Day
Desert Dogs
Days are mammiles that wander the shrublands, hills, and sand dunes
between the Paban and Kugma mountain ranges. They have four
digitigrade legs, wide mouths with sharp teeth, and tough scales on
their backs that form a small shell. During the hot days, they
burrow underground to escape the sun's harsh rays.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Days have short orange fur over most of their body except for a
large patch of hardened scales that cover their spines. They
have flat faces with wide mouths with many sharp teeth. They
have four long legs with flat feet and webbed toes to better dig
their burrows or run away on hot sand. Their large floppy round
ears allows them to dispel heat.
Genetics and Reproduction
Days live in groups. An egg-laying day will mate with multiple
days over the course of a single period. The eggs are then laid
in small clutches of 4-6 inside burrows, where they hatch after
several months.
Growth Rate & Stages
When first hatched, a day will be able to see and walk on their
own but will be dependent on their pack for survival. It takes
about four years for them to grow to their final adult size.
Ecology and Habitats
Their range extends from the foothills of the Paban Mountains to
the deserts just north of Kugmak. While they can adapt to low
levels of water, they do still require more than might be
expected of a desert animal. Luckily they are adept at finding
water sources with their feet.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Days live in large packs with no central leader. Pups are raised
in groups and have no particular affinity for their siblings vs.
other pups. Some pups may elect to follow one day more closely
than another, resembling a more one to one familial
relationship, but this is rare.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Days were domesticated by rarites and ildoar separately. The
Raron days, as they came to be known, were smaller and leaner
and used mostly as pets. Kugma people used days as working
animals, relying on their water-tracking ability near the base
of the Kugma Mountains.
Average Intelligence
The average day is fairly intelligent and is capable of being
trained to perform small tasks, such as snuffing lanterns or
serving as a short-distance carrier.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Their flat feet allow them to feel the tiniest currents of water
underneath the ground, allowing them to stay hydrated. Their
large ears, while used to control their internal temperature,
are also capable of hearing over great distances.