Brahmin

Brahmin are the mutated descendants of dairy and beef cows in the Former United States.
These animals are vital to the development of settlements throughout the various regions of the Former United States, almost as much as Sleipnir. These animals can be used not only for milk and meat, but also as beasts of burden. While they are not used for battle or fast transport, they are reliable and able to carry large amounts of materials and goods on their backs or by pulling a laden cart. The droppings of the animal can be used for crop fertilizer or in teh production of the hallucinogenic drug, Jet.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Brahmin are quadrupeds, having four legs ending in a two-toed cloven hoof on each foot. They have two fully functional heads, and two esophagi and trachea. Their digestive tracts have mutated as well from a four chambered stomach to an eight chambered one. The male gonads have also doubled, resulting in most bulls having four testicles instead of two. Females still only have one uterus, but thier udders have been enlarged, through a combination of mutation and selective breeding. Females have mutated to also possess horns on thier head, but they are noticably smaller than the horns on a bull.
Beyond the above mentioned changes, the anatomical structures of the Brahmin matches the anatomical structures of the Pre-War cattle.

Genetics and Reproduction

This species uses sexual reproduction. Females are viviparous, that is they give birth to live young. Females' estrus cycles occur once in every approximately 21 days. The gestational period is approximately 279 to 287 days. Females tend to only produce one calf per pregnancy, with twins being rare.

Growth Rate & Stages

• Birth-2 years old - Calf

• 2 years old to death - Bull/Cow depending on biological sex.

Ecology and Habitats

Brahmin herds, both wild and domesticated exist all over the Former United States. Aside from highly inhospitable locations, such as The Glowing Sea, they are able to adapt to any environment, from the deserts of The Mojave Wasteland, to the forests of The Appalachian Wasteland.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Brahmin are versatile vegetarians, and can eat several different types of plants, ranging from grasses to corn to wheat. Fruits such as mutfruits and vegetables such as carrots are favored by most domesticated Brahmin as treats.

Biological Cycle

Brahmin typically reach sexual maturity approximately two years after thier born, and are capable of producing one calf every year and a half. However, most Brahmin only produce two or three calves in a lifetime.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Brahmin herds in the wild are matriarchal, with a dominant female and male pair leading the rest.

Domestication

Brahmin were domesticated by default, as the dairy and beef cows never truly went wild after the Great War. However, human influence has seen to the overall increase in muscle and body fat in males and the increase in milk production in females.
Domestic female Brahmin are used almost solely for milk until they're too old, then they are either slaughtered for meat or used as pack animals.
Domestic male Brahmin are most often castrated and used as either pack animals or raised for meat. It's common for a farmstead to have one bull and one or two cows at a given time, but larger ranches as found in the former Plains states or in other areas with good pasture land can have upwards of 20 cows and a bull, with any other males being castrated and raised for meat, or sold at markets as pack animals.
In order for a farmstead to acquire a bull, they must either raise it themselves, or arrange a private sale between a rancher or another farmstead.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

• Both bulls and cows can be used to produce meat

• Females produce milk

• Hides can be used to make leather

• Droppings can be used to produce crop fertilizer

• Droppings can be used to produce the hallucinogenic drug, Jet.

• In some cases, the bones can be used to make decorations for furniture or clothing.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Herds exist all over the former United States. Brahmin in the colder regions are known to have thicker, more consistent fur coats.

Average Intelligence

Brahmin are often considered to be unintelligent animals.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Compared to its Pre-War counterpart, the Brahmin has worse eyesight despite the increase in number of eyes. Due to having two heads, the two eyes facing inward are functionally blinded. In wild variants, where the horns are not shaped or ground down, the inward eyes are often gouged out by the animal's horns.
Other senses are comparable to that of its Pre-War counterpart.

Lifespan

18-22 years

Conservation Status

Common across the Former United States

Average Height

1.5-1.7 m (5ft 5 in - 5ft 7in)

Average Weight

453 - 589 kg (1000-1300 lbs)

Average Length

2.3-2.7m (7ft 6 in-8ft 10in)

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Brahmin skin is often tinged grey or pink, with the fur coats being very patchy, ranging from pale to light brown.