Rahkis

While the Rahkis are native to the jungles of northern Akim’Dovear, they are commonly captured and used as pack animals for crossing the vast desert, the Akim .
Their ability to retain water, carry heavy loads, and tolerate extreme heat makes them ideal pack animals for the nomadic Alrasham of the Akim. Although, their tendency to shirk loads and riders has given them a reputation for being the "Lazy Lizards."

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Rahkis resemble large, frilled lizards; they are distant cousins of crocodillians. Native to the Mossen Jungle and the Rasu Jungle, the Rahkis can grow to be around 12 feet long from nose to tail and are herbivorous.
The Rahkis regulate their body temperature using their scales and frills. A Rahkis can flare its frills in order to absorb more of the sun’s heat when in direct sunlight or to radiate excess heat away when in shade or when the sun in perpendicular to the frills. The Rahkis can also change the color of their scales to lighter colors if they need to reflect heat or to darker colors if they need to absorb heat.
The Rahkis also change the color of their scales in order to provide camouflage. This is generally more effective in jungle environments than it is in the desert.

Growth Rate & Stages

Rahkis mature quickly, reaching their full 10-14 foot length in just 5 years. In their first year the Rahkis go from 6 to 12 inches long as hatchlings to 6 feet in length. Rahkis can bear a full size rider as early as 3 years old.

Ecology and Habitats

The Rahkis are native to the vegetation rich jungles of northern Akim’Dovear, where they are able to tolerate the extreme heat and humidity of the jungles and eat their fill of jungle vegetation.
The Rahkis are well suited to life as desert pack animals with their ability to regulate their own cold blooded body temperature. The Rahkis lack a steady source of food in the desert but frequent visits to oasis and their ability to haul heavy loads means that the Rahkis of the Alrasham desert nomads seldom go hungry.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Rahkis eat all manner of vegetation but specifically prefer jungle fruits.