Wolpertinger
The wolpertinger is not a natural creature but a chimera created by Julius Elwin, that he made as a "sport." By looks it is mostly a rabbit, but with a deer's antlers and an owls wings. In hindsight, he believes that he was guided in their creation by another being (Aeon perhaps). They are shy woodland creatures.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The wolpertinger can come in many forms, but the differences usually stay within the same species as listed above. Some type of rabbit/hare, a horned ungulate, and a bird/usually predatory.
Genetics and Reproduction
The wolpertinger's DNA is considered dominant with any potential mate. They can crossbreed with rabbits/hare and rarely with other similar small mammals such as squirrels and those in the weasel family. These pairings capture some of the characteristics of the other species, but the wolpertinger's DNA always wins out.
Ecology and Habitats
They prefer to live in alpine forests and mountainous areas, although they have been known to spread out when more territory is needed.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The creature is vegetarian, it can eat almost anything, like a goat. Interestingly, its favorite food is the tops of the tallest trees and hardy mountain plants. When they are in need of certain minerals, they have been known to eat insects or bird eggs.
They dislike deep water, shallow water is fine, but anything deep or with a strong current is out.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Wolpertingers are usually solitary creatures, except in mating season.
Domestication
Some have started raising them similar to rabbits and other fur-bearing animals.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
They have been raised for the oriculum eggs they lay and their fur. Some also lately have come in search of their antlers, because they eat oriculum laced plant life, the more radiant their antlers become. Some customers have come to appreciate buttons and other accents made from them.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Keen senses, lowlight vision, flight, blink, stealth, scent.
Civilization and Culture
History
This was a difficult process, and many of his virtual subjects died in the computer models until he finally found a viable creation. He discovered that he needed to stabilize the heartbeat of the creature before it could survive. Eventually, he started live trials and found out if he added the need to hibernate, it extended their lifespan.
Wolpertingers prefer to nest in the hollows of trees instead of tunnels, because of their antlers. Some have developed new styles to antlers, swept-back, or spiraled. This helps them to not get caught on branches and to be able to use tunnels for shelter.
He discovered after retrieving a few of his subjects and studying them, that because of their preferred food, they were building up a concentration of oriculum in their system and it was poisoning them. So Jules decided to add a twist to his creature, the ability to lay eggs, like a platypus. These “eggs” are not their young but a way for them to expel the toxins they have accumulated.
This concentrated the oriculum into the shells, which was a good side effect. He programmed them to travel to a certain location to expel these eggs, so they could be collected at need.
When it was discovered that the Wolpertinger laid oriculum eggs, many people tried catching them, but they are notoriously hard to catch let alone see. So instead, Elwin, an enterprising young rabbit breeder decided to set out some female rabbits in heat hoping to entice some lucky males to breed with them. This worked and made the breeder very happy and rich. He soon struck up a trade with an Atlan metallurgist to smelt his eggs so he could then sell to anyone of interest.
Elwin soon had a good business but found out how hard it was to gain the trust of his new charges. Like deer, wolpertingers don't gain the full growth or their antlers until they mature. He got a laugh when they were learning to fly, they were very clumsy at first. Elwin had a scare when one of his "flock" began to blink to and grow, then a few others soon learned the trick. He was glad that he was able to train them to come back to their hutch at feeding time after they were done with their explorations.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Lepus axis athene chimaeram
Lifespan
20 years
Average Height
8 in at the shoulder
Average Weight
8 lbs
Average Length
26 in body, 3 in tail, 4 in ears
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Coloring depends on the terrain they live in and the season. In the summer their fur usually comes in shades of brown, gray, and black. In the winter they are mostly white, but with light browns and grays as well.
Geographic Distribution
Related Myths
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