Jackalope

The jackalope is a species of artiodactyl native to Kajiantu, with few to no known living relatives. Unlike most modern artiodactyls, the jackalope possesses four toes on each foot, with each toe ending in a small hoof. Jackalope habitat usually consists of scrub and grassland, but various subspecies have been found in the Chozashi Desert and in the mountains. They are herbivorous, and survive mostly on grasses and brush. Although not inherently magical in and of themselves, jackalope horns and feet were historically used in a number of magical concoctions, and even to this day ground or powdered jackalope horn is believed to prolong life and promote virility. One subspecies, the Greater Jackalope, was hunted to extinction due to this superstition.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Jackalopes are small, quadrupedal mammals with stocky bodies and thin limbs. They are approximately the size of a hare or rabbit, and at a distance can often be mistaken for one; however, their hoofed toes mark them as distinct, and unlike lagomorphs the teeth of jackalopes do not grow continuously throughout their lives. The most distinct feature of jackalopes are their horns, which are formed from a bony core covered in a keratin sheath. Males possess large, two-pronged horns, with one prong extending forward and one extending backward. Female jackalopes have much smaller horns - in some subspecies they are almost non-existant - and may have only one prong. Northern Jackalopes are tawny or fawn in color, with distinct patches of white fur along their throat, belly, and rump, and black fur on their snouts. Male Northern Jackalopes possess a patch of dark brown or black fur at the mandible. Southern Jackalopes are distinctly grayer in color than Northern Jackalopes, with agouti coloration, but possess the same patches of white and black fur as Northern Jackalopes. The Desert Jackalope is lighter in color than the Northern Jackalope, with larger white patches at the throat and belly. They have larger ears than other jackalope subspecies. Males do not have distinct coloration from females, but possess comparatively much larger horns - the horns of female Desert Jackalopes are nearly non-existant. The Mountain Jackalope closely resembles the Southern Jackalope, although both males and females possess a black tuft of fur at the jaw - this is larger in males, extending into a chinstrap around the throat. Mountain Jackalopes have smaller ears than others subspecies. Additionally, Mountain Jackalopes have a winter coat, in which most of their fur turns pure white, except for the aforementioned black patches.

Genetics and Reproduction

Female Northern Jackalope, resting by Erienne McCray

Jackalopes are promiscuous, breeding with as many potential mates as possible during the breeding season. Gestation generally lasts about three months. Newborn jackalope fawns are fully capable of walking and running within hours of birth. Jackalope mothers spend very little time with their fawns, leaving them alone to hide in the vegetation for most of the day until returning to nurse. Often, slightly older jackalope fawns will band together in "nurseries," where they all take turns watching to keep an eye out for predators.

Ecology and Habitats

Jackalopes are found on the continent Kajiantu, west of the Whitetip Mountains. They live primarily in grassland, scrubland, and deserts.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Jackalopes are herbivorous, and feed primarily on grasses and brush. However, they have been observed consuming the eggs of ground-dwelling birds and even scavenging from corpses.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Jackalopes do not form consistent herds; however, they are not solitary, either. They live in fission-fusion groups, generally averaging about 3-5 adults. Members of the group will take turns watching for predators while the others feed. Individuals will regularly split from one group to form a new group; it is rare for a group to remain consistent for more than a few weeks at a time.