Struthiomimus

[flat light]

Struthiomimus

These friendly creatures are known to follow nearly any herbivore, rather the herbivore in question wants them to or not. Struthis have no concept of personal space and often suffer the consequences of that. Despite this, the playful creatures often sees the warnings from other herbis they are to close as a game.

• Struthiomimus do not have a set activity time, they are simply active when the creatures they follow are active.
• Dimorphism:

• Males typically have brighter feathers.
• Females typically have duller, natural colored feathers.
  🥚 Nests can have up to 6 eggs per nest. 🥚

• Struthiomimus are skittish and territorial when nesting.

Struthis are known to attempt to draw away threats from their nests. Hit and run tactics, pretending to be injured or out of stamina, etc. Anything to catch the attention of the threat.

• Preferred biomes: Any

╔════════════╗
Group Dynamics
╚════════════╝
A "Charm" is ♾️ struthis of any growth.
⤷ Charms have no real hierarchy, they go where the majority go. Any sub-adults/adults in a Charm can protect one another and any offspring in the group.
A "Kettle" is up to 15 struthis of any growth. However, a Kettle is only members that are related to one another. Mates, siblings, children, etc.
⤷ While Kettles have no official hierarchy, they will typically follow the majorities mother if she is present.

╔════════╗
Early Life
╚════════╝

Hatchlings

Struthis hatch just as social and friendly as adults. They imprint on the first adult creature they see, regardless of its species. Because of this, adults are careful to always keep one of the parents at the nest at all times.
Because of their easily imprintable minds, some abandon or orphaned Struthis have imprinted on carnivores. Granted, most of these learn the hard way. Though occasionaly, some get lucky and find carnivores that are not hungry or don't think the small hatchling is worth the energy to catch. In these cases, the hatchling will follow the creature, mimicking it to the best of its abilities.

Juveniles

As they hit Juvenile, any struthis that have imprinted on a carnivorous species will realize their mistake and move away from them. Though those imprinted on herbivores often never really see their mistake. While they keep the core behaviors of a struthi, those that imprinted one something will often keep small aspects of the adoptive parent.
Juveniles will often try to play with anything in the group, or anything really. Games of chase being the favorite.

Adolescents

Little changes as they grow into adolescent, as Struthis keep their playful behavior through out their life.

╔═════════╗
General Behavior
╚═════════╝
Struthis are playful, attempting to play games of chase, keep away, or any game with any member of their group. This includes other species of herbivores they are following.
Struthis have no concept of personal space. Nuzzling, cuddling, dancing together, leaning on one another, etc. all happen among struthis.
⤷ Very friendly struthis are even known to have this behavior with other species of herbivores they are following. Some don't mind, however others most certainly do. Unfortunately to them the warnings to back off are often seen as a game to Struthis.
Fights simply do not happen within Kettles and Charms. While friendly sparing matches occasionally pop up, its never past a few blows. These are considered a game to Struthis.
Down time: When outside of their active time, they spend their time sleeping, resting, or watching other creatures. In groups with more than one Struthi, one is always awake at all times keeping watch.

╔════════════╗
Interspecific Behavior
╚════════════╝
Struthis will attempt to bond with any herbivore. They act as a sentry, calling out danger with their shrill alert call.
⤷ Struthis will often attempt to meat shield on larger creatures they follow, while some let them others will not.
Struthis also often welcome Guardian Utahs.
⤷ While some Struthis may not trust them, most Struthis not only welcome Utahs acting as Guardians, but will see them as friends. Since they have no concept of personal space, they will cuddle up with anything they deem a friend, including Utahs that have chosen their group to protect.

╔════════╗
Threat Reaction
╚════════╝
Struthis will generally choose flight over fight when they can, however if young are present, they will gladly defend them. Once a member of a Charm or Kettle is hit or injured, its game on. Any sub-adult/adult in their group is able to defend the group, while others help injured and young escape.