Ralamahr

Ralamahrs are a species of large deer found on the Greenerth, on the Frost Mountain Range and more recently in Caira.

Anatomy

Ralamahrs have a thick fur coat, a bright brown colour, with a cream colour down its chest and along its stomach. They have a thick mane around their necks to protect them from predators and to keep them warm. Ralamahrs have two horns on its head which are a small spiral, with ridges along them. These deer have a long, almost prehensile tail, that is very strong and can be used to swipe at predators. They are an even-toed ungulate, having two very big, sharp hooves. The deer also have two sharp canines on their upper jaws.
They vary in size, Caira ralamahrs are much bigger as there is more food for them, Frost mountain ralamahrs are smaller as they live on mountains and there is little food there. This also means there are more ralamahrs in Caira, roughly 3 million, and there is about 1.8 million in the Frost mountains.

Sexual Dimorphism

Both sexes possess spiralled horns, while males have much larger ones. Males use these horns to fight other males during breeding season, to earn the right to a female. Unique to this species, and only the males, ralamahrs shed their horns. This is unusual because horns are not shed in most species, as they have a core of bone while antlers are not made of bone.

Geographic Distribution
Greenerth
Frost Mountain Range
Caira Desert
Average Lifespan
20 years
Average Height
6 - 7ft at the shoulder

Diet

A herbivorous species, ralamahrs feed on short grasses and other plants. They have been seen consuming an array of plants, and their hardy stomachs and mouths prevent spiky plants from injuring them.
in captivity, ralamahr diets are more varied, including fruits and vegetables, however mostly still consuming grasses.

Habitat

Ralamahrs are very comfortable in steep conditions. Rough pads on their feet help stay secure, while their widely spread hooves help with balance. Ralamahrs can be seen in most altitudes on the Frost Mountain Range, with the rocky ralamahr subspecies living in the higher altitudes.

Reproduction

During mating season, 2 male ralamahrs will fight for a female, charging at each other and locking horns, in an attempt to defeat the other. This can lead to injuries, but after their fight the winner and the rest of the herd will attempt to heal the injured, as a show of support. The winner then gets the right to the female.

Ralamahrs do mate for life. The winner of a fight during mating season gets the female for the rest of their lives. Females reach sexual maturity at 3 years old. Gestation period lasts from 250-270 days. Babies will remain by their parents side for their first year, being nurtured by their mother for the first 3 months.

Domestication

Herds

The kozkonyonyaosi, who live in the Frost Mountain Range, keep large herds of ralamahrs within their villages. They are able to collect milk from the females, which they use to drink, add to other drinks and foods.
The kozkonyonyaosi also use these ralamahr herds for their meat, as it is a prized food item.

Wool

Ralamahr wool cannot be harvested directly, as the animals turn aggressive, but ralamahrs often shed their wool and it is harvested from the ground. Many cultures use ralamahr wool for different purposes, most notably in kozkonyonyaosi culture where they make special clothing items.