Bouthle
Overview
Bouthle are a mount that resemble a mix between geckos and llamas.
Classification
Mammalian
Rarity
Uncommon
History
Bouthle originate from the Aufer mountain range, and have since become a popular travel mount, particularly in areas with rough terrain.
Biology
Physical Description
Bouthle are large hexapodal creatures, measuring about 9-10 ft (2.7 - 3 meters) at the shoulder. They have a large sack along the entire underside of their necks that can inflate. They have 5 gripping toes on each foot, two long hanging ears, and a long thick tail. They're covered in thick wool, which is often shorn and spun into yarn.
Diet
Bouthle mainly eat grasses, brush, and other vegetation.
Reproduction
Bouthle can breed any time of the year, though they tend to seek partners mainly in Tieon. A dominant Bouthle may choose to initiate courtship through displays of inflating the throat sack and braying with a submissive one of the opposite gender, and it's left to the submissive one to accept or not. After 4-5 seasons, the cow will have 1-3 calves, which are born able to walk and run, though they stumble over their legs a lot for their first season or so. They take 2 years to be full grown and ready to ride.
Lifecycle
Bouthle can live up to 90 years, and start slowing down around 80. They're generally considered unridable after 70.
Activity Level
Bouthle are active all year round.
Behavior
Temperament
Bouthle can be stubborn, but are overall passive creatures- so long as their needs are met, they are highly compliant with their rider's commands.
Sociability
Bouthle have a strange manner of socializing- when two Bouthle come together for the first time, they'll inflate their throat sacks and butt them against each other, challenging and testing each other until one backs down. Afterwards, the one who backed down will defer to the dominant one when challenged for food or space. Bouthle do well both in groups and alone.
Domestication
Bouthle are primarily used as travel mounts, as they're basically all-terrain and have very high stamina. Their secondary use is as wool-producers on large farms, though they can be challenging to keep since they need a large amount of vegetation each day. Most wool produced is given from travelers who stop at special rest stops designed for Bouthle care.