Gheap

Gheaps (gheap singular) are woolly, hornless beasts that are best described as "the best features of goats, yaks, and sheep, with camel and monotreme thrown in". Gheaps are sturdy, cow-sized animals (about 1,400 lbs), genetically engineered for survival in a variety of climates. They are omnivorous and produce eggs during warm weather, and produce milk and wool throughout the year. As a strange quirk or their physiology, they cannot jump nor swim, and will avoid any body of water unless they can see the bottom.
== Maturation ==
Gheaps take a mere two years to grow to maturity—96% of them are female—at which point they can bear a rider. Females produce a hefty half-pound egg about once every day in warm weather, and produce seven gallons of milk if properly fed and watered, and will remain fertile for about 10 years. Male gheaps don't produce eggs or milk, but are a bit faster, and make for better cart pullers.
== Predators ==
Gheaps lack horns and are easily overwhelmed by predators like dogs or dog-alien equivalents. They are however, fairly loud, and will bellow for assistance when threatened. An attentive farmer with a weapon will be able to scare off smaller would-be predators, but fighting larger monsters might require a whole other biotech creation.
== General Abilities ==
* Ox-like strength
* Does well in herds or packs
* Filter lungs (useful against dust storms—or alien spores, like those seen on Tangaroa)
* Can eat all sorts of bad food
* Drinks barely anything
* Good temperature tolerance
* Surprisingly smart at IQ 4
== References ==
* More Survival and Camping Gear, from Tech and Toys I, p.35
Category:Animals