Escagator (SciiFii)

The escagator (Ascendosuchus arboramplexus), also known as the tree alligator and the tree gator, is a species of small crocodilian that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the subtropical and temperate forests of the Azores archipelago to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the escagator is the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). The escagator is one of the smallest crocodilians, growing to be about the size of a brown rat (Rattus norvegicus). Unlike most modern-styled crocodilians, the varigator is largely omnivorous, with plant matter such as fruits, leaves, and nuts making up most of its diet, filling the similar ecological niche to the prosimian primates of the mainland, using its surprisingly mammal-like heterodont arrangement of teeth, with sharp teeth at the front of the mouth and multi-cusped chewing molar-like teeth further back. Unlike its relatives, the escagator is a fully-terrestrial reptile with its legs tucked underneath its body, more similarly to mammals than most crocodilians. The escagator has less armor due to being more specialized to life climbing in the trees to rest, to survey its territory from above, and to avoid larger predators. The escagator is a much more specialized tree-dwelling reptile than the varigator (Varigator cursorius), having highly-developed opposable gripping digits, a semi-prehensile tail, and an even more lightweight, sparcely-armored body. It is a rather sluggish, slow-moving animal, similarly to other arboreal reptiles such as chameleons, although it is a rather social animal that lives in small groups. The conservation status of the varigator is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the varigator's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.