Tarsca, Lion Turtle

Tarsca are a very rare form of Ivashu. Their range are the northern regions of Harn, north of the Felsha mountains in the Equeth and Himod regions. They are large creatures with hard tan carapace and short horns running down the back and the sides. The lower half of their bodies are covered in shaggy tan to dark brown fur. They have cat like visage,with the nose and ears of a cat, but their jaw is shaped like a turtles. Their feet have long claws with which the use to burrow into the ground. The have a long prehensile tail with hook on the end. Their main body is an oval shape about six to eight feet in diameter. They stand between six and eight feet tall and with their tails can reach a length between fifteen to twenty feet long. They can weigh up to 15,000 pounds (6800kg).

Despite folk tales to the contrary, the Tarsca is not an agressive creature. While they have an impressie roar, these semi-intelligent creatures are vegetarians and consume small trees, brush, and grass. The hook on their tails is used to grab and pull down young trees down to feed upon. They hibernate in winter by burrowing into the ground and covering themsevles with earth using their tails.

If attacked, the Tarsca will retract its head into its carapace, get low to to the ground prevent its underbody from harm and will snap, make quick charges, and flail its tail at aggressors. Lion Turtles are very hard to take down, their carapce is impervious to most weapons, their jaws can snap weapons, shields, and foes in half, and they can trample an attacker. Most creatures wisely just leave them alone to go on their merry way.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tarsca are large creatures that resemble a blend between a turtle and a large cat. They have a thick arapace and short horns running down the back and the sides. The lower half of their bodies are covered in shaggy tan to dark brown fur. They have cat like visage,with catl like nose and ears, but their jaw resembles a snapping turtles. Their feet have long claws with which the use to burrow into the ground, and a long prehensile tail with hook on the end which is used to grasp and pull down small trees.

Their main body is an oval shape about six to eight feet in diameter. They stand between six and eight feet tall and with their tails can reach a length between fifteen to twenty feet long. They can weigh up to 15,000 pounds (6800kg).

Genetics and Reproduction

The Tarsca, like all Ivashu, is sterile.

Growth Rate & Stages

All Tarsca encountered to date appear to be fully grown, no juveniles or smaller examples have been recorded

Ecology and Habitats

Lion Turtles prefer forest or grassland where they can freely graze.  They tend to roam between hilly and open areas but are not found in Alpine or sub-terranean regions.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Tarsca are herbivorous creatures feeding on trees, brush, and grasses.

Biological Cycle

They are diurnal awake during the day and resting at night.  They hibernate in the deep winter in underground burrows they dig.

Behaviour

Tarsca are semi-intelligent they can understand basic Ivashi but cannot speak it.  They are non-aggressive and only act to defend themselves from attack or precieved threats.

Additional Information

Social Structure

They are solitary creatures.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Equani and Himod regions, north of the Felsha mountains.

Average Intelligence

Semi-intelligent

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Lion Turtles have average, hearing, smell, and sight.

Tarasca by Javier Gonzalez

Origin/Ancestry

Ivashu

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

5'6" (1.7m)

Average Weight

12,000# (5400kg)

Average Length

25' (8m)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Tan to dark tan carapace, brown to dark brown fur.