Tóvenkaras

Tóvenkaras¹ is a general term for several different species of both marine and semi-aquatic reptiles found in Ahix Sea, north of the Dragonían continent. Most of them are entirely adapted to life in the sea, only breaking the surface to breathe, except for the smallest species (known as karasaras² in some places), which crawl up on sandy beaches each year to lay their eggs and bury them in the sand.
Lótas are the largest extant tóvenkaras, and are among the largest sea-creatures in Dragonía in general.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Though they vary in terms of size and colour, tóvenkaras share a number of features as well, such as having beak-like mouths, two sets of flippers, a crest of some sort along the back, and being warm-blooded. The tail on most species resemble those on sharks, except for lótas, and smaller species often have claws on their forelimbs.
Tóvenkaras are sometimes confused with Lyrkals, another group of marine reptiles found in Narra'tonei Sea to the southeast, due to their similar appearance (down to having beak-like mouth), though the latter are distinguished by being generally longer, more slender and only having one set of flippers.

Genetics and Reproduction

Only smaller tóvenkaras lay eggs on land, while the rest give birth to their young, similarly to mammals. Hatchlings of the former crawl to the sea in the same fashion as young sea turtles.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Virtually all species are primarily piscivores, though larger ones are known to hunt Níak Birds and squids as well. Lótas are a notable for specializing in eating giant squids and -octopuses.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The Ameders inhabiting Kanix Forest along the coast of Ahix Sea often hunt smaller and -less frequently- mid-sized tóvenkaras and lótas for their meat and ambergris, the latter which is used as spice, offerings to deities and ancestral spirits, and as a kind of chewing gum. Tóvenkara eggs are harvested in certain city-states, though not nearly as much as níak bird eggs, as they are considered an acquired taste. The beaks are sometimes used for jewelry, incorporated into armour or as floats for fishing nets.

by Lappalingur

Ambergris and boiled tóvenkara meat

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¹Original icelandic: tóvenkörur, singular: tóvenkara.
²Karasörur, singular: karasara.

by Lappalingur

Geographic Distribution

• Ahix Sea