Don't worry if you encounter an alpha karkinos when riding a normal one as there faster then you if you just walk normaly if you jump around you can easyly out run one they actually have pretty decent speed if you just jump towards your destination.just keep in mind that you can not pounce while Takeing damage . If you plan to ride a high level one to get a rock drake egg you only really need to worry about one thing reapers queens as they will kill you so just trying jumping away if you see one burrowing.