Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are a group of reptilian and avian animals spanning the entirety of Azeroth and even Outland. Once a dominant species throughout the planet, they have become an endangered remnant of an ancient world that prove to be a force to be reckoned with. Dangerous as well as majestic are the great beasts.

The animals are often researched and hunted for sport, even shown to have been domesticated by some. They are seen as popular trophies, mounts, and companions by hunters, but their most integral interactions with humanoids come from the troll tribes, such as the Darkspear and Drakkari. The Zandalari Tribe hold them with high reverence rivaling that of religious fascination. Zandalari trolls and saurok practice a magic known as dinomancy, where they can communicate and control dinosaurs. Some can even shapeshift into them, similar to druidism.

Based on research conducted by the Explorers' League, it is possible there may be a connection between dinosaur evolution and the Titans based on discoveries in Un'Goro Crater. Other research suggests that birds are evolutionary descendants of dinosaurs, with basis on fossil evidence of preserved protofeathers and the discovery of the falcosaur genus. Certain dinosaur genera also possess genetic variations such as immunity to the undead plague or fel corruption.

Dinosaur sizes vary depending on order, genus, species, and habitat, but according fossil finds by the late dark iron dwarf Durrin Direshovel, one dinosaur ancestor may have been over three hundred feet long. This would make it the largest dinosaur in history and even larger than most dragons.

Devilsaur
Devilsaurs are enormous theropod dinosaurs native to Kalimdor, the apex predator of whatever habitat they inhabit. They are among the largest terrestrial predators to walk Azeroth, with no natural enemies save humanoids. Most died out long ago, a few survive today in isolated environments. Devilsaurs either live solitary lives or in small packs, depending on location and species type. Very few survive their encounters with a devilsaur, as the creatures have one of the strongest bite forces per square inch of any land animal on Azeroth. Even if one were to survive the bite, the toxins in the saliva are heavily potent and require the strongest magical treatment available. The animals frequent warm, tropical locations. Humanoids have been targeted as food by the great beasts, alongside stegodons, direhorns, raptors, and other species. Only the most experienced hunters can tame or kill a devilsaur. Their hide is greatly valued for its armor crafting abilities, and the beasts are greatly loyal companions. The Zandalari tribe made frequent use of the animals by inducting them into their war efforts, fitting them with heavy stone armor. They were one of the chief war mounts used against the Pandaren during the Zandalari Troll Wars. Garrosh Hellscream was impressed with the creatures' ferocity that he ordered one captured for use within the Horde, the creature eventually killed during the Siege of Orgrimmar.

Devilsaurs are held with great reverence among the Zandalari. A coming-of-age rite among the Zandalari is to voyage to one of the islands off the coast of Zuldazar to tame one, which usually involves carving sigils into their arms with ceremonial horns and praying to a loa.

Native Habitats
 * Un'Goro Crater
 * Sholazar Basin
 * Isle of Giants
 * Zandalar

Diemetradon
Diemetradons are finned reptiles closely related to crocolisks, based on research by paleontologists and archaeologists. They live in groups but are self-sufficient species, remaining in numbers for convenience rather than dependency. Diemetradon hatchlings are abandoned by the parents shortly after birth to fend for themselves.

Diemetradon have been known to have certain elemental resistances and magical abilities, allowing them to use sonic bursts to silence adversaries and even live in lava. The genus is also unique in that it exists on Outland as well, a product of convergent evolution. The animals frequent places that are warm, regardless of dryness or moistness. Humanoids have been targeted as food by the beasts as well as mammals and other reptiles.

Native Habitats
 * Un'Goro Crater
 * Searing Gorge
 * Maraudon
 * Shadowmoon Valley

Direhorn
Direhorns are large terrestrial herbivorous dinosaurs well known for their service among the Zandalari armies. Their most prominent features are the three horns on their faces used for defense and sparring, the spiked frill covering their vulnerable neck, the plated back, and the clubbed tail. They are one of the more domesticated dinosaur types in existence. Direhorns are bred for specific uses, with smaller ones being used as companions or mounts while others are colossal sized ones used for city defenses and sieges.

Direhorns are held with great reverence among the Zandalari. A coming-of-age rite among the Zandalari is to voyage to one of the islands off the coast of Zuldazar to tame one, which usually involves carving sigils into their arms with ceremonial horns and praying to a loa.

The animals graze on low ferns and hearty vegetation, but they are by no means gentle. They favor tropical and forested locations with suitable grazing plains. Direhorns are fiercely territorial and defend their young and food resources from devilsaurs, hunters, and even other direhorns. Only the most dedicated hunters can dream to take them down or even tame one.

Native Habitats
 * Zandalar
 * Isle of Giants
 * Isle of Thunder

Pterosaur
Pterosaurs are an order of carnivorous flying reptiles armed with screeches so loud they can render eardrums to bloody pulps. Nesting habits consist of incubating their eggs beneath the fossils of their progenitors. The reptiles are known to be fiercely territorial and solitary. Humanoids and mammals are targeted as food by the winged reptiles, with some even been known to cannibalize one another. Fish are also greatly dined upon. Pterosaurs are classified into two seperate genera based on habitat and biology.

Pterrordax
Pterrordax are the smaller genus of pterosaurs compared to their cousins. Despite their small size, it is theorized that an adult pterrordax can grow as tall as a horse and weigh fifteen hundred pounds. However, such a large specimen has never been documented before in the wild so this speculation is up for debate.

They are solitary hunters, typically only seen together during the two-week mating springtime mating season. Pterrordax only flock together when mating grounds are threatened by outsiders. The reptiles hold a disdain for carrion and typically avoid scavenging, a behavior unusual for carnivorous flyers.

Native Habitat
 * Un'Goro Crater
 * Lost Isles

Skyscreamer
Skyscreamers are a significantly larger and more territorial genus of pterosaurs. Their crests as well as wings are more dominant, sporting jagged teeth in their maws. They are aggressive and hold greater appetites in comparison to pterrordax, feasting on fish, mammals, reptiles, and humanoids. Skyscreamers are a favored mount for the Zandalari, frequently using them to fly across islands and into combat zones.

Skyscreamers provided an overwhelming edge to the Zandalari during the Zandalari Troll Wars, only curved by the forming of the Order of the Cloud Serpent. They also possess a natural immunity to lightning, making them prime targets of mount usage for the Zandalari at the Isle of Thunder.

They are exclusively native to the Isle of Giants.

Raptor
"They are lethal at eight months, very lethal."

- -Hemet Nesingwary Jr.

Raptors are the most widely spread order of dinosaur on Azeroth, equipped with problem solving levels of intellect, pack mentality, and immense stamina. They are also unique in that they exist in Outland as well, another showcase of convergent evolution. Raptors are the most bird-like of the dinosaurs in their mannerisms, bone structure, and genetic relatives.

Raptors are diverse in terms of coloration and habitat, ranging from either warm jungles to open plains. Their prey consists of humanoids, mammals, and reptiles. A pack of raptors can take down prey significantly larger than themselves. Raptors are also the most domesticates genus of dinosaurs, looked to as loyal mounts and companions of the Darkspear Tribe. It is debated as to how intelligent they can be. Many are spotted sporting makeshift wrappings and feathers tied to their wrists and legs, with some even forming mud huts adorned with decorations. Their intelligence far superseded any other animal, but sentience is widely considered an impossible notion for them.

One of the most unique species of raptors are the Ravasaurs, exceptionally intelligent and venomous animals native to Un'Goro. Their skin, blood, and saliva are poisonous. Only the most well-skilled hunters can tame one, requiring one to build up resistances to the toxins. Otherwise, one would die in a few hours.

A subspecies of raptors are spiny raptors, genetically mutated versions of the raptors from Draenor, changed when Outland was created. Their flesh is hardened and warped to be much sturdier and spikier. Their eyes and coloration are much brighter than their non-mutated counterparts. They are native to Blade's Edge Mountains.

Kaldorei legends speak of a young Tyrande Whisperwind turning a raptor that hissed at her while she was bathing into a magic skeleton.

Native Habitats
 * Durotar
 * Barrens
 * Wailing Caverns
 * Wetlands
 * Arathi Highlands
 * Un'Goro Crater
 * Stranglethorn Vale
 * Dustwallow Marsh
 * Gorgrond
 * Tanaan Jungle
 * Nagrand
 * Spires of Arak

Falcosaur
Falcosaurs are feathered raptors with beaks, further proof of birds' connection to dinosaurs. They are unique creatures in that their natural habitat is unknown, being labeled as invasive species that are frequenting the Broken Isles. Falcosaurs breed at an alarmingly high rate that forced the Alliance and Horde to actively cull their numbers. Genetically, they are unique in that fel magic cannot corrupt them, which makes them a prime companion and mount for skilled hunters. They are separated into four groups based on coloration: Predatory Bloodgazers, Brilliant Direbeaks, Viridian Sharptalons, and Snowfeathers.

The genus of raptors are the only one of their kind to be omnivorous, feasting on fruits and berries. Consumption of said berries give the Bloodgazers their distinctive red eyes. They have also been known to scavenger dairy products such as cheese. Falcosaurs are difficult to house in captivity on account of forming such a close connection with their origin of birth, to a point where they enter a depressive state and refuse to eat.

Stegodon
Stegodons are large herbivorous dinosaurs native exclusiely to Un'Goro Crater. They are the least genetically diverse and most primitive genus. It is distinctive for its dorsal plates and thagomizers lining the tip of its tail as well as the horns atop its snout. The animals are naturally short-tempered and irritable, making them difficult to tame. Anything that disrupts their foraging is of great agitation to them, and it is not uncommon to hear stories of men being trampled or gored while venturing through their territory. Being fiercely territorial, they are known to fight one another for grazing space. Their stubborn nature forces them to fight to the absolute death when provoked.

The ancestral relatives of stegodons are kodos, mushan, and thunder lizards. Thunder lizards look greatly identical to stegodons, but the two are not the same genus but rather different animals.

Threshadon
Threshadons are aquatic bound plesiosaurs with long necks, two dorsal fins, and a maw of teeth. They are piscivores but have been known to dine on sailors lost at sea or unlucky divers searching for treasure. Their swift speed makes them formidable predators and have never been successfully tamed on account of the difficulties in accommodating them in a contained environment. Threshadons frequently compete with sharks for food, the two having shared an environment for thousands of years according to fossil records. Threshadons can survive in freshwater or saltwater, either open ocean or meager lakes.

Threshadons are hunted for their tasty meat and the oils they produce from their body, such as ambergris.

A threshadon frequents the channel beneath the Deeprun Tram, affectionately known as "Nessie" by the locals.

Native Habitats
 * Darkshore
 * Sholazar Basin
 * Dustwallow Marsh
 * Wailing Caverns
 * Wetlands
 * Grizzly Hills