Danapounc

(dah-nah-pOnch)

Biological Information

Sz: 4.6 m. | 15′ 2″ (when standing)
Wt: 360-500 kg. | 800-1100 lbs.
Loc: Parallelium
Tpt: Social
Prd: Pekataro

References

Expedition Addendum: Pekataro

Danapounc have been observed as unwilling to traverse volcanic terrain; for centuries the animals had few encounters with pori. When traveling between two known migration points, despite having the ability to climb the hills and slopes, danapounc will not travel across and instead prefer their flatland and grassland habitats.¹

While not a direct translation, danapounc comes from the Jibhaga words for “tall”, “long”, and “neck” with their necks being a clear visual distinction from the rest of Parallelium’s fauna. They are the only animals that eat a specific species of tree’s leaves and as a result carry seeds and pollen with them inadvertently during migrations, spreading the trees through Poria-Space.¹

In addition to their long necks, danapouncs have another odd feature: a pair of pawed forelegs and a pair of long-clawed hind legs.¹ Their tail is roughly the length of their hind legs to aid balance when standing and climbing trees. Though they can survive on short grasses, lichens, and moss, the species of trees they prefer contain trace elements of volcanic minerals in the leaves themselves. Danapounc live in roaming packs that are controlled by an alpha female with horns longer than the males that court her. She is the only reproducing female in the pack and while she takes care of newborn danapounc, the males of the pack protect her from other females.¹ It is unknown how many times a female will reproduce in a lifespan of nearly two decades.