forest floor.

### Predators

The Dwarf Burrow Lizard can be preyed on by large predators sometimes but it is a rare occurrence. Young males may be preyed on by larger males if they find each other in the wild. The dwarf Burrow Lizard is also preyed on by T. magna very commonly.

### Habitat

The Burrow Lizard likes to live in wide open plains where they can dig long tunnels without being halted by large roots from trees. They generally like to stay within a few kilometres of a large body of water such as a lake or ocean, used for both cooling off and drinking water. The Dwarf Burrow Lizard likes to live closer to the southern regions.

### Behaviour

The Burrow Lizard is a fairly sedentary animal and it usually stays in its burrow for days on end.The male of the colony will go out to hunt or forage every few days.