I wasn't really in the mood for Halloween this year, so no spooky-dookie from me. Beasties as usual.

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From Arcadia to Elysium, the arid center of the continent is home to one of the more well-defended creatures: The Shield-Faced Warthog.

This massive suid effectively fills the role of the ceratopsians that dominate the Arcadian niches. Its head is covered with a thick layer of keratinous tissue that serves to protect the warthog from head-on attacks and collisions. While it may not possess the same neck frill as its Arcadian counterparts, this pig sports a thick mane of almost quill-like hair that blocks all but the strongest of bites. The rest of its body is dotted with osteoderms which add an extra layer of frotection. It is safe to say that this hog is in essence a living tank.

Shield-faced warthogs lead a mostly solitary lifestyle, only gathering in small groups during the mating season and during the worst droughts. They deal with the heat by excavating burrows in the tough desert ground and spending most of their time under a thin layer of cool dirt. They leave their burrows closer to sunset when the temperatures outside drop. Their diet consists mainly of bulbs and tubers, occasionally supplemented with the odd egg or carrion. Given the chance, however, they will eagerly go for fresh greenery and the occasional desert fruit.

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The first piece for November and I'll probably return to my "every-3-days" upload schedule. Stay tuned for more critters.