Lavellan
Basic Information
Anatomy
Lavellan are semi-aquatic rodents of unusual size, typically resembling a common water shrew, but significantly larger, with a long, fleshy tail almost as long as the rest of their body. It has four legs and paws, thin clawed talons capable of scrambling along the moist environments that it lives.
Air bubbles stick to the short fur of the Lavellan, giving it greater buoyancy to allow it to float.
Genetics and Reproduction
Outside of breeding season, both males and females maintain territory, but during breeding season, only females do so, copulating with migratory males without pair bonding. With a short gestation period, females can produce two or three litters of 4-8 young in a year. Juveniles disperse after weaning.
Ecology and Habitats
The semi-aquatic Lavellan prefers deep water, most commonly stagnant pools or wide, slow moving rivers. Highly territorial, the creatures live solitary existences outside of mating season.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Lavellan is renowned for its toxicity, emitting a toxic miasma that, in significant enough concentration and prolonged exposure, is capable of killing a cow. Their saliva is even more toxic, allowing it to disable and kill prey and defend against predators.
Lavellans primarily feed on crayfish, water snails, small fish, aquatic larvae, insects, spiders, amphibians, and small rodents are also eaten.
Biological Cycle
Lavellan migrate from the upper mountains in theearly spring for mating and foraging, returning to the highlands in the late fall.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The Lavellan is used for two primary purposes, both a result of its toxic nature. Venomous glands can be harvested to make a potent poison or paralytic, and is a primary component of the Saighead Sidhe of the Kornikaned. The pelt of a Lavellan, on the other hand is capable of filtering out toxins with great success, to the point where waterskins made from these are considered to allow for the purest water available. However, the harvest of these pelts must be done with extreme precision, or risk spoiling from the toxic glands of the creature.
Facial characteristics
The head of the Lavellan resembles that of a shrew, with eyes that catch a great deal of light in their period of crepuscular activity.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Originally found largely in the highlands of Albia, Lavellan have spread throughout the Fortunate Isles and Kornôgel, spreading as far South as the County of Tolosa and as far East as the Kingdom of Arle.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Lavellan typically have poor eyesight.
Conservation Status
Continued exposure to Lavellan colonies is dangerous, capable of killing even Bediz and cattle within a 30 meter radius. As a result, farmers will often kill these creatures quickly upon detection. However, their normally remote habitats in the swamps and highlands during much of the year make it unfeasible to control their populations outside of their migratory period, when they are more likely to encounter settled areas.
Average Length
.3 - .6 meters
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Lavellan have a muted appearance, with their short fur appearing in shades of brown, grey and black, with a reddish-brown tint to their ears, snout, feet and tail. Their backs are covered in roughly equal rectangular stripes of fur darker than their base coat. Their undersides are typically a dirty white hue.
Geographic Distribution
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