Verbanions

Verbanions are massive, beetle-like creatures native to Lish. They are frequently used as mounts and as beasts of burden due to their incredibly docile nature and their strength and size. They are the unofficial animal of Lish, and are a staple part of daily life there.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

A verbanion has a gestation period of three months, after which it lays approximately one hundred eggs, each about the size of a Human head. These eggs hatch within two to three weeks.

Growth Rate & Stages

After hatching from an egg, a verbanion emerges in its beetle form at roughly the size of a puppy. The verbanion will then begin to consume food at rates of approximately triple its body weight a day, rapidly shedding its exoskeleton until it is fully grown. This process usually takes between a month and three months, after which the verbanion becomes fertile and able to continue the breeding process.
During this time, the verbanion's shell is incredibly soft, and can be broken with ease. The shell begins to harden once the growth process is complete, finishing hardening after one week.

Ecology and Habitats

While verbanions are incredibly hardy creatures and can live nearly anywhere, they do not have a natural way of seeking out mates at distances outside of their vision beyond walking about randomly. This makes the continued survival of the species difficult without some sort of intervention in areas that do not have a large number of verbanions already.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Verbanions have a diet that consists primarily of bark, leaves, fruits and vegetables.

Additional Information

Domestication

Since verbanions are already incredibly docile and food driven, they are incredibly easy to domesticate and train. They can be lead by food tied to a string in front of them, and will learn habits based on what they've been guided to do when baited in this way.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Verbanions are often used as a food source, with their meat being edible prior to the hardening of their shells. After their shells harden, however, their meat becomes incredibly stringy and loses most of its nutritional value. Their eggs are also edible, and though the taste is not particularly pleasant, they are an incredible source of iron and fiber. Finally, their exoskeletons, though extremely difficult to harvest and work, have an amazing durability to them, making them incredibly useful in everything from building materials to armor to dishes.

Average Intelligence

Verbanions clock in at 4.7 on The Mostlin Scale.

Lifespan

Verbanions live to an average of 5 years old.

Conservation Status

While in some parts of the world verbanions are considered endangered, in Lish they are frequently seen due to their quick breeding rates in Lish's close proximity. Their incredible resilience to damage also allows their numbers to grow very quickly if left unchecked, so long as they're able to find a mate.