Woods Wyvern

Technically a monitor lizard, Varanus Liliaceous is a reptilian predator on the island of Yuriba. An example of island gigantism, The lizard can grow over 7 meters long and up to 200 kilograms, making it a formidable creature to encounter. Its large size, territorial nature, forest habitat, and unique method of catching prey by leaping from the trees it suns itself in have given it the common name 'woods wyvern'.

Description

Varying patterns of green stripes with brown make up the coloration for the scales of a woods wyvern. While the scales seem to be small and fine, the texture of the lizard is rough and nearly bark-like. Rougher patches on the tail and inner limbs of the species allows it a better grip when clinging onto branches, along with its large fore and hind leg claws. The actual body of a woods wyvern tends to be almost spindly and lithe, the weight distributed along its body and tail to ensure that its mass can be supported while advancing through tree branches. The head of the lizard is triangular and flat, looking almost wedge-like in profile. The iconic feature of the lizard (other than its size) is the 'wings' it sports in the form of a webbed membrane that attaches hip to wrist, allowing it to displace air as it falls and ensure a small measure of control and deceleration.

Reproduction

They live solitary lives with a slow reproduction cycle, meeting in late summer and laying 1-3 eggs in late fall. During mating season, lizards will venture out of their own territory and 'call' on the tree of a potential mate. If the chosen mate accepts, she will dive from her tree at her suitor and the pair will try to subdue one another. If they find one another satisfactory, the victor will bear the eggs while the loser is tasked with building a nest. The pair will stay to ensure the eggs are laid before returning to a solitary lifestyle. While not monogamous, most lizards will return to the trees of a favored mate before venturing elsewhere.

Territory

Woods wyverns will choose territory based upon a population of trees that will support their weight, and that they're able to scale to sun themselves. The lizard will climb near the canopy of a tree and locate patches of sunlight, and use this warm their cold-blooded body. This territory is often small, relying on prey to come to them rather than actively hunting. A slow metabolism ensures this is practical.

Diet

The proclivity for living in a tree allows the species a vantage point to locate prey. Upon hearing or smelling something that may make a meal for the lizard (few things are excluded, their diet ranges from insects to birds to deer) the lizard will leap from the tree, using the thin membrane between its arms and body to glide down to and smash into their prey. After tackling prey, their large claws make short work of whatever unlucky fauna may have stumbled into her resting grounds.