Daegt

Snowy Daegt - "Sebastian Romu" © 2019

About

Daegt are long bodied nocturnal predators with long smooth nearly hairless tails.

Common Names

Daegt, Fox-Rat

Description

Classification

Mammal

Size

The average adult weighs about 30 kg (66 pounds), stands about 75 cm (30 inches) at the shoulder, and measures nearly 2 meters (80 inches) in length nose to tail.

Appearance

Long bodied with short legs. large triangular ears, long pointed snout, with pronounced whiskers, and a long rough skinned, nearly hairless tail.

Sexual dimorphism

Very little variation between the sexes other than sex organs.

Variance

Sub-species of Daegt are well adapted to differences in terrain and temperate.

Ecology

Habitat

Daegt are found in a wide variety of terrains and climates. The various sub-species are adapted to the particular conditions of the regions they frequent.

Diet

Scavengers and opportunistic predators. Known for their keen eyesight and excellent sense of smell, these creatures will track small animals to their dens, or nests and attack while the prey is still asleep. They are also capable of digging in mixed or loose soil to unearth burrowed prey with their long broad clawed fore paws.

Behaviour

Social grouping

Daegt are usually found in small family packs of two adults and their 3-4 cubs, although larger groupings have been reported with multiple female adults.

Temperament

Wary. Daegt tend to be alert to threats, but don't always flee, instead lingering around to possibly obtain scraps from the kills of larger predators.

Intelligence

Clever animal

Reproduction

Mated pairs will produce small litters of 3-4 cubs every spring, which are capable of hunting for them selves by summers end. Daegt reach sexual maturity at about 16 months.

Sub-Species

Common Daegt

The common daegt is found in most lightly wooded or grassy areas. Common daegt have a dark sable coloured fur popular as a trim for cold weather clothing.

Desert Daegt

The desert daegt is found both in the Krolaryn Wastes and the rockier areas of the Waejiran Desert. This species has shorter fur ranging from tawny to reddish, rusty colours.

Marsh Daegt

The marsh daegt is found in reedy marshes, and fens throughout Anexea. They tend to dingy brown and grey colours which blend into their environment. Their tails have a flat sided form, and their paws have partial webbing, to assist with swimming.

Snowy Daegt

The snowy daegt is common in northern climes, and alpine regions where it's white fur helps keep it camouflaged during the winter season. During warmer months the snowy daegt develops darker grey and brown patches of fur. The white pelt however are prized for their warmth and colour. The tails of the snowy daegt are shorter and thicker, with a heavy layer of fat to preserve heat in the cold climate.

Domestication

General

Daegt are sometimes domesticated for vermin control, or for tracking and hunting of small game.

Resources

Fur, Fat (Snowy Daegt)