Beango
The largest endemic predators in Fethil, second only to dragons, beangoes are surprisingly not true carnivores, but omnivores. Despite this, they can be dangerous, both to prey and approaching humans, and should not be underestimated.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Beangoes are medium- to large-sized quadrupedal animals, whose size and weight varies wildly across their range, depending on their means. Beangoes with access to plenty and regular food, such as those near the coast, or living with humans, can be significantly larger than other beangoes. Males are also larger than females. Some beangoes may hibernate, and as such build weight during fall, and emerge significantly lighter in spring. This is not the case for all beangoes, however, and some may maintain roughly the same weight throughout the year.
Skilled climbers, beangoes have flexible shoulder joints and can rotate their wrists, allowing them to scale trees, cliffs, and rocks. Their paws are large, with big curved claws, longer on the forelimbs than hind limbs. As these claws are blunt, they are used more for digging and batting at prey, rather than scratching them. Beangoes also possess a muscular hump at the top of the shoulder, which aids them additional strength in the forelimbs. This strength is used during digging, but also when battling with prey.
Beangoes have long and massively built heads, with strong teeth. Their high-set ears are erect and somewhat rounded, and their almond-shaped eyes are typically dark in color. Their tails are fairly long, but flat-ish, and used mostly in communication.
Notably, their coat coloration varies greatly. Their long thick fur comes in a range of brown-ish colors, and its length and density varies depending on location. Winter coats are longer and thicker, especially in the north, and typically feel rough to the touch. The undercoat is always the same grayish color, but the color of their outer (visible) coat, though typically gingery brown, can also be creamy white or near black with tan markings. They are typically lighter on the underside, including muzzle, chest, belly, and feet. These markings are especially prevalent in near-black specimens.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Beangoes are omnivores. Though they hunt a variety of prey, at least half of their diet consists of plant material, such as fruit, seeds, and nuts, with the type varying depending on what is available. They are adaptable, and may form loose groups to hunt larger prey, or focus on smaller prey when hunting alone. They prefer to target weaker prey items, scaring a herd to determine those slower to run: young, old, or ill animals. Their adaptability and willingness to (temporarily) work with others while hunting is also what lets them work with some native Fethilian people, hunting side-by-side.
Biological Cycle
In certain regions, wild beangoes typically hibernate through the winter, building up weight during fall, and emerging emaciated and light during spring. In regions where winter is less harsh, or where they can rely on humans to aid with finding food during the harsher seasons, beangoes rarely hibernate.
Additional Information
Domestication
Though beangoes are not domesticated, they can live in close company with the native people of Fethil. When exposed to frequent, and non-violent, contact with humans, beangoes lose their fear of them. In some areas, humans and beangoes live together in a state of consumensalism, sharing their lives but without depending on the other for survival. In these areas, beangoes may appear domesticated, sharing living spaces with humans, sleeping with them, and hunting with them. They have not been selectively bred, however, and without human interference return to the wild with little issue.
Lifespan
16 - 20 years
Average Height
60 - 145 cm tall (shoulder)
Average Weight
98 - 190 kg (male), 75 - 143 kg (female)
Average Length
130 - 200 cm long
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Various brownish tones; lighter underside
Geographic Distribution
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