Mastodon
Mastodons are large elephantine mammals that range from the far north to the southern plains of Aria. They are 12 ton herbivores that, when provoked, are as dangerous as any predator in the wild.
Standing 12' high at the shoulders and sporting tusks as long as 14', they are impressive beasts to encounter. Moving in small herds of 6 to 18 animals they roam the plains, woodlands and hill country browsing for brush, grasses and leaves.
In areas where they are most common (Northern Imesse, Colo, Cobal and the great Junn Steppe) mastodon hunting is still practiced by the most daring and skilled hunters. A single mastodon can feed a small village for nearly a year, and the ivory, leather, gut and grease that is harvested can be worth a fortune.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Mastodons are large mega-fauna with prominent tusks and a large proboscis (trunk) similar to elephants. They are more robust than elephants and mammoths, but with shorter legs. They average around 10 tons in weight and a height of 10'6". The largest males can reach 12+ tons and stand 13' at the shoulders, making them roughly 80% heavier than similarly sized elephants.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Mastodons live in family herds, where a dominant male will keep several females and a few young with them as they move from area to area. The males are quite territorial all year long, but become especially aggressive during the mating season (late summer, early fall). Female mastodons will gather together to protect a birthing mother and remain close for the first several months after the calves are born. During this time, the females are even more aggressive than the mating males. They have been known to charge at (and destroy) swaying trees that might startle a nursing female.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
On the rare occasion that a mastodon is hunted successfully, every part of the animal can be used. They ivory is almost priceless, the meat is delicious and plentiful (measured in tons rather than pounds), the hide is invaluable and even the bones are prized for tool and jewelry making. The sinews of the beasts can be carefully harvested and are highly prized as bow-making components. Even the organs are valuable, as bladders, intestines and stomachs can all be processed to become valuable leather components.
Facial characteristics
Elephantine in appearance, they are distinctly NOT elephants. They shorter necks than their elephant cousins, thicker trunks and longer, straighter tusks. They have much larger ears than their other cousin, the mammoth, owing to their more southern range.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Sub arctic to the southern reaches of the temperate zone.
Average Intelligence
Remarkably intelligent, and they can demonstrate a shockingly accurate individual memory. They can identify and remember the smell and sight of an individual of another species without err even after decades of no contact.
Lifespan
50+ years
Average Height
Males average 11', females 10'
Average Weight
Large males mass more than 12 tons (24,000 lbs), females average 9 tons (18,000 lbs).
Average Length
21' long.
Average Physique
Massively strong and robust, they are capable of running at 20 mile per hour for short distances.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Mastodons are covered in a soft, short-haired hide that is typically a brown to tan color, fairly uniform from head to tail.
