Jab's Dinosaur Builds!: Colossal Sauropods! Argentinosaurus!

[Jabroniville]

ZORROS:
-Also called "False Foxes", these resemble foxes so greatly that they were assumed to be the same genera for years, but are actually more closely related to Wolves & Coyotes- this is a case of convergent evolution. Confusingly, nearly every single one has "Fox" in their name.

[Jabroniville]

LARGE ZORRO
Role: Solitary Hunter
PL 1 (25)- Minion Rank 2, Sidekick Rank 5
Normal Version: PL 0
STRENGTH -3 STAMINA -2 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 2 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Athletics 3 (+5) -- (Flaws: Limited to Climbing)
Expertise (Hunter) 3 (+5)
Insight 2 (+4)
Perception 4 (+6)
Stealth 1 (+4, +8 Size)

Advantages:
Close Attack 2

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) -- (3 feet) [9]
(-1 Strength, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -2 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +4 (-3 Damage, DC 12)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +4 (DC 14), Parry +4 (DC 14), Toughness -2, Fortitude +1, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Zorros cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: -6 / Skills: 17--8 / Advantages: 2 / Powers: 17 / Defenses: 4 (25)

-Using the stats of a Gray Fox, these are around the same size.

Large Zorros include:
CULPEO: Also called the Andean Fox. They are quite big, weighing up to 25 lbs. lb. gray-furred zorros from the eastern part of South America.



CRAB-EATING FOX: Wide-ranging zorro weighting about 10-17 lbs., obviously known for specializing in crab-hunting.



PAMPAS FOX: 5-18 lb. large "false foxes" living in southeastern South America.

[KorokoMystia]

Oh, that's where Zorro got his name from! Somehow I never knew that Zorro was just spanish for "Fox".

[Jabroniville]

SMALL ZORRO
Role: Solitary Hunter
PL 1 (22)- Minion Rank 2, Sidekick Rank 5
Normal Version: PL 0
STRENGTH -4 STAMINA -3 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 2 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Expertise (Hunter) 3 (+5)
Insight 2 (+4)
Perception 4 (+6)
Stealth 3 (+6, +10 Size)

Advantages:
Close Attack 2

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) -- (3 feet) [9]
(-1 Strength, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -2 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +4 (-4 Damage, DC 11)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +4 (DC 14), Parry +4 (DC 14), Toughness -3, Fortitude +1, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Zorros cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: -10 / Skills: 16--8 / Advantages: 2 / Powers: 17 / Defenses: 5 (22)

-Other "False Foxes" are very tiny.

Small Zorros include:
HOARY FOX: 6-8 lb. gray-furred foxes from the eastern part of South America.
SECHURAN FOX: 5-9 lb. foxes living only in a tiny sliver of Peru.



SOUTH AMERICAN GRAY FOX: 5-12 lb. zorros living on the southern tip of the continent.



DARWIN'S FOX: 4-8 lb. zorros named for Charles Darwin himself, who found them so absorbed in watching survey work that he could personally walk up to one and "kill him with my geological hammer". Extremely endangered, with less than a thousand remaining.

[Jabroniville]

Oh, that's where Zorro got his name from! Somehow I never knew that Zorro was just spanish for "Fox".

Yeah, I was like "Well damn, that must have been where they got it from", but I'd never once checked, lol.

[Jabroniville]

Tanuki, and the magical, "yokai" version, with its legendary, um... parts.

RACCOON DOG (Nyctereutes procyonoides, aka "Tanuki")
Role: Japanese Icon
PL 1 (25)- Minion Rank 2, Sidekick Rank 5
Normal Version: PL 0
STRENGTH -3 STAMINA -2 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 2 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Athletics 3 (+5) -- (Flaws: Limited to Climbing)
Expertise (Hunter) 3 (+5)
Insight 2 (+4)
Perception 4 (+6)
Stealth 1 (+4, +8 Size)

Advantages:
Close Attack 2

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) -- (3 feet) [9]
(-1 Strength, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -2 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +4 (-3 Damage, DC 12)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +4 (DC 14), Parry +4 (DC 14), Toughness -2, Fortitude +1, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Raccoon Dogs cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.
Enemy (Wolves)- When territories overlap, over 50% of Raccoon Dog deaths are due to wolves.

Total: Abilities: -6 / Skills: 17--8 / Advantages: 2 / Powers: 17 / Defenses: 4 (25)

Era: Modern Day
Range: Eastern Asia
Stereotypes: Sly, sneaky. Sometimes lovably-so. Huge testicles (really).
Colouring: Brown with raccoon-like facial markings (white phase exists in China)
Size: Up to 4 feet long (12-22 lbs.)
Encounter Groups: Solitary or small family groups (2 adults with kits or helper females)
Diet: Rodents, lagomorphs, small prey, berries
Tactics: Large pounce with both front feet.

-The INCREDIBLY accurately-named Raccoon Dogs are known in Japan as "Tanuki", and gave their name to Mario's distinctive "Tanooki Suit" in Super Mario Bros. 3. They are named for the distinctive raccoon-like markings on their face, to the point where face shots of these creatures are indistinguishable from actual Raccoons. Folkloric creatures in Japan, they are common throughout East Asia, and have become even more widespread as an introduced pest in Northern Europe (35 animals in Latvia turned to over 4,000). They are the only known canid to hibernate, and their fur is frequently (STILL!) sold in stores as "faux fur".

-Their closest relatives are the "True Foxes" (Vulpes), and their size makes me give them identical stats to the Gray Fox. Like most Foxes, they typically hunt small prey like rodents & birds, with toads being taken most in Europe.

[Jabroniville]

BUSH DOG (Speothos venaticus)
Role: Weasel-Shaped Dog, Pack Hunter
PL 1 (29)- Minion Rank 2, Sidekick Rank 6
Normal Version: PL 0
STRENGTH -3 STAMINA -2 AGILITY 2
FIGHTING 2 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Athletics 3 (+5) -- (Flaws: Limited to Climbing)
Expertise (Hunter) 3 (+5)
Insight 2 (+4)
Perception 4 (+6)
Stealth 1 (+4, +8 Size)

Advantages:
Close Attack 2, Improved Hold, Improved Trip, Set-Up, Teamwork

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) -- (3 feet) [9]
(-1 Strength, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -2 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +4 (-3 Damage, DC 12)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +4 (DC 14), Parry +4 (DC 14), Toughness -2, Fortitude +1, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Bush Dogs cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: -6 / Skills: 17--8 / Advantages: 6 / Powers: 17 / Defenses: 4 (29)

Era: Modern Day
Range: Eastern Asia
Stereotypes: Sly, sneaky. Sometimes lovably-so. Huge testicles (really).
Colouring: Brown with raccoon-like facial markings (white phase exists in China)
Size: Up to 4 feet long (12-22 lbs.)
Encounter Groups: Solitary or small family groups (2 adults with kits or helper females)
Diet: Rodents, lagomorphs, small prey, berries
Tactics: Large pounce with both front feet.

-Small South American dogs that look more weasel-y than most breeds, Bush Dogs are very unknown, but are quite widespread. Fox-sized, they live as mated couples with their immediate relatives- these larger packs allow them to hunt prey as large as Rheas and Peccaries.

[Jabroniville]

COYOTE (Canis latrans)
Role: Solitary Hunter, Great Adapter
PL 2 (34)- Minion Rank 2, Sidekick Rank 7
Normal Version: PL 1
STRENGTH -1 STAMINA -1 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 3 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Expertise (Survival) 10 (+12)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 5 (+7)

Advantages:
None

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Natural Weapons- Teeth" Strength-Damage +1 [1]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) [9]
(-1 Strength & Speed, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -4 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +3 (-1 Damage, DC 14)
Teeth +3 (+0 Damage, DC 15)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (DC 15), Parry +5 (DC 15), Toughness -1, Fortitude +2, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Coyotes cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: 2 / Skills: 22--11 / Advantages: 0 / Powers: 18 / Defenses: 3 (34)

Era: Modern Day
Range: North America, Europe & Australia (introduced species)
Stereotypes: Cunning and untrustworthy. Sometimes sly and clever.
Colouring: Browns & Grays
Size: Up to 4 feet long (20-35 lbs.)
Encounter Groups: Solitary or small family groups (2 adults with kits or helper females)
Diet: Rodents, lagomorphs, small prey
Tactics: Bring down in groups or pounce on small animals.

-I respect the hell out of the Coyote. While almost every other wild dog species on Earth is dying a slow, hard death due to human encroachment and hunting, these suckers are THRIVING despite 90,000 being killed annually by hunters, just because they're one of the few species that latched onto us as a constant source of food and shelter. Funny how only the "pests" are the ones smart enough to figure us out and match us at our own game, huh- Rats, mice, pigeons, coyotes, etc. have all had their populations and habitats INCREASE because they can adapt to human habitations. Their genius at such things gave them permanent respect as the Trickster God of many a Native's mythology, and gave rise to one of the greatest cartoon characters of all time. Now if only people could settle on how you pronounce it. "KYE-oat" vs. "Kye-OH-tee"? It's from the ancient Aztec "Coyotl", in any case.

-Coyotes are some of the most dangerous animals around for pets- small animals make easy prey. They are notorious for wiping out cats, as they're faster over open ground (cats have bad cardio, too) and are much larger- most people I know with farms talk about losing tons of farm cats to coyote predation. They're also a pretty big part of the reason why "cat advocates" recommend pet owners not let their cats roam free. Similarly, they are considered the most abundant predators of livestock in North America- causing the majority of Sheep, Goat & Cattle losses, generally taking younger animals. They killed 60.5% of predated sheep in 2004, wiping out 2.22% of the entire sheep population of the entire United States.

-Coyotes aren't dangerous to many humans, thanks to their small size (rarely more than 50 lbs.)- the only major injuries are found on small children, and even five-year olds can fight them off. They're about as tough as Bulldogs, and weaker than Golden Retrievers. At PL 2, they're not scaring anything much larger than a housecat.

[Ken]

-Coyotes are some of the most dangerous animals around for pets- small animals make easy prey. They are notorious for wiping out cats, as they're faster over open ground (cats have bad cardio, too) and are much larger- most people I know with farms talk about losing tons of farm cats to coyote predation. They're also a pretty big part of the reason why "cat advocates" recommend pet owners not let their cats roam free. Similarly, they are considered the most abundant predators of livestock in North America- causing the majority of Sheep, Goat & Cattle losses, generally taking younger animals. They killed 60.5% of predated sheep in 2004, wiping out 2.22% of the entire sheep population of the entire United States.

Yeah, but how are they at catching roadrunners?

[Shock]

-Coyotes are some of the most dangerous animals around for pets- small animals make easy prey. They are notorious for wiping out cats, as they're faster over open ground (cats have bad cardio, too) and are much larger- most people I know with farms talk about losing tons of farm cats to coyote predation. They're also a pretty big part of the reason why "cat advocates" recommend pet owners not let their cats roam free. Similarly, they are considered the most abundant predators of livestock in North America- causing the majority of Sheep, Goat & Cattle losses, generally taking younger animals. They killed 60.5% of predated sheep in 2004, wiping out 2.22% of the entire sheep population of the entire United States.

Yeah, but how are they at catching roadrunners?

From the documentaries I've seen their track record isn't very good

[catsi563]

yeah the RRs just have better burst speed and the coyotes lose interest and go for something slower like a rabbit on a motorcycle

[Jabroniville]

[Jabroniville]

GOLDEN JACKAL (Canis aureus)
Role: Solitary Hunter
PL 2 (32)- Minion Rank 2, Sidekick Rank 7
Normal Version: PL 1
STRENGTH -1 STAMINA -1 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 3 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Expertise (Survival) 6 (+8)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 5 (+7)

Advantages:
None

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Natural Weapons- Teeth" Strength-Damage +1 [1]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) [9]
(-1 Strength & Speed, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -4 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +3 (-1 Damage, DC 14)
Teeth +3 (+0 Damage, DC 15)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (DC 15), Parry +5 (DC 15), Toughness -1, Fortitude +2, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Jackals cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: 2 / Skills: 18--9 / Advantages: 0 / Powers: 18 / Defenses: 3 (32)

Era: Modern Day
Range: South Asia & North Africa
Stereotypes: Mean, vicious hunters.
Colouring: Browns & Grays
Size: Up to 4 feet long (20-35 lbs.)
Encounter Groups: Solitary or small family groups (2 adults with kits or helper females)
Diet: Rodents, lagomorphs, small prey
Tactics: Bring down in groups or pounce on small animals.

-Jackals are fairly well-known, but not very popular animals- I don't think I've ever even seen one in a zoo. Africa is filled with three species of Jackal, most around this size (35 lbs., comparable to a Coyote)- none are particularly rare, though only two are closely-related. The Black-Backed and Side-Striped Jackals are among the most distinct of canids, having split off from the main evolutionary chain millennia ago. The Golden Jackals are closer to Gray, Ethiopian & Golden Wolves and the Coyote.

-Jackals generally have a poor reputation- in India, it's said to be preferable to live one day in the life of a lion to a lifetime as a jackal, and in Ethiopia, a folk tale mentions that Noah attempted to refuse a pair entry onto the Ark until God forced him to let them in. Their small size, yelps, and secretive nature don't inspire a lot of respect. This is probably in part because Jackals, like Coyotes, have proven impossible to exterminate, even when man deliberately attempted to do so.

-These canids are largely the same as the Coyote, but have less Survival Skill, owing to their inability to adapt to human habitats. The most widespread Jackal, these ones live across Europe and Asia, extending all across the latter. Their sense of smell is considerably-advanced, and probably the best of all canine species- they are being bred with Huskies to enable superior Bomb Detection Dogs, as they can detect things that technology can't.

Other Jackals:



SIDE-STRIPED JACKAL: These are actually a bit larger than Black-Backed Jackals, but are nonetheless driven out in territories where the two overlap- very unusual among carnivores, where the larger tends to win.



BLACK-BACKED JACKAL: These Jackals live in southern & eastern Africa, and are about 29 lbs.

[Jabroniville]

DHOLE (Cuon alpinus)
Role: Pack Hunter, Asian Wild Dog
PL 3 (39)- Minion Rank 3, Sidekick Rank 8
Normal Version: PL 1
STRENGTH -1 STAMINA -1 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 3 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Expertise (Survival) 6 (+8)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 5 (+7)

Advantages:
Close Attack 2, Fast Grab, Improved Trip, Set-Up, Teamwork

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Natural Weapons- Teeth" Strength-Damage +2 [2]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) [9]
(-1 Strength & Speed, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -4 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +5 (-1 Damage, DC 14)
Teeth +5 (+1 Damage, DC 16)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (DC 15), Parry +5 (DC 15), Toughness -1, Fortitude +2, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Dholes cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: 2 / Skills: 18--9 / Advantages: 6 / Powers: 19 / Defenses: 3 (39)

Era: Modern Day
Range: South Asia & North Africa
Stereotypes: "Devil Dog" or "Dog of Kali".
Colouring: Reddish-brown
Size: Up to 4 feet long (20-46 lbs.)
Encounter Groups: Large clans (5-40 animals)
Diet: Rodents, lagomorphs, small prey, calves
Tactics: Bring down in groups or pounce on small animals.

-Dholes are highly-endangered wild dogs from India & southeast Asia, looking kind of like generic domestic dogs to me, but having split off from the "Wolf" lineage millennia ago- soon after the Jackals & African Wild Dogs. They are pack animals (often having sub-packs that reform with the seasons) who engage in teamwork and harrassment to separate large animals from their babies- I've seen a campaign of continued aggression that resulted in a large cow's calf being taken in such a manner, with the dogs giving up 40 times their body weight to the mother, but darted and dodged in waves, so that a fresh Dhole was always ready to grab at the calf until it died of shock.

-There are estimated to be less than 2,500 adult Dholes in the wild- diseases from domestic dogs, attacks on livestock, and other predators have wiped out much of their range. It's unknown where the term "Dhole" came from- European explorers claimed that it was a local name. Inter-group fighting is much less common, and Dholes may leave and joins clans with little difficulty. They are given a very negative reputation throughout India- Rudyard Kipling used them as a marauding band of villains in one of his Jungle Book stories, as Mowgli's adoptive wolf pack had to work to kill the "destructive" animals. In real life, they will attack and drive off leopards, bears and even tigers, and can actually kill them if the animals try to flee, such are their numbers.

-Dholes are lightly built canines, only being a little bigger than the Jackal or Coyote, and so have equivalent stats (doing +1 more damage). The main difference is they fight using great amounts of teamwork, enough that they can take deer weighing from 200-1,000 lbs by doing repeated darting attacks and ganging up. Despite being only 40-ish pounds, the little buggers have been known to kill tigers when in large groups. Overall, this makes them PL 3 creatures- better than the other canids around this size.

[Jabroniville]

DINGO (Canis dingo)
Role: Pack Hunter, Wild Dog, Baby Eater
PL 2 (37)- Minion Rank 3, Sidekick Rank 8
Normal Version: PL 1
STRENGTH -1 STAMINA -1 AGILITY 3
FIGHTING 3 DEXTERITY 0
INTELLIGENCE -4 AWARENESS 2 PRESENCE -2

Skills:
Athletics 4 (+2)
Expertise (Survival) 6 (+8)
Insight 3 (+5)
Perception 5 (+7)

Advantages:
Fast Grab, Improved Trip, Set-Up, Teamwork

Powers:
"Animal Senses" Senses 6 (Acute & Extended Scent, Low-Light Vision, Scent-Tracking, Ultra & Extended Hearing) [6]
"Natural Weapons- Teeth" Strength-Damage +2 [2]
"Animal Physiology" Speed 2 (8 mph) [2]

"Small Size" Shrinking 4 (Feats: Innate) (Extras: Permanent +0) [9]
(-1 Strength & Speed, +2 Defenses, +4 Stealth, -4 Intimidation)

Offense:
Unarmed +3 (-1 Damage, DC 14)
Teeth +3 (+1 Damage, DC 16)
Initiative +3

Defenses:
Dodge +5 (DC 15), Parry +5 (DC 15), Toughness -1, Fortitude +2, Will +2

Complications:
Disabled (Animal)- Dholes cannot speak to humans, nor use their paws to easily manipulate objects.

Total: Abilities: 2 / Skills: 18--9 / Advantages: 4 / Powers: 19 / Defenses: 3 (37)

Era: Modern Day
Range: Australia
Stereotypes: Wild baby-eaters.
Colouring: Reddish-brown
Size: Up to 4 feet long (20-35 lbs.)
Encounter Groups: Large clans (5-40 animals)
Diet: Rodents, lagomorphs, small prey, calves
Tactics: Bring down in groups or pounce on small animals.

-Australia's infamous Dingos, likely the ancestors of an offshoot of the wolf that is now extinct (though this is only one of many possible origins, including being feral domesticated dogs; genetically the wolf origin seems the most likely), are famously a wild Australian canid. They interbreed with domesticated dogs so much that in some parts of the country, a third of all Dingos are hybrids. Typically weighing only 35 lbs., Dingos primarily hunt mammals, with large red kangaroos being the most common animal taken. Their methods are rather wolflike- they harry and chase the prey until exhaustion, killing via neckbite- a cornered kangaroo is typically easily beaten by so many foes.

-The famous phrase "A dingo ate my baby!" actually comes from the real-life deal of Azaria Chamberlin, who is believed to have been taken by a dingo when she was two months old. Her mother was arrested and charged with murder, but later exonerated. One can only imagine what she thinks of that joke.