Ecology

[MoonHunter]

WILDLIFE
Ecology of Kerren: The ecology of Kerren is in a Saurian Phase, with megafauna (big animals) dominating. Saurians are smooth skinned, partially warm blooded (they are endo thermic, but need help in regulating temp), reptilike animals. In northern or colder climes, they have proto feathers to create a bizzare fuzzy coat to keep them warm. They come in hundreds of different sizes and types. Insectoids and fish are also present. The insects are about 500% bigger than their terrestial counterparts. Fish, like Saurians, come in hundreds of different sizes and types. The only mammals and birds on this world come from Terra. The terrestrial animals that came with the Humans have found some nitches. Most of these animals are pet animals: Dogs, Cats, and Raptors. A few of these animals have escaped into the wild, but they really have not made a notable impact upon the environment. The cattle and goats all died off early of either preditors and then disease. The Rats never survived out in the wilds because the native rat like dinosarus. The terran insects have not been able to compete with their larger Kerran cousins. The saurians still rule the ecology.

In short, take a terrestrial environment, instead of mammals, birds, and such, make them Saurians and about 50% bigger than their terran counterparts. Sprinkle in a few odd creatures, like a megafauna (big dinosaur) and a dragonlike critter (Leapers, Swimmers, etc)

and Zhan Monsters
[The world is almost lost worldish in its critters... the normal ones are bigger and meaner than their terrestrial counterparts, plus we have a few saurians.]

Pet Beasts:
 [Dragons hate “pet” animals Dogs, Cats, Chirps Hawk  These creatures are bigger and smarter than their terrestrial equivalents]

[MoonHunter]

A GIP is one of the most important animals in the Kerren ecology.  

Physically it is a low slung, broad backed, sixed limbed saurian.  It is 1.5 meters long, and 1 to 1.2 meters wide, and .6 meters tall (with .3 meters ground clearance). Its back has an extremely thick hide that is constantly growing (a proto-shell) .  Its head has a vague turtle like in appearance.  

It looks like it should be extremely slow, but it can be quite quick (much to the consternation of all the shepherds.  

It is also fairly docile in the wild. Domestic ones are even more so. They like to be with other GIPs, in a loose herd of sorts. However, they do not act like a herd.  

It has a goat like ability to eat just about anything (and pass anything else it might eat that is not digestable).  

In a world of huge, fast carnavores (some of which can fly), the Gip opted to defend itself by having a very thick hide on its back (not yet a shell) and the ability to outbreed any species on the planet. They are hermaphrodic, and can breed clutches of eggs with or without a partner. Every three months, each one can drop 4-8 eggs, which hatch a few days later.  Six months after that, the young can breed.  (note: the eggs are foul tasting, so no race eats them).  If it was not for all the carnivores, they would overbreed and eat all available plant matter.


For the colonists, GIPs are a godsend.

1) They were practically domesticated when they landed.  

2) They allow the human population to support their flights of dragons.  

3) They can be grazed anywhere and have been used to "recycle" human biogarbage and waste.  

4) The hide on their back can be occasionally "chelled" (several layers can be peeled off). This leather can be worked to be quite soft, or impregnated with resins and made quite hard.  Hard leather is the main metal substitute for the colonists.  

5) If pressed Gips will swim and climb as well.  Their flexible broad feet giving them traction anywhere.

[CaptainPenguin]

Yo. What does GIP stand for, or where you just capitalizing for emphasis?

[MoonHunter]

It could be non capitalized.

The name comes from two sources, depending on who you talk to.

Gip is the noice these creatures make.  It is a barking sort of noise.  Well it really doesn't sound like GIP unless you think about it really hard.  

The second is likely. It comes from a Gulliver in the early colonial domestication projects.  One of the saga's list there being an entry in the early logs: Goddam, Independent Pig, since GIPs have the same general ecological nitch and habits as wild pigs.

[MoonHunter]

Raptors:  The Colonist brough a wide variety of smaller raptors with them from Terra. They were brought for "hawking", but it was mainly to help the species from going extinct.  Falcons, Hawks, and some smaller Eagles were saved. Most of these animals are tamed (though not domesticated) and live with the colonists. There are a few freeborn Raptors on Kerren, but very, very few.

K10s.. genetically enhanced dogs. Smarter than conventional dogs (wolf smart... i.e. the intelligence of a 2 year old), stronger, faster, able to climb more easily, larger (average 35 kgs). They were originally slated to be humankind's partner on Kerren. Things turned out a bit different.

Cats.. they are pretty much the same animals that you know on Earth today.

Rats: None made it.  Between anti-gravity, anti-pest, and vacumn, they just did not make the trip.  

The other terrestrial animals that came with the colonists were all farm animals. They did not survive the megafauna. If they had not created an electric fence, they might of survived. It is a good thing Gips were practically domesticated when the colonists arrived.

K10s and Cats are pet animals on Kerren. They are not commonly pets in Warrens, as the Dragons don't see them as pets... they see them as fun snack food. Ward folk however, love their cats and K10s.

[MoonHunter]

Most land animals are Saurians, warm blooded reptile like creatures... Dinosaurs.  

The Dragon branch includes Dragons, Hoppers (our veloceraptors), Gliders, SeaDragons, Mini-dragons (needs a new name), and probably one more. All of them have increased para-sensory abilities because of the amount of nerves in their wing /glider /webbing. These creatures are sensitive to warp (and electromagnetic fields) and things that came through warp (which allows them to know when Zhan are in the area). (That extra neural web in their wings allow them to warp/ phase/ etc.). So the dragons burn these things, but the other ones are known to attack them (and since they are able to sense their presence, more able to avoid zhani suprise attacks.