Zoreaprealzu
The Zoreaprealzu (Orr Language: Yzöo[1u]rëä[1u3ü7u]pRëä[1u3ü4i7i]lzu, lit. roughly "animal species which is up in the sky and forward into the ground and is round and small") is a small birdlike burrowing animal which is a popular pet among the Orr.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Zoreaprealzu is a small, rotund, feathered animal approximately 5cm in length. Its hind limbs are wing-like and used for flight during active phases, while the forelimbs feature wide, shovel-like claws which are used to burrow underground in preparation for hibernation. The head of the Zoreaprealzu is not clearly separated from the body and has a limited range of motion. It features large beady eyes and a short beak-like mouth structure. Besides this primary mouth and vocal tract, there are four additional secondary vocal tracts, which allows them to create a harmonious call commonly described as "one of the most beautiful bird calls in the galaxy".
Genetics and Reproduction
Unlike the earth birds they somewhat resemble, Zoreaprealzu give birth to live young, not eggs. Their pregnancies progress very slowly during their hibernation cycle, so that birth occurs just after the end of the hibernation cycle. An average litter is between 2 and 3 young, and survival rates beyond the first hibernation cycle are roughly 50%.
Biological Cycle
As their native environment is very cold, Zoreaprealzu spend most of the year (a local year is roughly 4.3 earth years) burrowed underground in hibernation, only emerging during the hottest days, for a period equivalent to roughly 2 earth months to reproduce and eat. During this period, they nearly double in weight, which they lose during the next hibernation cycle.
Additional Information
Domestication
Zoreaprealzu are fairly common pets among the Orr. They are kept in transparent terraria during their hibernation phase, and typically moved to a large cage-like enclosure for their active period. Often, multiple Zoreaprealzu owners gather to release their pets into a shared enclosure as a form of community activity. It is not uncommon to take vacations during this period to spend more time with the pet.
Comments