Impanethi

The impanathi, or 'delta demon' as it was known in more ancient writings, is a primarily herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal found native to temperate or semi-tropical river deltas or inland seas.
Because of their size, the impanethi are highly aggressive and unpredictable megafauna and not to be taken lightly when encountered. They are safe from most predators other than the jur golon and the morolane.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The impanethi are hexapodal creatures, with their long barrel-shaped body supported by six well-muscled legs. Though their legs are joined as would be expected for a claw-footed creature, the impanethi lack such natural weapons.
Being semi-aquatic, the impanethi have evolved to live in and out of river deltas and shallow seas. They have a partially webbed three toe arrangement at the end of each foot. The animal has a full range of dexterity of motion with these toes to enable the animal to shift between steady swimming or walking underwater.
An impanethi's natural defenses are its upper and lower tusks contained in their long, triangular-shaped head. A head which has been considered almost reptilian in its design, with the position of the eyes, nostrils and ears located high on the head.
This, combined with a extra-cartilage base joints in their middle region, makes the impanethi a formidable animal. An impanethi is able to support itself on its rear two sets of legs and use the front two in a battering motion against an attacker. This is in addition to a bit that has been measured to snap most well honed steel.

Biological Traits

A particularly unusual trait of the impanethi is that they lack sweat glands, and by extension, a unique scent. Being semi-squatic, the impanethi use their time in the water to maintain their body temperature.
When they do venture out of the water, the animals instead produce a unique secretion called 'sunrise sweat'. This secretion acts as a natural sunscreen and moisturizer for the animal's naturally thick hide.
The only exception is in the spring of each year, impanethi shed this thick hide in favor of a new one. Even though the hide - even shed hide - can be made into extremely durable leather, it must be gathered and tanned within 6 hours. Otherwise, it degrades to an orange sludge.

Genetics and Reproduction

Impanethi breeding occurs year round and not in any given season, but an impanethi female is only able to reproduce once she is between ages 8 and 16. For males, it is ages 9 and 15.
Gestation takes over a period of ten months. Once having given birth, a female impanethi will not be able to become pregnant again for another 20 months.

Ecology and Habitats

Impanethi prefer wet environments, such as river delta

Dietary Needs and Habits

Despite their well-deserved aggressive reputation, the impanethi are primarily herbivores. They supplement their plant diet with the occasional bocu eel despite the eels natural ability to generate short-range plasma bursts. If those eels aren't available, they will make do with fish.
Despite many known recorded attacks by Impanethi against hunters or fishermen and women, such attacks were the animals defending their territory against a perceived threat.

Additional Information

Domestication

Some stories persist of impanethi being domesticated in some of the far, outer Ilfar Island areas, these stories have not been proven or disproven.
To date, most have found that the impanethi are too unpredictable or aggressive to domesticate.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

In general, impanethi are prized for their hides. Some settlements also prize their meat and tusks, but their hide is most valuable.
The danger is tanning the hide. Whether hunting a live impanethi or gathering a shed hide, said hide must be tanned within 6 hours. Which means hunters often have to take a risk of tanning the hide uncomfortably close to a council of impanethi, who could turn and easily attack the hunters for being too close to their territory.
It's said that the satchels and courier bags used by Wayfarer League riders are made from impanethi hide. This is to protect the items they are transporting.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The impenethi species have a good sense of smell, hearing, and sight due to the position of its sensory organs atop its almost reptile-like triangular head. The range and ability for it to see hear or smell is not enhanced, it is able to use all of those senses with almost fully submerged under water.
When fully submerged, the impanethi can close both its nostrils and ears. For its eyes, it lowers a transparent, tough, inner eyelid that acts as protection. This enables the creature to see underwater.

Lifespan

Impanethi live 65 years on the average, but some have been recorded to live almost 100 years in some remote locations.

Average Height

Both adult males and females average 2 meters ( 7 feet ) from foot to shoulder in height.

Average Weight

Both adult males and females weigh on the average 3250 kg ( 3.3 tons )

Average Length

Adult males average 5.7 meters long ( 19 feet ), adult females average slightly less at 4.7 meters long ( 15.7 feet )

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The average impanethi has purple-bluish skin and red toned eyes. The underside is often a gray-blue shade. This coloration doesn't seem to vary between a group of impanethi also called a 'council'.