Update!
Name:
Size:
Diet: Roots, tubers, and occasionally large nuts.
Reproduction: Viviparous
Biome: Grassland
About the size of a Wild Boar, this relative of the "Squirrel Bird" uses the shovel-like protrusion on its beak to dig for roots and tubers. During mating season, the "shovel" becomes colorful, doubling as a display mechanism. They are usually solitary, but will sometimes travel in small groups to forage. Young stay with their mothers until their beaks fully develop.
Name:
Size:
Diet: Invertebrates, small vertebrates.
Reproduction: Oviparous
Biome: Cold Climate Forest
A small, feathered, lizard-like creature. Its jaw configuration is similar to that of its smaller relative, but has been re-purposed for its more active hunting life style. Its mandibles are built like a pair of saws, which it uses to cut through tough carapaces and cut food into more manageable pieces. In this respect, its feeding style is more similar to that of a carnivorous earth insect than a lizard or bird. Its beak possesses a small crest, which it uses as a display mechanism.
An assortment of related Raptoridan Invertebrates.
Name:
Size:
Diet: Large animals and carrion.
Reproduction: Oviparous, Monotreme
Biome: Grassland
A fearsome predator that stalks the plains of Raptoridan. Its massive head is filled with large, serrated, peg-like teeth, and is anchored by powerful muscles to the shoulders and dorsal area. Its front toes are large and padded to help distribute its weight in its digitigrade stance. Its hind legs are built like those of an Earth rabbit, and it bounds in a similar manner. They bear social dynamics similar to those of Earth's Grizzly Bears; though solitary, the young will stay with their mother until they are large enough to fend for themselves. They will usually hunt large herbivores, but when food is scarce, they will also scavenge. They hunt primarily with their excellent senses of smell and hearing. Their vestigial tail servers as a display mechanism.
An updated version of the marsupial bottom feeder.
Thanks for all the feedback! I have some more, but I don't have the time to scan/upload them right now...
While Sagan 4 sounds interesting, I'm afraid I don't really have the time to get involved in another planetary ecosystem...What with a full college schedule, and soon a job (hopefully : /). I'll keep it in mind though.
