Metriacanthosaurus shangyouensis

Length: 32 feet
Height: 10 feet
Weight: 1.8 tons

**Coloration:**

*Male –* A distinct blue color, with broad triangular white stripes, white underbelly, and a red head.

*Female and juvenile (both sexes) –* Like the male, only without the red head.

**Diet:**

 Scavenger and predator of small to medium-sized animals.

**Preferred Habitat:**

 Dense forest and jungle.

**Social Structure:**

 Pairs and small groups of 3-4.

**Description:**

 Medium-sized bipedal carnivore.
Metriacanthosaurus’ skin is unusually tough and provides protection
against the abundant parasites such as ticks and leeches which share its
 jungle habitat, as well as the teeth and claws of others of its kind.
 Metriacanthosaurus has slightly elongated vertebrae spines which form a
 small ridge along its back, making the animal appear rather
humpbacked. This, unlike Spinosaurus, is an attachment for muscles;
reinforcing the skeleton and adding to its overall power. Pound for
pound, Metriacanthosaurus is the most muscular dinosaur on Sorna. The
raised ridge is less prominent in juveniles.

**Behaviors:**

 Metriacanthosaurus is seldom seen alone and prefers
 to reside with at least one other of its kind. Groups do not usually
co-operate to bring down prey. A single animal will hunt by itself, and
 food is often shared or stolen by other members of the group. Fights
over food and mating rights are common, but the damage caused as a
result of these fights are usually minimal owing to the thick hides of
these dinosaurs. Groups will also take to the habit of teasing and
mobbing other medium-sized carnivores such as Ceratosaurus, similar in
the manner of crows harassing buzzards. Competition between groups of
Metriacanthosaurus and Ceratosaurus can sometimes be very fierce.

This dinosaur is elusive and seldom seen in open areas as it prefers
to hide in dense forests and Jungle. Metriacanthosaurus is very
particular to heat and does not do very well in droughts or heat waves.
 It is generally more active at dusk, night and dawn when it is cooler
and during the day it rarely moves, instead taking up residence in shady
 patches or even resting in shallow water with just its nostrils
visible above the surface. It is also partial to a good mud wallow.
Metriacanthosaurus seems to love the rain and is often active during a
good downpour.

Metriacanthosaurus roars sound similar to the mating calls of
crocodiles and alligators although much higher in pitch.
Metriacanthosaurus does not hold a territory of any sort as it is
nomadic and never stays in the same place for very long. It buries its
dung to hide its scent from the larger carnivores as it is fearful of
Carnotaurus and carnivores the size of Tyrannosaurus. Like Ceratosaurus,
 Metriacanthosaurus may be followed by groups of Herrerasaurus.
However, Metriacanthosaurus has little toleration for Velociraptors of
either subspecies and sometimes even the mere trace of a raptor is
enough to send this dinosaur into a rage. Metriacanthosaurus will
habitually raid the territories and nests of raptor packs, seemingly
killing just for the sake of killing. Why Metriacanthosaurus does this
is unclear, as it has been known to put itself at severe risk of fatal
injury – while its skin is thick and dulls some of the blows from the
raptors’ claws, Metriacanthosaurus is not invincible. This is why
Velociraptors benefit from co-habiting with Carnotaurus –
Metriacanthosaurus does not like being in the same vicinity as a hunter
 that can change its color and turn invisible to confuse and
intimidate.