Shattered Shores

Death Valley Death Valley Cutting Through The Lower Mountains Death Valley is named for several reasons. Very little light reaches the bottom, so almost nothing grows. A large amount of dead material collects here from the river and from animals that fall in. And finally, the entire valley reeks of death and decay. This valley runs straight through the Lower Mountain Range of Long Island, cutting from one side to the other. It is extremely narrow, with steep rock walls on both sides, and the river forced tightly between them. In many places, the walls are so high and close together that very little light reaches the bottom. Because of this, almost nothing grows here. There are algae growths along the water and on damp rock, but little else. Most of the valley floor is bare stone.  The river brings more than just water. Anything that dies upstream eventually ends up here. Fish, mammals, and especially Buck-Tooth Bats (fallen from the nightly combat with Screamer Owls) are carried d...

 Lake Dragon Habitat : Haulout Island; Plateau Lake and Rivers Type : Large Aquatic Reptile Length : 25 to 40 Feet (Lake Population); 15 to 20 Feet (River Population) Adult Lake Dragon The Lake Dragon is the largest predator in the freshwater systems of Haulout Island . It is most commonly found in the open waters of the Plateau Lake, though it is also present throughout the rivers that feed from it. Adults are long-bodied and powerful swimmers, built for movement in open water, and are capable of powerful bursts of speed. In the deep waters of the lake, the largest individuals ambush their prey from below. Their primary food sources are the Scissor Bass and the Whale Bass, both of which are large enough to support a predator of this size. Attacks are fast and direct, relying on speed and the force of the blow. Adult Lake Dragon Ambushing A  School of Whale Bass The Lake Dragon gives birth to many live young. These young are already capable swimmers and do not require car...

Lantern Beetle Habitat : Long Island; River Caves Type : Large Cave Beetle Length : ~4 Inches The Lantern Beetle is one of the largest, yet most common insects found in the river caves that crisscross the upper mountain range. It gathers in large numbers along the damp floors and walls, especially in areas where algae, fungus, and moss grow thick. These growths appear to make up its entire diet, and heavy feeding often draws many individuals into the same area. Lantern Beetle Glowing As It Feeds The beetle is low-bodied and heavily built, with a hard shell that protects it as it moves over stone. Though it has wing covers, it does not fly. Instead, it moves in quick bursts, and when disturbed, it can leap surprisingly far using its enlarged hind legs. This allows it to cross gaps or disappear into cracks with little warning. When feeding, the rear of the beetle begins to glow with a soft, steady light. This light draws other beetles toward the same food source. As more gather and be...

Ghost Dragon Habitat: Mainland; Upper Forest (between the forks of the left river) Type: Medium Predatory Dinosaur Length: 18 to 20 Feet Height: 8 to 10 Feet Weight: 800 to 1,000 Pounds Ghost Dragon (exaggerated for clarity) Ghost Dragon (as it appears) The Ghost Dragon is one of the most elusive and dangerous predators in the Upper Forest. It is never seen clearly, and most encounters can only be described as distortions—shifting air, bending light, or blurred vision. The little that can be observed of this creature reveals a tall, long-bodied predator with a narrow head, long neck, and powerful hind legs.  When the light coming through the trees hits the animal at the right angle, the outline can be seen more clearly. In these moments, a distinctive pair of rounded head crests can be seen rising from the top of the skull. It appears that the areas not cloaked (for lack of a better, more official term for it) are the eyes, the claws, and the inside of its jaws. This seem...

Broadhead Habitat : Long Island; Cove Haven  Type : Giant Predatory Amphibian Length : 12 to 18 Feet Head Length : 5 to 6 Feet Weight : 800 to 1,500 pounds The Broadhead is one of the largest and most dangerous predators in Cove Haven, dominating the waterways and muddy shores of the bay. It is a massive, heavy-bodied amphibian, most often seen lying motionless at the edge of the water, half-submerged, waiting for its prey. Its name comes from its enormous, flattened head, which makes up a significant part of its body length. The skull is wide, triangular, and heavy, with eyes set high on top, allowing the Broadhead to remain nearly fully submerged while still watching its surroundings. Its mouth is lined with numerous sharp, conical teeth, well-suited for gripping slippery prey. Two exceptionally long teeth in its bottom jaw fit up inside of specially designed openings in its top jaw when the mouth is closed. Broadhead, jaws opened The body of the Broadhead is long and muscul...

 Parrot Hog Habitat: Long Island; Cove Haven Type:  Medium Reptilian Herbivore Length: 3 To 4 Feet Height: 1.5 To 2 Feet (at shoulder) Weight:  100 To 140 Pounds Parrot Hog feeding The Parrot Hog is a small, sturdy plant eater and the most commonly found herbivore in the forest of Cove Haven. It is named for its short, beaked snout, which gives it a resemblance to a parrot, combined with its stocky, pig-like body. Despite its unusual appearance, it is a harmless and adaptable herbivore. In build, the Parrot Hog is low to the ground, with a compact, barrel-shaped body and strong limbs. Its head is held close to the ground while feeding, and its forelimbs are slightly splayed, giving it a steady, grounded stance. The snout ends in a hard, sharp-edged beak used for cutting vegetation, and just behind it sits a pair of short, curved tusks. These tusks are not large, but are clearly visible and are used for digging, rooting, or defense. The Parrot Hog feeds on a wide rang...

 Sailgrazer Habitat :   Long Island; Cove Haven  Type : Sailed Herbivorous Reptile Length : 8 to 11 feet Height : 3 to 5.5 feet (with sail) Weight : 300 to 600 Pounds Sailgrazer Male The Sailgrazer is a large, slow-moving plant eater found in the sheltered forests of Cove Haven. It is a quiet and non-aggressive animal that poses little threat to other creatures. It feeds on ferns, low plants, and soft vegetation, moving slowly through the undergrowth as it grazes. In overall build, the Sailgrazer is low to the ground, with a broad, heavy body and short, sturdy legs. It is most easily recognized by the tall, fan-like sail rising from its back, which makes it stand out even in dense vegetation. Unlike the related Sailhunter , the sail tends to be broader and curved rearward.  Males and females can be distinguished by the appearance of the sail. Males have large, bright eyespots across the sail, which they display prominently during the breeding season. These mar...

 Sailhunter Habitat: Long Island; Cove Haven Type : Carnivorous Synapsid Reptile Length: 10 to 12 Feet Sail Height:  5 to 6 feet Weight : 300 to 550 pounds The Sailhunter is a large, low-bodied predator that lives in the sheltered forests of Cove Haven. It is most easily recognized by the tall, thin sail rising from its back, often standing as high as a man’s chest. (Distinct from the Sailgrazer's by its straight spines and lack of eyespots.) In adults, the body is colored in layered shades of light and dark brown, blending closely with soil, bark, and leaf litter. In contrast, the sail is vivid—marked in tones of orange, yellow, and deep red—which can catch the light even under the forest canopy. Despite this bright display, the animal remains difficult to see when still. The sail’s colors often break up its outline among shafts of sunlight, fallen leaves, and shifting shadows. Sailhunter with Young (showing its vertical sail) Sailgrazer (showing its more rounded sail) Its bo...

Carnivorous Kangaroo Habitat:  Long Island; Prairie Type:  Predatory Mammal Length:  7 to 9 Feet Height: 5 to 7 Feet Weight:  180 to 260 Pounds The Carnivorous Kangaroo is a large, marsupial predator that dominates the open grasslands of Long Island’s prairie. Although it is related to the Heavy Kangaroo; it is not an herbivore, but an active hunter that specializes in chasing down prey across the plain. This animal has the powerful hind limbs and long balancing tail of other kangaroos, but its overall build is more muscular, with a heavier chest and shoulders. The forelimbs are large and heavily clawed, serving as grappling tools to hold and restrain prey. Its head is deep and heavily-built, holding jaws equipped with long, sharp buck teeth. These rodent-like teeth are well-suited for shearing flesh. The coat is typically tawny or sandy brown, with darker rings dotting it. This coloring provides good camouflage against the dry prairie grasses. Its ears remain upri...