Species Info

Algolope - 'Almost Rabbits'

Algolope are a large species of land-bound rabbit-like dragons, commonly found in many biomes, including Taiga, Plains, Mountains, and Deserts. While they often avoid Swamps and Jungles, this is merely due to problems navigating the terrain, due to their size and need for open space for hunting and running. While the common Algolope is not found in these areas, there are rumors of sightings of smaller more agile cousins, though it's not been confirmed. The species itself is native to the continent of Tamaranth, a large region split by mountains and with variable climates. 

In the far north there is a cousin species of a much larger size, but sightings are rare and little is understood of this species.

Algolopes are distinguished mainly by their primarily Rabbit-like head and hind legs, deep chest and lean body, with a fur-less and scaled belly, throat, and  underside of the tail. They hunt mainly in packs, much like common wolves, and often many members of the pack are siblings originating from a dominant wild pair. Their main skill is running down the stamina of their prey, and while they cannot bite to deliver killing blows, they use a large stinger at the end of their semi-opposable tail as well as their claws. The edges of the stinger are also capable of slashing, and Algolope hunters usually achieve this by chasing down and toppling their prey, while another pounces on the animal and delivers a killing blow.

Algolope speed is rivaling that of a cheetah, though their endurance is much more developed, and while they don't chase prey at all times at a full sprint, they often trot or lope after, gaining the second part of their name. Domesticated Algos are used in competitive racing and as work-animals to manage herds and flocks of livestock. Some keep them as riding animals without interest in the sporting side, and others like to show off their Algos in conformation or agility courses. Generally anything a horse would be used for there's a sister sport or use in Algos. Particularly tame Algos could be used to pull carts or carriages and as long travel companions or pack animals.

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The species has tamed lines dating back several hundred years, and generally they are rather placid and well tempered as long as they are keep entertained and fed. Tamed Algolope, and in rare cases, wild counterparts have a habit of bonding with a single individual, strengthening this bond often leads to rather loyal and fierce animals that would  fight to the death to protect their riders or owners if it came to it. 

Wild Algos are a mix of truly wild creatures as well as feral populations and are rounded up or tracked on occasion to be tamed and adopted out to new prospects. These algos can be a bit more difficult to work with but are often hardier and stronger than their domestic counterparts, and may also introduce new bloodlines and mutations. 

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Dragons and Algolope
Being a draconic species, albeit landbound like drakes, Algolopes do not hunt or fight other dragons unless needed. They are considered kindred species and Algolopes are known to be able to communicate with wild dragons, both the lesser variety and the giants or Greater Dragons. While they may not be friendly to all dragons, and the latter towards Algolopes,  there is an unspoken rule among draconic beings to respect the territory and ways of other dragons.

Intelligence
While used as mounts and for racing, Algolopes are considered rather intelligent and can form strong bonds with members of their pack or even their riders and handlers. It's considered a mutual relationship when Algolopes do tasks for humanoids, and often with expectation of reward or other offerings such as shelter and steady food supply. Algolopes who are mistreated or abandoned will take matters into their own claws and find a new place for themselves, whether that's a new rider or handler, or becoming what's known as 'Feral'.  Algolope do not accept 'Owners' and seem to react poorly when spoken or treated as property or livestock.

Algolopes keep grudges, much like their larger cousins, once shunned an Algolope will remember it forever and can be quite spiteful or troublesome for any individual who betrays their trust. Local villages often kick out humanoid individuals known to mistreat their Aglos, not wishing for the wrath of the creature and whatever it brings with to befall their settlements.

Capabilities
While intelligent, Algolopes physically cannot manipulate objects to the same degree as humanoids, they cannot build structures outside of digging or excavating a den or burrow. Algolopes will however take over ruins and structures abandoned by humans and live in them. They can modify such structures with natural materials, such as small logs, leaves, and plants to create woven roofs much like a bird creating a nest.

With their semi-opposable dewclaws, they have limited gripping and manipulation abilities. Algolope are often limited to holding objects in their paw or against the ground, if lightweight, and cannot carry objects or have precise manipulation like a human would. Using both paws, tail and mouth, they may be able to pick up or roll objects, an example being moving rocks to create circles of stones or cairns.

Their paws are mostly animal like, with 4 toes and a dewclaw on the front feet, and four toes on the hind. While they can manipulate things partially, such as holding a bone still, or picking up and setting aside a small object, they often use their mouth to carry objects or kits while moving. This includes carrying or dragging smaller prey or food, materials, and objects.

With human aid they can assist with construction projects, but cannot use human tools. For example, an algolopes sheer size and strength can be useful for erecting posts, lifting a framed wall, or carrying heavy loads. They do not have the fine motor control that humanoids have and is also why algolope may work in mutual interest with humans for various tasks.

Their tails can be used as both a weapon and a tool for manipulation, such as slipping the flat end of the stinger under an object to lever it up. They can hook things using the smooth upper edge of the stinger, and with their tail being quite flexible, the could then put that hooked object above them or on a shelf for example. If they are equipped or dressed in tack by a human, they can use their tail to open saddle bags or put objects inside.  The tail itself is not flexible enough to be prehensile or to grip around objects, but it is surprisingly sturdy and strong and can hold much more weight than seems apparent.

Reproduction:

Wild Algolope often mate for life, living in a family comprised of their offspring. When a Pack gets too large, the younger members often depart to form their own packs and territories. Tamed individuals aren’t so picky, often being together only long enough to complete breeding, and then being separated for their safety. The exception is when a rider or breeder chooses to let their Algolope pick its mate and do not interfere otherwise.

Most Algolope breed at 2 years of age, and females are capable of producing a litter once a year until they reach the age of 30, afterwards they are retired. Male Algolope can continue to breed until 40. However young or inexperienced Algolope cannot breed more than 5 times, as it's monitored and prevented  past that to keep the breed healthy and strong. Once an Algolope reaches a higher rank, their owners are trusted to breed them more often, though still with regulations for the algos safety and health.

Litters

A female Common Algolope often produces litters of 1-4 kits, and in very rare cases 5. It's also not unheard of for low-rank and inexperienced Algolope pairs to produce empty litters, even if the breeding seemed successful.

On very very rare chance, mutations can surface in a few kits, often gaining the breeder or owner a large sum of money should they desire to sell it, or keep it for future breeding.

Inbreeding

Inbreeding in Algolope is often dangerous and heavily frowned upon as it mucks up the lineage and causes the offspring to either be stillborn or with defects such as malformed spines, stingers, blindness, brittle or weak bones, infertility, as well as deafness. While these animals can be tended and cared for, they are often banned from races, and many events. On occasion Blind animals can be taught to hunt or fish, but they are never allowed to race.

Retirement

Even with the general retirement and breeding limits, it's possible to breed a retired Legendary Algolope 5 more times. Though with each subsequent breeding, the health of both the dam, and/or sire, and kits may be decreased, and the chances of small litters or empty litters also increased with each breeding. The only safe way to ensure the health of the sire, dam, and kits, and to prevent stillborn or empty litters, is to hire breeding specialists. This is often accomplished by purchasing a Specialist Ticket per slot, and ensures at least 1 kit per slot, with no detriment to the health of the kits or parents. Please note that you do not need to do this to breed past the 28f/38m retirement slots, though the health and success of the litter is not guaranteed. 

Diet

Algolope are Omnivores, and tamed individuals can be fed a mixture of vegetables and meats. Wild Algolope often subsist primarily on fresh meats and fish, since steady access to greenery may not always be available. Young Algolope feed on a mush of partially digested meats and plant matter, though tamed individuals can be substituted a formula of milk, ground meat, and soft fruits. While it’s not the most desirable combination, particularly to those that have to feed the young, it does provide them with balanced nutrients and promotes their healthy growth. 

Common Tamed Algolopes:

Age:
Algolope are considered Kits when 6 months or younger, and Juveniles when under 2 years.

Average Lifespan: 40- 50 years

Maturity: 2 years

Female Retirement: 30 Years (28 slots at Legend Rank)

Male Retirement: 40 Years (38 Slots at Legend Rank)

Litters:
Litter size is dependent on the Dam, as well as whether kits are Tamed or Wild.

Average Litter Size: 1-4

Height:
Most Tamed Algo are bred to be smaller and aptly sized for riding, though there are exceptions, the preferred heights of tamed racing and riding algolope is between 60-72 inches or roughly 15-18HH if compared to a domestic horse.

Giants are rarely encountered via exploration and can stand over 84inches (21HH +)

Small Height: 60-72 inches, 5ft-6ft (15-18HH)
Average Height (withers): 72-80 inches, 6ft to ~6.66 ft (18-20HH)
Large Height: 80-84 inches, ~6.66ft - 7ft (20-21HH)

Acceptable Height Range: 60-84 inches

Average Weight: 700-1000lbs

Land Speed:

Average Land Speed in a Lope: 5-10 mph

Average Sprint Speed (Unencumbered, short distance): 45-72 mph

Average Race Speed (Encumbered): 40 mph
Maximum Speed*(Unencumbered): 60-80 mph 

Long Distance Average Speed: 20-40 mph