Introduction: the "Terrible Lizards"

65 million years ago, an asteroid crashed into the world in what was known as the K-T event. this had mixed effects, but three main things arrived from it.

1.) mammals were able to establish dominance.

2.) the first 30 Draconequi were born from the resulting chaos

3.) the majority of dinosaurs died out

Now, it was established some time ago that birds are dinosaurs, but non-avian dinosaurs have clung to existence in parts of the world, competing with newer predators. some have feathers, others don't, but they all are still alive.

these posts will cover the known species of extant dinosaurs. they may be updated, so keep an eye out!

The Scansoriopterygidae (meaning "climbing wings") are a group of maniraptoran dinosaurs specially adapted for living in trees, and several have adapted to flight in an unusual way, as they have developed a patagium, supporting it with the elongated third finger as well as a unique styliform wrist bone akin to similar structures in flying squirrels, bats, and pterosaurs. Though propatagia are known in birds and similar dinosaurs, scansoriopterygids are the only known dinosaurs to have naturally (aka, not through magic-enhanced evolution or sorcery) developed true membranous wings, most notably so due to the presence of already fairly derived feathers.

It was from this group that the Cockatrices evolved.

The Cockatrice family (Cockatricidae) developed in the old world, but have since spread across the globe. The majority are poor flyers, but the smaller species are still capable of clearing a 6-foot fence.

Over the years, Cockatrices have become mixed up with the lore of two pseudodragon species- the Regulus and the Basilisk. The former is because the Regulus also possesses an appearance mixing reptilian and avian aspects (it looks like a multi-legged lizard with a chicken head), and the latter because it shares the petrifying ability which the Common Cockatrice possesses. However, in evolutionary terms, Cockatrices are more closely related to actual chickens than to the Regulus and Basilisk.

Primitive Cockatrice

This native of Stirrope and Khaan is a hunter of small prey, up to the size of a rabbit. Unlike many more "advanced" members of its family, this beast is actually an adept flyer

Common Cockatrice

Found across the northern hemisphere, the Common Cockatrice is the only cockatrice species actually capable of petrifying its prey (the stone composition is granite).

Common Cockatrices are solitary and territorial, staking out their territory and crowing in order to set boundaries.

Small prey is normally petrified for later consumption, while larger organisms are often only petrified when the Cockatrice feels threatened, or during breeding season, when the males use the statues as platforms.

Giant Cockatrice

20 feet in length, the Giant Cockatrice is the largest member of the Cockatrice family, and the most carnivorous. This native of Equus lives in mountain ranges, swooping down onto large prey items and dispatching them with their talons.

Frilled Cockatrice

A native of Equus' forests, the frilled cockatrice is a ground-dwelling forager, going after small prey and various seeds and fruits. The creature will often scare off small predators by using its typical threat posture (shown), but will run if it encounters a legitimate threat

Scarlet Cockatrice

A small native of Trotsylvania, often raised for its eggs and used as a sort of "guard dog", preventing snakes or small mammals from entering into henhouses. Wild Scarlet Cockatrices are forest-dwelling foragers, running down small prey and dispatching them with their talons and beak.

Haggard Cockatrice

Natives of Khaan and Stirrope, the turkey-sized Haggard Cockatrices travel in flocks, ferociously attacking any creature that threatens them or their lairs. Typically, flocks of them will attempt to overwhelm or confuse their opponents, flying at their faces.

Haggard Cockatrices are capable of breathing out a cloud of poisonous mist.

Codrille

The largest Cockatrice species in the old world, and the second largest Cockatrice species in general, the Codrille is capable of breathing out a violently poisonous mist, and is one of the best fliers in the Cockatrice family.

This 18-foot beast is distinguished by the bioluminescent organ on its head, used for communicating with others of its species over long distances.

Codrille are migratory, travelling into Stirrope to breed and raise their young. Once the hatchlings are capable of flying, they migrate southeast into Camelu and Saddle Arabia in order to finish maturing.

Southern Cockatrice

An unusual Tapiri native, this species is adapted to weave through branches and run through underground tunnels- essentially the cockatrice's version of a weasel. It feeds on small prey, but seems to have a fondness for tunneling into chicken coops.

Pit Cockatrice

A large native of the various islands of southeastern Khaan, the Pit Cockatrice gets its name from when these beasts were brought to Roama and Cirrus by traders as fighting beasts, a now outlawed practice.

In the wild, Pit Cockatrices are solitary hunters of the forest floor, using ambushing hit-and-run tactics on their prey.

Kye-Ryong

A common draft animal in Carrea, the Kye-ryong is sought after because of its skills as a chariot puller. Unlike other creatures of its kind, the kye-ryong does not have a vicious disposition and is known for being kind and gentle.

Mimitrice

Native to various regions in Mustikk, the Mimitrice has lost two fingers on each wing. Mimitrice live very casual lives, as they face very little danger in any of their chosen habitats. They enjoy fishing and scavenging, using their long beaks to snap up their prey. They are very similar to herons and egrets with this feeding behavior.

[youtube=Di2uXm_Kaj0]

Mimitrices survive very well, despite having only mediocre camouflage. This is likely because they are much faster than larger flying predators, and most definitely because they can mimic the calls of the most fearsome predators. Because of this skill, Mimitrices face very little threat from smaller predators, and can usually escape from larger predators. The Mimitrice rarely faces danger in their lives as they can escape quickly by imitating the call of larger predators to scare smaller predators like Jaggi. It also has another strange red sack on its throat, that when inflated, is used for intimidating predators, attracting mate, or doing its vocalizations. Since Mimitrices usually lives in places near bodies of water, they have also developed webbed feet for catching fish easier.

Jaculus

The jaculus is a small, specialized predator that is known to wait on tree branches for unsuspecting prey to pass by before leaping down and impaling its victim with its head. Aided by strong claws and powerful neck muscles, the jaculus tears itself from its prey's side and retreats to wait for the animal to die of trauma. However, this unusual hunting method is not commonly observed in the wild unless food is scarce, such as in the winter; most of their diet consists of eggs, small tree-dwelling animals and insects, and carrion.

Jaculi are known to exist throughout southern Stirrope, though sightings as far north as Mustikk have been reported, and a wild population exists in North Griffonia.

Somnolisk

A passive creature by nature, the Somnolisk of Neighpon expels a sleep inducing agent at threats and prey alike. They are mostly scavengers, content to feed on the remains of carcasses with their specialized hooked beaks tearing off pieces of flesh small enough to swallow whole.

Somnolisks perform mating rituals to find a mate. Once a Somnolisk is fully mature, and breeding season begins, its feathers will change color, from a rusty orange to a bright red and bluish mix. Males will gather in large flocks and dance in order to attract mates during this time

Pyrolisk

A fire-breathing native of Mustikk, the Pyrolisk is a vicious predator of small prey items.

Scuttletrice

An odd, quadrupedal cockatrice, the Scuttletrice overall resembles a large lizard with massive eyes. However, the Scuttletrice's actual eyes are so tiny, they're barely even noticeable near the corners of its mouth, while its inflatable false eyes are just glands full of the toxic gas it spews over its prey.

Scuttletrices prefer dark, enclosed spaces, hiding in caves and burrows and emerging after sunset to hunt.

Fascinating creatures, these. More and more I realize how sheltered and cut off Ponyville natives are if they're dreadfully afraid of the common cockatrice simply because theyre found in the Everfree. The forest may be a dangerous place with strange magic, but cockatrices appear to be far more dangerous than they believe.

5820517 to be fair, the Common Cockatrice is the one that can petrify you with a glance

5821151 This is true, but the others seem to be much larger and stranger. Either way, all of them are quite interesting. How does the petrifying work? Are they really just dinosaurs, or do they have some sort of magic, being natives Equus? If so, what kind of magic would the non-petrifying cockatrice species have?

5821236 1- Like most petrification magic, it works mostly by direct eye contact

2- Most dinosaurs, like many animals, are not inherently magical, but a few have a certain affinity for magic.

3- This being said, the Common Cockatrice is the only overtly magical species of cockatrice, the rest having unique biological adaptations which account for their abilities