Manticore

MIGHT -- 3/5

RARITY -- 2/5

Physical Description: A manticore is a large mammalian beast that mostly resembles a common lion in shape and colouring, if lions were possessed of sizable bat-like wings and tail similar to a scorpion’s.  They stand about 8’ tall, though some specimens have been seen to reach 10’ or more; manticores average at about 800-1200 pounds.  Males average slightly larger and heavier than females and are recognized by the bushy mane about their head, just as with lions.

It has been suggested that, because of these similarities, manticores may be a product of unicorn magical experimentation in fusing normal animals to create monsters.  However, all reports have proven this to be false--while peculiar, the manticore is a naturally occurring beast.  Though it’s look is that of a lion, it’s musculature structure is considerably different in order to facilitate its wings and tail.  It grows to easily twice the size of any lion and has a calmer temperament.  Furthermore, the creature possesses no inherent magical energies--classical tales of unicorn ‘mad science’ style fusions typical produce creatures reeking of sorcery.

Manticores live to be about 140 years of age, reaching maturity at 15-20 years old.  Manticores have a long mating period, due to their individual natures.  Once mated, the pair do not remain together.  Mothers birth and care for the young until maturity completely on their own--afterwards, a manticore youth will seek out its own territory, often traveling hundreds of miles to do so.

Though they possess wings, manticores are not capable of true flight.  From a height, they can use their wings to glide and ease their landings--allowing them to strike from up above without fear of injury or death.  However, manticore wings are strong enough to allow them the occasional bursts of height--records of 20’ or more have been unverified--or to make a small series of bounding leaps.  This is taxing on the beasts, however, and so is done sparingly.  Manticore wings are also used as mating signals--the brighter red the wings, the healthier the manticore.

The manticore’s red scorpion-esque tail is even more deadly than its vicious claws and powerful bite.  The tail--which manticores use with the utmost accuracy--is filled with a potent paralyzing toxin that can easily shut down the cardiovascular system of small creatures.  Adult manticores store enough poison within their tails for around five stings.  Once depleted, a manticore can replenish its store to completion in three or four days.  However, most adult ponies are large enough that they are simply paralyzed, which fades in about two to four days’ time--assuming the manticore left them alive.  Foals, however, should be given medical attention as soon as possible.  Manticores are immune to their own toxin.  There is currently no known anti-toxin.

Abilities & Comparison: Manticores are possessed of immense strength, sometimes knocking down medium-sized trees to get after prey, but are thankfully somewhat clumsy and slow due to their size.  Their coordination is also somewhat slow, except in regards to their stingers, which have nearly perfect aim.  This, combined with their powerful toxin, ensures they need not chase their prey much to hunt.

A healthy, adult pony can easily outrun a manticore--for while eventually the manticore’s stride would allow it to catch up, it takes too long to get to speed and winds down quickly.  There is no comparing pegasi and manticore flying ability, as manticores lack true flight.  A manticore is normally subject to unicorn magic, with no resistances, and possesses no magic of its own.

Behavior: Manticores are individualistic, primarily nocturnal predators that roam a wide range of territory.  Unlike many such creatures, manticore territories will often overlap to some degree or another.  While there is some conflict as a result, manticores do not compete terribly with one another.  Manticores, when encountered in the wild, are not actively dangerous--they respond immediately with a show of force, attempting to scare off anything they do not see as prey (such as ponies).  They will only attack if they are pushed further.  Aggressive behavior that is not in the pursuit of prey is geared towards fighting off the threat, usually with claws and bites rather than a sting.  If encountered in the wild, a pony’s best choice is to simply back away slowly, showing no aggressive body language.  However, some accounts report ponies befriending manticores through acts of kindness--manticores, while not sentient, are fairly intelligent beings, which could support these unverified reports.

NOTE: As with any wild animal, there are exceptions and there have been several verified reports of ponies being attacked--and even killed--when traveling through forests all over Equestria.  The utmost caution should be taken when traveling in such areas.

Habitat and Diet: Manticores prefer dense, old-growth forests--places that are filled with their preferred diet of small mammals and fresh running water.  They can be found anywhere such forests are found.  Once an individual manticore has determined its territory grounds, it will create for itself a permanent and extremely well camouflaged burrow out of earth and stone.  Generally this burrow lies in the central region of their territory and near a freshwater source.

Manticores prefer fresh meat to all other foods--they are entirely carnivorous.  Their toxin creates a ‘limp’ paralysis in their victims.  The prey can no longer move but the muscles remain loose and tender.  Manticores feast on small mammals, birds, and--while the majority of specimens have shown a distaste at being submerged in water--the occasional fish.  Scales, bones, and fur are no problem and are completely digested.  Despite their size, manticores eat a surprisingly small diet--about half their weight in meat over the course of a week easily sustains them.