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In-Game Information
An azure-colored subspecies of Rathalos. More mobile than its standard cousin, they locate prey from the air and quickly swoop in for the kill. Once these master hunters select a target, there is little hope of escape.
Taxonomy
- Order: Saurischia
- Suborder: Wyvern Feet
- Infraorder: Armor Shell Wyvern
- Superfamily: Flying Wyvern
- Family: Rath
Azure Rathalos, like their female counterparts, the Pink Rathian, are very rare and considered a myth in some areas. They are a part of the Flying Wyvern classification and is one of the genetic mutations of the Rathalos, the other being Silver Rathalos.
Habitat Range
Azure Rathalos of the Old World inhabit the Forest and Hills, both Volcanoes, Heaven's Mount, Everwood, Misty Peaks, Tower Summit and the Tower. Their New World relatives are seen inhabiting the Deserted Island and Volcano (3rd).
Ecological Niche
A top predator, Azure Rathalos fear little in their habitat range, except other large predators. Azure Rathalos will occasionally attack Epioth in the water in a manner, with limited success, and is shown to be capable of even preying on lesser wyverns, particularly Bird Wyverns such as Great Jaggi and Yian Kut-Ku or Fanged Beasts such as Congalala or Arzuros. Only a few monsters in an Azure Rathalos's territory are strong enough to fight back if an Azure Rathalos is attacking. Foremost among them are Ivory Lagiacrus, Brute Tigrex, Lavasioth, Green Nargacuga, and other fire-wyverns that live in the same habitat. They have also been viewed engaging in aerial battles against another flying wyvern, Seregios, as Seregios tend to attack other wyvern over territorial disputes. Astalos is another aggressive wyvern that could harm an Azure Rathalos.
Biological Adaptations
An adept flyer, Azure Rathalos are more aggressive than most of their red counterparts, and often use fireballs to attack foes from both land and air. Azure Rathalos have powerful hind legs, making them extremely fast on ground, as well as giving them the capability to launch devastating claw attacks from the air, often severely injuring its target. While in the air, they are also capable of diving to claw foes on the ground. An Azure Rathalos' claws contain a potent toxin that will often kill a hunter if they don't seek immediate treatment after the blow that inflicted the wound. Azure Rathalos, like many others of its kind, have a very powerful roar that is used to intimidate rivals and stun prey. Their bright, blue scales probably serve the purpose of attracting a mate.
Certain rare individuals in the Old World have a more developed flame sac allowing repeated fireballs as much as more than 5 in a row and strong fire balls that leave a fire trail, a reddish tint, more developed spikes on its back, and tan wings instead of green.
Behavior
Azure Rathalos are very aggressive and intelligent, even by Rathalos standards. Like all true flying wyverns, Azure Rathalos possess the cunning, speed and strength to fell almost any threat or prey they come across in the wild, though they will rarely challenge anything larger than themselves outside of their territory. After mating with a Pink Rathian, Azure Rathalos will play the role of a protective father, actively patrolling his territory for a significant threat, freeing the Pink Rathian to hunt for food and care for the offspring.