Yota
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Yota is a small quadrupedal carnivore, most often compared in size to a small dog or a fox. The have dense fur, short front legs, and a wide face with rounded ears. For many decades, where exactly the yota fell in the mammalian family tree was hotly debated: Many assumed that the group was a new species of fox, weasel, badger, or as is the most common assumption and giver of its name, a coyote. Genetic analysis determined that the yota is actually a descendant of the European Stoat.
Due to their much larger sizes compared to their closest relatives, the Yota fills a much different niche, instead being much more suited to ambush hunting and chasing down prey in quick bursts of speed.
Ecology and Habitats
The yota primarily inhabits woodlands and taigas across mainland Europe, although is not entirely uncommon across the archipelago. They have been noted as decent if clumsy swimmers, capable of island hopping or traversing marshlands as needed.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Yotas are carnivores with some ability to digest plant matter, mainly fruits and berries. Primarily, they prey on small mammals, birds, eggs, and occasionally fish, though are also noted to be prolific scavengers. Most often, yotas ambush prey from the underbrush before it can escape into burrows. In particular, yotas seem to prefer rabbits over any other food item, with rabbit making up an estimated 65% of their diets in some regions.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The yota was once considered to be critically endangered due to the fur trade as well as isolated habitat. Populations were incredibly sparse and at extreme risk due to overhunting and their highly desirable pelts for clothing, but bans into their trade have greatly lessened population losses over the years alongside incredible efforts by breeding programs. While no longer on the verge of extinction, the species is still at risk if proper management is abandoned.
There exist a high amount of concern about reducing their status to merely being threatened, especially as the animals have had a surge in online popularity, and thus, a surge in wild individuals being taken from the wild as exotic pets.
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