Avatar:Tigerdillo

 

<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Tigerdillo</default></title> <group> <header>General information</header> <label>Habitat</label> <label>Status</label> <label>Bending</label> <label>Uses</label> </group> <group> <header>Chronological information</header> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> <label>Voiced by</label> </group> <header>Image gallery (0)</header> </infobox> The tigerdillo is a large and extremely dangerous animal that inhabits the Earth Kingdom.

History

Despite being dangerous predators, the ancestors of tigerdillos were nearly hunted to extinction by humans. The species evolved its thick armor and defensive rolling techniques to better defend itself.

By 100 AG, the zoo of Ba Sing Se had one of these animals in captivity.

Anatomy

The fur on the lower part of an tigerdillo's face is white, along with its feet. The tigerdillo's main trunk and the upper parts of its legs are covered by shaggy brown hair. Its back is topped by an armadillo-like segmented carapace, which extends to cover the top of its head. It also has a hairless, armadillo-like tail. Its body structure allows the tigerdillo to curl up into an armored ball when startled, much like the three-banded armadillo.

Behavior

Tigerdillos prey on small animals. This creature also possesses a paradoxical behavior, switching from a highly aggressive tendency to a cowardly attitude. It is common for an tigerdillo to race toward moving objects with claws and teeth bared, only to curl up into a tight ball at the first sign of counter-aggression. Consequently, they are abnormally prone to being run over, and carcasses can be found on the side of many major roads. This paradoxical behavior results from the species' past evolutionary pressures of being both active predators as well as vulnerable prey.

The roar of the tigerdillo is known to be particularly loud. Tigerdillos care for and raise their young.

Connection

The tigerdillo is a cross between an armadillo and a tiger; the plates on its back are reminiscent of the armadillo, but its physique is similar to that of a big cat.

Trivia

• After the Hundred Year War, a pro-bending team named itself the Golden Temple Tigerdillos.
• A section of the coast of Jonduri was called Tigerdillo's Roar.

See also

• Fauna in the World of Avatar