Kangamoose

The largest herbivores in Fethil, kangamoose are hefty animals, and popular prey among Fethilian dragons. Though they are popularly depicted with large antlers, these are only found in males, and shed every year in preparation for winter.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kangamoose are quadrupedal animals with a strange mixture of locomotion. Typically they move on all four legs, with flat feet to spread their weight on potentially soft ground. When spurred into fast movement, however, they shift into a motion more like hopping, using only their back legs and with only one toe touching the ground. Their long tail is used for balance and steering while hopping, but also serves as an additional leg while standing at rest, and helps carry their weight so they can stand in bipedal posture. Though this may allow them to reach food otherwise out of their reach, it is more commonly used to free the front legs so they may be used in self-defense. A kick with a kangamoose's hooved front leg can be devastating, in part thanks to their sharply pointed hooves and flexible joints, allowing them to aim in any direction.
The characteristic antlers of a kangamoose are grown only by males, and are shed in late autumn. In spring they grow anew, over the course of three to five months, during which they are covered in velvet, soft furry tissue full of blood vessels. Like with all antlered species, they can be used to tell information about the animal: size and growth rate indicate age and diet, while symmetry indicates health.

Ecology and Habitats

Found primarily in the taiga in the north of Fethil, kangamoose prefer wet and cool environments. They are adaptable, however, as long as an environment provides enough food. The main reason why they primarily inhabit the north, rather than spreading further through Fethil, appears to be twofold. For one, they are obligate breeders, and can only reproduce in their native taiga. Second, predation away from the north is heavier, as predators are both larger and more common.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kangamoose are alternatively grazers and browsers, feeding on a great variety of grasses and plants. As long as grass is available, they act as grazers, although they also consume fresh shoots or fruit if given the opportunity, and even aquatic plants if any are available while they are in the water to cool off. When snow comes and grass difficult to acquire, they instead take on a role of browsers, feeding on higher placed food such as leaves.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Kangamoose are loosely social, forming no set groups but also not acting territorial towards others. As such, several may gather in suitable environments, as long as enough food can be found. Once they run out, the kangamoose will move on, likely without the others present. During mating seasons these groups are more likely to gather.
A single exception to their casual attitude are males during mating season. They will attempt to claim a harem of females, typically all in the area, and will fight with other males who attempt to mate with the claimed females. Once the season ends, so will their aggression to one-another, and they will resume their peaceful ways.

Base animals

Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) & moose (Alces alces)

Lifespan

14 - 20 years

Average Height

250 - 330 kg (male), 100 - 200 kg (female)

Geographic Distribution

• Fethil