Cocawhoraus

First Sighted: La Paz

Distinguishable Features: Peculiarly erratic mood swings mean it can appear supremely confident or nervous and twitchy.

Approachability: With caution, can never be sure of the beast’s mood.

This pale, skinny, often twitchy breed has become famous amongst the growing band of Gringosaur observers and specialists due to the difficulty in defining any consistent behaviour. In the first days of observation, scientists noted unusual sleeping patterns. For example it is not unusual for the Cocawhoraus to go two or even three days without sleep during times of what are being described as ‘hyper-activity’. These periods are usually followed by twenty hours or so of constant sleep when the Cocawhoraus seems almost impossible to disturb.

One man who knows the Cocawhoraus better than most is Snr. Miguel De Seville. Hailing originally from Spain, Miguel has been studying the Cocawhoraus since arriving, almost by accident, at a popular gathering place for the breed on New Year’s Eve 2009. He has this to say regarding their behaviour;

“…It seems that something sparks them into life. From a point of apparent indifference to events and other beasts around them, the Cocawhoraus suddenly become full of energy and highly alert.”

During this period the Cocawhoraus remain in groups and communicate at frantic pace, sharing ideas with great gusto for hours on end, much like a human conversation, only with less of the listening aspect. This led Miguel and his team to hypothesize that they were highly intelligent beasts. However deeper study suggested that other breeds of Gringosaur appear to view the Cocawhoraus with disdain, showing a distinct lack of interest in their communications. This pointed the team in the direction of their eventually published findings. This paper stated that the information shared between the Cocawhoraus during these periods of hyper activity, is actually merely a load of old bollocks that even the other Cocawhoraus present have little or no interest in hearing.

It appears much of what is exchanged is merely “recycled” stories and information that everybody has heard before. This has left the team at a loss therefore to describe firstly, why the Cocawhoraus seem so determined to communicate, and also why they can often be seen making gestures of sincere agreement with one another. One theory is that this ‘agreement’ is merely a way of interrupting the ‘speaker’ in order that the ‘agreeing’ Cocawhoraus may take the floor to spew forth its equally dull, recycled, yet over-animated tales and opinions. These, of course, will also be immediately forgotten about.

Despite all of this, the Cocawhoraus appear happy to continue in the same vein for hours on end. Stopping only intermittently, to inhale what appears to be some kind of, presumably flavourless, powdered food substance. It is thought this substance may be very high in sugar. This could perhaps explain the seemingly hyperactive communications between the beasts during this time, a little like if you give five year olds too much fizzy cola. Gradually however brain activity grinds to an almost complete stand still and the Cocawhoraus tend to slip away one by one. Usually to a secluded place, away from natural light, where they rest for extended periods.

This behaviour, whilst peculiar, is even more surprising if one considers the behavior of the same beasts when they awake from this slumber. At this time they appear much more introverted, quiet and timid. Some could even be considered ‘sulky’, much like a human child. Gone are the confident gestures and exuberant greetings of the previous day. In fact, bonds which appeared to be relatively strong between two Cocawhoraus hours earlier can suddenly appear almost none existent. Only nervy glances and muttered sounds are exchanged for a period of between eight and twelve hours.

Towards the end of this twelve hour period comes the only time when inter-Cocawhoraus behaviour starts to resemble that which exists between other breeds. Regular communications resume, solid foods are eaten and, very occasionally, regular activities (e.g. ‘going outside’) are carried out. However fast forward another four hours or so and the Cocawhoraus begin to meet once more, first sharing drinks, then the powdered ‘sugar-food’. Once more commences a period of hyper-activity as they trade useless non-witty communications, all of them competing for space on the sound waves, immensely enjoying themselves all the while, seemingly building up to something stupendous, until…nothing. And they all gradually deflate and slip away to a more solitary place once more.

……..

Breaking news

Over only the last 48 hours Snr. Miguel De Seville and his team have been working solidly, without a moments rest or relaxation. As such, they have made fresh observations regarding what could perhaps be considered another sub-group even within the Cocawhoraus breed, of Gringosaur. The above mentioned Cocawhoraus are largely independent and concerned exclusively with themselves. However this newly classified sub-group thrives on hanging around close to others, perhaps waiting on scraps of powdered ‘sugar-food’. “If the Cocawhoraus is a Buzzard, then this variety are definitely more like Vultures, feeding off of the stupendous work of others.” Stated an overly-animated, sunglasses-clad Snr. Miguel in a press conference called, rather peculiarly, at 4:30am. The decidedly twitchy scientist then went on to outline how he believes this new sub-group, the Cocavuloraus, to be more intelligent than their ‘Buzzard-like’ cousins. His reasoning being that “they appear largely uninterested in the hyperbolic yet strangely appealing (sic) communications of the other Cocawhoraus.” Instead the “Cocavuloraus are focused solely on the acquisition of this wondrous powdered sugar food” which, Snr. Miguel confirmed, definitely has no flavour.