A particularly lethal mass of destruction, the altagak has been described by natives of the planet Altora as "high speed death on four legs." This description accurately depicts the favorite pastime of this reptilian predator indigenous to Altora's southern savannahs.
A solitary hunter, the altagak enjoys the warmth of the planet's southern clime, often spending a good portion of each day basking in the sun, until aroused by the prospect of prey. Altagaks typically hunt a variety of large herd animals native to the southern plains, but they are not above attacking warm-blooded Humanoids if game is scarce.
Once catching sight of a potential meal, the altagak becomes a patient hunter capable of slowly stalking its quarry for hours on end. Using the cover of the tall savannah grasses to mask its approach, the altagak will carefully approach to within a hundred meters of its unsuspecting quarry before initiating a sudden burst of speed to rapidly close the distance before the victim can react. During such attack lunges, altagaks have been clocked at over 80 kilometers an hour.
The altagak uses the impetus of its momentum to deliver an attack in the form of a skewering head butt, impaling the victim on its long tusks. The shock of this initial impact is often enough to bring the quarry to the ground. Thereafter, the altagak's sinuous snout retracts allowing several sets of rending teeth to make short work of its latest meal.
Lacking few predators on Altora, the average altagak lifespan is estimated in excess of 28 years. This fact, and the voracious appetite of the average altagak, has resulted in large bounties being placed on altgak hides in recent years. Despite this, altagak depredations on rancher herds are a continuing problem that threatens the fragile economy of the planet. Altagaks have spread to other worlds, and while they are not as much of a threat, they are still feared predators. | 
