Cowcaps Mushus tauri

APPEARANCE

Sizewise, most Cowcaps range from the size of an Earth Great Dane to the size of an Earth elephant.  Every type of cowcap has a mushroom on its head, which is typically reflective of the most abundant type of mushroom where it sprouted.  Green domestic cowcaps are the most abundant type, however, Cowcaps 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 cowcap, please visit the Encyclopedia.

HABITAT

Cowcaps are a domesticated animal, with no natural habitat.  They are typically kept in herds similarly to Earth's cattle, however they are usually kept in greenhouses when not outdoors, rather than in barns, as warmth and light are extremely important to their growth,

Behaviors

Cowcaps behave quite similarly to cattle from Earth.  They are quite social and affectionate, and like to graze on vegetation.  They are very protective of the areas where seedling cowcaps are growing, and will teach them to behave as an animal instead of a plant once the cowcaps' roots retract.

DIET

Cowcaps typically eat a diet high in foilage.  They are quite adept at clearing areas of decomposing matter, in particular, as their digestive process is rather akin to decomposing what they eat already.

ROLES

As a domesticated species, cowcaps lack an ecological niche.

REPRODUCTION

Spores.

LIFESPAN

Due to the effects of magic, cowcaps owned by another species will live for as long as their owner does. There are reports that cowcaps can live longer than dextroluma, but this is generally dismissed as a rumor, as there is no proof.

CORRUPTION

Cowcaps can contract necrosis, however, it has been noted that corrupted ones 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 cowcaps seem to need different mushrooms from their pure counterparts.