Aartisa
A primarily herbivorous species of Near-Human, aartisas are often thought of as giraffe-humans, though they share only some visual similarities and no genetic ones. Despite their long necks, they tend to fall into a fairly human height range, if on the taller end of the spectrum.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Aartisas tend to stand out most for their extremely long necks. Like the giraffes they're often compared to, the neck of an aartisa contains the same amount of vertebrae as a baseline human, simply elongated to support the extra length. As a result, they tend to be fairly stiff and don't bend well. A mane of long hair runs along the spine of neck, but usually lies flat. It can be raised for intimidation, however. Their hairline is reduced however, with the hair starting further back on the head than typical for humans, even if it continues further down due to their manes.
Aside from the neck, aartisas are also easily recognizable because of their ossicones: horn-like structures growing on the head, made entirely from bone and covered permanently in skin. Unlike the giraffes they're often compared to, aartisas have two pairs of ossicones, regardless of sex. Both pairs grow on the forehead, bases rooted right above each other, with the bottom pair smaller and pointing forward, and the upper pair larger and pointing both up and backwards.
Aartisas have ears with pointed tips, but they're not noticeably elongated compared to those of humans, and it thus tends to be easily overlooked. Less easily overlooked are their tongues: very long, black in color, and covered in sticky saliva.
Skin tones for aartisas fall into mostly human ranges, although they don't hit the darkest ranges possible for human skin tones (near-black). They have darker markings on their skin, with limbs dark from the elbow and knee down, and patchy stripe-like markings. Their hair is typically dark, often dark brown or black, and eyes are either brown or green, or something in between like hazel.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Aartisas are primarily herbivorous, and tend to avoid meat at all costs. If they must, they'll eat insects, and they might even eat fish if pushed, but meat is a no-go.
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