AC2:Bestiary/Armoredillo

Original Link (now dead) - http://ac2.turbinegames.com/index.php?page_id=135

Armoredillo

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Plural: Armoredillos
Group: Herd
Offspring: Calf
Location: All continents
Natural Allies: None
Natural Enemies: None

Despite their formidable capabilities in battle, Armoredillos are largely benign lizards often seen trundling along dunes and prairies. While most prefer arid climates, such as deserts and tundra, some breeds live along coastlines and rivers.

The dim, beady eyes of an Armoredillo are an excellent indicator of its meager intelligence. They often do not notice—or simply ignore—interlopers until disturbed from their otherwise quiet grazing. Despite their peaceable nature (Armoredillos are herbivores, able to shovel entire shrubs into their cavernous mouths) they are quite fearsome when provoked. When pressed, Armoredillos will turn and attack; the more wild an Armoredillo, the more "personal space" it desires.

Once engaged, Armoredillos can make for extremely challenging combat. Their backs are covered with a hard carapace studded with bony protrusions and crested with foot-long blades. However, the Armoredillo does not rely on its defensive capabilities alone—it can also curl up, gripping its nose in its prehensile tail claw for a wild, spinning "wheel attack." In this stance, the spines of an Armoredillo become wicked saw blades capable of slicing through armor.

Some Eli tribes have managed to tame Armoredillos to serve as beasts of burden as well as for food. (Armoredillo meat is known as "lukar".) About once a year, these Eli clip the spines off their Armoredillos, much as a shepherd would shear his wool, and fashion them into weapons and armor.

A few examples of Armoredillos around the world:

Sandy Armoredillo	Shore Armoredillo
Freshwater Armoredillo	Wetland Armoredillo
Marsh Armoredillo	Boglurk Armoredillo