Embedded Files
Overview
Overview
Ravenian Bison are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae. A distant cousin of Oxen, Winter Cows, Buffallos, and other similar species, Ravenian Bisons cover most of the Selyrian North, from the forests of Drasek, to the cold regions of Trost.
They are well known for their leather, as it is the strongest leather in the world.
Shifter Class
- C
Tamability Class
- C
Rarity
- Very Common
Habitat
- Ravena
- Ravenhill
- Southern Drasek
- Western Karthus
Description
Description
The Ravenian Bison is a type of cattle or Bovine that covers the Northern Regions of Selyria. Although as their names suggest their most common place to stay, their habitat can span the Northwest kingdoms of the continent, usually on the Northern parts of Ravena, and the Dukedom of House Deschenel. It stands at about 2.4 to 3 meters tall, and has a weight range of 500 to 1500 Kilograms.They have a very thick coat of fur, and unlike their cousins, they do not have sweat glands. This is due to evolution, as a way to store more heat during the cold winter months.
They are typical artiodactyl (cloven hooved) ungulates, and are similar in appearance to other bovines such as cattle and true buffalo. They are broad and muscular with shaggy coats of long hair.
Ravenian Bison are currently the largest type of Bovine species in the known world. Their coat is often used for clothing, but what makes them notable is their hide. Along with the iconic reddish color of this leather, this type of leather is the lightest, most durable, and most flexible of all types of Selyria. And it could even match against the hardness of steel in some cases. But doing this requires a lot of work and manpower. Which is why only the most elite scouts of the Ravenian Military tend to wear this type of leather.
Behavior
Behavior
Although most are usually bred for leather, coat, milk, meat, and other types of resources, Ravenian Bison usually roam around the regions of Northern Selyria. They usually migrate from Ravena to Hreinngar, although there are herds that Migrate from Karthus to Vontur. With this however, it is important to note what the Ravenian Bison usually do when they are in the wild.
Horns of Ravenian Bison are usually longer for males than it is for females. Females usually prefer males who have longer horns and a bigger body. These Bisons are very social, and will always stick to groups for survival. One such recorded incidence showed that some Bisons would even let in other bisons from other herds to be part of their group. And usually, other types of herbivore species follow along in these migrations.
Ravenian Bison usually mate around the middle stages of winter, usually in the month of Fructidor. Females usually do not mate until they are 3 years old. Males, on rare occasions, would then compete for these females by headbutting each other. However, most herds have an equal ratio of males to females.So these instances of competitions for mating are a rare sight to see. In most cases, these battles are usually done for dominance and control over the herd. Offsprings are usually born within early Autumn. These bison will have a reddish coat when born, which will turn dark brown as they grow into adulthood.
A young bison is called a ‘calf’. These calves can weigh up to 16 to 33 kilograms. Calves will usually instantly stand up to follow the herd. Although anomalies may sometimes occur, especially when a calf does not stand up instantly, these calves are usually abandoned as the herd would usually continue on without them.
Evolutionary researchers believe that these instances are what gave way for Ravenian Bison to be domesticated by Ravenians in the first place. As abandoned bison calves would be adopted by hunters and farmers to be used as meat, mounts, and other tribal needs, thus creating a culture around these bison as somewhat of a deity figure.
Wallowing is a common behavior of bison. A bison wallow is a shallow depression in the soil or snow, either wet or dry. Bison roll in these depressions, covering themselves with snow, mud, or dust. Possible explanations suggested for wallowing behavior include grooming behavior associated with molting, male-male interaction (typically rutting behavior), social behavior for group cohesion, play behavior, relief from skin irritation due to biting insects, reduction of ectoparasite load (ticks and lice), and thermoregulation. In the process of wallowing, bison may become infected by the fatal disease anthrax, which may occur naturally in the soil.
Bison temperament is often very tame with humans, although they will be very aggressive if they sense a threat. They usually appear peaceful, unconcerned, even lazy, yet they may attack anything if provoked. They can move at speeds up to 40 kilometers per hour and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop.
As for domesticated Ravenian Bison, they are often treated with respect. Ravenian Culture gives massive importance to treating these creatures with the utmost care. If they are to be killed, they must be killed painlessly. And all their parts must be used. Most Ravenian Bison are easy to tame, and are often used for transportation by the local indegenous tribes of the Northern Lands, especially with Shifter natives of Ende.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse