Tahnastyx

Tahnastyx are a large and armor plated Scelidian that is related to the shelled Apceros.

Physiology
Tahnastyx are omnivorous Scelidians very similar in body structure to Apceros, but with stegosaurian features. Rather then having a large single shell like their desert dwelling cousin, the armor of Tahnastyx is composed of layers of large boney, keratinous scales which allows for increased flexibility and defense, these scales are similar to those found on the real world mammal known as a pangolin. The back, shoulders and tail club are tipped with large imposing pairs of spikes known as thagomizers. The head of Tahnastyx is narrow and long when compared to other Scelidians. The front limbs have large powerful claws that are used to dig burrows. The tail club is similar in appearance to that of doedicurus.

Behavior
Tahnastyx are generally docile and not aggressive, however when encountering large predators or approached by a hunter they are known to lash out in defense. When approached by hunters or predators that haven't attacked them they are known to take a defensive stance and their armored plates will become more vibrant in color, changing from a dark brown to a red.

Placement in Food Chain
Tahnastyx occupy a middle niche in the food chain, being capable of defending themselves from most predators. The only real threat for an adult Tahnastyx would be powerful elder dragons and elder dragon level monsters.

Behavior towards Other Monsters
Tahnastyx are not bothered by the presence of smaller herbivores but can become agitated and lash out against other large monsters and predators. When encountering a threat a Tahnastyx will stand its ground rather than flee.

Tracks
Tahnastyx will leave behind "Medium Round Prints". It will also leave behind torn up carrier ant mounds if it feeds on them.

Specific Locale Interactions
Tahnastyx will feed on carrier ant and termites by breaking the mounds with its powerful tail and consuming them.

Special Behaviors
Tahnastyx has a chance to knock out or stun other monsters in its turf wars regardless of their size by hitting them in the head with its powerful tail.

Cutscene
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Abilities
Tahnastyx have a hard armored hide a large spines. Their tails are long and flexible and posses a large number of thagomizers and they are capable of swinging them with great force. They are also capable of ramming into opponents and stomping on them using their weight to deal tremendous damage. There beaked jaw is capable of delivering a painful bite.

Rage and Tired States

 * Rage State:  Tahnastyx starts to huff steam from its nostrils and its attacks become more powerful and quicker.
 * Tired State: Tahnastyx will fail to preform certain attacks and its movements will become slower.

Frenzy, Apex and Ascended
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Mounts
Due to its back being covered in armor and dangerous spines it very difficult to mount a Tahnastyx.

Taxonomy
Tahnastyx is a member of the Scelidian group of monsters and shares a common ancestor with Apceros.
 * Order: Ornithischia
 * Suborder: Clubbed Tail
 * Infraorder: Land Beast
 * Family: Nastyx
 * Species: Tahnastyx

Habitat Range
Tahnastyx prefers warmer habitats with little tree cover, so it can frequently be found inhabiting deserts and grasslands habitats like the Barren Basin and Infinite Prairie. Reports have been noted that it inhabits the Salt Plains as well but these have yet to be confirmed by the research guild.

Ecological Niche
Tahnastyx is a large and powerful herbivore that has very few predators allowing it to sit high on the food chain. Predators like Delex, Ludroth, Royal Ludroth and Tetsucabra stand no chance taking down a Tahnastyx and most top predators like Seregios and Tigrex while capable of putting up a serious fight against a Tahnastyx wouldn't risk attacking one due to its armor and fearsome tail. Only truly powerful predators like Bazelgeuse and Ryatroxos are capable of preying upon such an herbivore. Glavenus have also been known to try to hunt Tahnastyx but they rarely succeed in doing so.

Biological Adaptions
Tahnastyx has evolved rock hard armored scales that offer excellent defense without sacrificing mobility this armor is able to cause even the sharpest of weapons to be deflected. The spines located on the shoulders, back and powerful tail are used as weapons to deter any attacking predator. Tahnastyx lives an omnivorous lifestyle and has a powerful toothless beak and a long sticky tongue that it uses to feed on cycads, ferns, bark, ants, and other small arthropods, it swallows stones to grind up the food it swallows whole.

Behavior
Tahnastyx are large omnivorous scelidians that will aggressively defend themselves against large carnivores and hunters. They typically live solitary lifestyles and only ever pair up to breed. When it comes to parental care, the most a mother Tahnastyx will do is guard the nest, but once the young hatch they are on there own.

Low Tier Large Monsters
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High Tier Large Monsters
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Attacks
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Damage Effectiveness
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Breakable Parts and Shiny Drops
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Equipment
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Carves
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Quests
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Trivia
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