Swordhead

Swordheads are large bovines, a cosmopolitan species on Daglaci. These animals are one of the largest domesticated creatures on the planet, weighing in at over five tonnes and standing over three metres tall. Swordheads are aptly named; their skull is dagger-like, with a pointed snout capable of slicing a daglacian in two.

With a population of over two billion, swordheads are extremely common in rural areas. Many farming populations use them to carry resources across sprawling fields, as they can comfortably withstand over a metric tonne of materials stacked on their flat backs.

Taxonomy

There are three recognised species of swordheads. Gladiufacis domesticus is a species derived from thousands of years of domestication. Gladiufacis cornuvex and Gladiufacis parvocaput, the white-winged swordhead and the dagger swordhead respectively, are two wild species rarely coming into contact with daglacian populations.

Both the white-winged and dagger swordheads have a total population barely reaching a third of the domesticated swordhead population.

Anatomy

Eggy Placeholder by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Wild swordheads are almost entirely muscle. With a stocky frame and trunk-like arms and legs, swordheads can demolish the icy landscapes with a single angry charge. They have a black colouration, with striking blue and white stripes running from their eyes, down their neck, and along their spine. Two large horns curl upwards from just behind their eyes.

Domesticated swordheads are often bred for their meat and muscle, with many subspecies existing as a result of genetic engineering. Different subspecies have a specific purpose for daglacians, and can be found in unique areas across the globe.

Albinism is unusuall common in swordheads, with these individuals culturally worshipped for their power and rarity.

Diet

Swordheads are a herbivorous species. As grazers they shear the short grasses with their elongated mouths. They rotate their heads sideways when grazing in order to graze as much as possible in a single bite.

Wild swordheads target large fruit trees, knocking them down with their giant heads. Not a single fruit is left if a hard of swordheads knock the tree down - leaves are consumed as well.

If swordheads cannot get enough protein from foods available then they will eat live animals, often small rodents, plentiful around Daglaci.

Reproduction & Growth

It is best not to approach a swordhead during mating season, or when its child is close by. Swordheads are exceptionally territorial and defensive over their offspring, as a result of there being so many potential predators on Daglaci. Domesticated swordheads have largely had this written out of their genes.

Male swordheads attempt to impress females by performing dances. These dances involve shaking their heads around and decorating it with snow, which they throw at the female of their desire. Most females are incredibly picky but end up choosing a male out of desperation, by the end of the mating season.

Gestation period is anywhere between 440 and 498 days, females most vulnerable during this time. The male will guard its partner all throughout gestation period, bringing her food from time to time. The birth is painless and offspring are born precocial, walking within its first hour.

Habitat

Wild swordheads are seen across Daglaci's surface. They avoid areas where the ice is thin, often seen around hills and mountains. Herds of swordheads sometimes mix with siren orcas, a typically solitary carnivorous species. Siren orcas offer the swordheads protection from predators, while the swordhead's ability to predict weather disasters help the orcas avoid danger.

Behaviour

Swordheads have an innate ability to sense weather disasters weeks, sometimes months, in advance. They have been seen migrating from densely populated areas with abundant food sources, to areas with a lack of food, specifically to avoid oncoming hailstorms. Weather phenomena on Daglaci can be particularly nasty, and getting caught in a storm could mean one's death.

These bovines have a rarely-seen playful side. Swordheads bonded with their farmers enjoy being cuddled. These animals like to play with each other, catching the other's tails and chasing them in circles.

Monster Hunting

Wild swordheads are an unfortunate victim of monster hunting. A leisure activity for the rich and life or death for the poor, monster hunting is an activity seen all throughout Daglaci. Wild herds of swordheads are targets for they are easy to spot and very easy to outsmart.

What they lack in brains is made up for with brute strength. When a herd of swordheads stampede, they flatten miles of landscape and can catch up to a daglacian running at full speed in seconds.

Scientific Name

Gladifacis domesticus
Gladiufacis cornuvex
Gladiufacis parvocaput

Lifespan

50 - 80 years

Average Height

3 - 3.5 metres

Average Weight

5 - 6 tonnes

Geographic Distribution

• Daglaci

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