Regal Skulossus (juvenile) (Patreon)

As a very close relative of the monarch skulossus, the juvenile regal skulossus bears a very strong resemblance to the juveniles of this related species, which shouldn't be unsurprising as they only diverged from a common ancestor about five million years. Their growth patterns are also similar, but differ primary on the rate of growth and length of growth time. This is evident through their size difference; the monarch skulossus can reach more than ten tonnes heavier than the regal skulossus and takes more twice as long to reach full size. The rate of growth in regal skulossus is also comparatively faster, likely due to the adults not being immune to predation as monarch skulossus adults are, and so mature to breeding age more quickly.

The juveniles of both species of similar age therefore tend to be roughly the same size, and only approaching maturity does their adult size difference become apparent, as monarch juveniles continue to increase in mass at the same time as the regal juveniles' growth begins to plateau. Adolescent regal skulossus are also often found in association with adults, as, unlike monarchs, they are herd-dwelling living that often congregate in groups dozens strong. Adults may have no particular bonds towards their offspring, due to abandoning them at birth, but at the same time will protect any juveniles that join their ranks communally, for the strength of numbers and cooperation is a vital defence against huge predators that stalk Serinarcta.

Regal skulossus remain largely terrestrial from infancy to adulthood, unlike the monarch skulossus, which retains some of its semi-aquatic ancestry early in life. This helps the two species coexist despite their high degree of physical similarity as juveniles. The young regal skulossus are primarily forest-dwelling animals, and highly destructive feeders, plowing through low-growing vegetation and smaller trees to create game trails, their powerful beaks capable of ripping through tough bark and large branches, or churning up the soil and leaf litter in search of nutritious roots, grubs, and small burrowing animals. A tall, heavily-built beak allows them to crush hard food items, such as large seed pods, insect and snail shells, woody vines, and bones.

This illustration represents an individual about three years old, still yet to begin its growth into a long-necked, long-legged savannah browser, having only a normal length neck and short legs so far, perfectly suitable for its swine-like foraging habits. At only about 3500 lbs, it will gain over ten times its mass in the next twelve years, and it will be at least five more years before it can be potentially accepted into an adult herd. As it ages, it will gain the back and tail fins that mark adults, which are not necessary for the relatively small forest-dwelling young, but become more important for visual recognition in open environments, and help the massive adults release excess heat by increasing surface area. Even as young animals, they possess inflatable nasal sacs, as auditory communication is important even at this age, especially when foraging scattered across the forest undergrowth, although it does not gain gain the bright magenta colourations until much later.