Thurman's Chameleodrake
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia (Sauropsida)
Clade: Eucrocopoda
Clade: Archosauria
Clade: Pseudosuchia
Clade: Suchia
Clade: Paracrocodylomorpha
Clade: Poposauroidea
Clade: Ctenosauriscoidea
Clade: Enantiotyrannoidea
Order: Euenantiotyrannoidea
Clade: Chameleosuchia
Family: Chameleosuchidae
Subfamily: Chameleosuchinae
Genus: Chameleosuchus
Species: C. thurmanii (âThurman's chameleon crocodileâ [named after Marshall Thurman, a prominent 19th-century Xenogaean naturalist])
Ancestral species: possibly Arizonasaurus babbitti
Temporal range: Â late Pliocene to recent (2.78 mya - recent)
Information:
In the deep southern stretches of Xenogaeaâs Isle of Perils lives an inconspicuous forest predator: *Chameleosuchus thurmanii*, better known as the *Thurmanâs chameleodrake* or the *Bodzhi gecko*.
Known to the Xenogaeans as *sosira-mora* ((Modern Standard Xenogaean: /soĚ.ĘËa.moĚ.rÉ/, âcrocodile lizardâ), the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is a roughly housecat-sized (2-2.5 feet long and roughly 13 lbs when fully grown) pseudosuchian belonging to a group of derived poposauroids called *enantiotyrannoids* (clade *Enantiotyrannoidea*). This group of animals is extremely ecologically diverse, producing both predator and prey niches. Named for their passing (yet superficial) facial resemblance to the more well-known tyrannosauroids (which, being dinosaurs, are avemetatarsalian archosaurs rather than pseudosuchians), enantiotyrannoids were once a more common group across Archaeonesia, reaching their heyday during the Jurassic. Increased competition from actual dinosaurs, however, and a series of minor regional extinctions thinned down their diversity over the last 150 million years. In the present day, while some species can be found on other seedworlds, enantiotyrannoids only consist of a handful of species in Archaeonesia, most of which are endemic to the Arava Desert or, more broadly, other southern regions of the Isle of Perils and some offshore islands flanking all sides of the continent, being a particularly large component of the local fauna on the Droko Island (also known as Magellania) to the northwest and the North Barrier Islands to the far northwest. In several regions, they are known to coexist with dinosaurs in similar niches, which seems to indicate they are capable of some level of niche partitioning. Enantiotyrannoids are noted, however, for having slower metabolisms and growth cycles than similarly-sized theropods, exhibiting more poikilothermic tendencies and tending towards nocturnal foraging and hunting. In the modern day, the chameleodrake family (family *Chameleosuchidae*) is the most speciose, though the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is one of the smallest members of this group.
Originally native to the southernmost stretches of the Isle of Perils, being found in both the Arava Desert and (more commonly) the southeastern swamps and rainforests, due to its domestication by some indigenous peoples in Xenogaea (and subsequent dissemination throughout the region via trade), the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is now common all throughout Xenogaea as both a domesticated and feral species. It is also found in many countries as part of the exotic pet trade, with Australia and the United States having the largest populations of domesticated chameleodrakes. Despite its common trade name, the *Bodzhi gecko*, it is not native to the Bodzhipan Valley region of the northwestern Isle of Perils nor is it a gecko. This moniker likely arose due to confusion with, ironically enough, not a gecko, but an *actual* chameleon species native to the northwestern Isle of Perils, the *goliath chameleon* (*Eochameleo borealis*), which is of similar size and is exceptionally terrestrial for a chameleon. This creature, however, is not nearly as common in the exotic pet trade despite being highly-coveted, thus some breeders and retailers may have begun labeling chameleodrakes as âgeckoesâ to cash in one buyers not savvy on reptile taxonomy. Alternatively, it could have initially been confused with another species of large lizard from the Bodzhipan Valley region, the *gwei* or *horned gecko* (*Ceratogekko bodzhipanensis*), which is smaller than both the Thurmanâs chameleodrake and the goliath chameleon, being only around 10-12 inches in length (which is still quite large by gecko standards, putting it just behind the New Caledonian giant gecko [*Rhacodactylus leachianus*] and the extinct *Gigarcarnum delcourti*), but nonetheless highly coveted. However, its more restrictive range and dietary requirements make it harder to care for, meaning that they are in high demand but low supply, hence leading to chameleodrakes being labeled âgeckoesâ to deceive foreign buyers and reptile enthusiasts. Nonetheless, its coloration is reflective of its original jungle habitat: typically a vibrant green in coloration with yellow and blue markings on their crest, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake blends in effortlessly amongst the dense tropical foliage of the rainforests it calls home.
Though many pseudosuchians are not viewed as particularly vocal animals in relation to their dinosaur cousins, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is quite the exception in this regard: the broadcast call of this species is a loud, shrill, chirruping rattle followed by a series of throat-knocks, commonly called the âtambourineâ. A stressed or scared chameleodrake may also tense up its posture, raising itself on two legs and making a raspy hissing or gurgling sound before lunging at perceived threats. Chameleodrake chicks are known to make a soft chirruping squeak. Parents may respond with a call called the ârak-rakâ, an onomatopoeia of a vocal used to communicate distance from chicks in the foliage or to establish/reinforce bonds. Territorial calls typically consist of hissing gurgles or, more rarely, jaw-popping. The mating call of the Thurmanâs chameleodrake consists of a high-pitched, warbling drumming sound.
A generalist semi-arboreal predator, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake hunts a wide array of small- to medium-sized prey animals, ranging from large arthropods and small mammals/birds all the way to prey the size of rabbits, chickens, and even small primates. Pterosaurs are a common prey item, the chameleodrake dropping down from tree branches above to get the jump on prey. In cities, it is a common predator of âpestâ animals like rats and pigeons, and there is sporadic evidence to suggest it may pray on feral chickens in Xenogaeaâs countryside as well. However, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is itself invasive throughout parts of Xenogaea, and its proclivity for hunting small birds has led to some regional species suffering greatly. It is also known to prey on bat-hawks, the smallest known wyverns and the only group of wyverns with substantial representation outside of the Isanunti Mountains. In turn, though rare, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is preyed upon by the glitterback, though anecdotal evidence suggests the two species may prey on one another mutually on occasion but otherwise avoid one another where they are sympatric. In areas where the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is sympatric with other chameleodrake species, it has been known to prey on young/immature individuals of other species. Other small reptiles, however (typically non-archelosaurian and thusly including everything from lepidosaurs to small parareptiles) appear to make up most of its diet.
Nimble-bodied, agile, and exceptionally adaptable, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is a perceptive sight-based predator with intelligence on par with mammals filling similar small arboreal predator niches. While not particularly social, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake can and does readily tolerate others of its kind in its habitat, and several unrelated individuals may even live in the same tree. However, pack-hunting/mobbing behavior is not known outside of anecdotes. Despite extensive adaptations in the structure of the feet for climbing, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake, like other chameleodrakes, is perfectly comfortable both on the ground and in the trees, and in fact, considerable amounts of time are spent hunting on the ground, their vibrant green bodies providing ample camouflage against the colorful jungle floor foliage. However, the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is extremely environmentally adaptable and can survive in a wide range of conditions, and thusly, it can also be found in far more arid regions as well. Like all enantiotyrannoids, while endothermic, the metabolism of the Thurmanâs chameleodrake is slower than that of similarly-sized dinosaurs. Because of this, it can go significantly longer without food in the event of starvation, entering a state of semi-torpor in which its bodily functions slow for days or even weeks at a time. Like its chameleon namesakes, this animal can and does move its eyes independently of one another, though unlike chameleons, which use this trait for hunting, this trait appears to have actually evolved in responses to predation: due to its small size, it is susceptible to many small-to-medium-sized predators, and thusly, being able to keep one eye above or to the side and another on the ground/branches ahead allows them to more accurately judge the presence and distance of potential threats. Nonetheless, it is far from a pushover, and when threatened, will stand up on two legs, arms splayed outward, spines raised, and hiss before lunging. The Thurmanâs chameleodrake rarely if ever makes its own nests, instead preferring to take ones abandoned by primates or large birds of prey. Naturally curious and inquisitive animals, even wild chameleodrakes may readily approach (and attempt to climb) humans, though chameleodrakes tend to explore unfamiliar objects by biting or nipping, making it unrecommended to allow wild individuals to get close in most instances. While the Thurmanâs chameleodrake, like all chameleodrakes and like most enantiotyrannoids, tends to prefer a quadrupedal gait over a bipedal one, it has been known to stand, walk, and even run on two legs for short periods of time, often to survey its surroundings on land. While hypercarnivorous in its dietary preferences, some evidence exists to suggest they gain most of their water needs from supplementing their diet with fruit semi-regularly, though as this phenomenon is seen mostly in domesticated individuals, it is unknown if this is merely a behavioral/physiological difference in domesticated individuals or a broader trait of the species as a whole.
The Thurmanâs chameleodrake has no specific breeding season year-round, though the sexual receptivity of females is often dependent on a variety of external factors, namely availability of resources and weather patterns. Thurmanâs chameleodrakes mate for life, and thusly, a maleâs courtship rituals are sophisticated: often, he will gift the female small kills repeatedly over the course of several days, doing a âpush-upâ motion along the branches/ground while doing so and making the aforementioned warbling drumming sound. If she accepts, she will eat his kills and leave a small pile of discarded bones at the base of the tree. Copulation typically occurs in the tree itself, the male gently biting down on the back of the femaleâs head to mount her. In a few weeks time, she will lay a clutch of around 30-40 eggs in the nest which she will guard for the next couple weeks, the male retrieving food for the both of them during this time. When the chicks hatch, they will spend roughly the first few weeks or so in the next before venturing out of the nest with the supervision of one or more parents. In a few months, they are typically large to fend for themselves and are chased out of the parentsâ nest. However, it will take until roughly 8 months to reach sexual maturity and around 1-1.5 years to reach adult size. In the wild, they can expect to 10-15 years, and in captivity, up to 20-35 years.
A domesticated variant of this species, the *fancy chameleodrake* (*C. thurmanii domesticus*), has existed since around 5,000 BC, likely domesticated by ancient tribespeople in the region as a means of pest control around smaller settlements, though a second, less popular theory promotes the idea of self-domestication in their case. Regardless, the fancy chameleodrake is now found all across the region, both feral and domesticated, and in cities, they are commonly found free-ranging, feeding on vermin. Genetic evidence strongly suggests that the Thurmanâs chameleodrake may not actually be a singular species but rather a species complex, as certain populations/subspecies appear to actually be of closer relation to species commonly recognized as separate rather than other populations of their own. Notable predators of this species include birds of prey, medium-sized pterosaurs, and several varieties of non-avian theropods. Many primates, however, including the semi-sapient *goblins* (who will be getting their own post soon), are known to kill them on sight due to their proclivity for targeting small/immature monkeys and adapids. Likewise, while rare, they are known to occasionally steal eggs from the nests of larger animals, meaning many nesting animals are wary around them. However, at least a few seem to have formed something of a bond with them: some sauropod species are known to tolerate chameleodrakes hitching a ride on their backs in exchange for them eating parasites off their backs (namely blood-sucking pterosaurs). While not super common, chameleodrake meat has been (and continues to be) a rare delicacy in some areas, being roasted over an open fire first to loosen/char the scales enough to be removed, then cooked into stews or simply served as is with sauces. It does, however, have a stigma of being a âfamine foodâ or âpoor manâs foodâ alongside fish in some areas. Though rare, it does occasionally appear in emblems and traditional artwork in the region, with it appearing on the provincial flag for the eastern province of Xapaka. Likewise, it does appear scarcely in some ancient Bodzhipan civilization artwork, a material culture from the countryâs northwestern region, suggesting that it had spread via trade long before the Bodzhi migrations, which were reseponsible for the dissemination of what would later become the Xenogaean languages in the modern day. While not a particularly popular pet within Xenogaea relative to the *fancy hatchetbill*, a small, domesticated terror bird species, it is extraordinarily popular outside of Xenogaea and is one of the most-exported domesticated animals to come from the region. With over 5 million individual in the wild and a domesticated population suspected to be even larger, typically listed as âLeast Concernâ due to a healthy breeding population and large, contiguous native range.










