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Description
Maremaxillasaur.
(Diamond sail-snapper)
•
Stats
Length: 20 - 23.7 ft.
Weight: 7,500 - 9,200 lbs.
Speed: 30 mph on land, 18 mph in water.
Lifespan: 52 years.
Conservation status: NT.
•
Description: Large semi-aquatic reptiles dressed in blue, adorned with orange stripes which saturate its smooth scales. Hunting beneath the surface of warm, shallow waters surrounding a particularly arid region on zerottakída known as arjrid. Maremaxillasaur, the diamond sail-snapper is a distant cousin to the infamous apex predator of medalos; the spotted sail-snapper. This strange and morphologically perplexing cousin measures at 20 - 23.7 feet in length, and weighs between 7,500 - 9,200 lbs. Diamond sail-snappers possess a set of forearms equipped with three elongated, webbed digits each. Each digit is tipped with hooked claws used for grappling onto prey. Over the course of their evolution, diamond sail-snappers have slowly shifted more towards a fully aquatic lifestyle. As a result, their body plan has undergone numeral changes to accommodate for their marine environment. For instance, the diamond sail-snapper dons a long and slender body that is armed with a sail used for herding fish underwater. By swiftly maneuvering their flexible necks, diamond sail-snappers ensnare prey between the bone-crushing force of their sharp, uneven jaws.

Diamond sail-snappers have lost their hind legs due to evolution, and instead possess a pair of fins in their place for enhanced underwater locomotion. Because of this, on land diamond sail-snappers must haul their lengthy bodies across rugged shores with their muscular forearms. The speed of a diamond sail-snapper mustn’t be underestimated, as even on land they can reach speeds of up to 30 mph in short bursts. Meanwhile, underwater a diamond sail-snapper can swim up to 18 mph. On average, diamond sail-snappers spend roughly 20 minutes hunting underwater per dive. Interestingly, diamond sail-snappers have adapted a peculiar cross between the mammalian and aquatic respiratory systems. This allows them to properly exchange oxygen both in and out of water via uniquely adapted gills lungs, and nasal cavities which enables them to switch interchangeably. Diamond sail-snappers have acquired another name due to their body shape; that being "seadrake." This is a nod to the idea that diamond sail-snappers bare resemblance to a hybrid of a seahorse and draconic.

When the sun rests, diamond sail-snappers awake. Diamond sail-snappers are nocturnal predators, fitted with 5 sets of round, beady eyes. Not only do they possess natural night vision, but are also equipped with a protective membrane for when they are submerged underwater. Small crystalline lens found within the membrane aid in underwater vision as well. However, their vision both on land and during the daytime is rather poor. By day, diamond sail-snappers experience little to no activity, and are typically observed basking in the sunlight for hours on end. Because they are ectothermic, body temperature regulation is dependent on external factors such as the beaming sun.

During the summer season of zerottakída, diamond sail-snappers congregate and migrate in herds to the coasts of giants passing. While there, male diamond sail-snappers are the first to arrive and establish their territories along beaches. Pale cornified growths develop around the base of the neck in adult males as they age. Adult males advertise these features to assert dominance over younger males, as they flex their large sails and stretch their jaws. Competing males may engage in brief physical contact with one another; ramming their sturdy skulls into each other while also using their hooked claws to rake scales until the opponent backs down. Diamond sail-snappers may fast for months during this period, determined to retain their territories and solidify their position as an alpha. By the time females arrive to the scene, only the strongest and most fierce males will remain to have their genes passed down.

Mothers lay dozens of clutches on the beaches of giants passing, burying them within ditches for incubation. Afterwards, the diamond sail-snappers depart from giants passing and return to arjrid for several months. In spring, mothers return to her breeding grounds to dig up her eggs, which are destined to hatch any day now. Diamond sail-snappers are born without pigment in their scales; resulting in a pale white appearance until they molt. As they molt, their blue and orange coloration develops alongside the sail. Hatchlings travel with their mothers for upwards of 5 years before they leave their natal bask.

Description
Maremaxillasaur.
(Diamond sail-snapper)
•
Stats
Length: 20 - 23.7 ft.
Weight: 7,500 - 9,200 lbs.
Speed: 30 mph on land, 18 mph in water.
Lifespan: 52 years.
Conservation status: NT.
•
Description: Large semi-aquatic reptiles dressed in blue, adorned with orange stripes which saturate its smooth scales. Hunting beneath the surface of warm, shallow waters surrounding a particularly arid region on zerottakída known as arjrid. Maremaxillasaur, the diamond sail-snapper is a distant cousin to the infamous apex predator of medalos; the spotted sail-snapper. This strange and morphologically perplexing cousin measures at 20 - 23.7 feet in length, and weighs between 7,500 - 9,200 lbs. Diamond sail-snappers possess a set of forearms equipped with three elongated, webbed digits each. Each digit is tipped with hooked claws used for grappling onto prey. Over the course of their evolution, diamond sail-snappers have slowly shifted more towards a fully aquatic lifestyle. As a result, their body plan has undergone numeral changes to accommodate for their marine environment. For instance, the diamond sail-snapper dons a long and slender body that is armed with a sail used for herding fish underwater. By swiftly maneuvering their flexible necks, diamond sail-snappers ensnare prey between the bone-crushing force of their sharp, uneven jaws.

Diamond sail-snappers have lost their hind legs due to evolution, and instead possess a pair of fins in their place for enhanced underwater locomotion. Because of this, on land diamond sail-snappers must haul their lengthy bodies across rugged shores with their muscular forearms. The speed of a diamond sail-snapper mustn’t be underestimated, as even on land they can reach speeds of up to 30 mph in short bursts. Meanwhile, underwater a diamond sail-snapper can swim up to 18 mph. On average, diamond sail-snappers spend roughly 20 minutes hunting underwater per dive. Interestingly, diamond sail-snappers have adapted a peculiar cross between the mammalian and aquatic respiratory systems. This allows them to properly exchange oxygen both in and out of water via uniquely adapted gills lungs, and nasal cavities which enables them to switch interchangeably. Diamond sail-snappers have acquired another name due to their body shape; that being "seadrake." This is a nod to the idea that diamond sail-snappers bare resemblance to a hybrid of a seahorse and draconic.

When the sun rests, diamond sail-snappers awake. Diamond sail-snappers are nocturnal predators, fitted with 5 sets of round, beady eyes. Not only do they possess natural night vision, but are also equipped with a protective membrane for when they are submerged underwater. Small crystalline lens found within the membrane aid in underwater vision as well. However, their vision both on land and during the daytime is rather poor. By day, diamond sail-snappers experience little to no activity, and are typically observed basking in the sunlight for hours on end. Because they are ectothermic, body temperature regulation is dependent on external factors such as the beaming sun.

During the summer season of zerottakída, diamond sail-snappers congregate and migrate in herds to the coasts of giants passing. While there, male diamond sail-snappers are the first to arrive and establish their territories along beaches. Pale cornified growths develop around the base of the neck in adult males as they age. Adult males advertise these features to assert dominance over younger males, as they flex their large sails and stretch their jaws. Competing males may engage in brief physical contact with one another; ramming their sturdy skulls into each other while also using their hooked claws to rake scales until the opponent backs down. Diamond sail-snappers may fast for months during this period, determined to retain their territories and solidify their position as an alpha. By the time females arrive to the scene, only the strongest and most fierce males will remain to have their genes passed down.

Mothers lay dozens of clutches on the beaches of giants passing, burying them within ditches for incubation. Afterwards, the diamond sail-snappers depart from giants passing and return to arjrid for several months. In spring, mothers return to her breeding grounds to dig up her eggs, which are destined to hatch any day now. Diamond sail-snappers are born without pigment in their scales; resulting in a pale white appearance until they molt. As they molt, their blue and orange coloration develops alongside the sail. Hatchlings travel with their mothers for upwards of 5 years before they leave their natal bask.