Jowlkl

Overview

A small reptilian built to survive in the Deadland Desert. Can walk on two or four legs and is the only Gendirl species that is primarily nocturnal.

Characteristics

Jowlklo live exclusively in the Deadland Desert, mostly around the scant few rivers that traverse the region, at oases typical around the western border of the desert, or near the borders of the vast desert where small streams flow out of icy mountains only to dry up completely within a handful of miles. Most clans of Jowlkl live isolated from each other and from most of the outside world, for social interaction with others is far less important than survival in an inhospitable region.
Jowlklo stand on either two or four legs, the former for travel to keep their body as far away as possible from the hot sands, the latter in order to hunt. The fin like protrusion on their back allows for great amounts of heat dissipation and their fat, bulging tails aid in heat regulation as well. Their scales, rough and colored beige with white and red zagging stripes, do not allow for perspiration and are burn resistant.
Due to the region they inhabit being food scarce, Jowlklo will eat anything that resembles food and mentally are willing and happy to eat anything that might be considered unsavory to other Gendirlo, such as rotted corpses of dead animals or mildly poisonous plants. Their primary food is cacti and succulents found near water sources, supplemented by small lizards and roosting birds.
Other Gendirl species consider Jowlklo to be less intelligent and perhaps closer to the definition of a Sulindirl than a Gendirl species. However, they do possess the same level of intelligence, as seen by those rare few that journey west for knowledge or a change of pace. Only a handful of Jowlklo have ever bonded with a human in known history, adding to the claims that they are not true Gendirlo.
All Jowlklo are solitary except in the case of breeding and rearing young. Clans are more of an agreed gathering place to share extra food and knowledge of water sources than as a living and social space. However, despite their nature Jowlklo are always willing to help each other if needed, especially when a pairing has young to take care of. Parents and those lending aid are fiercely protective and helpful to young Jowlklo that their young very rarely die once their scales harden, a few days after hatching.