Troodon Borealis

Troodon Borealis, also known by their common name Boreal Terror, was the largest species of Troodon that ever existed, evolving during the late Campanian, and living until going extinct during the K-Pg Extinction Event around 66,000,000 years ago.

Biology

Behavior

Boreal terrors were known by the Laramidians to be both nuisances, and highly aggressive predators, depending on their circumstances. Despite posing a threat to all Laramidian Maniraptorans, boreal terrors were noted to be particularly intolerant of their close relatives, the Troodon Sapiens. Boreal terrors are opportunistic predators, primarily preying upon similar and smaller sized animals, though small groups of them can occasionally bring down larger animals. Extensive studies of the boreal terrors by the Laramidian Science Institute showed them to be not just intelligent, but highly intelligent, possibly being the second most cognitively advanced animals of their time after the 4 sapient maniraptoran species.

In the Laramidian far north; where boreal terrors are there most numerous, during the winter months is when individuals can often be seen in loosely-knit groups due to the scarcity of food forcing them to take on larger prey. Large gatherings of boreal terrors can also be found on the beaches and coastlines during the winter, where they will congregate in order to feed on the beached carcasses of sea reptiles.

Perhaps most infamously, boreal terrors are known for their ability to mimic the calls and vocalizations of animals, which they use to booth lure prey, and frighten threats.

Breeding and Life-Cycle

Boreal terrors are monogamous, with males and females mating for life and raising offspring together. Despite typically mating for life, pairs have been known to separate. The most commonly observed causes of separation in mated pairs are disease, as well as extreme environmental pressures like extreme drought, or prolonged winter, like in the case of the super eruption in the deccan traps around 212 years before the K-Pg extinction event, which caused atmospheric ash clouds to lower temperatures throughout Africa, Europe, Appalachia, and Laramidia.

After hatching, boreal terrors tend to stay with their parents for the first 3.5 years of their lives, which is when they reach their maximum size. At around 4 years of age, boreal terrors reach full sexual maturity. On average, boreal terrors can live for about 35-40 years, the oldest known individual was 65 year old when she died. At around 30 years old, the feathers of a boreal terror begin to lose their pigment and whiten. For this reason, many boreal terrors are effectively leucistic when they die.

Relationship with Sapient Species

Boreal terrors were widely infamous amongst the Laramidians for their predation and aggression towards the sapient Maniraptorans, as well as their livestock. Boreal terrors preying upon species that the Maniraptoran raised as livestock like Thescelosaurus, Ornithomimus, Leptoceratops, and Leptorhynchos, was one of the main causes for the domestication of some Anzu populations to defend against boreal terror predation attempts.

Appearance

Boreal terrors bare a resemblance to the other Troodon species, with the main difference being in their size and markings. Boreal terrors can reach a max length of 15 feet, and a max weight of around 400 pounds. Boreal terrors often tend to appear chunkier or more robust than they really are, mainly due to the really thick coat of feathers they have, which is quite similar to that of modern day owls. Boreal terrors are primarily an earthy-brown in feather coloration, though they also possess bands of black and white, notably below their eyes, on their proto-wings, and on their tail feathers.

Notable Individuals

Morrigan Baxter - a formerly normal human girl who was exposed to Primordial Ooze by Antonio Umbra, turning her into a mutant and allowing her to transform into a Troodon Borealis
Five - A Troodon Borealis that was captured by M.Y.T.H.O.S. during the 2019 Chicago Suburbs Tear, with his name being derived from the fact he's missing a finger and therefore only has 5 fingers rather than 6. He currently resides on Monster Island
Michelle - Another Troodon Borealis captured by M.Y.T.H.O.S. in Chicago in 2019, who kept repeating the name "Michelle", earning her name. She currently resides on Monster Island
Loui - Apprehended by M.Y.T.H.O.S. in Chicago in 2019. He currently resides on Monster Island
Punkte - Apprehended by M.Y.T.H.O.S. in Chicago in 2019. He currently resides on Monster Island
Mel - Apprehended by M.Y.T.H.O.S. in Chicago in 2019. She currently resides on Monster Island
Static - Apprehended by M.Y.T.H.O.S. in Chicago in 2019. She currently resides on Monster Island

Terrance - Apprehended by M.Y.T.H.O.S. in Chicago in 2019. He currently resides on Monster Island

Trivia

Troodon Borealis is one of Strata Studio's two primary mascots alongside Zetheilerius Progenitorias
The Troodon Borealis in Saurian War are identical to their more famous counterparts from Strata Studios' other main project; Weird Birds, by Archesuchus
Despite their small role in Saurian War in comparison to Weird Birds, (with their only real significance being a smaller-scale version of the events of Weird Bird Part 1 that is only mentioned a few times), the character of Morrigan Baxter is a direct homage to their starring roll in the 1st and 2nd parts of Weird Birds; with her mutation that allows her to transform into a Troodon Borealis, and the general nature of her character being similar to that of the Troodons in Weird Birds Part 1