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Taxonomy[]
A mountain-sized Elder Dragon that was thought to be a giant wyvern, Lao-Shan Lung is considered to be one of the largest monsters in the world. Despite looking similar to a Flying Wyvern, Lao-Shan Lung evolved from a completely different group known as Dragons, meaning that it isn't closely related to Flying Wyverns in any shape or form.[4] Lao-Shan Lung also has a Subspecies known as Ashen Lao-Shan Lung.
History[]
Like many other Elder Dragons, Lao-Shan Lung has been around since ancient times and has been documented throughout history.[5] Sometime in the past, it is said that His Immenseness sliced a Lao-Shan Lung's head off with his Centenarian Dagger, but nowadays he is known for occasionally wrestling with the giants.[6] Among the Guild, Lao-Shan Lung is most well known for the Five incident.[7]
Habitat Range[]
Lao-Shan Lung's actual habitat range is completely unknown due to it wandering from place to place.[8] It has been seen in a variety of areas like the Old Jungle[9], Jungle[10], Great Forest[11], Polar Sea[12], Old Volcano[13], and Volcano[14]. Rarely, Lao-Shan Lung will invade the Fortress for unknown reasons.[15]
Ecological Niche[]
Lao-Shan Lung is believed to feed on minerals and ore;however, because little is known about it, a lot about its ecology is still unclear. From its enormous size, Lao-Shan Lung has few creatures to fear, but it has been reported that it seems to fear some kind of powerful monster. It is believed by some that Lao-Shan Lung wanders into the Fortress because it is running away from the legendary Black Dragon, but most scholars don't believe in that old fairy tale.[16]
Biological Adaptations[]
From it living many years, a heavy shell has formed on Lao-Shan Lung's body from airborne particles and minerals in the atmosphere adhering to its body, creating a rock-like shell that can't easily be penetrated.[19][20] It takes a long time for this shell to form on its body and it is estimated that the individuals encountered are about a thousand years old, showing how long this process takes.[21] Covering the rest of its body is thick scales that are as durable as a Flying Wyvern's shell, protecting Lao-Shan Lung from most attacks.[22][23] Unlike other Elder Dragons, Lao-Shan Lung lacks wings and breath-based attacks, which is considered to be unusual for an Elder Dragon, but its sheer size makes up for that.[24] Lao-Shan Lung is about 6960cm long and stands at 1294cm tall, making it one of the largest monsters in the world.[25][26] It is estimated that Lao-Shan Lung can reach 7000cm or more, but no specimens beyond the 6000cm mark have been found.[27] With its immense size, Lao-Shan Lung is able to use its own bulk to destroy any obstacles that stand in its way, including mountains that block its path. If it can't reach an obstacle, Lao-Shan Lung will stand on its hind legs to give itself more height. By using its tail for support, Lao-Shan Lung can stand and walk on its hind legs for a short period of time, allowing it to reach up and attack fortresses.[28][29]
Frontier Series[]
Some Lao-Shan Lung encountered in the Mezeporta district walk faster than usual, making them more dangerous than regular individuals.[30]
Natural Phenomenon[]
Lao-Shan Lung is often nicknamed the Walking Natural Disaster.[31] From its immense size, Lao-Shan Lung can cause damage to settlements just by simply walking.[32] With each footstep, its tremors can cause landslides and cause surrounding structures, like buildings, to crumble.[33] If an object is blocking its path, Lao-Shan Lung will just simply tear through the obstacle with its bulk before continuing forward. It has even been seen destroying mountains to create a path for itself.[34] If left unchecked, Lao-Shan Lung can easily destroy any fortresses that stand in its way.[35]
Behavior[]
Like other Elder Dragons, many things about Lao-Shan Lung remain a mystery, but it seems the giant isn't particularly aggressive. It is believed that Lao-Shan Lung spends most of its time sleeping underground, about a hundred years or more, as it slowly grows before awakening every so often to wander for unknown reasons.[36] For the most part, Lao-Shan Lung ignores humans but becomes dangerous when it invades their residence.
Adult Lao-Shan Lung Misconception[]
A common misconception about Lao-Shan Lung is that the ones encountered by the Guild are simply juveniles that haven't reached adulthood yet, but that is far from the truth. The Lao-Shan Lung encountered are already adults, some being a thousand years old or more.[37][38] Though much is still unknown about the species, such as the juvenile form of a Lao-Shan Lung and their breeding habits, the Guild is certain that those individuals are already mature.
Sources[]
- Monster Hunter
- Monster Hunter G
- Monster Hunter Freedom
- "Hunter's Encyclopedia"
- Monster Hunter 2
- "Hunter's Encyclopedia 2"
- "Monster Hunter 2 Monster's Ecological Encyclopedia Volume 3"
- Monster Hunter Freedom 2
- Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
- "Hunter's Encyclopedia G"
- "Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition]"
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
- Monster Hunter Frontier
References[]
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 70, 86, 111, and 258
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia 4 - pg. 52
- ↑ Monster Hunter Museum: https://twitter.com/Miya_DQX/status/765382696751075328
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 70
- ↑ Monster Hunter 2 Monster's Ecological Encyclopedia Volume 3 - pg. 10-11
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 25
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 28
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 20
- ↑ Skull of Lao-Shan Lung in Jumbo Village in Monster Hunter 2
- ↑ Skull of Lao-Shan Lung in Great Forest: https://twitter.com/ColinJCaboose/status/921146827201830913
- ↑ Head of Lao-Shan Lung in Polar Sea in Monster Hunter Frontier
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Mentioned in Monster Hunter via NPC dialogue.
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 70 and 111
- ↑ Monster Hunter 10th Anniversary Size Comparison video: https://youtu.be/WYCXnCm_TG8?t=233
- ↑ Lao-Shan Lung item description from MHFU and MHGU.
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Lao-Shan Lung item description from MHFU and MHGU.
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Example: https://youtu.be/WYCXnCm_TG8?t=235
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Example: https://youtu.be/MnpNGzNoOY0?t=89
- ↑ Example: https://youtu.be/E6qDQoGyHlg
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Hunter's Encyclopedia [reprinted edition] - pg. 111
- ↑ Monster Hunter Illustrations (Monochrome, JP) - pg. 8
- ↑ Monster Hunter Illustrations (English) - pg. 248