Orratilla
Orratilla are a species burrowing rodent native to Serendipity's western mountain range. They are a member of the
Sciuridae family, and are closely related to both prairie dogs and marmots.
A Rusted Orratilla. This one has made it's home in a vein of copper ore.
Characteristics
Orratilla are small, stocky rodents; typically measuring about a foot long from head to tail. Their fur is very soft, and glitters in direct sunlight. It's snout is flat and pushed in, giving it's face a somewhat grumpy appearance. An orratilla can fold its ears back to prevent dirt from getting inside them while digging.
The dentine in an orratilla's teeth is hyper-compressed, and is comparable to diamonds in structure. It's claws are equally tough, and allow orratilla to effortlessly tunnel through both rock and metal. Like most rodents their teeth are constantly growing, and an orratilla must wear them down daily with the ore they dig up. They take dust baths in the leftover metal filings, giving their coats a metallic sheen.
There are two distict subspecies of Orratilla- Rusted, and Tarnished. Rusted orratilla are smaller in stature, and have grey-brown fur. Tarnished orratilla are somewhat larger, and can be found in shades of gold and silver. Both species are born with stark white fur- it's adult coloration is determined by the ore vein it inhabits. A group of either subspecies is called a "team".
Habitat and Conservation
Habitat Distribution
Orratilla construct and inhabit elaborate tunnel systems known as "mines". These tunnels can be quite expansive, with the largest mines being over half a kilometer in depth.
Orratilla instinctively seek out ore veins when digging, and seem to have an uncanny knack for locating them underground. A single ore vein can sustain an orratilla team for up to ten years, depending on the size. Rusted orratilla prefer veins of iron, copper and tin, while the Tarnished subspecies makes it's home in veins of gold, silver, and pyrite.
While the Rusted orratilla is still somewhat widespread, Tarnished orratilla are critically endangered. Having been hunted to near-extinction for their soft and valuable fur, this subspecies is now found almost exclusively in the province of Altas Verde.
Behavior
Orratilla are social animals, preferring to live in teams of 8-10 individuals. These teams are matriarchal; usually consisting of a single breeding female, 2-3 adult males, and 5-6 juveniles. Upon reaching maturity, young females will be forced out of the team by the elder female to prevent competition. They will then either go on to start their own team, or will be picked off by one of their numerous natural predators.
Orratilla are diurnal, leaving their burrows during the day to forage for food. They are mostly herbivorous, preferring a diet nuts, seeds, and occasionally insects. They store food in their mines, having entire chambers dug out for this purpose. An orratilla stands on it's hind legs while eating, using their front paws to bring food to their mouthes. The average lifespan of an Orratilla is ten years.
When isolated from their preferred ore vein, an orratilla will get agitated and attempt to burrow underground to find a new one. It is currently unknown exactly how an orratilla is able to locate metal, despite researcher's best efforts. Studies conducted by Wyrdwood Academy have proved inconclusive, and beastspeakers who've asked directly have only gotten vague non-answers in reply.
Relationship With Humans
Valued for their beauty, products made from Tarnished orratilla fur are coveted by many Serenian nobles. As high demand has led to the subspecies being overhunted, their increased scarcity has caused prices to skyrocket over the past few decades. Even pyrite-dusted coats- once viewed as a cheap alternative to the silver and gold-dusted varients- has seen a monumental increase in value.
Due to being seen as a provincial symbol, orratilla are a protected species in Altas Verde. As a result, the province is the only place where the tarnished subspecies can still be found in the wild. Hunting orratilla here will result in a hefty fine, or even jail time for repeat offences. Despite this, Tarnished numbers are still concerningly low due to illegal poaching.
Rusted orratilla are generally safe from poachers, but are seen as dangerous pests by miners. While not particularly aggressive, an iron-inhabiting orratilla
will trigger a Serenian's natural weakness to the metal when in close proximity to the animal. Though deaths are considerably rare, miners that dig into these orratilla's nests by accident often have no choice but to abandon their prospects entirely.
Orratilla as Pets
Orratilla can make for cute and affectionate pets... so long as you can afford to keep one!
While orratilla have been domesticated in the past, they are notoriously difficult to keep as pets. They must have metal readily available for them to chew, which can quickly get expensive depending on the species being kept. An Orratilla's cage must be made of wood, as the animal
will chew through the bars of a traditional metal one and escape. If left unchecked they will instinctively seek out items such as jewelry and kitchenware in order to satisfy their urges. Due to the resources needed to properly care for these animals, Orratilla are typically only kept as pets by wealthy nobles.
