Atterwug

The natural ally of the Bullywug, these giant tarantulas have gone from a symbiotic companion to a domesticated breed. Varying in size and shape, Atterwugs can serve a number of purposes like transportation, security, and burden-bearing. Most Atterwugs are adapted to their ancestral rainforest environment. Atterwugs are natural burrowers, creating snug cave spaces to live in when left to their own devices, but can be trained to live in houses or barns. Atterwugs are obligate carnivores, varying their diet based on the available food and the functionality of their fangs. Atterwugs are naturally docile towards sentient beings, with particular familiarity with bullywugs and shorter races.
Most common working breeds stand about 3-4ft tall and 5-6ft wide and weigh 500-800lbs, vary in color from deep brown to tan with some sporting greener hues depending on local foliage. Atterwugs normally grow a thick matting of bristles over their bodies resembling fur. While largely decorative, many breeds still possess the irritating bristles of their ancestors on their abdomen. Many owners and breeders will trim their Atterwugs' bristles to fit various purposes or styles. Atterwugs produce a silk similar to smaller spiders, albeat on a larger scale. These silks, unique to each breed, are prized as materials in building and textile works important to Bullywug culture.
Typical Atterwugs can run at an unencumbered speed of 16-41 miles per hour depending on the ambent temperature, with hotter climates producing greater speeds. Atterwugs are surprisingly strong animals for their size, able to lift about 40% of their body weight without problem. However, this ability is limited due to the constraints and vulnerabilities of the Atterwug's anatomy dictating specific load distributions and preventing conventional means of yoking such animals.
Atterwugs typically have very poor eyesight and hearing, requiring tamers and jockies to be close at hand when handling and commanding such creatures. Their superior sense of touch is aided by their ability to spin thin strands of hard silk into wide networks used to detect movement in their environment.
Various breed categories

• Hunting breeds tend to present with larger fangs and front legs, have thicker bristles over their body, and can leap further than their standard cousins
• Riding breeds can be differentiated by their sleeker frames, clean cut bristles, and greater alacrity. Many of this class can nearly match horses for speed at higher temperatures, with the added benefit of being acclimated to the harsh terrain of their native jungles. These breeds are further differentiated into ground and arboreal riding breeds.
• Guard breeds tend to produce thicker, more pliable silk to lay across their assigned territory, produce bushier and finer back coats, and have more sensitive eyes. Guard breeds can be trained to kill or incapacitate by various means.
• Desert breeds are a newer breed prompted by the influx of trade with neighboring territories. Desert breeds use unique burrowing techniques and can reach speeds up to 60mph in short bursts on their favored terrain.