First things first, Happy New Year! May 2025 be better than 2024 (let's go uphill instead of downhill). Originally, I wanted to post something on the 31st to close the year off, but in the end, I've decided to push it back to the 1st. At least that way, I got the push to post a larger creature so that I can start the year off "big."

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The Imperia Cranus is the larger (much larger) relative of the Durocranus and the second member of the Fauxaria (mammals with a body plan closet to that of dinosaurs).

Thanks to its ability to stand on two legs and sheer size, this herbivore was able to slot itself into the niche of a large, mixed browser. It can reach the leaves of trees and low-growing shrubs, providing it with a wide range of food option. When times or the competition become tougher, it can also eat grass, though it has a stronger preference for leaves. With that, they can coexist with large herbivorous (and omnivorous) boars without too many conflicts over resources.

This, however, isn't the only use for its size, as it protects the Imperia Cranus from most predators. Most drakes, canids, and predatory simians will think twice before risking a close encounter with this beast's massive tail or its scaly dome (in this species, it is referred to as a "crown"). Being able to scare off smaller, more numerous predators makes putting yourself on the menu of larger beasts (such as the Crowned Tyrant) mostly worth it.

In terms of "crowns" these also serve to differentiate between males and females. As seen above, male Imperia Cranus have red crowns, while females have grey ones. The shape and size of these structures is the same for both sexes (as it is a defensive weapon) but the color is purely a trait used in sexual selection; the more vivid the crown, the more attractive the male is to potential mates. It is also a way to avoid conflicts with rival males... unless there is an evenly matched opponent. If both competing males are of a comparable size and have equally vivid crowns, then they duke it out via tail slams (the crown is sharp at the tip and is too risky to use in fights for mating rights). The winner of the duel gets the right to breed with as many females as he chooses.

After mating, both the male and female go their separate ways to continue their solitary existence. After 6 months the female will give birth to 1 or 2 offspring which she will then raise and protect for up to 5 years, before the juveniles are big enough to fend for themselves.