Patonkwo
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The Patonkwo (Pseudogiraffa macrocornis), also known as the War Giraffe, is a species of large herbivore endemic to the islands of Okrit.
Description
Patonkwo are large hoofed mammals with notably long necks and long curved horns. While the skin itself is grey, their coat can vary in colour and pattern, usually being a dark greyish brown with light mottling and undersides. Coat colours and patterns can vary greatly between individuals, with striped, spotted, near black and entirely brown individuals being noted. Recent domestication has led to individuals being bred for their coat colours, however no breeds have been established.
On average, fully grown patonkwo stand 4.2 to 5.4 metres tall, with males growing taller than the females. The average weight of adult male patonkwo is around 1300kg with females falling within the range of 980 to 1150kg. This heavy weight can be attributed to their strong musculature, which is required to hold up their elongated necks. Patonkwo necks grow up to 2m at longest and can be held at a variety of angles from the body, though it is set at an angle of around 70-60 degrees. The large vertebrae that make up the neck lead to the patonkwo displaying a large hump between their shoulders which is often larger in males. Patonkwo have incredibly muscular legs, with the forelimbs usually being longer than hindlegs, a trait which is more visible in males due to it's assistance in fighting other males. The average hoof size of adult patonkwo is around 30cm x 20cm in diameter, though the forelegs of particularly males can be up to 40cm x 32cm.
All patonkwo are born with cartilaginous growths above the ears that grow larger and ossify as the animal ages. In females, these protrusions stay as ossicones, maintaining vasculature and a skin covering reaching 15cm in length and somewhat curving back. In males however, the ossicones fully develop into long curved horns up to 35cm in length. Patonkwo horns are utilised in the mating season as male patonkwo (bulls) compete to mate with the females through the clashing of their horns, heads and necks. These fights often leave both animals with wounds, occasionally being fatal. This is seemingly countered by the adaptation of thicker, more leathery skin on certain points of their neck head.
Ecology
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Diet
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Distribution
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Behaviour
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Domestication
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