Nian Monster

The **Nian Monster** is the eighth lion in the game. It could initially be obtained by purchasing it in the 2017 Chinese New Year event for 125, and after purchase it can be found permanently in the stampede. After the 18th of May 2017, in update 1.8.0, it was re-released and reclassified as an endangered animal, meaning that it can only be found on certain random days. Its match can then be found on certain random days after the player tames it.

## Appearance

The Nian Monster is mostly a reddish orange in colour, with its mane and upper legs being the exceptions. The Nian Monster's upper jaw is coloured green with white markings, somewhat like a leaf, and the rest of its head is the same reddish orange as the rest of its body. Its eyes have distinct white markings around them as well. On its forehead is a large upwards-curving spike with a yellow ring around its base. It is light pink at the bottom, fading to white at the top. Its mane consists of a backwards-curling flower with seven petals that are coloured reddish-orange fading to white from the head to the edge of the petals. Each of the Nian Monster's legs are golden coloured at the joint to the body down until the ankle, where there is a white line, and the foot, which is the reddish orange colour. Its tail is long and bushy, and has a green band around the base. Finally, its torso is reddish orange with wavy white lines running down the side of its body.

## Description

*Most commonly found dancing in lines in China. Scare it away with fireworks.*

## Requirements

Before May 18 2017:

* Sky Zoo upgraded to Savannah 5 or greater.
* Lion tamed.
* Purchase for 125 during 2017 Chinese New Year Event.
* Ride past 2200m in Savannah (Nian Monster match can be tamed).

After May 18 2017:

* Sky Zoo upgraded to Savannah 5 or greater.
* Lion tamed.
* Can only be tamed on a certain random day, and can only be matched on a certain random day after it has been tamed.
	+ Ride past 1800m in Savannah.
* After it is matched it can be found permanently in the stampede.
* Obtain in events:
	+ Purchase for 120() in the Fifth Anniversary Event.
		- Nian Monster is tamed immediately upon purchase.

**Note:** Its chance of appearing is extremely low due to it being a tier 5 animal. It will appear randomly but very rarely, and never before 1800m.

## Trivia

* The Nian Monster is based on Nian, a monster well known in Chinese folklore. It was included as a lion because of the traditional lion dances based on Nian.
	+ The description is a reference to how South Chinese New Year parades involve people dressing up as Nian and performing a lion dance, which is performed in lines.
	+ It is also a reference to how Chinese people believe that loud noises scare Nian away, which is why fireworks were initially introduced into the Chinese New Year's celebrations.
* The Baby Nian Monster's ability where crates give 25% more coins references prosperity for Chinese New Year.

## Notes

* The Nian Monster was first released on the 25th of January 2017 in version 1.5.0 to celebrate Chinese New Year, expiring in version 1.6.0 on the 8th of February 2017.
	+ It was re-released permanently on the 18th of May 2017 in version 1.8.0 as an endangered animal, where its tier, XP value and breeding time changed from 4, 14 and 8hrs respectively to what it currently is.
* During the Fifth Anniversary Event, Nian Monster could be bought with 120 in the first week. It was removed from the event shop in version 1.50.2.