---= Fauna =---
The climate of the Copper desert limits the number of animals living permanently here, in this extreme ecosystem. Some interior parts so arid, so hot that no plant nor animal can survive, However, as one travels further out into the semi-arid surroundings life begins to seep into the land, following the wake of water.
- Insect’s and scorpions -
Sand-coloured grasshopper’s blend in with the pebbles of a desert floor, whilst beetle’s and their larvae scuttle and squirm through the reddish dust - Serving as valuable food sources to the region’s birds, its most diverse and plentiful animal group. Among the insects stalk plated desert scorpions, their carapace and chitin black, black as death, for that is what their stinger promises to deliver. Crawling forth from the desert’s many rocky outcrops, the otherwise silent, cool night allows them to venture out without threat from the heat, preying on smaller insects and a number of sparse more mammalian animals.
A black scorpion stalk's the cooling rocky ground, emerging from its burrow come night in search of prey
Surprisingly few reptile species inhabit the Copper Desert, and even few amphibian species, however of those that defy the heat are a handful of Iguana’s - Which, being able to withstand such high temperature’s are found active for much longer than other lizard’s without being forced into their burrows. Preferring the dry desert scrubland, these lizard’s range across most of the region, concentrated in the more habitable plateau’s and rocky outcrops. All the while feeding herbivorously on a mixture of sparse buds, fruits and leaves.
A Desert Iguana slither's between area's of shade, seeking partial refuge from a blazing sun as it looks out into the distance, scanning the horizon for movement
- Desert birds -
Whilst small in individual size, the Copper Desert’s bird’s are large in number. Soaring through, empty cloudless skies they glide above the barren landscape, dipping down to follow its plentiful canyon’s in search of food. Numerous and diverse, many of such bird’s flock come dusk, rising forth from their nests and burrows which dot the canyon cliff’s in a spill of dazzling pattern’s.
Whilst some species remain in and around the canyons year round, other’s migrate seasonally to feed on influxes of insects, nectar and flowers. One thing is for sure, wherever plant life has managed to carve out a home - So too have the Copper Desert’s birds.
A large range of species are present across the region, ranging from the several hummingbird’s and sparrow’s which feed upon on the abundant fog fed cactus and flower’s along the coast, to great flock’s, swarms of starling’s merge into cloud’s of spiralling action, all the while flock’s of Copper Flamingo’s filter the inland salt-flat lakes for fish, plants and algae alike.
- Dimorpholaterx -
Amongst the sunburnt skies sail more than just mere birds - For following in pursuit of the great flocks fly the infamous Dimorpholaterx.
Appearance and locomotion:
Sailing on leathery wing’s, the Dimopholaterx glides high on desert thermal’s over the canyon regions, reaching unexpectedly fast gliding speeds if the harsh desert winds favour it. Furthermore, Dimopholaterx is relatively small and flat built in appearance, heavily adapted to its environment - For its skin is coated in a matted beige fur that serves to insulate the creature throughout chilly desert nights, combined with sharp claws which help it grip onto the rocky wall’s of canyons and outcrops.
A male Dimorpholatrex cling's onto the surface of a palm, looking out from its perched position over the canyon's ready to take flight.
Senses:
Whilst possessing relatively weak eyesight, a trait unneeded by the Dimopholaterx considering the mostly barren, simple landscape, where prey has little capacity to hide these pteradons make up for it with an enhanced sense of smell and hearing - Some even going as far as to suppose they have a weak form of echolocation, although these claims are doubted. Whilst having smell is no doubt an advantage in the search of prey, its primary function resides in helping the Dimopholatrex locate both mate’s and water - Each individual releasing a distinctive musk and odor easily detectable on the wispy desert wind, which carries it far throughout their territory.
Hunting and Diet:
With both front facing eyes and an elongated snout which upon closer inspection is crammed with jagged teeth one can begin to assume Dimorpholaterx diet. For where there is prey, there are predators. First sighting their prey from afar, an easily feat considering the backdrop of monotnous landscape, Dimorpholaterx then close the distance before swooping into bird flock’s in the hope of catching unsuspecting bird’s in their wide mouths. Whilst not possessing the elegance, nor intelligence of other birds of prey which prefer to strike from above with outstretched claws, Dimorpholaterx crude methods are easily just as effective, the pterosaur able to repeatedly attack until it eventually lands a successful strike.
Furthermore, Dimorpholatrex's diet does not rely on one source alone - A much needed necessity given the harshness of its environment - Among the many other sources it uses to sustain its calorific food intake are the deserts many nectar producing flowers, bats and the abundant insects which buzz and hum through the arid air, all the while Dimorpholaterx finds an additional source of sustenance through often raiding defenseless cliff-side nests for chick’s and egg’s inorder to bolster its chances of survival.
A female Dimorpholaterx awaits any bird's hoping to feed from the desert's sparse plants in an attempt to strike an ambush
Behavior and social:
Communicating with one another in a series of high pitches squealing not dissimilar to Lustria’s many bat like creature’s Dimorpholatrex’s often strike out singularly, only grouping during the variable mating seasons. Unlike creature’s elsewhere, the Copper Desert’s inhabitants cannot afford to waste precious time, having to spend the majority of their activity hunting between the two extremes of scorching midday and freezing night. And as a result Dimorpholatrex is most active at dawn and dusk, spending its time otherwise resting or tending to juvenile’s within hijacked cliff-side burrows.
Reproduction:
As mentioned previously, Dimorpholatrex’s begin to group and consolidate come the mating season - A variable event triggered by influxes of heavy rainfall which allows the lands to not only sustain larger group’s, but also provides infants with the highest chance of survival.
During these short period’s tensions rise higher than the region’s temperature, Territorial displays and fights breaking out between male’s, their neck pouches turning a hot red/pink. Not only do Dimorpholatrex’s fight for dominance and breeding rights, but also for survival - For as a result of so many being within the same area at once food reserves are often depleted, meaning only the strongest to endure and survive.
Relationship with Lizardmen:
Dimorpholatrex’s keep their distance from the roving lizardmen population’s of the Copper Desert and for good reason - If the opportunity presents itself saurus and skinks will not stray away from the prospect of quickly striking the creature’s down. Caught Dimorpholatrex’s are first skinned and stripped of their fur and hide - Which can be used as clothing, before the rest of the animal, wings and wall is hung above a fire for food, which although unpleasant and dry is a welcomed meal given the necessity.
Not only that, but if nest raiding skink’s manage to come across a hijacked cliff side burrow Dimorpholatrex’s egg’s will be the first to be looted, treated as a nutritious delicacy split many ways when cooked, boiled or poached.
However, Despite this many lizardmen value the signs of a healthy Dimorpholatrex population within an area, often using these creature’s as indicators of an area’s worth - For where there are Dimorpholaterx there are birds, and where there are birds, here are flower’s and edible’s plentiful. Whilst in a more sparing region the lizardmen population would allow such creature’s to go undisturbed, here there is no such option, for their hand is forced by necessity.
- Mammals -
Due in part because of the desert’s lack of stable food and extreme aridty only a few specifically adapted species are able to survive in the Copper Desert - Within their number being a handful of leaf-eared mouse species feeding on the desert’s fruits and berries. While in the less arid parts of the desert are small, yet no less adapted foxes - The role’s of these species are however insignificant compared to that of the Huanaco, The Copper Desert’s largest terrestrial mammal.
- Huanaco’s -
Small clouds of dust trickle down the steep hillside’s that criss cross the semiarid terrain which surrounds the desert’s interior - Their producer being a small herd of Huanaco’s as they graze upon all manor of dried shrubland and grass, whilst seemingly inconsequential compared to some of Lustria’s other lumbering beasts, these mammals endurance and ability to cope with such extreme’s can’t help but demand to be witnessed.
Appearance and locomotion:
Standing high, Huanaco’s can weigh from 90-140kg making them the largest terrestrial mammal native to the region - A feat most impressive considering the extreme conditions they survive in through a number of specific adaptations. Whilst mundane compared to other animals within the region, Huanaco’s still posses drab coats of wool, something often sought after by local lizardmen. This fur in combindantion with area’s of thick skin on their necks help to insulate them against the below freezing temperature’s of the desert come nightfall, whilst also allowing them to trek up into higher altitudes boarding the mountain ranges and serving as an additional layer of protection from any predator attacks.
Furthermore, Huanaco’s are most numerous in the many steppes, scrublands and more mountainous area’s across the region, therefore making it no surprise they are excellent climbers, able to race over steep and rocky terrain
Diet:
Populations of Huanaco often directly correlate with the amount of forage availability, the creature’s feed during the daytime on a number of shrub’s and grasses before retreating higher up the slopes during nights. Throughout non-mating season’s most herds remain distributed somewhat evenly around area’s seasonally irrigated by melting snow, before trekking down into the heart of the desert scrubland where fresh water is less sparse throughout the cooler months.
If one was to translate the more primitive saurian of the local lizardmen populations it would come to be ‘Desert forager’ A name which matches their ability to graze through coastal landscapes, stripping down all manor of cacti, flower’s and lichen.
Bolstering the need’s of their diet, many Gauanco’s often lick common stone’s and rocks which are rich in salt.
Behavour and social:
Huanaco’s are very shy animals, easily around by intruders mainly due to their extraordinary hearing among other things - Despite this however most females have otherwise calm temperaments when there is no sign of a threat being present.
Living in family-based groups, Guanco herd’s are often composed of 10-15 females and their young along with a dominant male, each group having its own territory which fluctuates depending on the availability of food..
A curious herd of Huanaco's alert and ready to bolt if danger presents itself.
When threatened, Huanaco’s alert their herd to flee with a series of high-pitched bleating calls, the male usually running behind to defend as the herd scatters across the rocky landscape, kicking up dust across the jagged, rocky terrain.
Reproduction:
Mating season occurs between the cooler months, during which male’s strike out, fighting violently to establish dominance and breeding rights. Many months after which mothers give birth to a singular young, any male’s being chased off from the herd after around one year of age.
Relationship with lizardmen:
The female’s docile nature combined with the value of their soft wool it is no surprise that local lizardmen populations often domesticate herd’s, subduing the dominant male before begging to acclimatize the individuals to life among the nomadic lizardmen populations.
Local Lizardmen often wear Huanaco fur, harnessing its insulating properties whilst also using the herd’s as emergency food is necessity will’s it, demands which conflict with the lizardmen’s appreciation and care both herd’s both domesticated and wild - Skink shepherds caring deeply for the conditions of their creature’s, being among the few to posses the skills to sheer Guanco’s, sparse knowledge which is passed down generations.
An isolated Huanaco searches the backdrop of shrubbery in order to reunite with its herd.
- Borelodon -
Appearance and locomotion:
Senses:
Hunting and diet:
Behaviour/Social:
Reproduction:
Relationship with lizardmen:
---= Lizardmen interactions and presence =---
[More information coming here]
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Already finished:
-- Location ---
--- Intro ---
--- The semiarid bands ---
- Semiarid plateau’s -
- Coastlines -
--- The canyons and gorges ---
--- The true desert ---
--- Flora ---
--- Fauna ---
More update's and information coming soon, including but not limited to:
---= Lizardmen interactions and presence =---
---= Notable landmarks and areas of significance =---
As always, feedback and criticisms are highly appreciated.
