Yerari Temporal range: Chibanian to present
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Tribe: | Cerverectini
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Genus: | Alcesapiens
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Species: | A. Rubrosilvestris
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Alcesapiens Rubrosilvestris | |
Yerari range: West Siberian taiga plain (Ecoregion PA0611) | |
West Siberian taiga plain on a satellite map of North Asia |
The Yerari (Alcesapiens Rubrosilvestris) is species of new world deer and is the only species in the tribe Cerverectini. They're distinct from other deers because of their bipedalism and quasi-hands. The species is endemic to the West Siberian Taiga, where it has lived for at least 650,000 years and has become well adapted to the harsh climate, although yerari occur in both migratory and sedentary populations.
Yerari are short-limbed, have a small, rounded head and a robust build. Their body is coated with a thick rust-colored fur which contributes to the short-limbed appearance. They also have crimson-colored mane around their head and a lesser one near their genitals and a ringed tail. Both males and females develop large antlers by early-mid spring, retaining them up until winter.
Description
editYerari males stand around 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) and females 153 cm (5 ft 0 in) tall with a 75–95 cm (30–37 in) tail used to help with balancing. Yerari weight an average of 80 kg (180 lb) for males and 66 kg (146 lb) for females. Most adult yerari have flat, palmate ("open-hand shaped") antlers; much like mooses; coming out of their upper forehead and curving back above the head. Their skulls have a short and wide facial region and a voluminous braincase averaging about 1,450 cm³. The dentition—38 teeth with the dental formula:3.1.4.23.1.3.2—is adapted to their omnivorous diet, capable of consuming a wide variety of plant and animal material.
Yerari have an area of black fur around the eyes, which blends with the surrounding rust coloring, assisting with camouflage. This dark mask which may be an adaption against blowing snow and snow-blindness and may also reduce glare and thus enhance night vision, enabling individuals to be active during the mostly dark day.
Yerari have many cold-specific adaptations, such as shorter limbs, a more robust build, specialised body-fat storage, enlarged paranasal sinuses to warm air, black skin to absorb as much heat as possible from the sun's rays, samoyed-like upturned mouths to prevent drooling and the formation of icicles. The coat consists of dense underfur around 5 cm (2.0 in) long and guard hairs around 15 cm (5.9 in) long, enabling them to rest comfortably in open areas at −50 °C (−58 °F) by placing their muzzles between their arms and covering their faces with their tail.
The nasal concha has a large surface area, so more warm air can move through the nasal passages. This gives them a curved snout profile, this together with a low nasal bridge gives them a flatter nose.
Yerari maintain their core body temperature at about 36.9 °C (98 °F). Overheating is countered by a layer of highly vascularized striated muscle tissue and finely controlled blood vessels. They also cool off by entering water.
Yerari are also able to migrate on colder climates by adopting a posture similar to that of a ostrich, putting their torso between their thighs, holding their arms close to their body and lowering their neck.
Behavior
editSocial structure
editYerari are usually solitary with large home ranges, but can be found in groups when times of food shortages, different packs may join together temporarily.
Although not territorial, horn folk are migratory and generally tend to avoid other individuals of their species. Individuals have been observed to throw rocks and other small-medium objects at relatively high speeds, presumably for this reason. This ability reflects the ability of their human-like shoulder muscles and tendons to store elasticity until it is needed to propel an object.
Communication
editYerari are capable of semi-complex articulate speech, comparable to early modern humans. They are able to reproduce human languages with relative ease although the big evolutionary difference due to their similar throat structure.
Yerari seem to have behavioural modernity.
Diet
editYerari are ruminants, having a four-chambered stomach. They are opportunistic omnivores and consume more plant than animal matter, although they eat mostly leaves, roots, fruits and nuts, they will not pass the chance to eat carrion or salmon when given the chance.
Yerari are known to have knowledge of apiculture and have domesticated bees for their honey.
Other types of foods yerari are known to eat include:
During the winter, when there is continuous nighttime, yerari change their sleeping pattern from one synchronised with the sun to an ultradian pattern, in which they sleep when they need to digest food for a longer period of time.
Religion
editYerari beliefs consist mostly of animism, pyrolatry, self improvement, and shamanism, although varying slightly between populations.
Fire
editYerari believe that fire are advanced beings who have given up on their physical form, though not exactly deities, they are treated with much respect as they provide a source of warmth and lighting, protection from predators (especially at night), and a method for cooking food.
By making fire, Yerari believe they are summoning these beings, asking them for help, in this context, firefighting is treated to the same degree as murder. Once a fire has started, Yerari will not put it out, but they will try to convince it to stop burning by limiting its access to fuel.
The Lanterns
editAccording to legend, The Lanterns inhabit the woods acting as tutelary deities, instantly obliterating any malevolent spirits that approach the area, allowing Yerari to interact with spirits through altered states of consciousness, such as trance, without worrying about them.
Taxonomy
editCervidae |
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(Deer) |
Dodoi
editReferences
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