Thokfa

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Data

Climate Taiga
Terrain Grasslands
Organization Herd
Activity Diurnal
Diet Herbivorous
Size 110 - 150cm, 60 - 120kg mature

Habitat

Thokfa are long-legged herd animals that roam the broken steppes and boggy plains of Mikramurka. They are very cold-hardy due in part to their heavy double-coat of dark wool, and so have little difficulty wintering in spite of long freezes. Females and young generally roam in groups ranging from 10-200, moving between feeding and watering grounds, while males remain solitary except during the breeding seasons in midwinter and midsummer. They are able to survive on little vegetation through the months of low temperature and thanks to healthy fat stores.

Ecology

Thokfa are a large, fluke-tailed ungulate of the even-toed variety. They utilize a dual-stomach ruminant digestive system to ferment and break down the hardy grasses and tallgrasses of their native steppes. Females tend to give birth to single live young and travel together in extended familial groups, with males leaving these herds when they reach maturity during their second year. Both males and females grow a pair of horns connected by a vestigial crest once they reach adolescence: female horns are straight and reach lengths of up to 20cm, while male horns are heavily ridged and arc backward, reaching lengths of up to 110cm.

Characteristics

Thokfa are born black, though their wool begins to fade to a smoky grey after their first shed. Mature males develop a mane which remains black through adulthood, though it too will grey when the male is no longer able to rut. They are a vociferous species, known to have a wide variety of distinct vocal calls (with over 110 being catalogued), some of which reach almost 100db. It is thought that this adaptation was a result of the muffling effect of heavy snow and tall grasses where audible communication over great distances might be necessary. Due to the fact that they are so hardy, and to the fact that they require no shearing, they have been an essential livestock for the Sebiestor since the recording of Matari history.

References