Woolen Shaq

The Woolie

Write about a species that survives in a cold environment. — #WorldEmberSpecies

Basic Information

Anatomy

The woolen shaq is a quadruped animal with a dense and long coat of fur, small round ears and a pair of tightly coiled horns. Though usually hidden by its fur, it has a short bifid tail with a tuft of extremely soft hair in its tips. It balances itself on top of large odd-toed hooves.
The females develop an udder during the gestation period, which typically goes away a few months after the calfs are born. Aside from this, it isn't easy to tell apart a male woolie from a female.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Woolie shaqs are omnivores that will eat almost anything in their path. In the warmer months and in farmlands, they will eat pasture, herbs, berries, and even softer stems. In the cold months, they are known to eat infant Frost Lizards, Snow Iguanas and hibernating Silver Moles, as well as the occasional bird that isn't fast enough to flee.

Biological Cycle

A young woolie, sometimes called a woolet, has very curly and light fur and is born hornless. In its first few months of life, its horns begin to grow in, and its usually only after the first full turn of the horns that the woolie begins developing its characteristic straight brown fur.
Very old woolen shaqs will sometimes have their horns fall off.

Behaviour

Woolie shaqs naturally gather in small familial groups of no more than seven individuals.
The woolen shaq is known to enjoy rhythmic sounds. Because of this, its main predator, the Giant Frost Lizard, makes a frequent and clicking sound while it hunts, in order to attract and soothe its prey.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The woolen shaqs are fundamental in the economy of the Frostlings. During the warmer months, their thick coat is harvested to make wool, which is then fashioned into warm clothes.
Older woolies are often sacrificed for pelt, leather and meat, which can reach quite a high price. Their horns are also sometimes used as decoration pieces, or carved into little amulets which some believe can ward off the cold.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The woolies have a notably bad sense of sight. They orient themselves mostly by sound, and communicate with one another via tongue clicks.
Some folk tales tell of their capability to find hidden passages through the mountains.

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Geographic Distribution

• Frozentop Mountains