Karkula Whiptail
From Mizahar Lore
| Falyndar Fauna | |
 | |
| Frequency | Common |
|---|---|
| Threat level | Moderate |
| Major features | Sensitive Whiskers, stream lined body |
| Abilities | Powerful tail, sharp claws |
| Most common in | Falyndar Coast, Kandukta Basin in the Summer |
Characteristics
The Whiptail is a small streamlined reptile that stands 2 feet at the shoulder, and is around 6 feet long including its tail,weighing in around 100-155 lbs. While it is a reptile it lacks gills, instead possessing long lungs which can store a surprising amount of air, allowing them to remain submerged for several bells before resurfacing. The long protrusions on its face and head are lined with sensory nerves that allow the Whiptail to detect minute changes to the surface of the water and movement within the water. The Whiptail has long razor sharp teeth and claws which it uses to rend and thrash its prey. Its scales are not extremely durable and so it is predominantly a hit and run predator, seeking to bring its prey down through wounds and exhaustion. The most prominent feature, which is what the Whiptail is famed for, is its large tail. While the fins are used for manuevering through the water, the tail is much more special. Its tail bones are thicker and heavier than the rest of its body, the muscles surrounding the tail are more layered, which allow for more control over the tails movement despite the additional weight. This allows the Whiptail to act out its name sake which can cause a damaging blow if it impacts on its prey. While the Whiptail prefers to hunt in the water, its claws allow it to climb the low rocky outcroppings that surround the coastlines, and it will often dive in after prey from above, or simply wait in the water for anything to come near. Whiptails live on average around 15 years.
Social Structure
Whiptails are not overly territorial. In fact they often will occupy an area in groups, and while the individuals in this group will mostly act independently, they will on occasion come together to subdue a larger prey. Whiptails mate for life, however, they do not tend to their young. Instead they find a secluded spot to lay their eggs and the young must fend for themselves upon hatching, surviving in large numbers until they are old enough to hunt on their own. A female Whiptail will lay anywhere from 10-50 eggs each Spring and Summer determining if the young are born on the coast line or within the Kandukta Basin. However predators will commonly consume these eggs if found so survival rate is very low for young Whiptails.
Additional Information
Hunting Whiptails is a dangerous practice, for they are vicious hunters, and hard to catch. However if an individual is lucky enough to kill one the tail bones of a whiptail can fetch a fair price, and can be used as deadly clubs. Due to their occasional migration into the Kandukta Basin, where they will often try to lay eggs during the Summer Monsoon Season. The eggs are considered a delicacy by both Myrians and Dhani, and the leather fo the Whiptail fetches a high price for its water proofing qualities over its durability.