Dikhog

A massive beast, built on pure, raw power. Despite their fearsome features that would suggest a carnivorous species, they’re mostly herbivorous, with the ability (but not preference) to eat small amounts of meat.

Warm blooded, herbivorous (mostly, occasionally feeding on meat but rarely) scaled mammals.

Scales, for the most part. Scales are smooth with exceptions as rare individuals are noted to have rougher, ‘pointier’ scales, although all scales are determined to feel rougher as the individual ages. Leathery sacs by upper neck and head.

Quills on its upper back and end of tail.

Earthy colours, with some being whites, greys, reds, or blacks. Occasionally a splash of bright colour, usually in the sacs by the head that flare up to intimidate as needed.

Typically muscled creature walking on its knuckles in similar behaviour to a gorilla. In fact, much of their behaviour can be tied to the gorilla and other apes.

Reptilian in appearance, occasionally stands on hind legs (walking for short periods of time, fighting, intimidation, etc)

Long tail, usually prehensile when young but this behaviour is not observed as they’re older (unknown if capable.)

Males have been observed to grow up to 6 metres, while females are usually 10 metres. As a rule, a female will be usually larger than a male once fully grown.

Air sacs by upper neck and head - covered with spikes that flare out and glow with a bright colour when in intimidation mode.
Long, powerful canines, used for intimidation, rarely for fighting.

Females: big horns on the head. Males have horns, albeit smaller.

Dewlap on neck.
Long and powerful teeth, similar to that of a Gelada and other apes.
Blunter face, not extremely elongated but not flat.

6 metres for males

10 metres for females
Both measurements are an average

Males weigh around 4000-6000 kg or more (less, sometimes)

Females weigh around 7000 to 13000, more or less.

None observed. A close may be the air sacs, as they don’t seem to serve a purpose other than to threaten. Biological studies suggest the air sacs may have been venom glands at one point in history, and the air sacs are simply beginning to become less and less lethal until they’re finally gone. Indeed, certain members lack air sacs.

Can reach speeds of 25 mph, 30 mph has been seen though. Usually, they will not run as to conserve energy.

Feral Gene - if put under enough stress, pupils dilate and they lash out, a remnant of their former self. All of them have a gene, and there’s a low chance of it activating.

There is no cure; only waiting for it to wear off (12 hours) or death.

Although not hunted officially - that doesn’t mean it doesn’t go on behind the scenes.

The usual stuff - bones, often used as decoration pieces. It would be quite an impressive feat (if you had the space) to display a Dikhog skeleton in your house.
The quills have little to no use.
Hunting a Dikhog doesn’t present many spoils, aside from the meat - which is described to be tough and extremely chewy, almost in similar flavour to jerky. Even when cooked, not very easy to eat.

Guttural noises, usually grunts, rumbles, and even the occasional bit of infrasound, sound too low for humans to hear. Although a movie would have a Dikhog roaring and snarling, they rarely do so in the wild. Can even produce a low noise from the throat, observed to be laughing.

As with most animals, they growl or snarl. Growls are usually used, also used towards young Dikhogs as a way to say “don’t do that.”
Snarls are deployed if the foe doesn’t back off, and is shown to be a true threat.

Will roar as a show of dominance, or announcing presence.
Will also roar, at a much higher pitch when mourning. Appear to hiss as well.

Howls and hollers, used often by bystanders of a fight.

Younger Dikhogs chirp, squeak or squeal, sometimes screeching if endangered.

Lower underbelly. Some of their tail.
Adults tend to have trouble when hearing loud, sharp noises from several directions at once.
Eyes, and their air sacs (which are usually deflated during active battle to lower risk of damage)
Neck is durable enough, but a weak spot compared to the rest of the body. Weaker sense of smell. Stronger than a humans, but still close to being a human level.

Raw power. Their ability to perceive and think, solve problems, and even language - some individuals can even speak human language. Able to utilize their environment to their selves, setting up lethal and non lethal traps, and even forging weapons.

Intimidation is the first line of defense. A wary Dikhog will stand alert and should the intruder choose to approach, it will bare its sharp canines and let out a low growl/rumble, occasionally hissing. They’ll begin to expand their air sacs and ready a defensive position, sometimes pretending to leap forwards in attempt to get the intruder to leave.

If they continue, the Dikhog will leap onto its hind legs and snarl, beating its chest and the ground. It will sometimes roar, although a much quieter roar.
The moment a Dikhog goes still during these tactics, it’s the final warning that says, “I’m going to fight if you don’t leave.” It will cease all movement for a split second then lunge.
Most creatures rarely reach the size of a Dikhog, so size is an easy one; most fights are short.

Durability is another one, Dikhogs can lose a lot of blood before they give up (if they even do.)
If a Dikhog fights another of similar size, they use their quills as a painful warning as to not tackle from behind or near the tail.

One will attempt to lock horns as to prevent them from reaching the main body.

Primarily uses their forearms, powerful claws which rake their opponents body or slap them aside.
Will use the entirety of their body. Grappling is a common tactic, as is body slamming.
Rarely use their teeth, but have powerful jaws (that can easily crack a watermelon open in no time, and have been observed to be able to bite off a horn of another Dikhog if enough pressure is applied.)

Most aren’t too aggressive and have learned not to engage in combat with humans unless absolutely needed, for the cons outweigh the pros in the long run. That doesn’t mean they won’t threaten the human: they won’t attack is all. They like their space.

Sight and hearing.

Sense of smell.

Adapted to a number of them including urban landscapes (usually not populated with humans)

At the heart, they prefer forests and areas with cover, enough for them to build their dens.

The forests; vegetation all around. All sorts of grasses, stalks and roots. Fruits and vegetables.

N/A: only migrate to avoid humans

Other Dikhogs are the big ones, but humans also pose quite a threat especially with urban cities expanding into forests.

Humans, although on their own aren’t dangerous, humans have weapons that can do some damage.

Rarely, small mammals and reptiles.

• Gorilla


• Gelada


• Apes in general


• Reptilians


• Bears

All Dikhogs can speak human language, they usually prefer a combination of their own words with ‘human’ language, and it’s a common thing for humans to see Dikhogs as in “only a few members of this species speak English.”