We're living the golden age of Warrior Cat discoveries. From all over the world, a whole new generation of Warriors is being revealed, from the biggest giants, to the deadliest killers, to the weird and wonderful. From the arctic, to Africa, from South America to Asia. In just the last few years we've uncovered the most extraordinary findings exquisitely preserved and that are tantalizingly intact. Combined with the latest imagining technology we've been able to probe deeper and reveal more than ever before. It gives us this truly global view of these incredible animals.
Chapter 1: Lost World
In the first chapter we will be exploring the lost world of Africa. For almost a hundred years, this was a forgotten land. Now new discoveries have revealed some of the most spectacular warriors ever found. Two giant killers, both bigger than T. Rex, both living in the same place at the same time. One of these killers, more than any, has captured the imagination. A bizarre killer that we have only just managed to reconstruct in the last few years.
The story begins in Egypt in 1912 when fragments of a giant warrior were discovered. A warrior with 2 meter long spines rising over its back. It was unlike anything we've seen before. It was only in 2005 when a complete upper jaw was found that we can accurately reconstruct this bizarre creature. With a skull nearly 2 meters long, this warrior was a colossal 17 meters from nose to tail, 4 and a half meters longer than T. Rex. The reign of the Warriors began almost 250 million moons ago but this giant killer didn't appear until a time known as the mid-Apex period. It is home in North Africa 95 million moons ago.
The environment during this time was a vast desert filled with rivers, mangroves and swamps. A large sailed back dog plotted along these swampy marshes. It was clear it was an herbivore of some-kind. The swamps were a refugee for many large warrior like creatures such as the duck-billed Ouranocanis. It was clear this one was alone and looking for food on the swampy ground. It called out before grunting, it sensed now was the time to move on as it did so, passing by a paw print left by a huge warrior. It was clear the swamps were the home of a large predator too. The dog bleated as it continued plotting along looking for the group. Not too far away the rest of the Ouranocanis were busy foraging for food using their duck bill like beaks to crop up the food before chewing it. One of them grunted calling out for the scout who was busy keeping his vigilance for any signs of a nearby predator. The scout called back as he continued to slowly make his way back to the group. Measuring 7 meters long and weighing as much as 3 tons, these Ouranocanis are big, easily within the scope of a large predator. The huge cat like predator opened its crocodilian like jaws lined with huge teeth. It was clear it was on the hunt. Using the fog to its advantage, it moved through the forest as he didn't want to alert the scout to its presence. The scout knew about the fog too and was relying on sound to find the group. The huge cat moved on its hind legs as it wanted greater strides through the foggy swamp. The Ouranocanis called out calling for the all-clear as it continued to make its way through the swamp. It turned its head taking one last glance back to see if his surroundings were clear before heading back to the group. That was when he saw the giant killer. Rearing up on its hind legs, the Ouranocanis began to run. Despite having many attributes to a dog, their capability of running on their hind legs was something that gave them the advantage to escaping predators. The dog panted as it quickly sprinted away but the huge predator didn't bother to give chase. The other Ouranocanis that were busy foraging when they turned to see the scout running for its life. It soon dove down as the water splashed on the huge dog like creature's paws. They looked around wondering where the giant predator was but the fog made it hard to spot but surely a giant killer could be found. Soon there it was on the other side of the puddle. It was staring at the herbivores as it wanted to find something to feed on. But the herbivores knew they could out run the lumbering killer.
Spinofelis, at 17 meters, it is the biggest killer to walk the earth, an 11 ton colossus. The huge Spinofelis walked by the Ouranocanis the either scattered or cowered in fear from the giant predators size. The two legged predator had a set of crocodilian like jaws and long front arm like structures with sharp sickle like claws at the front end of the arms. It looked at the Ouranocanis and then it turned away. It seemed like the Ouranocanis were off of the massive killer's menu but that didn't make the herbivores, any less tense. They watched their, would be hunter, slip off into the fog.
Spinofelis is part of a family of warriors that are relatively newly discovered. Recent finds showed that this strange group ranged from South America, to Europe, to Asia. However the last and largest of family came from North Africa, Spinofelis itself. In 2010 an analysis on their bones and teeth showed something quite extraordinary. Chemical traces found in the bones showed that these massive hunters spent a large part of their lives in or around water.
The huge Spinofelis was walking along the bank of a river. The smaller crocodile lifted its head seeing the massive predator approach it. It darted for the water as it didn't want to be this massive hunter's next meal. The huge hunter decided to dip its back paws into the river as it went down. The Spinofelis is a predator, but one that hunts in water. It looked down as it saw giant Sawfish swimming along. This meant the massive predator was a piscivore, a fish eater. The huge Sawfish is known as Onchopritis, an 8 meter long giant sawfish, similar to the ones alive today, the saw-like rostrum is lined with lethal barbs and it itself is 2 and a half meters long. It is thought that these giant fish migrated to fresh water rivers to breed where the young could be safer but this exposed the adults to new threats. With their breeding season at its height, these rivers are filled with Onchopristis, the perfect hunting opportunity for the Spinofelis. The huge predator was knee-deep in the river as it lowered the long, thin snout into the water. It laid open like a trap as it was going to snap up the fish. It was waiting for just the right moment looking for a careless fish that it could snap up. Soon a careless fish swam passed as the Spinofelis snapped it up with its jaws. The Onchopristis was helpless as is squirmed all over in the jaws of the massive hunter. It soon brought the fish to land for consumption.
The chronical teeth of Spinofelis has evolved to grip onto slippery prey such as this rather than tearing off flesh. For that job it has evolved powerful arms and claws. The hunter puts down the Onchopristis as it began slicing the huge fish open with its huge claws in a better effort of killing it. With the fish soon bleeding and dead from lack of oxygen, the Spinofelis began to tear the fish apart as it ripped into the flesh of its prey, tearing out huge chunks of meat in the process and happily consuming the pieces. A smaller carnivore watched in the background wondering when the giant predator would be finished. As soon as the Spinofelis ate the edibles of the fish, it went back looking for more and with prey plentiful, the Spinofelis could afford to be wasteful, something other carnivores take full advantage of.
Rugops, a 5 meter carnivore, anywhere else it might dominate but here, it is dwarfed by the massive Spinofelis. The Rugops headed to the Onchopristis carcass as it began to eat the flesh of the supposed fish. The Spinofelis entered the river again as it was now deep up to its knees again. It slipped the long snout under as it was getting ready to catch its next meal.
Spinofelis is unique, with a long set of narrow jaws and nostrils set high on its head, It's teeth were straight and chronical. More evidence came in 2008 when the Spinofelis skull was put through a CT scanner, it revealed a curious pattern of holes along the snout. It was thought that these were pressure sensors, sensors like a crocodile can detect prey making it perfectly adapted to hunting in water. It soon snapped up another Onchopristis bring it back to land while the Rugops was eating from the first one. It soon saw the huge predator appear as it tore off a chunk of meat and retreated to a safe distance. Here the Rugops has a weak jaw that doesn't pack much firepower, it however it is a natural born scavenger, living off of the meat from this highly efficient predator. Once the Spinofelis made quick work of the 2nd Onchopristis as it went back to the water, the Rugops going up to the carcass and taking one last sliver of meat before wandering off.
We can assume the diet of the Spinofelis because its remains are commonly found with the giant Sawfish. And more recent discoveries appear to provide even more direct evidence. In 2005, a Spinofeli fossil was found to have a sawfish vertebra stuck in a tooth socket. And in 2008, the fragment of a sawfish barb was imbedded in its jaw. They suggested a clear predator prey relationship. The Spinofelis was swimming in the river as it was using its back legs to paddle it along.
Spinofelis is the region's biggest predator since it can exploit an environment so successfully. A warrior at home in the water, for a time it lived with little threat from other warriors and the species evolved into a 17 meter giant.
However, the Spinofelis wasn't the only giant carnivore living in the environment. A black hook like paw slammed down as it revealed the second predator living in the environment. Carcharodontofelis, a land based predator, a meat eater, a carnofeli. A cousin of Allofelis but 4 times bigger, with serrated teeth 16 centimeters long, Carcharodontofelis was a giant killer. Up to 13 meters long and weighing around 7 tons, like the Spinofelis, it too was bigger than T. Rex. Big predators need big hunting ranges and in the Kem Kem Delta, the Carcharodontofelis may need 500 square kilometers each making competition for the best hunting grounds intense.
The huge Carcharodontofelis were squaring off against each other as there were two of them. The first one roared as a warning to try to get the other to back off. These young male Carcharodontofelis both want supremacy over this territory, dominating the land is the key to survival for these killers and that could mean a fight to the death. After the roaring didn't do much, both predators charged at each other seeing how they knew they wanted to fend off the other. Their massive skulls bashed on each other as they were both pushing onto each other and one of them had to give away. Soon one of them flicked its jaws upward taking the other one with it. Both predators growled and snarled at each other as they were preparing for the next attack. Soon they decided to ram their skulls into each other again but their bodies were tilted upward making used for their short yet powerful arms. One of them raked his claws across the neck of the other inflicting a scratch type of wound while the other was biting the skull of its opponent. It soon changed position as it was now biting the neck. The other predator broke free as it wheeled around to continue the fight, roaring again, it charged into its opponent as it bashed its skull into its opponent's chest. Soon the other broke free as it pushed downward knocking on the opponent and forcing him back. It soon bit down onto the snout of the enemy sensing the opportunity. The other was trying to pull away seeing how it wasn't going to be able to open its jaws. It soon pulled away sensing it had enough as the black male left leaving the blue male in charge of the territory. It roared with victory as the territory was his.
The evidence of infighting between carnivores of the same species is dramatic. Forensic examination on these warriors has found many injuries on the skull bones of many large carnivores. Tooth puncture marks and gouges are remarkably common. Such violent head and face biting was thought likely to be territorial.
With so much to gain, fighting over prime hunting territories would be commonplace. For this victorious Carcharodontofelis, the prize is the hunting rights to these Ouranocanis. The huge predator entered the forest where a large group of Ouranocanis were busy feeding. Their ages ranged from small juveniles to large elders as this part of the forest was full of lush food. The Ouranocanis were not only big but remarkably swift and hard to catch. However we think that Carcharodontofelis had a hidden advantage. In 2008, detailed bone analysis suggested that these warriors deployed a system of air sacs that would help it breathe much more efficiently. The function of the air sacs was to ensure that oxygen rich air can flow continuously throughout the lungs when breathing in and out. It's a very efficient system similar to that of birds. It implied that the Carcharodontofelis were highly active predators. And they needed to be, it is suggested a warrior the size of Carcharodontofelis needed to eat a minimum of 60 kilos of meat everyday simply to survive.
Big hunters rely on ambushing their prey, closing as much distance between it and its chosen victim. The huge Carcharodontofelis was sneaking up on one of the Ouranocanis that were busy munching away on the vegetation. The predator got down low so it wasn't spotted. The Ouranocanis was done chewing when it turned its head, it turned out it managed to spot the huge predator sneaking up on it. The Ouranocanis got up on its hind legs and began to run away as the Carcharodontofelis chased it down. The Carcharodontofelis was much faster than the Ouranocanis but the Ouranocanis can out run it in an extended sprint. However seeing how the predator was quickly catching up. They soon headed from the safety of the forest and onto a flat open desert of sand where the Ouranocanis was panting for air however the Carcharodontofelis saw the opportunity as it quickly closed the gap on its prey. It soon knocked the Ouranocanis down as it sunk its serrated teeth into the front leg and part of the sail of the prey while the front paws raked at the prey's legs. Soon the Ouranocanis kicked its way free before getting away. However it was now limping along as blood trickled down its legs.
The Carcharodontofelis doesn't waste energy and stamina chasing the injured animal. Its attack has critically wounded the Ouranocanis. All it needed to do now was to follow and wait. The huge predator was following slowly following its victim's trail of blood. The Ouranocanis was panting as it gave a glance back at its hunter looking to see if it was still following. It limped onward before it collapsed to the ground gasping for air. The Carcharodontofelis wasn't too far away as it too soon caught up to its prey as it found it. It simply leaned in and bit the neck of the Ouranocanis finally putting the wounded animal out of its misery. Once done, it simply leaned in and began tearing away at the animal as it began feeding.
Carcharodontofelis were deadly hunter but not in the way you may expect. Its skull was relatively weak and computer analysis shows they would have been unable to hold onto struggling prey due to the amount of stress would build up in its skull. Their teeth were thin like knives, too weak to bite through bone. Despite that, the teeth had deadly serrations front and back, just like a shark. In fact the name of Carcharodontofelis means "Shark-Toothed cat." We think that Carcharodontofelis used its skull and teeth to slash deep into the prey's flesh causing massive injury and blood loss.
The huge predator was busy ripping flesh from the dead Ouranocanis and eating it. Delivered with its speed, such an attack could kill without the need for an intense struggle. It's an efficient killing method and one that perfectly suits well for its environment. However success can look very different when a season changes. For a time the Apex North Africa was ruled by two deadly predators, by completely exploiting different environments, they didn't need to compete and could co-exist peacefully, dominating their chosen habitats. Spinofelis was a specialist but this came with risks. Small environmental changes could make it vulnerable.
And this area is prone to seasonal droughts. The huge Spinofelis woke up to see its river drying before its eyes. It was hot and it meant that animals couldn't make that much of a home. The vegetation was dry and dying as the Spinofelis staggered to its paws. It looked around as the rivers had shrunk down to a few pools and the Spinofelis' usual food supply has disappeared. It walked along the pools to see what it can find. A crocodile had come out to bask in the sun but even the Spinofelis knew he had to be wary about. And it wasn't these smaller crocodiles. Soon the green eyes of an enormous Gharial like crocodile began to make itself visible, Sarcosuchus a giant 12 meter crocodile. The huge crocodile opened the long thin jaws and hissed as it was giving a warning not to come too close. The Spinofelis knew it couldn't compete with the predator; all it could do was turn and walk away. The Sarcosuchus and the other crocodiles can effectively survive the droughts by hibernating during times of hardship. The Spinofelis couldn't, as an active hunter; its metabolism would demand a regular supply of food. Several large storks flew overhead as they were picking over the remains of a carcass as they knew it was their supply of food. Although Spinofelis was a specialist, it didn't mean it was entirely confined to the rivers. In tough times, it too can hunt on land. Storks circled around as they were picking the last few scraps of meat from the carcass. Everything seemed to be peaceful for a moment before the Spinofelis roared loudly as it began to chase the storks away. Most of the storks were able to get up and fly away but one of them didn't get the message until it was too late. It turned to see the Spinofelis closing in on it as it tried to fly away, the predator grabbed it by the foot as it dragged it down, tearing into the animal with its teeth and claws. It managed to catch something as it began eating away at the animal.
Spinofelidae findings from other parts of the globe tell us a lot of their diets. In 2004 a neck vetebra of a large bird had been uncovered in Brazil and in one of the neck vertebra was a tooth. It was the unmistakable shape of spinofeli tooth. In the stomach contents of another Spinofeli Baryonyx from England contained the bones of a juvenile Iguanadog in it, a plant eating dog. It showed despite their specialization, the Spinofelidae weren't exclusively fish eaters.
But hunting and catching prey on land isn't easy, particularly when the prey is already alert. The Spinofelis looked out to see the Ouranocanis feed on whatever green vegetation there was left. In the open desert, the herd is alert and could easily see the giant predator from a distance, the bobbed their heads as the Spinofelis sensing there was no way it can catch such a swift moving herbivore. It soon moved off as it went to go look for other prey. It soon spotted a dry blood spot as it sniffed it and began following it. It would lead it to a kill. Hunting on land, the Spinofelis would be forced into direct competition with any large predator living in the same environment. A huge predator was already munching away on an Ouranocanis he caught as he was the only other large predator to live there. He soon tore into the leg as he pulled a chunk of meat from it. That could only mean one animal, Carcharodontofelis. The huge predator tore into the leg again tearing off another chunk of flesh. The Spinofelis approached as the Carcahrodontofelis wasn't taking kindly to its presence. The two predators continued snarling as the Spinofelis continued to growl and snarl. Contests over carcasses are common, however outcomes of such fights are far from gauranteed, risk of injury for big animals is acute.
The Spinofelis bit down on the hip and tail base of the Ouranocanis as the Carcharodontofelis bit onto the sail as they began to tug it. Modern day Komodo dragons are often killed in fights over carcasses. The Spinofelis tried a sudden tug as it dragged the meal free from the other predator. It soon did it again, freeing it from the bite of the predator. The Carcharodontofelis roared in frustration. More than 3 meters longer, the Spinofelis has size and power on its side. The two predators continued to roar and hiss as they wanted to have the carcass. Soon the Spinofelis had enough as it soon swung its huge arms around, raking the huge claws on the side of the side of the predator, slashing it open. The Carcharodontofelis had a more lethal bite. After recovering from the claws, the Carcharodontofelis quickly raced around as it bit into the sail of the Spinofelis leaving two bite marks in the sail. The Spinofelis, sunk its claws into the side of the predator before turning it, slapping it again, the Carcharodontofelis charged in for one last time as the Spinofelis slapped it again, raking its claws along the side of the predator. The Carcharodontofelis looked on as it saw no way in continuing the fight. The Spinofelis roared one more time as the predator began to back off. This time the Spinofelis triumphed, but the balance of power between these two deadly killers is a precarious one. The Spinofelis dug its claws into the Ouranocanis as it began ripping the carcass apart. Its sail was bleeding but it was happy to get a meal.
In 2008, a spinofeli veterbra was recovered; part of the tall neural spine of the animal was broken off. It appeared to be bitten in half. It was suggested the bite was inflicted by Carcharodontofelis.
The Spinofelis limped along as it was weak and starving. It wandered into the desert as it soon laid down panting as it was on its last legs. Spinofelis was the last and the largest of the fish eating warriors but ultimately these specialists were doomed. Something way beyond their control caused their downfall. 94 million moons ago, the climate changed. Global sea levels began to rise, the swamps and rivers the Spinofelis thrived in gradually were lost. With their loss the Spinofelis specialism became a vulnerability, the Spinofelis was laying lifeless in the hot desert sun as it bled out and perished from its wounds. And the biggest predator that has ever walked the earth, disappeared.
[A/N]: Trying something new as I'm looking for a time killer. There would be 6 chapters in all as I take a speculative look into Warriors and think of them as real animals and not characters saving the forest. So it will take a natural look into this. All criticism, ideas and suggestions are welcome.
Just about a few days ago, the "New Spino" by Nizar Ibrahim just surfaced which showed the Spino to being fully aquatic. I think this idea is questionable and debatable, but I feel like this idea is somewhat flawed. Since its new and still being tested, I will let it pass since it's a relatively new idea. My Spino would still be a combination of terrestrial and aquatic since I'm not ready for a fully aquatic Spino until more evidence comes out. That's is all.