The herder is a herbivorous reptile that groups together is herds of upwards of 5 thousand during the wet season in their reported grazing areas. These groups can be created of upwards of 5 different species together. There are several kinds of these reptiles but by far the most unique is the spined herder.

They have the general physical shape of a herder. Large body, short stubby legs for their size, a broad neck and head, and a short tail. Their colourations of herders are typically more natural greens and browns but during breeding season, their scales will shift to very unusual colours. The biggest difference between a spined herder and their various breeds, are the large, bone like spines that seemingly randomly grow from their bodies which act as their primary defensive and offensive ability. They also, despite possessing no magical abilities, have an extraordinary ability to detect it, making abilities to alter light actually less effective at closing in on these animals.

Their behaviour is almost identical to other herder species. Upon spotting a predator, the adults will encircle their youngest and oldest members in order to protect them and will use their size to harm attackers. The spined herder, while taking longer to grow and reproduce, are far more successful at this tactic due to their unique evolution. These variants have also been seen to, if there is sufficient numbers to protect their most vunrable, will send out small groups of their strongest males to assault and potentially kill attackers. A general warning for anyone seeking these creatures out is if you see them beginning to create a circle, back off. Despite rather docile, their have been human fatalities when people have approached any of the 9 species.

Herders are typically herbivourous animals, eating various plant matter from reeds, to grass, and even rarely tree bark. However due to their extra dietary requirements to support their spikes, spined herders add in a more interesting diet. You will often find these creatures near rock outcrops either licking or eating rocks for minerals within them. Due to new infrastructure containing metal due to humans, they have been found eating the metals of fences, buildings, and the occasional vehicle. They have even been seen eating bones of dead animals as morbid as that is.

I personally have seen these oddities of natures in the wild on multiple occasions. And on one occasion while documenting a herd of spined herders, I was able to approach the herd without them deeming me a threat, allowing me to interact with their young. As of writing this, no juvenile herders have been housed in captivity in any form for a period of time longer than a few weeks to my knowledge. So being able to study the young was a once in a life time experience.

Their young are very playful and a very prone to ruff housing. I was able to record the young herders who, initially were curious but stayed a small distance away from me while they played. Their scales were extremely effective of resisting their spines despite the scales being rather fragile for a reptile herbivour. The only reason I wasn’t speared by accident was my spacial magic but after the third use of the spell, the adults were getting defensive, so I left.

I have been unable to approach another herd which has allowed me to do so again despite multiple attempts to. All attempts resulting in the herd becoming defensive and thus halting my approach.

Size: medium

Magic abilities: none

Physical abilities: Superior

Threat level: Low-high

T.Orinious