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arcanebeastsandcritters:

Daily Monster 280: Roperite

Region of origin: Western Sierra foothills, California, United States

A nimble predator of the plains and foothills of southern California, the roperite would quickly run down and incapacitate its prey, often jack rabbits, using its long rope-like beak formed into a lasso. Once it has secured its quarry, it will drag it at high speeds through the low brush and chaparral to finish it off. Local legend says they may be the reincarnated spirits of Spanish vaqueros who had settled in the region.