Skroffin (Skroh-fin)

Skroffin, meaning "digger" in varan, is a well-deserved name for this highly specialized scavenger. The upper jaw has taken on a shovel-like appearance, and is used just like one. Along with its remarkable sense of smell, the skroffin uses its snout to dig for food, cut roots, and lift rocks, and using its prehensile tongue it scoops up anything edible.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Skroffins are ungulates with a stocky build. Their four legs are relatively short with cloven hooves. The tail is medium-long and skinny with long, tufted fur at the tip. The thick neck supports a large head with a long, shovel-like snout covered in hardened keratin. The eyes are small and beady, and the ears are rounded and fluffy. Skroffins have a long, prehensile tongue.

Genetics and Reproduction

Skroffins mate for life, and can have 1 - 5 skrofflets per litter. They mate every 2 - 3 years when their previous litter has grown up and left to survive on their own.

Growth Rate & Stages

Skrofflets are born with a different coloration from their adult form, as they have a dark grey color with beige spots for camouflage. They reach maturity at age 2 where they loose their spots and grow an orange mane.

Ecology and Habitats

Skroffins prefer temperate climates and dense woods where they can dig up plants to feed on.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Skroffins are omnivores and will eat just about anything it can find, even small creatures and cadavers. Their favorite food is tree roots and mushrooms.

Behaviour

Skroffins are very defensive. A lone skroffin will most likely choose to flee from danger, but a bonded pair with young will fight just about anything they deem a threat. Because of their poor vision it is sometimes difficult for them to tell a friend from foe, or even creature from inanimate object.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Skroffins have pretty bad vision and can only see objects that are close to them, but their sense of smell is unmatched by any other creature. They also have sensetive taste buds and can easly recognize if wheter or not something is poisonous for them by licking it.

Name Origin & Meaning

The name "skroffin" means "digger" in varan.

Lifespan

10 -15 years

Average Height

0.6 - 1.2 meters (at the shoulder)

Average Weight

80 - 150 kg

Average Length

1.5 - 2 meters (including tail)

Geographic Distribution

• Eastern savannah
• Kuali swamp
• Lakishi forest
• The sanctuary
• Uvaro forest
• Western savannah

Terminology

• A male skroffin is called a hog.
• A female skroffin is called a sow.
• A juvenile skroffin is called a skrofflet.
• A group of skroffins is called a drove or family.
• The plural of skroffin is skroffins.