Difference between revisions of "Fauna of River Twine Holt"

Revision as of 08:03, 25 October 2007

Hunting information: Any animal can be killed in many various ways especially in a situation in which you are being attacked. However; certain tools should be utilized for certain animals. Beside each name of the animal you will notice a code that corresponds with the proper weapon for each animal. A knife or a rock can be used for almost anything but it’s not always the best option. Some animals have extremely protected heads (bear, rocksheep, shagback) and a rock will not crush its skull. Other animals have extremely protected bodies (quillrat, shellback) and a knife or arrow will not penetrate the skin.

SJ = Spear/Javelin, A = Arrow, B = Bola’s, C = Club, K = Knife, SS = Sling-shot, N = Net

Naming Convention: the standard for elemental names is combining two elements into a single word – for example, “quillrat” instead of quill rat or quill-rat”.)

LARGE PREY SPECIES

Deer/Antelope: SJ, A, K, N, SS, B

There are a variety of deer that live in and around the River Twine valley. Most of the deer are rather smallish and don’t stand much taller than most elves. However they are a staple of the elves diet as well as many other predators. Generally only the males have antlers that grow in the spring and fall off after the mating season in autumn. Deer hide is the most commonly tanned leather because it’s supple, easy to work with and plentiful. Antlers can be used for various types of tools, weapons, decoration and even furniture. Antlers are either taken during the hunt or in the case of clickdeer, gathered after the animal has shed their antlers.

Clickdeer (Caribou/Reindeer) SJ, A, K, B

These deer are slightly larger than most other deer, each animal weighing up to 300 – 500 lbs and stands about 3 – 4 ft at the shoulders. However; they travel in massive groups of up to 10,000 animals in one herd and are a main food source for elves and humans. In late fall, clickdeer are clove-brown with a white neck, rump, and feet and often have a white flank stripe. During the rest of the year they are mainly clove brown to reddish brown. Clickdeer have large, concave hoofs that spread widely to support the animal in snow and soft tundra. The feet also function as paddles when they swim. They have four toes that make up each hoof, generally walking on the front two toes but the toes in back clack together while walking making a rather loud clicking noise, which gives them their name. They summer in northern regions and winter in southern regions a several days journey from the holt. Clickdeer are the only deer in which both male and female have antlers and therefore are very difficult to tell the difference in gender. Males carry antlers from late spring to late fall, and females when pregnant can carry their antlers until spring. In order to keep with "The Way" in their hunting practices the elves conduct a winter hunt and only take down those without antlers.

Marshbeast/Water Deer (Moose) SJ, A

Largest of all the deer. This water loving monster of a deer stands about 8-9 feet at the shoulder and can weigh in excess of 1800 lbs of meat. These animals are big, dumb, lazy, and stubborn. One of these creatures can feed the entire tribe for a full day or two depending on the size of the animal. Therefore these animals are only hunted when food stores are low. Unlike most deer that travel in herds the Marshbeasts are generally solitary creatures only coming together during the mating season when the males battle each other over females that they herd together into harems. After mating the females are on their own and everyone goes their separate ways. Often having two offspring at a time, calves only stay with their mothers for two years before going off on their own. Only the males have antlers, which grow in the spring and eventually fall off after mating season. A full set of antlers can be used as a framework for a large loom, a harp, and sometimes even a framework for a sitting area or bedding. The hides are extremely thick which also makes them very durable. Coincidently marshbeast hide can be a challenge to work with, so their hides are generally used specifically for winter clothing. Because of their sheer mass they are extremely dangerous, several elves have been pinned beneath this behemoth and/or trampled by their hooves.

Branch-horn (Elk) SJ, A, K

Second largest deer in the area, standing at about 5ft high at the shoulder and weighing up to 1200 pounds. These deer have massive branch-like antlers that sweep back over the shoulders and have a gray-brown body, with a white rump, and dark brown-black legs and neck. Branch-horns are migrating deer that travel in small herds. Sometimes the herd contains a dominant male, but is mostly made up of a harem of calves and cows, while nearby, but separate from the herd, can be found small bands of mature bulls. During the mating season bulls will "bugle" to challenge each other vocally, and eventually the challenge becomes physical. The high pitched eerie sounding "bugle" is the signal to the elves that it’s time to hunt.

Rocksheep (Big Horn sheep) SJ, A, K

This alpine sheep has tan or brown fur with a white belly, rump and muzzle. It is most noted for its large curved crescent shaped horns. The males have large, thick curving horns, while the female's horns are more slender and less curved. Males weigh between 125-300 pounds, females weigh between 75-200 pounds. Rocksheep are good climbers and jumpers. Its hooves are hard around the outside and soft on the inside, which help give them traction on slippery rocks. Rocksheep live in alpine meadows, mountain slopes and foothills. They like areas with rocky slopes they can climb to evade predators. During the mating season, the adult males engage in fierce jousting matches and crash head-on into each other with an impact that can be heard a mile away.

Mountain Goat SJ, A, K

The only white-coated hoofed animals in the area. These sure-footed goats thrive in the steep, broken terrain of the mountaintops to the north of the holt. Both sexes have horns and are rather difficult to differentiate between genders. The animals are quite docile but they are very difficult to hunt due to the rugged terrain in which they live. Their coats are highly prized by the staunchest of hunters. A mountain goat pelt is a sure sign of the hunters prowess, and agility considering most wolves won’t navigate the sheer cliffs of the mountaintops.

Shagback (Musk Ox) SJ, A, K

The Shagback is a stocky, long-haired animal with a slight shoulder hump and a very short tail. They travel in large herds along the northern tundra like planes several days journey away from the holt. Both male and female have horns, but the males horns are solid all the way across the head, whereas the females are separated. These animals stand 4’ –5’ high and weigh between 400-600 lbs full grown. The shagback has two coats, a long course outer coat that touches the ground, and a short fine undercoat that is similar to wool. The outer coat is a dark brown color with a cream colored "saddle" on the back and cream colored legs. The fine undercoat is shed periodically and can be used for spinning yarn, simply called "shag". Elves can gather this shag off of shrubs and trees that naturally comb the animals as they pass by. These animals are hunted mainly in the winter, as they travel closer to the Holt for the winter. When shagbacks are attacked they group together in a large circle side by side with the young in the center and all of the adults circled around them head and horns facing out.

SMALL PREY SPECIES & FURBEARERS

The elves of the River Twine Holt share their forests with a wide variety of smaller forest dwellers. Some of these creatures are highly valued for their quality furs; others are scavengers who the elves must protect their own dens from. While elves regularly prefer to hunt large game, smaller game like rabbits, hares, marmots, squirrel, and even voles, mice and quillrats can be important prey species, and the tribe will subsist on them with larger game are scarce. Additionally, some of these woodland neighbors can be considered dangerous (like the stubborn badger, and the ferocious stinkbear), while others like the whitestripe or the quillrat can have their own natural defenses turned to creative use by the craftsmen and troublemakers of the Holt.

As a general note, many of the fur-bearers are captured in traps and clubbed in order to insure the integrity of the pelt. Other common hunting methods are indicated (A=Arrow, B=Bola, C=Club, K=Knife, N=Net, SJ = Spear/Javelin, SS = Sling, T=Trap)

Badger SS, A, K, C,

Badgers are sturdy, fierce creatures who are respected for their stubbornness. Like stinkbears, badgers are capable of fighting off much larger animals such as wolves, coyotes and bear, and aren’t neighbors the elves take lightly. Badgers are largely carnivorous, eating everything from grubs to small rodents, salmon, ground-nesting birds, lizards, and more. They can burrow very quickly to get at prey underground, and have a particular taste for elven storage caches.,

Bats (big brown bat, big-eared bat, little brown bat, red bat)

There are a variety of bat species living around the Holt. These nocturnal mammals are all insect eaters, and play an important role in controlling the number of insects. All bat species in the River Twine area hibernate during the winter, and the elves know of several caves where hibernating bats gather in countless numbers. It is worth noting that elves do not fear bats or have the same aversion to these delicate, flying creatures that many human cultures do.

Fox A, K, SS

The fox is a familiar scavenger and hunter throughout the Holt’s forest. These slender canines are respected for their cleverness, even though they regularly steal from the elves’ traps, and will try to steal from kills. The fox is usually 22-25 inches tall and from 6 to 15 lbs in weight, and while most of the foxes around the Holt are red, a striking blue/grey phase is not unusual (approximately 10% of fox kits whelped will be blue phase). The fox dines on a diet of rodents, insects, fruits, worms, eggs, birds, and other small animals. They are often (but not exclusively) monogamous, and have distinctively slit pupils, similar to a cat’s.

Ground Squirrels & Marmots (Chipmunk, Woodchuck, Marmot) SS, K, C, T

There are a variety of ground squirrels living in the different regions of the Holt. They all build sometimes extensive burrows, and respected for how well they gather and cache their food. Chipmunks are the smallest of the ground squirrels. These energetic little hoarders stockpile caches of food against the winter cold, and play an important role in scattering the seeds and spores of a variety of plant and fungi species. While they are an important prey species for many smaller predators, chipmunks are opportunistic omnivores, and sometimes will be mobbed by songbirds to chase them away from nesting areas.

Woodchuck is a heavy-bodied ground squirrel similar to a marmot. The woodchuck prefers to build its burrow in grassy areas in meadows or on the fringes of the forest.

Marmots are large ground squirrels who are commonly found at high elevations (such as the slopes of mountainous areas of the Holt). They eat many types of grasses, berries, lichens, mosses, roots and flowers. Marmots generally live in burrows and hibernate during the winter; they can be highly social, and use loud whistles to communicate with one another, especially when alarmed. Varieties of marmot include the yellow-bellied marmot, the hoary marmot, and the brown-footed marmot. They can make for good eating, especially in the autumn when they’re fat.

Mice & Voles (Deer Mouse, Pack Rat, Jumping Mouse, Meadow Voles,Red-Backed Vole, Bog Lemming, etc.) SS, K, C

There are several varieties of the Mouse family living the forests of the Holt, including the deer mouse, the woodrat, the meadow vole, and the jumping mouse. Deer mice are the most common rodents in the forest, and occupy a variety of habitats, ranging from meadows to mixed forest to even the open grassland to the east. They can breed once a month, year-around, and as prolific as they are, these tiny, nocturnal creatures are an important food source for other predators (owls, weasels, badgers, fox, and more); in very lean seasons, elves and wolves will eat them as well.

The jumping mouse is a related cousin of the deer mouse, who when disturbed can jump great distances. They start off with enormous bounds of eight or ten feet in length, which soon diminish to three or four; and in leaping the feet scarcely seem to touch the ground.

The packrat (or woodrat) has a bushy tail and soft grey fur; it prefers drier regions of the Holt, and builds a complex nest of twigs and, when it can, soft and flexible items stolen from the elves. The meadow vole (or field mouse) prefers moist open areas such as meadows. They make runways through the surface growth in warm weather and tunnel through the snow in winter. They feed on grasses, sedges and seeds, sometimes eating snails and insects.

Mice do live in close quarters with elves and like to raid elven storage caches of all types. Mice predation is of particular concern regarding the safety of the cocooned members of the tribe, and there is often a Preserver stationed with the wrapstuffed cocoons.

Muskrat SJ, N, C, T

Another aquatic rodent that is smaller than the slaptails but are very similar to them in every way except for their rat-like tails. They generally grow no bigger than 2 feet long including tail.

Otter SJ, A, K, N, C

Otters are large aquatic weasels. The river otter is a stocky mammal with short legs, a neck no smaller than its head, inconspicuous ears, and a muscular body that is broadest at the hips. Its tail is powerful and a little more than a third as long as its head and body. Only the hind feet are webbed. Adults weigh 15 to 35 pounds (6.8-15 kg) and are 40 to 60 inches (102-152 cm) in length. Their coats consist of a very dense undercoat as well as a covering of long guard hairs, making it extremely warm, and is also very oily, providing a natural waterproofing. Otter pelts range in color from a light brown to black with a lighter shade on the belly. Otters spend the majority of their time sleeping in underground burrows, with their remaining time spent in the water. They are extremely playful and curious creatures, and while they are very graceful swimmers, they are also surprisingly swift on land as well. Otters are carnivores, mainly eating aquatic creatures including fish, frogs, rock-cousins, scooters, and even small mammals and birds. If there is too much food for one meal, the otter will discard it and leave it for scavengers to finish. Otters also have a number of different vocalizations, including growls, hissing, caterwauling, mumbling sounds, chirps, and whines.

Quillrat (Porcupine) SJ, C

Quillrats are large grey or brown rodents (generally 25-36 inches/60-90 cm long without tail, and weighing in between 12 and 35 lbs/5-16 kg) who are covered in a coat of very sharp spines. These barbed quills are easily detached and, once caught on an attacker’s skin, these barbs will be pulled deeper into tissue by an animal’s natural muscle movement . Needless to say, quillrats are generally given a wide berth by most predators. Elves, however, prize a quillrat’s pelt, as those needle-sharp quills can be cleaned, debarbed, dyed, and used as decorative beads. Porcupines will sometimes stray right into the Holt proper, in search of salty antlers or sweat-stained leather garments to chew on.

Rabbits and Hares (Cottentail Rabbit,Common Rabbit, Snowshoe Hare, etc.), SS, K,C,A, T

There are several types of rabbits (or ravvit -- same creature, different names) and hares living in the River Twine Holt’s forests and valleys, with the most numerous being the common rabbit and the snowshoe hare. Both rabbits and hares are a staple prey species for elves of the Holt, and are also valued as well for their soft pelts. A general rule of thumb is that rabbits live underground in burrows or warrens, while hares live in simple nests above the ground, and usually do not live in groups. Hares are generally larger than rabbits, with longer ears, and have black markings on their fur. The shoeshoe hare’s coat changes to white in the winter.

Ringtail (Raccoon) A, SS, K, C

Ringtails are a common scavenger in the region of the Holt. They are omnivorous and extremely clever, and as such are often regarded as thieves and troublemakers by the elves. Ringtails range from 20 to 40 inches in length (tail included) and weigh between 10 to 35 lbs. Ringtails are unusual in that they have thumbs, allowing them to open closed containers or manipulate door flaps. Local populations of ringtails are aware that Preserver silk equals an easy meal, and storage rooms at the Holt must be protected from these opportunists (indeed, there have been two close calls where ringtails have managed to get into the den where the wrapstuffed elves are kept!); Preservers and wolves alike tend to keep a sharp eye en for these mischievous thieves; ringtails are also respectable fighters, and can be a handful.

Slaptails (Beaver) SJ, N, C

The largest of all the rodents, these animals can grow up to 4 ft long (not including their enormous tail). This aquatic rodent patrols all the various waters of the River Twine valley. A heavy chestnut brown coat over a warm soft underfur keeps the animal comfortable in all temperatures above and below water. Slaptails also have large, webbed feet and a very distinctive broad, paddle-like tail that measures about 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. This tail can be used as a rudder when swimming, and when they feel threatened they violently slap their tails against the water and dive for safety. Slaptails are industrious creatures who will build dams along streams and waterways, creating mini water habitats and wetlands for fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic creatures. They also build lodges for dens near the water; these lodges always have at least two exits, one leading to land, the other leading to water. Although slaptails are very graceful in the water, they are very awkward on land, often waddling as they walk. Their hides are extremely thick and prized; so in order to kill a slaptail without damaging the pelt, they are generally captured and clubbed. Additionally, dried slaptail testicles and castorum (a bitter-tasting secretion with a slightly fetid odor contained in dried preputial or vaginal follicles of male or female slaptail) is valued by the elves as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment, similar to willow bark.

Squirrels (Grey Squirrel, Red Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, etc.) SS, K, C

There are a variety of squirrels living in the River Twine forest. Squirrels are medium-sized rodents with thick, bushy tails. Flying squirrels actually glide by launching off the tops of trees and extending flaps of skin stretched from arms to legs: once they have launched themselves into the air they are highly maneuverable while in flight. Steering is accomplished by adjusting tautness of the parachute-like flaps of skin, largely controlled by a small cartilaginous wrist bone. The tail acts as a stabilizer in flight, much like the tail of a kite.

Unlike deer or rabbits, squirrels cannot digest cellulose, and must rely on foods rich in protein, carbohydrates and fat, such as nuts, seeds, pine cones, fruit, and fungi. They are omnivorous as well, and will sometimes eat insects, eggs, and small birds, frogs, or even carrion. Early spring is the hardest time of year for squirrels, since buried nuts begin to sprout and are no longer available and new food sources have not become available yet. Tree squirrels are typically diurnal, while flying squirrels tend to be nocturnal.

Weasels (Mink, Marten, Stoat/Ermine, etc.) SS, K, C, T

There are several varieties of the weasel family living in the forests of the Holt, including the mink, the marten, and the stoat(ermine). All weasels have long, slender bodies, which enable them to follow their prey into burrows. Their tails are typically almost as long as the rest of their bodies. As is typical of small carnivores, weasels have a reputation for cleverness and guile. Different members of the weasel family are found in differ habitats: for example, martens prefer deep forests, while minks prefer to be in or near the water. Of particular note, for the elves would be the stoat, which has a brown coat in the spring, summer, and autumn, but in winter grows a thick, snow-white coated. During its white-coated phase, the stoat is called an “ermine”, and its winter pelt is highly valued by the elves.

Whitestripe (Striped Skunk or Spotted Skunk) SJ, A, SS, C

The whitestripe is generally 20 inches tall and approximately 7 lbs in weight. They have a moderately elongated body with short, well-muscled legs, and long foreclaw for digging. The most common whitestripe in the Holt’s territory is black with a single thick stripe across its back and tail; far less common are smaller whitestripes with a series of white spots and broken stripes (they smell the same, so a spotted whitestripe is still called a whitestripe). Whitestripes are notorious for their powerful musk. Whitestripes have two glands on either side of the anus which can expel a jet of stinking fluid with surprising accuracy for up to a distance of 7 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters). This fluid can cause skin irritation or even temporary blindness; it can be smelled downwind for up to mile by the human nose (and considerably farther by wolf or elf noses), and is extremely difficult to remove from clothing or gear. As a result, few predators will willingly hunt whitestripes (aside from the Great Horned Owl, which like most owls, has very little sense of smell). Luckily for elven hunters who surprise a whitestripe in the woods, these creatures are reluctant to use their smelly weapon, as they carry only five or six doses of their musk, and require some ten days to produce another supply. Whitestripes will stamp their feet in warning – and it’s the wise hunter takes that chance to get out of spray-range.

PREDATORS

Wolf SJ/A

Wolves are carnivores and have a hierarchy social order in which the Alpha Male and the Alpha female are the primary ones that breed. Other females may breed but the Alpha female chooses whether the cubs live or die. Wolf packs generally cover an area of about 600 square miles. Hunt wolves do not breed with Natural wolves or vice versa.

The Hunt - Elf blooded wolves that are bonded to the elves. Hunt wolves are larger and live longer than natural wolves (about 25-30 year lifespan) because of their elfin heritage. Hunt-blooded wolves can communicate to the elves through a primitive wolf-send or by good old fashioned howling. Hunt-blooded wolves can communicate with natural wolves by howling as well.

Natural – Smaller than the Hunt-blooded wolves, natural wolves rarely come into the Holt proper. Occasionally a lone wolf will stray into the holt area but it is quickly dispatched by the Holt's own pack. Natural wolves are generally only encountered when going on hunts that reach beyond the Holt’s borders.

Brown Bear/Grizzly SJ/A

The brown bear (or grizzly) is the largest of the three types of bears. They can weigh between 500 to 1,200 lbs, can stand on their hind feet up to 9’ tall and are formidable predators. Brown bears are generally only hunted when they come too close to the holt proper, or for self defense. Brown bears are not sought for their pelt as Bearclaw did, but when a bear is killed the pelt is used. Brown bears are omnivors but primarily stock up on Bounty Fish during the summer, along with small and large prey. They are called brown bears but can very in color from dark brown to blonde.

Black Bear SJ/A

Black bear are the smallest and most numerous of the bears found near River Twines Holt. They only stand about 30 inches to the shoulder on all fours, and weigh about 180 - 200 lbs. Black bears are hunted for their pelt because they are a less dangerous and more manageable species. Black bears primarily feed on fish and berries, as well as small game, but they are also good scavengers.

Ghost Bear(Spirit Bear/Kermode Bear) SJ/A

With the exception of the silvery white coat, this bear is similar in shape but slightly larger than the black bear. They can grow up to 300 lbs and primarily eat Bounty fish and small rodents. The humans call them "Spirit Bears" or "Bears of the Mist" because they generally see them near the fish laden streams that are near the hot springs that create a morning fog. This fog is an excellent cover for the bears and they often fish when the fog is present. Some human tribes hunt them for their prize coats, while other tribes worship them. Only the oldest of the elves have seen these bears because they are so scarce and shy.

Mountain Cat (Mountain Lion, Cougar, Puma) SJ/A

These cats have a small, broad head with small rounded ears, a powerful body with long hind legs and tail, which is tipped with black. The color of the fur varies from slate grey, through yellow buff to light reddish brown. As their name implies they primarily inhabit the mountains near the Holt, but are rarely seen in the lowlands near the rivers. Solitary hunters and strict carnivores, these cats are very dangerous and have been known to attack lone elves and even small humans. They will hunt by day or night and will cache its food, if large enough, in dense undergrowth, returning to it over several days. The mountain cat takes down its prey by lunging at it with their powerful hind legs in one large running leap that can reach in excess of 40 feet. These cats stand about 3.5 - 4 ft tall at the shoulders and have a 4 – 6 ft body length.

Tuftcat (Lynx) SJ/A

The largest of the cats in the area resembles an overgrown lynx that can stand 5 ft in height while on all fours. They have thick fur often in shades of light greys and sometimes with orange, brown and/or black patches and a very short stubby tail. Strict carnivores, these huge cats are stalkers, taking down their prey by biting the neck. Although tuft cats have large, sharp claws, their immense bulk does not allow them to climb easily and are therefore ground dwelling only. They do, however, enjoy water and will often bathe and play in shallow pools. Solitary hunters, they are only seen in pairs during mating season and generally have 1-2 kittens per litter.

Snowcat (Snow Leopard) SJ/A

Smaller than the other cat species in the area, it lives primarily in the northern mountains a few days ride from the Holt. Their pelts are prized by human and elf a-like for it’s unique coloration of a predominantly grey body, white belly, chest and chin, and large grey/black spotted markings. The fur is long and woolly and helps protect the cat from the extreme cold of its generally mountainous habitat. The head, which has small ears and a distinctive heavy brow, is rounded and comparatively small for its body size, which can be up to 4 ft in length and weigh up to around 150 lbs. The long tail, which can measure as much as 3 ft, helps the cat balance as it moves over rugged and often snowy terrain. The powerful limbs of the snowcat are relatively short for its body size and are supported by enormous paws that splay out like snowshoes in order to help them evenly distribute their weight upon the snow.

Stinkbear (Wolverine) S/J, A

These ferocious beasts are primarily scavengers, but can be omnivorous and have been known to kill prey as large as a snow-bound marshbeasts. In appearance, they resemble small bears with long tails, and can give off a very strong, unpleasant musk. They are related to weasels but are the largest of their kin, usually ranging from 65-87 cm (24-35 inches) in length (not including tail) and weighing in at 10-25 kg (22-55 lbs). Stinkbears have a stocky, muscular body, short legs, short ears, a broad flat head, and have long curved non-retractable claws, and jaws powerful enough to crush bone or frozen carrion. A stinkbear’s coat animal is generally dark brown to black with a creamy white to gold stripe running from each shoulder along the flanks to the base of the tail; a stinkbear’s pelt is dense and very resistant to frost, making it highly valued by the elves in winter clothing. It is a tenacious, intelligent and temperamental creature. As an opportunist, it has been known to steal prey from traps, and will challenge other hunters for their prey. Stinkbears are highly respected by the elves, but they are particularly rare within the Holt’s territory, as the elves prize their pelts; they are more numerous in the Guardian Mountains, north of the Holt.

SNAKES

Blacksnake: the blacksnake is a large, aggressive and fast-moving sub-species related to the cobra. It is overall a shiny black on top with a red or crimson belly. It is found in a wide variety of habitats but tends to be seen in moister areas, particularly near water. Gives birth to 8-40 live young at a time.

Lace snake (garter snake): grows anywhere between 18 and 54 inches long, thin body with a tapered head, coloration can very widely including green, olive, brown, or black with 3 lighter colored stripes down its back, named because it is long and thin like a lace, large groups of these snakes tend to hibernate together in a den during the winter, lace snakes eat bugs and small animals as well as eggs.

Rattlesnake (Eastern massasauga rattlesnake): grows between 24 and 36 inches, grey with black spots, tail is tipped with a light grey rattle, prefers forests and fields near water, if the snake feels threatened it will shake the rattle on its tail producing a buzzing sound, venomous snake that will eat frogs or other snakes but prefers warm-blooded prey like mice, because their prey is generally mice and voles it uses small amounts of venom in a bite so it would be painful but not deadly in larger creatures (including elves).

Snowmouth snake (cottonmouth/water moccasin): grows between 30 and 48 inches, heavy thick body, either dark brown or black colored, a cross banded pattern is sometimes visible on the sides, found in forested wetlands and lakes, very good swimmer, when threatened it will open its mouth displaying the white color it gets its name from but if left alone it will usually leave, venomous snake that preys on fish and other small animals, as long as anti-inflammatory herbs and infection prevention methods are taken a bite is unlikely to kill and adult elf or human, venom will cause extremely painful swelling and necrosis in the area which may potentially cause an amputation of an affected limb, a bite could kill the weak such as a small child or sickly person.

Treesnake (black rat snake): can grow up to 8 feet long (96 inches), solid black with a white belly, very agile climber, a powerful constrictor that preys on birds and small mammals.

Two-Head snake (rubber boa): grows between 14 and 33 inches, solid red-brown color, has a short wide head and a blunt tail which makes it look like it has a head on both ends, good burrower that likes damp woodland areas, prehensile tail that makes it a good climber, preys on small animals which it crushes in its coils prior to devouring, docile creature, if picked up it will curl in a ball.

Watersnake (copper-bellied water snake): grows between 48 and 60 inches long, black body with an orange belly, excellent swimmer that preys exclusively on aquatic species, tends to avoid contact with elves

Wormsnake: grows between 7 and 11 inches, slender body, resembles a worm, dark brown body with a pinkish belly, found in woodland areas usually under deadfall, good burrower, eats live worms and small soft bodied insects.

SHELLBACKS (Turtles)

Stinker (common musk turtle): only grows to be 4 ½ inches long, grayish-green in coloration, spends the majority of its time in the water eating bugs and tiny aquatic life, basks in the sun infrequently, hibernates buried in the mud during the winter, secretes a foul smelling odor when threatened

Snapper (common snapping turtle): carapace of this turtle can be between 8 and 19 inches, has brown or olive coloration, shell is jagged toward the back, turtle has a long tail and a large mouth with a strong jaw, omnivorous, prefers areas near water with lots of rocks for sunning themselves, docile creatures for the most part when in water but very aggressive on land, will hiss and attempt to bite if cornered on land.

FROGS

Croaker (bull frog): body length between 3 ½ to 6 inches, greenish-brown colored and could have spots, has a large mouth, voracious eater that will consume anything it can fit in its mouth, has a very load moaning croak.

Peeper (Northern spring peeper): body length between ¾ to 1 ¼ inch, brown colored with a darker x shape across the back, the males throats expand to almost the same size as their body when calling, their call is a high pitched “peep peep peep.”

Tree frog (Pacific tree frog): body length ranges in size from ¾ to 1 inch, green skin with a black stripe over each eye, stay near water during the breeding season but climb all over to find a suitable home outside that season, during breeding season the males led by the dominant form a chorus to attract females, their call is formed of 2 distinct part sounding like “krick-ick”

SALAMANDERS & LIZARDS

Bloodbelly lizard (red-bellied newt): grows to be around 3 inches long, has a black back and a bright red belly, lives underground most of its life, only coming aboveground to return to the stream it was born in for mating purposes, mates every 3 years, very shy, if confronted will arch its back and lift its head and tail to expose the red belly, skin secretes a potent poison, poison could be absorbed through the skin but washing after handling will neutralize it, poison is deadly if ingested, poison is a neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles until the victim can no longer breathe or the heart stops, poison begins to take effect within 10 minutes, the poison permeates the body causing it to be inedible so it is therefore not used as a weapon by the elves

Freckled lizard (blue spotted salamander): grows between 4 and 5 inches long, has a shiny black body flecked with bright blue spots, lives in moist forestland, not a burrower so it hides under leaves and deadfall, eats bugs, secretes a noxious odor when threatened and detach it's own tail to escape a predator, a new tail will eventually grow in if lost

Mudpuppy: also called lizardfish, this salamander that spends its entire life in the water, has gills for breathing underwater, grows to between 8 and 13 inches, coloration varies between beige and red-brown and sometimes has black spotted lines on its back, gills are red and puffy, has 4 legs

Snaketail (Western skink): grows between 6 and 9 inches, skin is brown with white or beige stripes along the sides, has a long bright blue tail which can be up to twice as long as the body, tail will come off easily.

A NOTE ON WHAT YOU WILL NOT FIND IN THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE RIVER TWINE HOLT

The temperature in River Twine makes it a temperate zone. Therefore some creatures will not find the area hospitable. Here is a short list of what you never see in our forests and plains.

• There are no dinosaurs of any type in this ecosystem nor are there large reptiles such as alligators or crocodiles. The weather simply is not warm and wet enough for these creatures. There are turtles, snakes, and lizards but nothing gigantic. Also, manatees require tropical water temperatures so they will not be in the ocean or rivers near River Twine.

• There are no Arctic Circle animals such as polar bears or walruses. It is just not cold enough for these animals even during the winter months. There are shaggy bison-like animals, timber wolves, and caribou in the icy area above the Guardian Mountains but that area is not cold enough for polar bears or walruses either. • There are no jungle animals such as gorillas or monkeys.

• River Twine doesn’t have African animals such as elephants, zebra, ostriches, hyenas, or wildebeest. Camels and the ElfQuest canon offshoot, the zwoot, are creatures which thrive in dry areas are not appropriate to this ecosystem either. There are big cats in River Twine but not African lions, cheetahs, or tigers.

• Australian animals like kangaroos, koala bears, or platypuses are too different from the other animals in our ecosystem to have evolved side-by-side. Therefore they will not be included.

• There are some creatures, such as penguins, which can only thrive in areas where they have no real predators. So penguins will not be making appearances in the Holt either.

• There are many deep sea creatures that exist in the waters off the Holt’s coast. However, unless it’s a creature that also comes to the surface, our elves have no true experience with them. They haven’t seen living specimens of shark, squid, jellyfish, and deep sea fish. Once in a while, dead animals will wash up on shore but that would be the extent of the elves knowledge of these animals.

• While we are dealing with a community of elves, which are relegated to the world of fantasy, other fantastical creatures do not make River Twine their home. Therefore you will not see unicorn, dragons, chimera, kobolds, gnomes, centaurs, or anything of that persuasion.

• River Twine's world should not be assumed to have the same mix of elf tribes/groups found in EQ canon (Gliders, Sun Folk, etc.). The River Twine tribe's legends (based on fact) imply that there may be other elves out there in the world, since this tribe was formed by splitting off from another group. But, our elves do not know anything about other elf groups or their locations, and cannot even be sure that other elves still survive elsewhere..

If there are any animals that are not listed here but not on the list of animals included in the Holt, feel free to contact the Council at council@rivertwine.com for a ruling. Please use common sense in your requests, though. This ecosystem is based on the mid-North American forest and plains.