boomerang dog

boomerang dog

THE BOOMERANG DOG
Cervidae canidae

SIZE:

COLOURATION:
The boomerang dog has distinct markings. It has a pelt of short, black fur with bright, almost luminous, blue markings that remind one of ancient war paint. It also has mauve eyes. This patterning and colouration is thought to help confuse predators on the hunt. It is the same for both sexes, although the arrangement of the fur patterns varies from animal to animal.

PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES:
Long, sinewy limbs and sturdy pads tell us that the boomerang dog is built for running. Its streamline shape and sleek pelt also aid this cause. The boomerang dog spends most of its life running. Even as early as ten minutes old, this unique creature can already outrun most predators. It has a huge lung capacity and prefers flight to fight.

CALL:
A series of short, high pitched bleats that remind rather of one sneezing.

DIET:
Being an insectivore cum herbivore, this animal feeds on various plant- and insect species, all found relatively close to the ground, as the boomerang dog often eats in the run.

REPRODUCTION AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE:
The female boomerang dog mates once a year. The males move around, constantly seeking females in heat. Their social structure is very loose, with herds forming and breaking every so often. There are about three males to a herd, and no limit to the number of females. The gestation period is 6 months, and the young few. When females are in heat, they tend to become more placid, and can be found resting more often than usual. Once mated their vitality returns for the first half of the pregnancy, but tapers off again slightly for the more crucial stages of pregnancy.

HUNTING METHOD:
Some would argue that the boomerang dogs were the creators of fast food. They eat whichever insects and plants don’t look poisonous, often without slackening their pace.

TEMPERAMENT:
This animal is timid and restless, even neurotic, but can be bred in captivity (Note to aspiring breeders: Large areas of land are necessary to breed boomerang dogs). After about six or seven generations, their neurotic nature can be polished into mere alertness.

HABITAT:
Forests, high bush and jungles all suit the needs of the boomerang dog.

General notes on the BOOMERANG DOG

It is interesting to find that the boomerang dog is not really a dog, or even remotely canine at all. It is part of the cervidae (deer) family, and is a distant relative of the Karga.
The name originates from native tribes, who, in ancient times, never caught more than a glimpse of an animal that was shaped like, and ran like, a canid. The boomerang dog has most of the characteristics of modern cervidae, but differs in that its digits are more dog-like than deer-like. It has two vestigial (receded) digits on either side of its paws, and three digits used for running on. The nails on these have thickened and are becoming more hoof-like.

(Gouache, watercolour)