Vastallosi fauna

Vastallos is one of the most diverse places in Rathnir in regard to its biomes, flora, fauna, and cultures. Having 4 terrestrial biomes makes Vastallos a biodiverse continent that offers various ecological niches for wildlife to exploit, and indeed the continent has diverse array of creatures found in its forests and hills.

Spruce forests & Mountainous regions
Though technically two separate biomes, the relatively similar climate and floral assemblage allows animals to live in both regions with relative ease, and they form contiguous populations crossing the two zones.


 * Vastallosi White Wolf (Canis lupus vastallosus)
 * Black-Tailed Hawk (Buteo vastallosus)
 * Pygmy Sheep (Ovis aceras minor)
 * Mougar's Cow (Bos mougarii)
 * Vastallosi Llama (Lama major)
 * Giant Red Fox (Vulpes rufus)
 * Vastallosi Mountain Goat (Oreamnos vastallosus)

Oak-Birch forest
The deciduous forests share many fauna in common with the Dark Oak forests, though the faunal assemblage here includes few endemic species. It has recently become home to a population of invasive Maerun Falcons, which compete with the Black-Tailed Hawk for food resources.


 * Forest Bat (Silviopteryx communis)
 * Caiori's Pig (Sus caiorii)
 * Lesser Forest Hen (Nanogallus querciphilus)
 * Messenger Pigeon (Columba niedenensis mercuricus)
 * Black-Tailed Hawk (Buteo vastallosus)

Tropical Rainforest
This is the most biodiverse area in all of Vastallos, both in regards to its flora and fauna. The jungle has a species of berry bushes (Mamaccinium spinifer) which was introduced by the Mamaco people into the jungle at the time of their arrival in the continent.


 * Common Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
 * Forest Sheep (Ovis aceras occidens)
 * Jungle Hare (Lepus kawalapuensis)
 * Jungle Stag (Odocoileus vastallosus)
 * Mico Fowl (Gallus micoa)
 * Short River Squid (Rotostomateuthis breviriparus)
 * Vastallosi Panda (Ailuropoda vastallosica)
 * Vastallosi River Dolphin (Platanista essendae)
 * Western Tropical Booby (Sula occidens)

Dark Oak Forests
These forests are a large part of Vastallos's wilderness, second only in land area to rainforests. Despite this, they are not as well studied compared to the other biomes on the continent.


 * Black Pygmy Bat (Lophostoma negrisilva)
 * Forest Bat (Silviopteryx communis)
 * Orange Giant Fox (Vulpes megaluteus)
 * Black-Tailed Hawk (Buteo vastallosus)
 * Vastallosi Bison (Bison angustus)
 * Silver Giant Eagle (Haliaeetus megaargenti)

Extinct
Vastallos was once home to several animals that are now extinct, but still nonetheless part of the culture, legends, and traditions of the indigenous tribes. Many have been extinct for several thousands of years, but others have only recently disappeared due to human intervention.


 * Giant Ocelot (Leopardus maximus)
 * Giant River Parrot (Essendavis potamus)
 * Tree Fox (Procyon pseudovulpes)
 * Pygmy Llama (Lama minor)
 * Vastallosi Wild Ass (Equus hemionus vastallosus)
 * Fat capybara (Hydrochoerus maximus vastallosi)

Current Threats and Preservation
The two largest threats to the unique fauna of Vastallos are habitat destruction and overhunting. Between trophy hunting and the demand for meat and other animals resources by those unable to access farmed materials, the wildlife populations have dropped sharply in recent times. The expansion of new towns on the continent also destroys the habitat of many animals, driving them closer towards extinction.

Some efforts, albeit limited, have been made to preserve Vastallos's biodiversity. Some have suggested the creation of nature preserves, with at least one pre-existing reserve in Carvay.

Cryptids
A cryptid is a creature whose existence or survival is disputed or unsubstantiated. Many past claims have been proven to be false although some claims were found to be real occurances, named and submitted to the academic registrar. A list of notable current claims can be found below.


 * The Spring Spirit was claimed to have been sighted on several occasions. Dr. Ishmael Baekry conducted a minor investigation in mid December of 2020 but not enough evidence was found to confirm its existence.
 * Dryads or forest spirits are believed to inhabit the dark oak forests by the Masgar people. Largely existing in Masgar folktales and children's stories, many Masgar claim to have seen a dryad.

Credits
Created by Caiorod001

Data gathered by CBEO, Dr Ishmael Baekry

Edited by RaptorTheOne, Bakkerman, Janethebene, Destirius, Granaban