Community:Doc Blubbin's Bestiary/Mammals

From the journal of Doc Blubbin II
Mammals are characterized by their warm blood, tendency to have fur, ability to birth live young, production of milk. It is this group that I will today be observing. A diverse class, mammals have adapted in numerous ways to the world after the bombs, and many have become cornerstones of post-war life for survivors across the continant. I have spent several years (and countless Microfusion cells) studying these creatures, and have done my best to compile my observations within this journal. My hope is that future members of the Followers of the Apocalypse may be able to study this material, and use it to aid in the preservation of all life in the wasteland.

Bighorner
Bighorners are a staple of ranching communities in the American southwest. Originally Bighorn Sheep, Bighorners had already begun starting to evolve as early as 2083. Much larger than their pre-war counterparts, adult Bighorners stand at eye level with most adults, and even the ewe's posses large curved horns. Making them identical to the rams. They possess long shaggy fur over much of their body, with the exception of their head above the jaw, the top of the neck, and the withers. Bighorners also lack lips, leaving their teeth on full display. They have two yellow eyes on either side of their head, with horizontal pupils.

Bighorners are herbivorous, and enjoy the taste of Banana yucca fruit. Usually docile, if provoked Bighorners will react violently. Their large horns are used with extreme effectiveness, and their charge can send a full grown human flying. They are social animals, and if one member of the herd is lost, the whole herd will become agitated and potentially hostile.

Bighorners are a major livestock animal for ranchers in the southwest. Several towns throughout the Mojave rely on them for their meat, hides, and cheese. Brahmin barons within the New California Republic have also taken to raising them. However, unlike Brahmin they cannot be used as beasts of burden for caravans, as they lay down and refuse to move if one puts a pack on them.

Brahmin
Ah, the noble brahmin. Truly, it is the backbone of all civilized societies in the modern world. Where would we be without these majestic multiheaded beasts of burden. It is thorough them that trade caravans are able to consistently crisscross the continent, linking the scattered settlements. We owe much to our humble bovine friends.

Brahmin are mutated versions of what people in the time before the bombs referred to as a "cow". Back then the creatures only had the one head from what I can gather based on old holotapes, and they filled a similar role in society to modern Brahmin. Modern brahmin are relied upon as both beasts of burden, and producers of a variety of foods. Brahmin meat is inherently radioactive, which is offset by Brahmin milk's interesting ability to cure radiation poisoning. Along with the two heads, Brahmin possess 8 stomachs, as well as four testicles. I'm not a farmer myself, but I would imagine the number of stomachs is is due to the increased demands of the second brain.

Brahmin posses enlarged udders, and a varying number of horns. I have also encountered brahmin breeds which bear two diminutive horns along either side of their snouts. They have rough and mottled red skin, with patches of wiry hair across their body. They are of limited intelligence (two heads are apparently not better than one, and can be easily taken care of by simply tipping them over. However, I have heard scattered reports of Brahmin on the west coast possessing the ability to speak.