Krencha

The Krencha is a three meter long, four legged, reptillian animal that is native to the Klingon homeworld of Qo'nos. They possess sharp claws and deadly fangs which they used to rip the flesh of their kill. They also had reptile-like tongues which helped them scent the air to detect their prey. They are intelligent hunting animals but one that evolved as a quick attack predator and thus could not last in battles that lasted too long, something that was used against them by Klingon hunters. Such creatures are present in the Almron Preserve where the hunters went and fought these beasts to the death.

(Star Trek novel: The Return)