Rock-Stepper Sheep Family
The humble Rock-Stepper is a foundational animal here in Durol, a titan of civilization in many ways. Think of them as important as cattle and horses across Rohara and northern Susma. That is the role domesticating these herd going animals played in Suranth and Raechin. It may seem confusing to give such a simple and humble creature such credit now, but the truth is such credit is well earned and well deserved."
Monroe Alvira Winston Esq, waxing poetic about the underappreciated beast that is the Rock-Stepper.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Rock-Stepper Sheep are actually members of the goat family, however they share many things in common with sheep as well. Their fur coat is of a similar shaggy nature, though does not grow endlessly without shearing as with domestic sheep. If sheared it will grow again quite rapidly, but will not grow endlessly. It is thick, insulated and fibrous similar to wool, however it is also waterproof, which helps it provide the Rock-Stepper Sheep with protection against the ice cold wintery conditions of their high altitude and northern homelands. These creatures are muscular, with noted power in their legs by comparison to others in the goat family, and their sense of balance is impeccable. Their hoof shape is pronounced, the more pronounced two 'toes' of their hooves, each with a deep 'V' like divot to their structure, allow for excellent grip, allowing them to find their footing even on thin cliffs and shelves, and the pointed nature and hardened outer layer of these same pointed toes even allow them to punch into ice almost as if an ice pick or other such climbing tool, allowing them to sort of create their own footholds.
Genetics and Reproduction
Rock-Stepper Sheep have a shorter gestation period for their pregnancies, only taking 6 months, which is what has made them such a prime target, as well as their herd nature and adaptability of diet and terrain, for domestication. Ewes typically give birth to one, rarely to twins. These babies, known as lambs, can walk within hours and run not long after that. A lamb will be weaned off its mother's milk and capable of grazing fully by four to six months. Typically mating season is late autumn and into early winter, which is likely an evolutionary result of the short pregnancy turnover within the species, allowing for the common weaning period to take place during the warmer and more food plentiful months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Lambs are fully weaned by four to six months, and are generally fully grown and mature by 18 months to two years. The average lifespan of Rock-Stepper Sheep seems to be roughly 9-12 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Rock-Stepper Sheep are at their best and are most adapted for highlands, living amongst bedrock and cliffs, at a high altitude as well. They are uniquely specialized to digest even the hardiest of the sparse and tough plants that grow at such heights and are masterful moss and lichen grazers as well. They are generalist grazers, able to make the most of the sparse amount of plant life in such highland regions by simply being capable of digesting and extracting nutritional value from any and all of it.
Behaviour
Rock-Stepper Sheep are herd animals, though they do show an interesting dual hierarchy system. Males, known as rams, will have their own hierarchy, but unlike a lot of social animals, there will be multiple mating rams within a herd, though they will compete for first choice amongst the females, and some will not be allowed to mate at all. During the rut in late autumn, rams can be quite ornery and aggressive, mostly in an attempt to show strength and prove their worthiness as a mating partner. The Ewes, in contrast, also have their own hierarchy that is seperately determined, and seems to be respected by the rams, and Ewes will fight less, but willingly scuffle any time of year, to shuffle this hierarchy. The Ewe hierarchy seems to effect positioning in the herd structure when it comes to grazing, with those near the bottom forced to the outer ring of any given area where the herd is grazing, basically making them the most vulnerable for targeting by predators.
Additional Information
Domestication
This species, whilst not as easy as regular sheep or goats to domesticate, posed only limited challenge, and nowadays in this modern era domestic herds being reared and raised in highland towns and farming settlements are just as common, if not more common, than wild herds.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Wool, milk, cheese, and meat, a useful animal all around.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species, though it happens to take different cultural names in different lands of Valerick, and perhaps have slight differences of coat, or horn shape, more or less can be found living in and amongst any mountain range on Valerick.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Rock-Stepper's have an amazing sense of hearing, and their sense of smell is impeccable and sharp. Their eye-sight is generally considered limited, though given their normal home environments, they do not rely nearly as heavily on their eyes to avoid predation as some other prey species. They also have a uniquely strong sense of direction, so much so that old wives tales exist of Rock-Steppers having a better sense of which direction north is than even a high quality compass. How true this comparison is, however, is up for debate.
Rock-Stepper Sheep Base Stat Sheet
Scientific Name
Volis Bouldari Woolur
Average Height
0.75 meters-1.05 meters (2'6"-3'6") tall at the shoulder.
Average Length
1.3-1.85 meters (4'2"-6'1") in length from nose to tail.
Geographic Distribution
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