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Description
(For original color palette and based appearance on Nothosaurus, look here. Nothosaurus giganteus . Gonna do these disclaimers at any time their appearance is based off of another work.

BUT I DIGRESS)

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Kids, don't try this at home! I'm a trained professional who's been doing this for years, and know my way around animals like these! So be careful, and don't play with wild animals, m'kay?

------------------------------

"Tara Watts again! I was actually just at the beach, and hadn't planned an encounter. But heck, I'm taking an opportunity when it presents itself.

Especially because aside from spiders, snakes, and crocodiles, I also have a fond appreciation for sharks. And well, the minute I saw this little cutie in the water, I have to get up closer! I give you: Stethacanthus!

And...oooh, now this is something we don't see everyday. We've got company! A pair of Nothosaurus from the looks of things! Oh--wooah! No biting you two!"

-----------------------------

STETHACANTHUS

- On one hand, is Stethacanthus productus. Otherwise known as the Greater Ironing Board Shark. So-called because of the bizarre dorsal fin. A feature only present on male specimens.

- The fin happens to be a sort of multi-purpose tool, much like the quills on a Psittacosaurus' tail. In this case, it's a courtship display, a way for males to combat each other, a form of disguise, AND a way to get food. Lemme explain.

- For courtship, a more well-fed and fit shark will have a more developed dorsal fin, for display. These fins, in turn, will often be heavily scrutinized by the female, to make sure it's up to standard.

- For fighting against other males, they lock these dorsal fins together, and attempt to assert their dominance by scraping their rival against the rocks and sea floor. Whoever can make the other give in first is the winner. If a Stethacanthus looks as though it's been skinned alive in some places, then you can REALLY tell they lost out big time!

- For disguise, near-sighted predators can easily mistake the "teeth" on its head and fins for a huge mouth. The shark thrashes wildly to further enhance this illusion, causing whatever predator is bothering it to flee.

- For gathering food, it uses the teeth on either its head, or dorsal fin, to latch onto a much larger predatory animal like a remora. From there, it can eat ectoparasites, dead skin cells, some of the host's leftover food scraps, and on occasions the host's feces. Because their dorsal fin is a sign of health and a good diet, the Stethacanthus will attempt to choose a host that's big, strong, healthy, and predatory. Most likely a Dunkleosteus, or some other kind of big, predatory fish.

And a Stethacanthus worth their salt will know how to do this without being eaten themselves.

- What's weird is that the females don't have this same set of head-teeth or ironing board fins. Which means they're a lot more "regular" as far as sharks go. They just hang around the shallow waters to feed, while their male counterparts live out in the open oceans, building up their dorsal fin. And it's exclusively the males that have to migrate back to certain areas, where the females are, to reproduce.

This journey in itself tends to weed out a lot of the weaker male Stethacanthus, leaving a somewhat small number of fit males to show off their fin, and reproduce with as many females as possible.

- I've been able to get some pets in, by feeding it plenty of food, and smoothly petting the electrosensors on its snout to relax it. Thus allowing me to feel the spot on its head with ease. See? He likes it. ^^

-----------------------------

NOTHOSAURUS

- On the other hand, we've got Nothosaurus giganteus. Otherwise known by its common name, the Giant Sealamander. So-called because its behavior in particular is very much like those of modern-day pinnipeds, albeit with some differences. But admittedly, nothing in common with salamanders. The name just sounded good.

- It NOT an all-aquatic species like ichthyosaurs, mososaurs, or plesiosaurs, which spend their entire lives in the water. These reptiles have webbed feet, but not at all the fish-like adaptations they possess, like fins, or a fluked tail. So, they tend to spend their time in relatively shallow waters. This is a safety measure, as it helps them avoid sharks and larger, more vicious piscivores that dwelled out in open seas.

- They like warmth. They'll be most eager to diving into water when it's warm, as cold water makes them sluggish. That also means that they enjoy sunbathing very much, and taking in warmth from the sand and sun. Albeit because some spots are warmer than others, they often end up fighting each other for especially warm spaces.

Already along the way here, I've seen a couple of Nothosaurs try to push each other off a particularly cozy boulder.

- As far as marine reptiles go, they're actually a good deal sharper in the head than you might expect them to be! They exhibit inquisitive behavior towards unfamiliar things, and use their strong senses of smell to scope out info about it in groups. Also taking the time to give said new thing a nudge with its teeth, or a closer look. Compared to other contemporary Triassic reptiles, they're Honors Students.

- Their favorite foods are squids, fish, and smaller marine reptiles. Their teeth being especially evolved to act as "fish traps" that prevent slippery prey from escaping. What they DON'T like is attacking prey bigger than them. And attacking prey bigger than them that shows aggression.

- Meaning they're usually not vicious towards humans at all. Inquisitive, and maybe intrusive of personal space? Yes. But not very dangerous. One needs only to be substantially larger than their head, and bop them on the eye or snout to convince them to go away. Which is will most likely do so, knowing it's got better things to hunt than humans.

- They reproduce much like sea turtles. That is, by coming on land en masse, and laying their eggs on the beach. An excess, if you will. Many get eaten along the way, but those who live are able to make it to tide pools and reefs, to eat and avoid getting eaten by other marine reptiles.

- The funny thing is, unlike a good number of prehistoric reptiles who'd eat juveniles of their own species for sustenance, Nothosaurus DON'T eat their young. It's like they don't expect a lot of them to survive anyway, so they know enough not to reduce their own numbers by eating their own species' juveniles.

In fact, growing Nothosaurus may be keen to hang out near adults, to get some experience on how to hunt. They're fast learners, after all." Adults are not SUPER protective of Baby Nothosaurus, but still considered great parents, all things considering.

-----------------------------

"And thus, leading me to the scene you see before you.

Awww, you're such a cutie...I almost wish I could take you home. But I know, you've got a crowd to please!

And--OWW, not the toe! Ow...seriously, no biting, you two! I'm not bleeding yet, but WOW that smarts!

I probably should've worn a scuba suit, huh?"

Description
(For original color palette and based appearance on Nothosaurus, look here. Nothosaurus giganteus . Gonna do these disclaimers at any time their appearance is based off of another work.

BUT I DIGRESS)

-----------------------------

DISCLAIMER: Kids, don't try this at home! I'm a trained professional who's been doing this for years, and know my way around animals like these! So be careful, and don't play with wild animals, m'kay?

------------------------------

"Tara Watts again! I was actually just at the beach, and hadn't planned an encounter. But heck, I'm taking an opportunity when it presents itself.

Especially because aside from spiders, snakes, and crocodiles, I also have a fond appreciation for sharks. And well, the minute I saw this little cutie in the water, I have to get up closer! I give you: Stethacanthus!

And...oooh, now this is something we don't see everyday. We've got company! A pair of Nothosaurus from the looks of things! Oh--wooah! No biting you two!"

-----------------------------

STETHACANTHUS

- On one hand, is Stethacanthus productus. Otherwise known as the Greater Ironing Board Shark. So-called because of the bizarre dorsal fin. A feature only present on male specimens.

- The fin happens to be a sort of multi-purpose tool, much like the quills on a Psittacosaurus' tail. In this case, it's a courtship display, a way for males to combat each other, a form of disguise, AND a way to get food. Lemme explain.

- For courtship, a more well-fed and fit shark will have a more developed dorsal fin, for display. These fins, in turn, will often be heavily scrutinized by the female, to make sure it's up to standard.

- For fighting against other males, they lock these dorsal fins together, and attempt to assert their dominance by scraping their rival against the rocks and sea floor. Whoever can make the other give in first is the winner. If a Stethacanthus looks as though it's been skinned alive in some places, then you can REALLY tell they lost out big time!

- For disguise, near-sighted predators can easily mistake the "teeth" on its head and fins for a huge mouth. The shark thrashes wildly to further enhance this illusion, causing whatever predator is bothering it to flee.

- For gathering food, it uses the teeth on either its head, or dorsal fin, to latch onto a much larger predatory animal like a remora. From there, it can eat ectoparasites, dead skin cells, some of the host's leftover food scraps, and on occasions the host's feces. Because their dorsal fin is a sign of health and a good diet, the Stethacanthus will attempt to choose a host that's big, strong, healthy, and predatory. Most likely a Dunkleosteus, or some other kind of big, predatory fish.

And a Stethacanthus worth their salt will know how to do this without being eaten themselves.

- What's weird is that the females don't have this same set of head-teeth or ironing board fins. Which means they're a lot more "regular" as far as sharks go. They just hang around the shallow waters to feed, while their male counterparts live out in the open oceans, building up their dorsal fin. And it's exclusively the males that have to migrate back to certain areas, where the females are, to reproduce.

This journey in itself tends to weed out a lot of the weaker male Stethacanthus, leaving a somewhat small number of fit males to show off their fin, and reproduce with as many females as possible.

- I've been able to get some pets in, by feeding it plenty of food, and smoothly petting the electrosensors on its snout to relax it. Thus allowing me to feel the spot on its head with ease. See? He likes it. ^^

-----------------------------

NOTHOSAURUS

- On the other hand, we've got Nothosaurus giganteus. Otherwise known by its common name, the Giant Sealamander. So-called because its behavior in particular is very much like those of modern-day pinnipeds, albeit with some differences. But admittedly, nothing in common with salamanders. The name just sounded good.

- It NOT an all-aquatic species like ichthyosaurs, mososaurs, or plesiosaurs, which spend their entire lives in the water. These reptiles have webbed feet, but not at all the fish-like adaptations they possess, like fins, or a fluked tail. So, they tend to spend their time in relatively shallow waters. This is a safety measure, as it helps them avoid sharks and larger, more vicious piscivores that dwelled out in open seas.

- They like warmth. They'll be most eager to diving into water when it's warm, as cold water makes them sluggish. That also means that they enjoy sunbathing very much, and taking in warmth from the sand and sun. Albeit because some spots are warmer than others, they often end up fighting each other for especially warm spaces.

Already along the way here, I've seen a couple of Nothosaurs try to push each other off a particularly cozy boulder.

- As far as marine reptiles go, they're actually a good deal sharper in the head than you might expect them to be! They exhibit inquisitive behavior towards unfamiliar things, and use their strong senses of smell to scope out info about it in groups. Also taking the time to give said new thing a nudge with its teeth, or a closer look. Compared to other contemporary Triassic reptiles, they're Honors Students.

- Their favorite foods are squids, fish, and smaller marine reptiles. Their teeth being especially evolved to act as "fish traps" that prevent slippery prey from escaping. What they DON'T like is attacking prey bigger than them. And attacking prey bigger than them that shows aggression.

- Meaning they're usually not vicious towards humans at all. Inquisitive, and maybe intrusive of personal space? Yes. But not very dangerous. One needs only to be substantially larger than their head, and bop them on the eye or snout to convince them to go away. Which is will most likely do so, knowing it's got better things to hunt than humans.

- They reproduce much like sea turtles. That is, by coming on land en masse, and laying their eggs on the beach. An excess, if you will. Many get eaten along the way, but those who live are able to make it to tide pools and reefs, to eat and avoid getting eaten by other marine reptiles.

- The funny thing is, unlike a good number of prehistoric reptiles who'd eat juveniles of their own species for sustenance, Nothosaurus DON'T eat their young. It's like they don't expect a lot of them to survive anyway, so they know enough not to reduce their own numbers by eating their own species' juveniles.

In fact, growing Nothosaurus may be keen to hang out near adults, to get some experience on how to hunt. They're fast learners, after all." Adults are not SUPER protective of Baby Nothosaurus, but still considered great parents, all things considering.

-----------------------------

"And thus, leading me to the scene you see before you.

Awww, you're such a cutie...I almost wish I could take you home. But I know, you've got a crowd to please!

And--OWW, not the toe! Ow...seriously, no biting, you two! I'm not bleeding yet, but WOW that smarts!

I probably should've worn a scuba suit, huh?"