Buy me a coffee(Dinosaur) Struthiosaurus, the Hidden Shield
This deceptively cute, tank-sized herbivore packs prehistoric armor tough enough to turn raptors into toothpicks—meet the Struthiosaurus!
The Struthiosaurus is a compact, quadrupedal dinosaur measuring roughly 10 feet in length, built low to the ground like a living stone wedge. Its back and flanks are protected by a patchwork of tough, interlocking bony plates and short, conical spikes that glint like dull obsidian under sunlight. Its head is narrow with a beaked snout, and its eyes—set deep under ridged brows—reflect a placid, almost contemplative gaze. Despite its bulk and armor, its gait is quiet and deliberate.
Behavior
Gentle and slow-moving, Struthiosaurus is a passive herbivore that spends most of its day browsing for low foliage, ferns, and shrubs. It is neither curious nor aggressive, preferring stillness and routine. When alarmed, it does not flee, but instead lowers its body, tucks in its limbs, and relies on its natural armor to deter attack. It communicates with others of its kind through low-frequency rumbling and stomps, inaudible to most humanoids.
Habitat
Struthiosaurus dwells in temperate coastal forests, island lowlands, and subtropical floodplains where dense vegetation grows low and undisturbed. It prefers soft, loamy terrain and avoids steep or rocky regions. They are often found in secluded valleys where time has slowed or in preserves that mimic ancient ecosystems.
Modus Operandi
Struthiosaurus does not hunt, fight, or pursue. Its sole strategy is survival through deterrence. If attacked, it crouches low and presents its spiny sides, making grappling or overturning it nearly impossible. Some predators have learned to ignore Struthiosaurus altogether, knowing the risk of injury outweighs the reward. A cornered or panicked Struthiosaurus may charge blindly to break line of sight, using its bulk to knock smaller creatures aside.
Motivation
Driven by instinct rather than desire, Struthiosaurus seeks only safety and sustenance. Its slow metabolism and strong memory allow it to follow ancient migration paths year after year, always returning to familiar feeding and nesting grounds. In fantasy settings, some believe Struthiosaurus walks in rhythm with the land’s lifeblood—serving as a living echo of a time when beasts and earth were one. Druids and sages sometimes interpret its movements as omens of environmental change or ancient magic stirring beneath the soil.
Struthiosaurus 5e
Struthiosaurus 3.5
Struthiosaurus
Small Beast (Dinosaur), Unaligned
Armored Herbivore (CR 1/4)
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 18 (4d6 + 4)
Speed 25 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 2 (–4) | 12 (+1) | 5 (–3) |
Skills Perception +3
Senses Passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Traits
Natural Armor.
Struthiosaurus’s bony plates and rigid hide provide excellent protection. It cannot wear armor or benefit from shield bonuses.
Low Profile.
Due to its short stature and instinct to lie flat, Struthiosaurus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide in dense undergrowth or ferns.
Stubborn Bulk.
The Struthiosaurus has advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone or moved involuntarily.
Actions
Tail Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d8 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
- Though it lacks a clubbed tail, the Struthiosaurus uses its stiff, muscular tail to deliver strong defensive swipes.
Shoulder Charge. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 4 (1d6 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
- If the Struthiosaurus moved at least 10 feet before the attack, the target must succeed on a DC 11 Strength saving throw or be shoved 5 feet backward.
Behavior and Ecology
- Diet: Low-growing ferns, cycads, shrubs, and ground plants
- Temperament: Shy but resilient; will freeze rather than flee when spotted by predators
- Reproduction: Lays small clutches of eggs in shallow, camouflaged nests
- Senses: Good vision, likely poor hearing (based on fossil ear anatomy)
Habitat
Struthiosaurus roams dense woodlands, wetlands, and ancient floodplains—particularly in isolated or subtropical regions. Its slow metabolism and cautious nature make it ideal for survival in resource-limited environments, like prehistoric islands (a nod to insular dwarfism, which truthiosaurus experience).
Struthiosaurus
Originally Posted by InsanePsychoRabbit of the Wizards Community forums.
Struthiosaurus is a small, island-dwelling nodosaur with good natural armor and spikes on its tail and forequarters. Halflings sometimes raise them as beasts of burden and as mounts, and also for their eggs, which some consider a delicacy.
The averaging at about 7 feet long and 220 pounds in weight; however, specimens of up to 13 feet in length and 500 pounds or more in weight have been recorded.
| Dinosaur, Struthiosaurus | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 3d8+6 (19 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 17 (+1 Dexterity, +6 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +2/+3 |
| Attack | Tail slap +3 melee (1d6+3) |
| Full Attack | Tail slap +3 melee (1d6+3) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | – |
| Special Qualities | Body spikes, Low-Light Vision |
| Saves | Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 13, Dexterity 13, Constitution 15, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 12, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Listen +4, Spot +4 |
| Feats | Endurance, Great Fortitude |
| Environment | Temperate forests |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 4-5 HD (Medium), 6-8 HD (Large) |
Combat
When attacked, it lashes out with its spiked tail. If grappled by an opponent, it attempts to impale that opponent on its back spikes.
Body Spikes (Ex): A struthiosaurus has spikes on its back, which it uses to impale opponents attempting to grapple it. When grappling, they deal damage as Medium armor spikes.
Struthiosaurus as Animal Companions
A struthiosaurus makes an appropriate animal companion for a druid of at least 4th level.
Struthiosaurus as Special Mounts
Some local halfling paladins swear by struthiosauruses because of their built-in armor and spikes. A struthiosaurus makes an appropriate special mount for a paladin of at least 5th level. A struthiosaurus can only carry a Small rider.