350 million years hence
Stop nine - 350 million years hence – late Saurozoic era
A rise in volcanic activity and a prevalence of massive growths of marine algae, along with the size of the aging sun, has caused the climate to grow ever warmer under a greenhouse effect. This is somewhat of a disadvantage to the giant endothermic reptiles. Pangaea Ultima is starting to break apart, and Antarctica is placed much closer to the poles again, far separated from Australia. Ecologically, herbaceous plants and shrubs compete successfully with grasses in many places, but the stubble deserts and savannah remain the true stronghold of the grasses. Plants in general are hardy and tropical, except in the centres of continents where tropical savannah and arid deserts predominate.
Because the entire world is warm and tropical, many kinds of upright reptile are uninsulated and scaly, as well as being more reasonable in size. In the absence of birds or bats, both extinct, one group of warm-blooded lizards take to the air, resembling pterosaurs and birds. This group will experience a 20 million year renaissance before disappearing. Large invertebrates are common, and prey on reptiles as often as they are preyed upon by reptiles. Antarctica is warmer but still over the poles, possessing a warm-temperate zone dominated by swarms insects large and small, as well as giant predatory land-crabs. Antarctica’s only reptiles are flying varieties which have dispersed there. In the oceans and rivers, neotenous tadpoles and swimming worms compete successfully with various fishes.
Continuing ever further in time, the world becomes increasingly alien, eventually the Saurozoic will end and things will change yet again.
A rise in volcanic activity and a prevalence of massive growths of marine algae, along with the size of the aging sun, has caused the climate to grow ever warmer under a greenhouse effect. This is somewhat of a disadvantage to the giant endothermic reptiles. Pangaea Ultima is starting to break apart, and Antarctica is placed much closer to the poles again, far separated from Australia. Ecologically, herbaceous plants and shrubs compete successfully with grasses in many places, but the stubble deserts and savannah remain the true stronghold of the grasses. Plants in general are hardy and tropical, except in the centres of continents where tropical savannah and arid deserts predominate.
Because the entire world is warm and tropical, many kinds of upright reptile are uninsulated and scaly, as well as being more reasonable in size. In the absence of birds or bats, both extinct, one group of warm-blooded lizards take to the air, resembling pterosaurs and birds. This group will experience a 20 million year renaissance before disappearing. Large invertebrates are common, and prey on reptiles as often as they are preyed upon by reptiles. Antarctica is warmer but still over the poles, possessing a warm-temperate zone dominated by swarms insects large and small, as well as giant predatory land-crabs. Antarctica’s only reptiles are flying varieties which have dispersed there. In the oceans and rivers, neotenous tadpoles and swimming worms compete successfully with various fishes.
Continuing ever further in time, the world becomes increasingly alien, eventually the Saurozoic will end and things will change yet again.
fauna
Agamalope (Antillosaura gracilis)
Ancestor: Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)
Smaller relatives of the beardhemoth have given rise to easily the most athletic kind of reptile to exist at any time. Inhabiting scrub and open forest, agamalopes are hot-blooded running herbivores which feed mainly on leaves and buds, but will also consume stems and twigs. They have large beak-like jaws, and cheeks which conceal teeth much like those of an herbivorous dinosaur. When pursued by a predator, agamalopes can sprint at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. Herds consist of up to 20 individuals, and females care for their young from hatching. Agamalope reach a total length of 3.5 meters and a shoulder height of 1.8 meters.
Ancestor: Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)
Smaller relatives of the beardhemoth have given rise to easily the most athletic kind of reptile to exist at any time. Inhabiting scrub and open forest, agamalopes are hot-blooded running herbivores which feed mainly on leaves and buds, but will also consume stems and twigs. They have large beak-like jaws, and cheeks which conceal teeth much like those of an herbivorous dinosaur. When pursued by a predator, agamalopes can sprint at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. Herds consist of up to 20 individuals, and females care for their young from hatching. Agamalope reach a total length of 3.5 meters and a shoulder height of 1.8 meters.
Drake-hound (Argosaurus koparion)
Ancestor: Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldii)
Predators in this age are a good deal more reasonable in size, and bald, due to the increasing heat. The Drakhound is only 3 meters long compared to its ancient relative, the ozdrake, but it is an extremely capable and athletic hunter, resembling a scaly greyhound. Found in a variety of habitats throughout eastern Pangaea-Ultima, they hunt a variety of prey from small to large size, including agamalopes, which they chase from ambush. They will hunt in small groups, though social cohesion is usually tense, they will often fight over food. Females lay a small clutch of large eggs in the wet season, and will care for their young until they are old enough to hunt.
Ancestor: Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldii)
Predators in this age are a good deal more reasonable in size, and bald, due to the increasing heat. The Drakhound is only 3 meters long compared to its ancient relative, the ozdrake, but it is an extremely capable and athletic hunter, resembling a scaly greyhound. Found in a variety of habitats throughout eastern Pangaea-Ultima, they hunt a variety of prey from small to large size, including agamalopes, which they chase from ambush. They will hunt in small groups, though social cohesion is usually tense, they will often fight over food. Females lay a small clutch of large eggs in the wet season, and will care for their young until they are old enough to hunt.
Tyrannopede (Cryptoscolopendra gigas)
Ancestor: Giant Centipede (Ethmostigmus rubripes)
The lush rainforests along the coasts of Pangaea-Ultima are home to some scary invertebrates. One such creature is the Tyrannopede, measuring 70 centimeters long, with members of this genus being found in coastal rainforests throughout the supercontinent. Cryptically colored and flattened, they lay in wait, partially concealed by leaf litter and low growth, seizing small and medium-sized vertebrates with their huge, venomous fangs. If they have to move from place to place, they usually wait until twilight.
Ancestor: Giant Centipede (Ethmostigmus rubripes)
The lush rainforests along the coasts of Pangaea-Ultima are home to some scary invertebrates. One such creature is the Tyrannopede, measuring 70 centimeters long, with members of this genus being found in coastal rainforests throughout the supercontinent. Cryptically colored and flattened, they lay in wait, partially concealed by leaf litter and low growth, seizing small and medium-sized vertebrates with their huge, venomous fangs. If they have to move from place to place, they usually wait until twilight.
Lizardhen (Saurotardavis antarcticus)
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
As the last of the bats and birds became extinct, so some of the endothermic lizards took to the skies, becoming the Lacertavids. Many forms are adept fliers which partly resemble pterosaurs and birds, but as with birds, flightless forms have arisen. The lizardhen is a common flightless Lacertavid found in the mild-temperate zone of Antarctica. Having evolved relatively recently, it still has a reduced wing finger. It is similar in size to a typical broiler hen, and feeds on insects, crablings, seeds and soft vegetation. They are generally fast enough to evade southern robbers, but their eggs often fall prey to the claws of this crustacean. Lizardhens move about in loose flocks of up to 15, and lay large eggs in a mid-sized communal nest. It is possible that, given more time, these flightless creatures may come to dominate Antarctica, and the reign of crabs would be over.
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
As the last of the bats and birds became extinct, so some of the endothermic lizards took to the skies, becoming the Lacertavids. Many forms are adept fliers which partly resemble pterosaurs and birds, but as with birds, flightless forms have arisen. The lizardhen is a common flightless Lacertavid found in the mild-temperate zone of Antarctica. Having evolved relatively recently, it still has a reduced wing finger. It is similar in size to a typical broiler hen, and feeds on insects, crablings, seeds and soft vegetation. They are generally fast enough to evade southern robbers, but their eggs often fall prey to the claws of this crustacean. Lizardhens move about in loose flocks of up to 15, and lay large eggs in a mid-sized communal nest. It is possible that, given more time, these flightless creatures may come to dominate Antarctica, and the reign of crabs would be over.
Southern Robber (Carcinovenator antarcticus)
Ancestor: Green Crab (Carcinus maena)
Antarctica has become isolated again, and any large terrestrial reptiles have become extinct as it reached chilly polar waters in the early-late Saurozoic. Currently, there is a mild temperate zone at its north, as the planet swelters under a greenhouse effect. This southern continent now swarms with insects small and large, which feed on low vegetation and each other. At the coasts are rookieries of flying reptiles. Preying on all of them is the southern robber, a great land-dwelling crab with a 1 meter legspan. This crustacean has a pair of large claws, one being used for crushing, and the other for cutting and plucking. The hindmost limbs serve as brightly colored signalling devices, used to communicate over territorial disputes. Eggs are laid and spawned in water, as with modern land crabs.
Ancestor: Green Crab (Carcinus maena)
Antarctica has become isolated again, and any large terrestrial reptiles have become extinct as it reached chilly polar waters in the early-late Saurozoic. Currently, there is a mild temperate zone at its north, as the planet swelters under a greenhouse effect. This southern continent now swarms with insects small and large, which feed on low vegetation and each other. At the coasts are rookieries of flying reptiles. Preying on all of them is the southern robber, a great land-dwelling crab with a 1 meter legspan. This crustacean has a pair of large claws, one being used for crushing, and the other for cutting and plucking. The hindmost limbs serve as brightly colored signalling devices, used to communicate over territorial disputes. Eggs are laid and spawned in water, as with modern land crabs.
Gullzard (Lacertalarus occidentalis)
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Common along the coasts and nearshore waters around the globe, the gullzard genus is supremely adapted for flight and hunting on the wing. With a wingspan of up to 2 meters, they hawk and soar over the water in search of fish and crustaceans, their main prey. Congregations of gullzards are a common sight around carcasses, even some way inland, and they willingly scavenge any dead meat they find. Social cohesion is loose, and any encounter will result in posturing and bluff in order to assert dominance. Females form large coastal rookeries in summer, where they lay up to 5 large eggs in a mud-and-guano nest.
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Common along the coasts and nearshore waters around the globe, the gullzard genus is supremely adapted for flight and hunting on the wing. With a wingspan of up to 2 meters, they hawk and soar over the water in search of fish and crustaceans, their main prey. Congregations of gullzards are a common sight around carcasses, even some way inland, and they willingly scavenge any dead meat they find. Social cohesion is loose, and any encounter will result in posturing and bluff in order to assert dominance. Females form large coastal rookeries in summer, where they lay up to 5 large eggs in a mud-and-guano nest.
Thickjaw (Lacertapsitta nucriphagus)
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
A typical flighted Lacertavid, thickjaws have a 1.5 meter wingspan, and are found mainly in tropical rainforest and gallery forest. Their diet consists of fruits and nuts; with deep powerful jaws that can crush and husk the toughest nut, or rind coarse-skinned fruits. Large loose flocks of these reptiles fly from one tree to another by day, feeding and calling constantly. Lacertavids are endothermic, but instead of having fur-like filaments, have flat strap-like scales that trap heat close to the body, though these resemble feathers, the wing is a flexible membrane of skin. Breeding is done in a rookery, where each female lays their eggs in a mud nest.
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
A typical flighted Lacertavid, thickjaws have a 1.5 meter wingspan, and are found mainly in tropical rainforest and gallery forest. Their diet consists of fruits and nuts; with deep powerful jaws that can crush and husk the toughest nut, or rind coarse-skinned fruits. Large loose flocks of these reptiles fly from one tree to another by day, feeding and calling constantly. Lacertavids are endothermic, but instead of having fur-like filaments, have flat strap-like scales that trap heat close to the body, though these resemble feathers, the wing is a flexible membrane of skin. Breeding is done in a rookery, where each female lays their eggs in a mud nest.
Bristleporker (Oreolacerta medius)
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Relatives of the Shagdrak are much less in need of a dense coat of plumage, and such creatures as the bristleporker have a short coat of hair-like bristles, as with a dog or boar. Bristleporkers reach 1.6 meters long and up to 60 kilograms, and are a common sight on the tropical plains, scrublands and open forests of the western portion of Pangaea-Ultima. They feed selectively on various shrubs, herbs and soft grasses, as well as pulling up roots and chewing bark. Living in small herds of up to 10, they are most active in the twilight and early morning, during the day the group will sleep in a large communal burrow. Females make a nest of about 10 large eggs in the summer, and the young are cared for until they are about half adult size.
Ancestor: Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Relatives of the Shagdrak are much less in need of a dense coat of plumage, and such creatures as the bristleporker have a short coat of hair-like bristles, as with a dog or boar. Bristleporkers reach 1.6 meters long and up to 60 kilograms, and are a common sight on the tropical plains, scrublands and open forests of the western portion of Pangaea-Ultima. They feed selectively on various shrubs, herbs and soft grasses, as well as pulling up roots and chewing bark. Living in small herds of up to 10, they are most active in the twilight and early morning, during the day the group will sleep in a large communal burrow. Females make a nest of about 10 large eggs in the summer, and the young are cared for until they are about half adult size.
Scutoise (Nudochelys terrestris)
Ancestor: Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
The portion of the supercontinent which was once Australasia play host to this unusual chelonian. Though large and upright like its relative, the terratoise, its 1.5 ton bulk provides ample protection from predators, and thusly the shell is much reduced. Bones of the carapace are reduced to partly expanded ribs and horny bodily scutes reminiscent almost of the very earliest turtles. Feeding mostly on leaves and stems, it is found mainly in open forest and scrubland. The skin is heavily covered with horny scales, which provide some protection against coarse thorns, as well as from any predator that may try to attack it. Generally solitary, they will tolerate each other fairly well if they have to. Females lay a clutch of 10 large eggs in the summer.
Ancestor: Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
The portion of the supercontinent which was once Australasia play host to this unusual chelonian. Though large and upright like its relative, the terratoise, its 1.5 ton bulk provides ample protection from predators, and thusly the shell is much reduced. Bones of the carapace are reduced to partly expanded ribs and horny bodily scutes reminiscent almost of the very earliest turtles. Feeding mostly on leaves and stems, it is found mainly in open forest and scrubland. The skin is heavily covered with horny scales, which provide some protection against coarse thorns, as well as from any predator that may try to attack it. Generally solitary, they will tolerate each other fairly well if they have to. Females lay a clutch of 10 large eggs in the summer.
Ophidopillar (Mensurophis nanus)
Ancestor: Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)
Small snakes such as some pythons have been common throughout the Saurozoic, but one has taken an interesting turn in its evolution. Ophidopillars are 40 centimeters long, and inhabit the rainforest canopy in what was once Australasia, where it preys on frogs, small reptiles and large invertebrates. It does not slither like a typical snake, it crawls along much as an inchworm does, using mitt-like muscular organs to clamp onto the branch. The front one is derived from the intercostal musculature that one moved the scales on its underside, the hind one developed from the vestigial hind limbs common to most pythons, as well as its short tail. By creeping in this way and swaying as if in the breeze, it resembles nothing but a mottled-brown branch; it is even able to raid Lacertavid nests for eggs or hatchlings, in this way.
Ancestor: Carpet Python (Morelia spilota)
Small snakes such as some pythons have been common throughout the Saurozoic, but one has taken an interesting turn in its evolution. Ophidopillars are 40 centimeters long, and inhabit the rainforest canopy in what was once Australasia, where it preys on frogs, small reptiles and large invertebrates. It does not slither like a typical snake, it crawls along much as an inchworm does, using mitt-like muscular organs to clamp onto the branch. The front one is derived from the intercostal musculature that one moved the scales on its underside, the hind one developed from the vestigial hind limbs common to most pythons, as well as its short tail. By creeping in this way and swaying as if in the breeze, it resembles nothing but a mottled-brown branch; it is even able to raid Lacertavid nests for eggs or hatchlings, in this way.
mass extinction
Mass extinction – 360 Million Years Hence – the close of the Saurozoic era
As the global vulcanism worsens considerably, the atmosphere becomes heavily polluted with ash and noxious gasses. This spells doom for the giant reptiles, as the pollutants make it very difficult for them to lay viable hard-shelled eggs. Miniature ice-ages, caused by the high levels of haze and ash in the atmosphere, make it harder still for the ruling reptiles to reproduce or thrive. These natural disasters push the ruling reptiles over the edge, as the terrestrial and marine food webs collapse due to the climactic fluctuation and pollution. From this mass extinction, smaller lizards, aquatic amphibians and various invertebrates will prove the hardiest survivors, the founders of the final era of animal life on earth.
As the global vulcanism worsens considerably, the atmosphere becomes heavily polluted with ash and noxious gasses. This spells doom for the giant reptiles, as the pollutants make it very difficult for them to lay viable hard-shelled eggs. Miniature ice-ages, caused by the high levels of haze and ash in the atmosphere, make it harder still for the ruling reptiles to reproduce or thrive. These natural disasters push the ruling reptiles over the edge, as the terrestrial and marine food webs collapse due to the climactic fluctuation and pollution. From this mass extinction, smaller lizards, aquatic amphibians and various invertebrates will prove the hardiest survivors, the founders of the final era of animal life on earth.