Gavota
Also known as sea cows to the humans, the gavota are a rather monstrous-looking species of water mammal that can almost match the size of the Garruw. They are not sapient, and for all the spines on their backs, they are quite gentle.
The Weinadi, especially the Bikabu Sau Clan of the Dheizei, use these creatures as herd animals. They can be farmed for their meat and oil, and their hides are also incredibly useful. Most gavota are entirely tame, and are cared for their entire lives, with most farmers only harvesting those materials at the end of the gavota's life.
More importantly, they can be used as beasts of burden. Since they're mammals, they remain relatively close to the surface of the water, and their spikes are easy fastening points for a harness. They're hardy enough to be able to swim through some impressive storms, and can be trained to right any boats that might capsize.
The garruw are known to hunt and eat them, but this is rare, as the garruw don't tend to do well in underwater conditions, and the spikes make the gavotas a more difficult target. Still, the meat is a delicacy. Protection of the gavota herds has been the source of a relatively new diplomatic treaty between the garruw and weinadi, as both have use of the gavotas, and neither wants the species to die out from over-hunting.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
As a mammal, they produce live young in clutches of 1-4. The mothers require a very specific depth of water, being deep enough to provide pressure that helps with delivery, but not so deep that they cannot take their young up to the surface for their first breath of air.
Conservation Status
Common, but recovering from a period of overharvesting.
Geographic Distribution
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