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[[File:RTDinosaur.png|right|thumb|300px|"Dinosaur"{{Fn|19}}]]
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'''Giant Reptiles''', sometimes referred to as '''"Dinosaurs"''', are a relatively common lifeform throughout the galaxy, especially on [[Death World]]s and [[Feral World]]s where they are often the main predator type. Dinosaurs also serve as farm animals{{Fn|19}}, including on [[Exodite World]]s where they serve as the main food source.{{Fn|5}}
==Overview==
[[File:RTDinosaur.png|right|thumb|300px|A "Dinosaur"{{Fn|19}}]]
A giant reptile typically ranges from the size of a [[Bike]] to that of a [[Land Raider]], is possessed of considerable strength and ferocity, and has vicious natural weapons ranging from sharp bony protrusions and claws to jaws capable of ripping open the hull of a [[Rhino|Rhino APC]].{{CME}}
It is quite common for the worlds from which the [[Space Marines]] recruit to have such lethal predators stalking the inhospitable terrain, and for young aspirants to prove themselves by slaying one of these immense beasts and taking a trophy as a coming-of-age ritual. [[Carnosaur]]s prowl the blasted wastes of the [[Triath]] sector, and the infamous [[Arcanadont]]s, top of the evolutionary ladder in the honeycombed mining world of [[Mordant]], are sold across the [[Segmentum]] as vicious pets and status symbols at a great cost in both life and raw meat. The [[Catachan Jungle Fighters]] of the [[Imperial Guard]] have been known to field [[Rough Riders]] mounted atop one of the mighty Giant Reptiles native to the jungles of [[Catachan]].{{Fn|1b}}{{Fn|6}}{{Fn|23}}
===Dragons===
{{Main|Dragon}}
'''Dragons'''{{Fn|4}} were offspring of the genetically-modified giant reptiles (some of which breathe fire{{Fn|21}}) which the [[Eldar]] seeded among the [[Maiden World]]s of the [[Eldar Empire]] as a dominant component of the planets' ecologies.{{Fn|4}} The original species may have originated from the homeworlds of the Eldar.{{Fn|4}} Dragons became central to the lifestyles of the [[Eldar Exodites]], who herd and ride various species and trade their meat with the [[Asuryani|Craftworld Eldar]].{{Fn|10}} Dragons are carnivores, and will naturally feed on forest prey,{{Fn|20}} but the Aeldari exodites harvest and feed them [[algae]].{{Fn|4}}
*1: [[White Dwarf 292 (UK)]] - ''Chapter Approved: Creature Feature'':
**{{Endn|1a}}: pg. 102
**{{Endn|1b}}: pg. 105 - ''Giant Reptiles by [[Phil Kelly]]''. ''(See also: [https://web.archive.org/web/20070520073805/http://uk.games-workshop.com:80/warhammer40000/creature-feature/4/ Games Workshop: Creature Feature - Giant Reptiles by Phil Kelly]. Saved archive page without images, dated 20 May 2007, last accessed 25 February 2025)''
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Battle of the Archaeosaurs (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|3}}: [[In the Belly of the Beast (Short Story)]]
*{{Endn|21}}: [[The Path Forsaken (Audio Drama)]] (Digital)
*{{Endn|22}}: [[Voidscarred (Novel)]], Chapter 1
*{{Endn|23}}: [https://web.archive.org/web/20070520073805/http://uk.games-workshop.com:80/warhammer40000/creature-feature/4/ Games Workshop: Creature Feature - Giant Reptiles by Phil Kelly] ''(saved archive page without images, dated 20 May 2007, last accessed 25 February 2025)''
[[Category:Beasts]]
[[Category:Flora and Fauna]]
