Tatzelwurm
The Tatzelwurm is a species of gigantic serpentine felines that live within the mountains and forests of Vilstrung. They're among the many greater dangers found in the Eastern side of the continent, having adapted uniquely to its cold climate.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Tatzelwurms are massive feline-like beasts that can reach up to 6-10 Meters in length; though legends speak of beasts that can reach even greater sizes. They're serpentine, with a feline-like upper body. They're covered entirely in thick fur that ends with a tuft of dense, fluffy hair at the tips of their tails.
Icy Armor
Tatzelwurm fur is exceptionally dense. While they lack blubber that normally protects most larger beasts, they make up for it in a layer of hairs that are so fine that it's almost necessary to use piercing weapons to bring them down properly. Swords fail to hack through the hairs, and blunt weapons often fail to bruise their sturdy musculature. Tatzelwurms will often dive into icy rivers or coastal waters to purposefully collect as much water into their fur as they can, before rising to the surface to allow the cool air to crystallize it into a protective barrier of sharp ice. Some Tatzelwurms even dip their tail tufts into waters to create a makeshift club.Cleated Claws
Tatzelwurms possess slender, but muscular forelimbs that end with claws that are incapable of retracting. This is a unique trait that allows them to maneuver easier by digging their claws into sheet ice for better traction, or scale into higher mountains or trees to find better vantage points.Snapping Jaws
A Tatzelwurm's head is often described as a hydraulic press. They have exceptionally wide mouths that are filled with very sharp, pointed canines designed to shear through flesh. Their bite force is incomprehensibly strong; they typically aim for the limbs of their prey by lunging to bite, before they twist their bodies like a corkscrew to quickly twist and tear away the limb.Ecology and Habitats
Tatzelwurms are uniquely adapted to the cold and are arguably incapable of living outside of it. This is due to their ultra dense fur potentially retaining too much moisture that would simply remain too cold for them to comfortably freeze against their hide. While this is already a simple disadvantage to them, the moisture in their fur can potentially invite a host of diseases. Tatzelwurms, like most wurms, are hardy, but not quite hardy enough to handle potential infections from warmer climates.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Tatzelwurms are entirely carnivorous. They rely on swallowing their prey either whole, or through single, massive chunks.
Their jaws are designed to snap into their prey before they strategically twist themselves enough to rip away pieces of their meals one piece at a time. Their forelimbs also aid in this, allowing them to push their prey away from their jaws while they tear away meat.
Tatzelwurms are notoriously ravenous during the winter months, this is due to their migratory patterns. During the winter, they'll hunt and devour anything they run into before retreating to the East during the summer.
Migration Habits
Tatzelwurms are surprisingly migratory for predators, following the climate moreso than the prey. During cold winters, the Tatzelwurm will leave the eastern tundras in favour of hunting newer lands in the west. When spring and summer begins, they migrate back to the tundra after gorging themselves on prey. During the height of the summer season, Tatzelwurms will burrow into permafrost and begin an estivation period to conserve energy. Tatzelwurm dens pock many parts of Eastern Vilstrung, creating countless dens littered with the bones of unfortunate prey they've dragged into their dens.Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The Tatzelwurm is among the most commonly hunted creature in Villish culture. Due to being related to wurms, they hold a particularly long lifespan -- so much so that Scientists and Scholars consider them biologically immortal. As a result, there is no effort made in conserving the Tatzelwurm population, as they're -unfortunately- always plentiful enough to cause trouble for the Villish people.
Their fur is a very popular sign of Villish rulership, though. Not only is it luxoriously soft and warm, but the efforts in slaying such a beast is something that's commended among hunting communities.
Tatzelwurm meat is a very popular game meat among Villish cuisine due to how plentiful it is. The taste and texture is somewhat of an acquired taste; as it's particularly stringy, tough, and chewy.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Tatzelwurms are exclusively found in Vilstrung; particularly in the Eastern tundras and central forest.
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