Post by Akira on Jul 6, 2011 11:47:51 GMT -6
Raptors are flightless, bird like creatures, kind of like roadrunners. However, they are extremely strong for their size. These creatures have sharp, long beaks that they use to rip apart their prey, which are usually mice or fish. Their eyesight is incredible. They can see for up to five miles away, and can see perfectly in the dark. Their sense of smell is not the greatest, neither is their hearing. Therefore, they rely heavily on their sense of sight. In addition to a great sense of site, these creatures have AMAZING memories, even better than that of a dragon. Everything a raptor sees, or does they remember, even when they are a hundred turns old they will remember the day they hatched. Unlike dragon's, Raptor eyes only have a single color, and that color is often a neon color that stands out against the rest of them.
All ranks are extremely agile, and fast. This also makes up for their lack of improved hearing and smell. They use telepathy to communicate with their bonded, and will rarely ever speak to another human, though there are cases where this is different. These creatures are not pets under any circumstances, and treating them as such is something they despise. Instead, they are the ground crew of a Weyr, and are often sent out during Threadfall to find missing people, or find thread that has not been killed.
Much like any pack animal, Raptors work in tightly knit groups. The handlers are trained to handle a flamethrower since they Raptors cannot flame. All Raptors mature at two turns of age, and will mate for life with the same individual. Unlike dragons, Raptor matings do not affect their bonded, but more often than not, a Raptor will pick its mate depending on the emotional bond that its human has with another Raptor handler. Raptors do not have mating runs or flights; they just breed once a turn with their chosen mate. It is common knowledge that these bird-like creatures believe that having someone ride them is demeaning and will never allow it.
In terms of communication, if Raptors are not talking telepathically, they make series or chirps and trills like firelizards. These sounds are often high pitched and are similar to a dragon’s keen. At times Raptors will make a lower pitched warble, but this is less frequent than chirps and whistles. Raptors also have a trill-like purr that is used when they are happy. Since the first moments of hatching, Raptors will decide on a specific greeting call. It is much like how a wolf has a particular howl. They will use this series of notes whenever greeting someone.
When a male tries to attract his mate, usually whenever the female is close to her first time of mating, he will show off for her and satisfy her every need. This is so that she knows he cares for her. During clutching, the female is very protective of her eggs. Even the most docile of Raptors will easily anger at anyone who nears. Because of this, their handlers normally have to stay close in case someone tries to wander onto the sands by "accident.”
((More will be added later when I figure more out about these creatures.))
All ranks are extremely agile, and fast. This also makes up for their lack of improved hearing and smell. They use telepathy to communicate with their bonded, and will rarely ever speak to another human, though there are cases where this is different. These creatures are not pets under any circumstances, and treating them as such is something they despise. Instead, they are the ground crew of a Weyr, and are often sent out during Threadfall to find missing people, or find thread that has not been killed.
Much like any pack animal, Raptors work in tightly knit groups. The handlers are trained to handle a flamethrower since they Raptors cannot flame. All Raptors mature at two turns of age, and will mate for life with the same individual. Unlike dragons, Raptor matings do not affect their bonded, but more often than not, a Raptor will pick its mate depending on the emotional bond that its human has with another Raptor handler. Raptors do not have mating runs or flights; they just breed once a turn with their chosen mate. It is common knowledge that these bird-like creatures believe that having someone ride them is demeaning and will never allow it.
In terms of communication, if Raptors are not talking telepathically, they make series or chirps and trills like firelizards. These sounds are often high pitched and are similar to a dragon’s keen. At times Raptors will make a lower pitched warble, but this is less frequent than chirps and whistles. Raptors also have a trill-like purr that is used when they are happy. Since the first moments of hatching, Raptors will decide on a specific greeting call. It is much like how a wolf has a particular howl. They will use this series of notes whenever greeting someone.
When a male tries to attract his mate, usually whenever the female is close to her first time of mating, he will show off for her and satisfy her every need. This is so that she knows he cares for her. During clutching, the female is very protective of her eggs. Even the most docile of Raptors will easily anger at anyone who nears. Because of this, their handlers normally have to stay close in case someone tries to wander onto the sands by "accident.”
((More will be added later when I figure more out about these creatures.))