Octopossum

The Octopossum is a long-tailed, eight legged marsupial scavenger native to the lowland jungles of Brunivard. Octopossum grow quickly to their adult size of 2.5 meters, evenly split between body and tail. Their eight legs and prehensile tail let them move through the jungle environment with great confidence. They are often quick enough to dodge strikes from a Jungle Wyvern, whipping around to the other side of a branch so the wyvern stings only the wood of the tree.   Dedicated omnivores, the octopossum has a long, narrow jaw with both sharp canines and strong molars, allowing it to eat insects, eggs, smaller rodents, grains and fruits, fish and shellfish, as well as the bodies and even bones of other animals that have fallen to age, predation, or disease. Octopossum are resistant to poison and disease, and can eat meals that other animals would leave behind.   As marsupials, Octopossum give birth to live, but very immature litters, and the young must make their way to the mother's pouch for the next stage of growth. After a year, they are ready to leave the pouch, though they will continue to cling to their mother's back as she shows them the way of life in the jungle.   Octopossum are quick-lived, with only a five or six year lifespan. They have large litters every year, and a fertile female may have a litter in the pouch at the same time as she is carrying last year's litter on her back.   Octopossum skins make soft leather, used for traditional hats and capes for babies and in fashionable gloves for adult giants.