Prairie Spider

Bos Biporus Spindlar, colliquoally known by the residents of Arilia as Praerie Spiders, are not native to the planet. The bizarre ten legged wooly beasts have been cultivated by the Covenant for generations across a number of worlds. From a distance, the squat horned beasts look much like other more conventional herd beasts.
The visceral horror begins when you see one rise and move. Ten short, oddly joined legs spread out around it like a gown and they skitter across the plains screeching like a nightmare. The wind blows the fur out of their faces to reveal two clusters of three eyes each. Their lips curl back to find two rows of canine-like teeth. They need to be kept in special pasture for while they are omnivores, they have been known to consume small animals when pasture is scarce, or they feel threatened.
The meat they provide, however, is so succulent and unique that stores cannot stock it fast enough. Covenant Baron Taurus of the Southern Plains of Prosperity] has built an empire on them, shipping the meat through Terminal City worldwide. Other than the ubiquitous stamp of a bulls head that adorns the packing, no other images of the beasts are used to market it. And consumers are fine with that.
Out of sight out of mind, afterall."

--Clickipedia article, flagged for excessive bias

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Praerie Spiders have been heavily genetically modified with select traits from a half dozen worlds. They breed quickly, reach maturity in only two years, and give live birth to large litters with excellent mortality rates.

Growth Rate & Stages

Praerie Spider calves are fairly hideous to Aralian eyes, as their fur does not come in until around four months. Their spindly legs, mottled grey hides, and featureless eye sets are what garnered them the 'Spider' part of their names. They are aggressive meat eaters during this initial period, and adept hunters before long. Many a herding dog has gone missing when left unattended around Spider calves.
The amount of mass the Praerie Spiders require is staggering. Even with Covenant technologies accelerating pasture growth, ranchers often find themselves needing to suppliment their diets with smaller animals such as sheep and pigs. Given the rate of reproduction, and the mass consumed to grow as quickly as they do, the species is unsustainable in the wild.
As they reach full maturity, and full girth, the beasts tend to rely on grass and other ruffage for sustainance. They simply cannot move fast enough to hunt as they once did. The beasts are usually docile and easy to herd at this point, and at this stage they are usually ready for slaughter.

Ecology and Habitats

These animals seen naturally nocturnal, and spend their days sleeping in shade during the hot days of the Southern Praeries. Some have been known to make caves their homes if available.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Younger Praerie Spiders move fairly silently, skittering around the edges of the herd across the moonlit plains in search of easy prey. When a target is sighted ( whether it be a pack of wolves, normal bovines, or a lost human chid) a screech of alarm is raised. The entire herd reflexively stampedes in that direction, trampling and goring the prey. They will eventually circle back to consume the mangled corpses.
Mature Praerie Spiders are more than happy to munch on grass while their young pursue such activities.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Nocturnal hunters by nature, the Praerie spiders have excellent senses, with acute hearing and vision into the infrared spectrum.

Cover Art:
Highlanders in the Lowlands IV by Corniger Ariea

Scientific Name

Bos Biporus Spindlar

Geographic Distribution

• Southern Prairie

Discovered by

Minotaur