Gereji

Gereji is a moderate sized, four legged herbivore, often found on desert ecosystems in western parts of Garagras, Nontegras and Targaran. Gereji are excellent for transport in the arid steppes of the western frontiers and are vital for local trade on many worlds. Gereji are the lifeblood of many worlds where infrastructure is either limited or restricted, as such local governance should take extra care to retain a healthy population at all times.

-Understanding Trade on the Western Frontier. L, Riccar. 422 Kelzyn Era

Biology:

Gereji have an average life expectancy of 65 to 70 standard years. A full grown adult can stand up to 166gsv at around the shoulder and weigh around 600fv to 1100fv. Adults have tusks on both sides of their mouth, helping them dig up roots and fungi. Gereji have wide claws on their feet, allowing better weight distribution on uneven surfaces. Gereji have an organ called Zreji in their throat, which recaptures moisture on exhale, retaining a much greater volume of water in arid climates. To further aid in fluid retention, Gereji have unique fat tissues can hold a far greater volume of water. The tissue can then be metabolized, freeing up the water that was stored.

Gereji can withstand extended periods of high temperatures with a series of adaptations. A set of auxiliary blood arteries carries warmer blood from the brain into less critical parts. Small silvery hair cover it's body, reflecting sunlight to lessen the heat effects of unavoidable daytime activities. Gereji have plates of bonemesh tissue on their backs, connected to their spine and ribcage. This bonemesh both protects the animal from attacks but the natural heat resistant properties help stave off overheating, they are covered in capillary blood vessels to help cooling the plates down at nighttime. Along with other species of the Netilli, the Gereji can produce sweat to cool down. However due to the arid climates they reside in, Gereji need to limit how much sweat they produce by cooling of with other methods.

Gereji have strong jaws to help them chew the resilient desert plant life, and go over three sets of teeth in a lifetime. Gereji use their tusks and claws to dig up buried plants and mushrooms, occasionally digging a small hole in the surface to reach the cooler earth below. Gereji eyes are covered by a membrane to protect them from both drying up and from sand particles. As a member of the Netilli order, the Gereji gives birth to live young.

-Biologist Handbook for Desert Wildlife: Restilia. Vol. 4. N, Berens. Y, L, Sor. 397 Kelzyn Era

Taxonomy:

Aremestar family of class Restilia is defined by the bonemesh adaption, typically found functioning as armored plates covering the back. This is the case in Gereji, the most widely found member of the family. The Aremestar are almost all herbivores with the exception of Zeregir, which is omnivorous. Aremestar are classed as a part of the Netilli order.

-Journal of Restilian Taxonomy. 7th Edition. M, Y, E, Tnend. 99 Kelzyn Era

Natural Habitats:

Another species that makes its home in the arid plains and deserts of the western frontier is the Gereji. Found most often in dry shrublands with seasonal rainstorms, the Gereji travel great distances in search for food and water in all but the driest of climates. Gereji are well adapted to prolonged droughts and can even prosper in rocky mountain ranges or Thar-stone plains.

-A Study on the Ecosystems of the Western Frontier. M, Onssor. 188 Kelzyn Era

Behavior:

Gereji live in small herds ranging from ten to forty individuals. Should the herd be reduced to a small size, the diminished herd will seek to join a larger one. Herds that get too large on the other hand will split into two or possible three herds. On more seasonal worlds, larger migratory herds do occur, however these are transitory in nature. Gereji take care of their young until they reach early adolescence, during which the young will seek to join a new herd should one be available, to avoid future inbreeding. 

Differences between the behavior of domestic and wild Gereji can largely be attributed to environmental factors. Domestic Gereji are more willing to tolerate larger herds. Wild Gereji are more tolerant of previously unkown Gereji joining the herd, while domesticated Gereji can behave more aggressive towards newcomers. 

-Biologist Handbook for Desert Wildlife: Restilia. Vol. 4. N, Berens. Y, L, Sor. 397 Kelzyn Era