Viral Congalala

Viral Congalala (バイラルババコンガ, Bairaru Babakonga) is a Variant of the Congalala.

Physiology
The primary reason the Viral Congalala is classified as a Variant due to the fungal growths that are found on its body. It is currently unknown the origins of these fungal growths, but many rumours have spread that it is in fact the scales of the Shagaru Magala trapped in its fur. This is inconclusive as Shagaru Magala shares a parasitic relationship similar to some fungi, but no evidence has been seen of the Viral Congalala falling to the Frenzy.

Viral Congalala have grown their fur long and thick in comparison to the regular Congalala. This fur merges with the fungal growths that have formed a symbiotic relationship with it, giving its body a noticeable golden sheen. It has lost the form of its crest, now reduces to an untidy and wild mess due to years of mistreatment. Its belly is no longer as swollen or as hard, now becoming a primary weak spot that the Viral Congalala tries to hide.

It is unknown what exactly has caused the Congalala to lose all interest in its image. Some theories say that the fungal growths have affected its behaviour that it no longer requires a pack, therefore not needing to establish its dominance. Others say that the long hair actually preserves the fungal growths and protects them from attacks.

Behavior
The Viral Congalala exhibits a noticeably smaller appetite in comparison to its brethren due to the fungal growth that feeding it energy. However when this energy is quickly expended, the ravenous Congalala hunger emerges and it eats both its and the fungi's fill in food.

Even though the Viral Congalala exhibits significantly lower aggression than a normal Congalala, small animals tend to give it an extremely wide berth. Even Rathalos and Rathian have shown wariness around the Viral Congalala at first. Since this strange behaviour appears to be regardless of how the Congalala appears, it becomes an easy way for Hunters to distinguish regular Congalala from recently created Viral Congalala.