Great Jaggi Ecology

In-Game Information
The Great Jaggi is the head of a Jaggi pack. At a certain age, males leave the pack to live on their own for a period of time before returning to fight for the right to be a leader. They have a very commanding presence and are aggressive. It is said they can call and give complex orders to their pack with their howls and barks which sound similar to howler monkey calls.

Taxonomy
The Great Jaggi's closest relative beside regular Jaggis and Jaggia, are the Baggi and the Great Baggi of the Tundra, and the Furogi and Dosufurogi of the Flooded Forest and Volcano.

Habitat Range
The Great Jaggi makes its home in the Mountain Peaks, Deserted Island and the Sandy Plains. The Great Jaggi nests in gorges and cliffsides decorated in the bones of their prey which will include Aptonoth, Kelbi, Rhenoplos, Delex, Fish, Giggi, and young Wyverns. These nests are also ways to stay in safety from its own predators, like a Rathalos or Rathian for example, which rarely enter those little canyons for anything. However, these areas are not completely predator proof seeing as how Lagiacrus Subspecies, Zinogre, and even Deviljho are often seen in these areas and on rare occasions even hunting the Great Jaggi. A weakened Great Jaggi also uses passages as shortcuts to their nest or just another area, making them more difficult to track, which is good when fleeing from a predator. It is adapted to living in warmer climates (but not too extreme), and therefore cannot live in the Tundra, where its relative, the Great Baggi, roams freely.

Ecological Niche
The Great Jaggi are on the middle of the food chain. They hunt many animals, some larger than itself except creatures like Elder Dragons. Its prey include Aptonoth, Kelbi, Rhenoplos, Delex, Fish, Giggi, and occasionally young Wyverns that stray too far away from their nest. It also may prey on eggs of herbivores such as Rhenoplos, and possibly those of larger Wyverns such as Rathian. Great Jaggi meat has a high nutritional value to larger Wyverns, so it tends to stay away from them, including the Lagiacrus and Rathalos, as both could potentially kill the Bird Wyvern. However, should any monster stray too far into Great Jaggi territory, the raptor will try to get rid of the intruder. The Great Jaggi hunts in packs, which helps in the success of its hunt and which helps it tackle large prey like said before. Great Jaggi may or may not have to compete with Velociprey packs, due to a similar role in the ecosystem. It`s biggest threats may be Goa Magara and Tigrex, as they can easily overpower a Great Jaggi. Great Jaggi may also be wary of Yian-Kut-Ku who can do massive damage with it`s fireballs and similar strength, although the two would rarely compete.

Biological Adaptations
The Jaggi is sexually dimorphic, meaning that the Great Jaggi can only be male. The Raptor can summon its pack by a loud roar. Like many bird wyverns, he is intelligent; even the Qurupeco's mimicry tricks don't fool it particularly easily. As the Great Jaggi is much larger than its brethren, it can take on larger prey with relative ease. Its large frill is a sign to show that he is the leader of the pack. It can also serve to scare away potential competitors, as it may make the raptor look bigger than it actually is. The barbs on its powerful tail serve as a formidable weapon when hunting prey, fighting against hunters or as a defense against other monsters. The most defining trait a Great Jaggi is its frills which are used for both threat and mating displays. These frills can also be opened up to release heat giving the raptors the ability to cool off during the hottest parts of the day like those of a Frilled Lizard.

Behavior
When a Jaggi leaves its pack and finds a new one to lead, it gains the title of Great Jaggi and eventually gets the body of one too. As leader of a large pack of smaller raptors, the Great Jaggi can take on prey bigger than itself, fend off predators without too much difficulty, and cover great distances looking for food. The Great Jaggi fits the role of leader perfectly, as other Jaggia or Jaggi are loyal to their leader. The Great Jaggi is highly territorial, and may sometimes attack other monsters that enter its area.

It is posible that much like the other alpha Bird Wyverns, the Great Jaggi has to be wary of challenges by rivals, as if it´s title is usurped, it will be chased away from the group and will be forced to live alone until it can find a new pack it can gain control of. It is unknown what happens if it can´t find a new pack, but it´s likely that this unfortunate Great Jaggi will have to live alone.This kind of Great Jaggi becomes even tougher and smarter due to having to carry extra burdens from living without a pack. Ocassionally lone Great Jaggi will form coalitions in order to increase both their chances of survival and to defeat other Great Jaggi that currently lead a pack. When a Great Jaggi leading a pack is defeated the new alpha will then kill all of the former leader's offspring to ensure the passing of its genes and for the Jaggia to become ready to mate with the new leader.