Sonoelkh are cousins of Silkkassa's bepotelkh that live on the continent of Miatias. Miatias is primarily desert, bisected by a river that provides most of the fresh water that sustains life away from the coastal areas. Despite the heat, the Miatian deserts are full of life that has adapted to the climate, including sonoelkh.
Table of Contents
Lifecycle
A sonoelkh fawn is at their most vulnerable during their first summer. While most survive, it is still dangerous for a young fawn, particularly those born in spring or early summer. Of course, domestic sonoelkh fawns are much safer during their first summer than wild sonoelkh fawns.
Sonoelkh typically live to be 35 years of age, but domestic sonoelkh have been known to reach the age of 50. Sono aitielkh live much longer than their non-magical brethren, although nobody is quite sure how old they can get.
When it comes to mates, partners, and other bonds of affection, sonoelkh may:
- Choose a lifelong mate.
- Choose multiple lifelong mates.
- Choose to be solitary.
If a sonoelkh wishes to have a fawn, they must make an offering to Aiti.
Biology
Height & Weight
Sonoelkh are about 3-3.5' at the shoulder and average around 100lbs
Antlers
Though they look more horn-like than other beps, sono antlers are still antlers and are shed once a year, growing back at the same amazing speed as all other beps
Teeth & Tusks
Like beps, sonos do not have upper incisors and may or may not have vestegial canine tusks on the top, bottom, or both. The palates in their mouths are extremely tough, allowing them to chomp down on spiny foods like prickly pear pads.
Coat
Markings can be darker in winter (to absorb sunlight) or lighter in summer (to reflect sunlight).
Sono coat colors follow the same guidelines as beps: any naturally occurring colors on real-world mammals are possible with SOME tweaking allowed but generally no saturated blues, pinks, greens, etc.
Hooves (Other physical features?)
Sonos have long eyelashes to sheild their eyes from the sun. They cry salt tears to help them retain water, and their large ears help radiate heat when necessary. They almost always have darker patches or rings beneath their eyes to absorb sunlight, helping them see even in bright midday. Unlike beps with their full, fluffy manes, Sonos only have mane on the top of their head and running along the back of their neck, down part of the spine.
Diet
Their favorite foods are cactus fruits and mesquite beans; grasses are also a treat when found. They also eat desert oak acorns, and, in the mountains, there are all kinds of herbs and flowers to browse in the summer.
Society
In the wild, Sonos prefer to stay in herds, as they are more at risk of predation than Silkkassan beps. They're the fastest of elkh and love to race when conditions allow. In civilization, Sonos live much the same way beps do; harmoniously alongside humans both as workers and companions.
Language
Sono language is generally the same as other Elkh; wild sonos speak aititongue but may learn human language. Domestic sonos will likely be most familiar with human language but may also know aititongue.