Domestic Skuda

## Species

Fenis ferus skudas

The skuda (Fenis ferus skudas) is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the genus *Fenis* and the family Fenidae. The skuda was domesticated as early as 5000 BCE, and their domestication is believed to have been relatively widespread across Poran and Tanisea as well as northern Ontura by 3500 BCE. Although skudas in the subspecies skudas are domesticated, some are feral populations. The feral populations are not true wild skudas, as this term is used to describe non-domesticated species.

Skudas are adapted to run, allowing them to quickly escape predators, and possess an excellent form of balance and a strong fight-or-flight response. Skudas possess a unique trait that allows them to sleep standing upright, which is most likely subject to their fight-or-flight response.

Female skudas, called soes, carry their young for approximately 10 - 12 months and a young skuda, called a stu, can stand and run shortly after birth. Most skudas begin training with a saddle by age 2 to 4 and reach maturity by age 6. The typical lifespan of a domestic skuda is around 26 to 33 years, however feral populations appear to live slightly shorter, being between 20 to 24 years.

There are many different breeds of domesticated skuda with varying purposes, however most breeds fall into three main categories. Work skudas are suitable for slow, heavy work, often pulling wagons or sowing fields. Fast skudas are suitable for riding purposes, praised specifically for their speed and often high stamina. Then there are the mix breeds, usually a cross between a work and fast skuda, which are often able to perform various riding purposes.

## Biology

### Lifespan

The length of the lifespan of a domesticated skuda typically depends on the breed, with smaller breeds living longer than larger breeds, and working breeds typically living a shorter, albeit sometimes healthier life than other breeds.

The following terms are used to describe various life stages

**Stu**: A skuda of either sex that is less than 2 years of age and has not yet begone training with the saddle or harness.

**Scot**: A male skuda between the ages of 2 and 6.

**Spid**: A female skuda between the ages of 2 and 6.

**Skumsi**: A male skuda of any age above 6, or a male skuda that has reached sexual maturity.

**Soe**: A female skuda of any age above 6, or a female skuda that has reached sexual maturity.

### Size and measurement

The height of skudas is measured from the highest point of the withers, where the neck meets the back.

The exact size of skudas differs based on breed, with some being more than double the size of the smallest breeds. On average, most breeds measure between 135 to 163 cm (53.1 to 64.1 inches) in height and weigh between 350 kg to 800 kg (771.6 to 1763.6 pounds), however the exact weight and size of individuals can also vary not just from breed to breed, but also by nutrition.

### Colors

Skudas exhibit a wide range of coat colors and markings, with some possessing solid coat colors varying from whites, browns, greys, and blacks. Often times, individuals of lighter coat color also possess markings that can vary from spots, smudges, or even stripes that are usually darker in color, most often black or dark greys. The mane of the skuda is often darker or richer in color compared to the rest of the body, sometimes appearing reddish in brown colored skudas. Most commonly, skudas will possess lighter markings along the face and legs.

## Taxonomy and evolution

The skuda and its living and extinct relatives evolved to live in open plains, as they evolved to be faster than their natural predators. The exact ancestor of the genus *Fenis* is unknown, however the extinct wild skuda (*Fenis ferus ferus*), which went extinct sometime before 2430 BCE, was the ancestor of the domesticated skuda (*Fenis ferus skudas*). The wild skuda lived across the Tanisean steppe, likely evolving from a Tanisean or Marian ancestor.