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Description

Mastotherium
Scientific name: Mastotherium andersi
Other names: Elephant-tapir
Ancestor: Brazilian tapir
Diet: Leaves, fruit, small vertebrates
Habitat and range: West-Antarctic forests and savannas.
The name of the Mastotherium is one of the more layered ones dubbed by the Exocene explorers. First off, it pays an homage to the similar-looking Mastodon of the North-American Pleistocene. It also translates directly as "breast-beast", referring to the fatty shoulder hump used for surviving tough winters and attracting mates. Does it actually look like a breast? I mean, not really, and that was the point. On a deeper level, the name satirizes the Mastodon, meaning "breast-tooth", for its conical teeth. Thing is, the teeth of a Mastodon do not really resemble the breasts of humans at all, and in all honestly was probably named by lonely paleontologists who were speculating on the appearance of what a woman might look like without her clothes. Thus, an entire animal was named after a different animals dumb-ass name. Mastotherium are roughly the size of an Forest Elephant, making them the largest terrestrial animal on the continent. While looking distinctly pachyderm, Mastotherium are descended of the brave Brazilian Tapirs that crossed from Patagonia via a very brief land-bridge. Their tusks are actually their pointed canines, and sit in the same way as the maxillary tusks on a boar. These mighty tusks are both a magnificent display and a fierce weapon against competitors and brash would-be predators. While Mastotherium calves make excellent meals for many larger predators, the adults have little to fear. Only the largest Crocottas in the biggest packs can take down one of these titans. While mostly eating leaves, arboreal fungi, and fruits, Mastotherium will occasionally eat small animals like lizards and shrews, using their trunks to snatch the poor buggers from branches. Mastotherium will also feed on carrion during the dark winter months when food is scarce. Despite their elephantine appearance, Mastotherium are solitary animals, and are not particularly bright (though not terribly stupid either). One scientist even saw a bull Mastotherium walk into a ravine while distracted by a comely Mastotherium cow. The sound it made as it fell to its death was one of complete surprise and fear, and was reportedly both sad and hilarious to listen to.

Description

Mastotherium
Scientific name: Mastotherium andersi
Other names: Elephant-tapir
Ancestor: Brazilian tapir
Diet: Leaves, fruit, small vertebrates
Habitat and range: West-Antarctic forests and savannas.
The name of the Mastotherium is one of the more layered ones dubbed by the Exocene explorers. First off, it pays an homage to the similar-looking Mastodon of the North-American Pleistocene. It also translates directly as "breast-beast", referring to the fatty shoulder hump used for surviving tough winters and attracting mates. Does it actually look like a breast? I mean, not really, and that was the point. On a deeper level, the name satirizes the Mastodon, meaning "breast-tooth", for its conical teeth. Thing is, the teeth of a Mastodon do not really resemble the breasts of humans at all, and in all honestly was probably named by lonely paleontologists who were speculating on the appearance of what a woman might look like without her clothes. Thus, an entire animal was named after a different animals dumb-ass name. Mastotherium are roughly the size of an Forest Elephant, making them the largest terrestrial animal on the continent. While looking distinctly pachyderm, Mastotherium are descended of the brave Brazilian Tapirs that crossed from Patagonia via a very brief land-bridge. Their tusks are actually their pointed canines, and sit in the same way as the maxillary tusks on a boar. These mighty tusks are both a magnificent display and a fierce weapon against competitors and brash would-be predators. While Mastotherium calves make excellent meals for many larger predators, the adults have little to fear. Only the largest Crocottas in the biggest packs can take down one of these titans. While mostly eating leaves, arboreal fungi, and fruits, Mastotherium will occasionally eat small animals like lizards and shrews, using their trunks to snatch the poor buggers from branches. Mastotherium will also feed on carrion during the dark winter months when food is scarce. Despite their elephantine appearance, Mastotherium are solitary animals, and are not particularly bright (though not terribly stupid either). One scientist even saw a bull Mastotherium walk into a ravine while distracted by a comely Mastotherium cow. The sound it made as it fell to its death was one of complete surprise and fear, and was reportedly both sad and hilarious to listen to.