ATLAS GRYPHON

Atlas Gryphons are the largest of the Standard Gryphon varieties. Easily identified by their golden yellow pelts, the heavy red-brown manes on the males (Fig. A), or gold to red-brown feathers along the necks of the females (Fig. B), these Gryphons have been featured on European crests and shields for generations. They are also more frequently used as mounts than their southern or eastern cousins. Unfortunately, because of the fine fur in the mane and the golden color, males are often hunted both by collectors as pets, and by poachers, who will sell the pelts and steal the eggs. Because of this, normal breeding or sales of Atlas Gryphons is highly regulated.

Atlas Gryphons are registered as 5 on the size scale, the standard size for a Mount. They are one of the largest Mount-worthy Gryphons to date, standing up to 6 feet at the shoulder, and stretching up to 12 from beak to tail tip. A 25 foot wide wingspan (Fig. C) helps to lift these heavy Gryphons into the air from a standing position, though in the wild, they prefer to climb to a high point and leap down, rather than flying straight up. Once in the air, Atlas Gryphons prefer to glide rather than constantly flap. With a male weighing in at almost 1500 pounds, flapping exerts a huge amount of energy. In a hunt, energy is needed for bringing down larger prey, and possibly even flying it back to a roost, so gliding helps conserve energy for more needed times. These Gryphons stick to large prey, like deer and wild goats, but will also hunt small game and even fish. Prides based near water are excellent fishers, and can even bring in small sharks if they come close enough to the surface to be scooped up on a fly by.

The Atlas Gryphon is the second most wide spread of the Standard Gryphons, spanning from Africa to Europe (Fig. D). In North Africa, they can be found from Morocco to Egypt, usually nesting along the coast lines, or near fresh water. Many islands in the Mediterranean bear at least one pride. On the northern shoreline, these gryphons span from Greece to Spain, and from Turkey into Arabia. They have been found along the coasts of the Red Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, and the Aral Sea, as well as the countries spanning in between each. Prides have seen into Europe, but stop halfway through Poland and Germany. No prides have been recorded as far north as the Baltic Sea. Some have occurred in the UK, but an actual number has yet to be recorded.

Like all Standard Gryphons, Atlas Gryphons live in prides, which can hold up to 20 members if the area can support them all. A pride can have from one to four males occupying it, usually related and with one larger dominant male. The whole pride will share a roost when nesting, usually located in a large cave in the rocks. (Fig. E) Inside the roost, females will make a series of nests from foliage, shed fur and feathers, and rocks (Fig. F). The nests form in a circular pattern, with smaller ones in the center and larger ones surrounding them. The smaller ones will be used to hold clutches of eggs, though the females often share these egg-nests, rather than laying their eggs separately. This is because, after hatching, any female and even the males will take the chore of feeding the young. Sometimes the males of a pride will even take the nests nearest the eggs, using their thick, downy manes to keep the clutch warm. The larger nests are used by the pride members regularly, and for the hatchlings when they are too large for the egg-nests.

Mating and laying can occur twice a year, and a female may even bear eggs if she’s already raising cubs. This is because, with the whole pride caring for all the young, a female doesn’t have to devote all of her own time to caring for them. All members of the pride will show equal affection for the young, and protect them all equally. Eggs weigh between 8 and 10 pounds when first laid, and will increase in weight as the gryphling develops inside. At hatching, a gryphling can weigh 20 pounds, and will grow to full adult size over a time period of two years. The hatchlings bear fluffy whitish down and dull brown coats, with spot patterns along the legs, chest and belly (Fig. G). The spots can occur on the down as well. Down gives way to plumage at about 10 months, and the gryphlings begin to fly by 13 months. The dull brown coat turns golden-yellow by 15 months, though spots may still occur along the legs and belly into adulthood.

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On a side note, DEAR GOD ITS DONE!

At least...THIS one is...Trust me, there are many many more to come. I don't even have a total count yet. Hopefully the whole project doesn't fall through completely, because one of my teachers wants me to use it for my portfolio X_X

Manes are a bitch. But they look like they'd be fun to cuddle. If you'd like to lose a limb, that is.

Anyways, enough for tonight, its time to sleep.