Trumba

The trumba are quite docile and will come to anyone who offers them a bit of Trumbaweed. Nontheless, they are not to be trifled with, their snouts are quite muscular and the hard nail is sharper than it seems.

The hobbits of the The Verdant Plains use the Trumba to move their barges along the rivers. Trumba are also kept for their milk, which has a green colour and has a high fat percentage.

A remarkable species, these Trumba are. A mammal that lives in the water. And the fights these male Trumba hold is a sure sight to see! A safe distance is advised however!

Mattrick Zaffenborgjo

Basic Information

Anatomy

They mostly resemble a cross between an elephant a hippopottamus and a dugong. Their short and stumpy legs aren't capable of supporting their heavy bodies for long outside of the water. But are quite able to propel them underwater. They use their long nose as a snorkel to move through the water in search for food. The hardend nail on the end of their snout allows them to cut the grass they find underwater. It's also their main means of defence. Using it in a jabbing motion to fend off attackers. The only noticable difference between a female and a male trumba is the male trumba having tusks growing out of his lower jaw.

Genetics and Reproduction

The trumba reproduction cycle is quite simple. A trumba is considered an adult when they are around 5 years old. At this age, most of the trumba will have left their parents, in search for a mate. The gestation period is about 13 months. During the last month of the pregnancy, the abdomen of the female will be too large for her to move around and forces the male to construct a nest for her. When the nest is finished, the male trumba uses his tusks to help his female into the nest. From this moment until the young calf is born, the male trumba will collect food for his female. When the calf is born, the trumba leave the nest almost immediately, as most of the best grass will be gone by now.

Growth Rate & Stages

For the first five years the Trumba are considered a calf. They enter adulthood at the end of these five years. Trumba generally live up to around 40 years. In most of the cases, fertility rates drop at around 30 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Trumba are bound to the water. Their short legs wouldn't support their heavy frame out of the water, with their hindlegs becoming quite vestigial in some cases and more flipper-like. They can walk on land, but will only do so to move to another body of water.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Trumba mostly eat aquatic plants and vegetation growing near rivers and lakes. They also consume a slight amount of fish and other small animals they can find in the water.

Additional Information

Domestication

Hobbits from the verdant planes were the first to domesticate the Trumba. They herd them in groups of around 50 individuals.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The Trumba are used for transportation, milk production and meat.

Facial characteristics

Their long nose sits in the middle of their face, rising up between the eyes.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They require a steady supply of clean water. They prefer rivers and lakes.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their nose is highly developed and is used for all kinds of things. Gathering food, breathing, digging, scratching and fighting.

Lifespan

40 years

Conservation Status

The Trumba are not under protection. There are quite a few hobbit-owned farms who breed Trumba for a variety of purposes.

Average Height

Around 80 centimeters.

Average Weight

The males average at about 500 kgs. The females howerever can wheigh upto 800 kgs when they are pregnant.

Average Length

about 2 meters.

Average Physique

The males of the Trumba are a bit more musculated in their hind legs, which they use in their mating rituals. The females generally  have more fat.

Geographic Distribution

• Forest of Dungol
• The Greenfells
• The Verdant Plains