Kahliijak

The Kahliijak, is a common mount used around Anista, most specifically in Kahlii, Zevhiira, Shadiir, Vestinand,  and Sturr.
These Herbivorous Feathered creatures are found all around Anista's flat-lands and great planes. they are most commonly known to inhabit / originate from Kahlii, where they are most populated. 
Though thin, these animals are very powerful with great agility. they can run long distances, and move easily over rocks and mountains, and through forests. They aren't the best for carrying large caravans and weight, unless in they are pulling in groups. They are usually best for personal traveling. 

TAMING-
Kilds have a symbiotic relationship with the Kahliijak, and it is not often these creatures will run away from kilds unless a common predator is approaching. 
to tame a wild Kahliijjak it takes time and patience. It's as easy as walking up to the one you want in the heard, giving it lots of love and attention providing food, grooming, petting, and getting those itchy spots under the feathers (common spots being behind the head and under the  arm feathers.)  The Kahliijak will enjoy this attention and find it bothersome it's pamper pal keeps leaving, and will eventually prefer the kild over it's own heard. From there, it's just a matter of teaching it to follow procedures  starting with laying down, getting used to a saddle and reigns (or luggage) and finally the kild to ride on it's back. Kahliijak will grow very attached to their partneres, much like a dog would to us! this can be cute, but sometimes over-whelming if you've ever had a dog 3+ ft taller than you trying to cuddle and push you around. These creatures also LOVE being pampered to death. it is very common for kilds to paint their Kahliijak's scales and feathers, and even give them clothing accessories to keep them happy and comfortable. 

FARMING-
some kild's prefer a more obedient and quicker mount (like the common guard for example) this is found through farm-raised kahliijak. they are raised used to being provided their every need, and being used to having equipment on them. they are taught to follow orders much harsher than their wild relatives.  though this can make them a great mount, perfect for facing harsh moments fearlessly and going wherever their rider insists, this is also a downfall on its own. Farm raised kahliijaks don't hold that commonly loved self-expressing nature the wild ones have for one. and secondly, because they've never had experience with their natural world, they don't know how to react to certain conditions and scenarios an average wild would see coming. for example, they might not run away from a Beon hound, a common predator. Or they might not stop when running up to a cliff side in a thunderstorm while the rider couldn't see it coming. 

Kahliijak's are also farmed for eggs. they lay unfertilized eggs once every week, or can be bread and hatched.


BIOLOGY: 
Their bodies are limber and agile, legs well designed for large strides, leaping and jumping. the feathers can be many different variations of size and colors. The feathers on their head and tail are flexible for expressing themselves. their large tusk-fangs, like many animals of Anista are used to crack open the shelled fruits and they can also be used for defense to nip at predators that get too close. Kahliijak's have two sets of nostrils, four in total, for the best and fastest self coolant, as the only sweat glands they have are on their feathers and bottoms of their stubbed feet. their feet are a lot like small narrow elephant feet, fingered with hoof like nails. Their whiskers on the bottom jaw are for feeling, they flex slightly back and fourth, and are used to slide and rub against their mates, and comrades. (different emotions felt for individual touch)  they can be used as discipline features as well in both the heard and farming. they will bite at these tender feelers to gain dominance in their heard, and farmers may pull them to discipline bad behaviors such as biting or screaming. 

Kahliijaks feather's take after chicken feathers when it comes to designs and styles. They also have tiny wings that are unnoticeable and useless. They may stretch and flutter the wings at times as though they need them for flight, but usually it amounts to not even being seen or noticeable due to their size.
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