WhazerMycoceta rhinconia

APPEARANCE

The average size of a Whazer is equivalent to that of a Great Dane from Earth.  Blue aqueous Whazers are the most common type of this animal, however, Whazers come in a number of different appearances, some of which seem to be influenced by seasons or even by strange magics. To see the currently available different types of Whazer, please visit the Encyclopedia.

HABITAT

The original habitat of the Whazer was the Eternal Depths. As they have been close to Dextroluma back to their early days as a species, Whazers no longer have a natural habitat, being wholly domesticated and differentiated genetically in the same way that an Earth dog or cat is from their relatives. Feral Whazers prefer areas with large bodies of water, due to their need to sleep in water (except for those who have been bred for survival in the Obsidian Peaks), but are otherwise happy to adapt to any environment. They can breathe and float in the air when awake, but revert to breathing liquid when asleep, something that puzzles Dextroluma researchers.

Behaviors

Whazers vocalize rather infrequently, and at pitches that are too low for most beings not native to Aerius to hear.  They have high levels of intelligence, having traditionally been kept as a type of guard animal by early Dextroluma.  Nowadays, they can be trained to do pet sports and tricks, although their protective instincts surface quite easily if their owners are threatened - or merely inconvenienced.  It is very important to socialize your Whazer well so that they don't think you need protection from your friends, knocks on the door, stray paper bags, or other such odd things they might find threatening.  This is especially important as Whazers can store a certain amount of liquid in a specialized organ within their throat, which they shoot at 'threats' in a sharp jet.

DIET

Whazers are generally filter feeders, and it is important for owners to provide a space for them to filter feed within - most owners prefer to just do that in the same tank where the Whazer sleeps.  They'll generally eat anything they can, though some Whazers are known to be picky eaters.  Most pet stores sell big bags of pellets and flakes to feed them with, though some owners use growth tanks to grow the appropriate mushrooms with so they can feed their Whazer with theoretically fewer expenses.

ROLES

Whazers no longer have a natural role in wild food chains.  Feral populations can prove dangerous to other filter feeders that still have undomesticated varieties, such as the Jelluxi.

REPRODUCTION

Eggs.

LIFESPAN

Due to the effects of magic, Whazers owned by another species will live for as long as their owner does. A feral Whazer seems to be able to live to about thirty if it is fortunate.

CORRUPTION

Whazers can contract necrosis, however, it hasbeen noted that corrupted Whazer seem to change from their original variety into something unique to their kind, as do cured ones. It is unknown why this is, but it is hypothesized to be an evolutionary adaptation to allow them to survive on a new mushroom diet, as corrupted and cured Whazers seem to need different mushrooms from their pure counterparts.