The National Animal Zoo

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:33 pm

TL;DR: list your national animal in this index!

Nations throughout the multiverse are associated with many things - colors, anthems, landmarks, traits and far, far more. Chief among these are national animals, the one creature a nation treasures most above all, often being made official as such. From water buffalo to land crabs, flying squirrels to jumping spiders, long-haired guinea pigs to bald eagles and more, a national animal is an important cultural symbol and icon for sovereign states, relating qualities, history, symbolism and other national connectors. Here in Dexterra, ours is the intelligent, observant, affectionate beagle, to us very much the epitome of 'man's best friend.' But Dexter beagle sanctification is also rooted in our origin: centuries ago arriving on what is today the Dexter mainland, some two dozen beagles accompanied a crew that was soon wiped out by a cataclysmic hurricane. Nevertheless able to manage on their own, the surviving beagles persevered into a modern population of tens of thousands, and now can not only be found in almost every Dexter home, dog park or veterinarian's office, but also in the Dexter capital city name, national colors and currency name. Who knows, a beagle could even be typing this out to you!

Via Facterra, Dexters of all walks of life would like to open the National Animal Zoo, a place where you can list your national animal and wander in amazement through exhibits of other national animals. Entrants will be sorted alphabetically by nation name. Imagery is also more than welcome but not mandatory, though artists should be mindful of forum readability:

If you would like it:

Code: Select all: Pretitle and/or nation name - national animal

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Animal Relocation Thread
Misc. Worldbuilding Thread National Animal Questionnaire

If you have any suggestions on how to improve this public cultural center, we would be grateful to listen. The Zoo will be checked regularly and updated on an as needed basis - thank you again!

Welcome to the National Animal Zoo!

TOUR GUIDE:

Exhibit I (nations beginning with numerals or the letter A)
Exhibit II (letter B)
Exhibit III (C)
Exhibit IV (D)
Exhibit V (E)
Exhibit VI (F)
Exhibit VII (G)
Exhibit VIII (H)
Exhibit IX (I)
Exhibit X (J)
Exhibit XI (K)
Exhibit XII (L)
Exhibit XIII (M)
Exhibit XIV (N)
Exhibit XV (O)
Exhibit XVI (P)
Exhibit XVII (Q)
Exhibit XVIII (R)
Exhibit XIX (S)
Exhibit XX (T)
Exhibit XXI (U)
Exhibit XXII (V)
Exhibit XXIII (W)
Exhibit XXIV (X, Y and Z)

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:34 pm

Numerals, letter A

Aetherlina - the Aetherlina Frog

Angvar - "the common raven is Angvar's national bird, the Angvarian dire wolf its national mammal, the Udel cave salamander its national reptile, and the valravn its national mythological creature."

The Principality of Apexiala - the Bison

Appilasol - the Neck Breaker

The Non-Speciesist State of Ardchu - the Armadillo "(but also kinda the Ardchuan Alligator)"

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:34 pm

B

The Anocratic Empire of Bigpipstan - the Phoenix. "Phoenixes are birds with colors of red and orange, they are our national animal because they resemble perseverance."

The Crypto Island of Bilancorn - the Tiger Shark

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:35 pm

C

The Community of Calenoa - the Calenoan Leopard

The Republic of Chinchilla Land - the Chinchilla

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:35 pm

D

The Supreme Democratic Republic of Darsima - the Darsimese Eagle

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:36 pm

E

The Holy Empire of Exarkyon - the "Tarantulas (all subspecies); Secondary: Jumping spiders (all subspecies); Spiders in general"

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:37 pm

F

Nations whose names begin with the letter F will be listed here.

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:37 pm

G

The Democratic Republic of Gandoor - the Cat

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:38 pm

H

The Hispaniolan State / Hispaniola2 - the Great Kineseda Eagle (also known as the Hispaniolan Eagle)

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:38 pm

I

The Empire of The Ice States - the Ice Eagle

The Republic of Ineva - the Atlantic Puffin

Inner Albania - the white-tailed eagle, white stork and Eurasian lynx

The Caliphate of An Islamic World - the Tiger

The Most Serene Republic of Istastioner - the Red Fox

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:39 pm

J

Nations whose names begin with the letter J will be listed here.

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:39 pm

K

United Kingdom of Kerolon / United Kerolon - the Asellia "(basically a white three-winged bird)"

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:40 pm

L

The Confederation of Louisiene - the trumpeter swan

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:45 pm

M

Misdainana - the Dolphin

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:49 pm

N

The Republic of Naui Tu - the Blue butterfly. "The most common butterfly species here in Naui Tu. The rarest is the blue-yellow butterfly in the shape of a Naui Tu flag. The butterfly symbol means beauty and respect."

The Monarchy of Nigeriao Kingdom - the Nigeriaoan Eagle

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:51 pm

O

"The so-called "national animal" of The Onigiri Enclave is the "Fabulous Onigiri," a sentient species of beings found almost exclusively in The Onigiri Enclave. In truth, they're regarded more along the line of the aboriginal/native species of the nation, in the name vein as the Native Americans of North America, the Ainu of Japan, and the Aborigines of Australia; the first residents of The Onigiri Enclave. We only filed them as "national animal" in the UN international survey because of the document's short-sighted human-centric viewpoint, unable to properly fill in data regarding the dozens of other species living here, and also because as the original natives, Fabulous Onigiri enjoy a semi-protected status, a level of protection similar to those recognized and enforced by the UN for a nation's "national animal."

PHYSIOLOGY:
The Fabulous Onigiri itself are quite literally a species of sentient all-female onigiri, all possessing bodies composed of a starchy material not unlike fluffy cooked rice, a band of rough kelp lining their undersides, as well as hair and a tail made of fibers of uncooked nori, which tends to give most of the species various hues of violet hair & tail, those some rare individuals sometimes have lavender, fuchsia, or kelly green hair & tail. They have massive expressive eyes (sometimes described as being practically "shojo anime-like") with traits akin to human eyes, with white sclera, and irises running the range of blue, gold, maroon, green, indigo, and pink, and expansive round pupils that expand and constrict based on light level. Fabulous Onigiri possess amazingly long, luscious, and pronounced eyelashes, which frame their eyes in a spectacular fashion. They possess omnivorous teeth, 40 in all, split evenly between a top row and bottom row, with two central incisors and canines each on the top and bottom rows (no lateral incisors though). They have three sets of bicuspids on either side of the mouth on top and bottom, and five molars on each side of their mouth on both the top and bottom rows of teeth. They have a large tongue and uvula, giving their mouth in general a largely humanoid visage. Facially, their facial profile from the side resembles something like that of a noseless human, possessing supple lips and definitive cheek & brow lines when they speak or emote. Their jawlines are obfuscated by their mostly rounded conical onigiri bodies.
As for the nasal region, as stated, the area is flat and largely unnoticeable, though they do small nasal orifices on their face that you can see if you get very close to their face. In part to how their nasal passages are designed, their sense of smell is weaker than humans, but is also decoupled from their sense of taste, which is impeccable. Their tails are prehensile, and are usually their secondary means of interacting with objects in the world. Instead, their primary means of manipulating objects comes from a harder, denser region on their forehead, a singular horn, some foreigners who met a Fabulous Onigiri describing them like that of a unicorn's horn, the horns mostly conical with a spiral groove, though some have curved horns as well, and it is through this horn they utilize their most esoteric feature - telekinesis. Autopsies of Fabulous Onigiri show there are powerful nerves and unique tissues similar to brain matter going from the brain itself and up through the forehead throughout the horn. This seems to allow them to project mental energy outward through their horn, allowing them to lift objects of moderate weight, usually at most around 220 kg, and manipulate finer delicate objects as well as, sometimes better than, human hands.
Internally, as stated, the outer portions, which could be considered equivalent to the skin and muscle tissue of mammalian species, is made of a starchy carbohydrate tissue not unlike cooked short-grain rice in appearance, texture, and even smell, with some individuals having nutty, spicy, and/or floral scents. A majority of Fabulous Onigiri are white, but there are many who are yellow, brown, black, or a mix of these, and a few that have a sticky glutinous layer. Past this layer of rice, their blood is very thick, and in terms of appearance and fragrance, and even much of it's cellular structure, seems to resemble something more akin to a syrupy umeboshi (A type of pickled plum sauce) that contains features of blood, like hemoglobin, T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, and platelets. A few apocryphal examiners, mostly those from foreign nations, have claimed their blood even TASTES like umeboshi.
The internal organ structure of the Fabulous Onigiri is composed of many mammalian mainstays - heart, lungs, stomach, liver, brain, spleen, all made of proteins akin to congealed mix something like bonito flakes and sha-ke (shredded teriyaki-glazed salmon) in both texture and scent... but noticeably, they possess no conventional digestive or renal tract. Instead, like all other "legless" species in The Bunny Fire, like mermaids, cecaelia, and lamias, Fabulous Onigiri seem to have evolved a form of "quantum digestion," where any and all biomass they consumed is 100% fully converted to energy, thus their bodies produce no waste, therefore, they don't use the bathroom. There is no need for them to, nor such a capacity. Their blood works on a similar system, breaking down depleted cells into pure energy to allow new cells to replace them, which can most notably be seen happening in their bloodstream.
This system helps give them a longer lifespan than humans. They reach physical maturity at age 15, but from maturity onward they age at only 70% the rate of human beings, and with the average female human lifespan in The Onigiri Enclave being 130, the life expectancy of a typical Fabulous Onigiri is typically around 200.7 years. A simple formula can be applied to the age of a Fabulous Onigiri to determine what their age is equivalent to a human female in The Onigiri Enclave, that being (F - 15) x .7, where F = the age of the Fabulous Onigiri. For example, a 65 year old Fabulous Onigiri would be in the same physical shape as a 35 year old human female in The Onigiri Enclave. The inverse of this formula, (H ÷ .7) + 15, where H = age of a human female, can be used to calculate Fabulous Onigiri age based on human age.
Fabulous Onigiri are, like a multitude of non-human sapient species, a single-sex race of all females. This phenomenon in many other non-human species in The Bunny Fire seems to originate from a mysterious alien virus originating from a comet that crashed into neighboring Fishy Apples millennia ago, but there is little evidence the virus ever managed to transmigrate far enough westward to have an effect on Fabulous Onigiri; evidence shows they naturally evolved this way. Fabulous Onigiri as a result can reproduce one of two ways, the first being a form of parthenogenesis that results in their offspring being an almost identical clone of the mother, and the second being with a second Fabulous Onigiri through genetic transfer via horn contact, in effect allowing the gestation of an offspring similar to typical species of more than one sex. Either way, regardless of method, they gestate their young in a womb for 13 months, and have live births (like all mammals except for echidnas and platypi). While the first option is a viable option for lonely and/or isolated Fabulous Onigiri, the second is preferred, as they are social beings, and also to allow more genetic diversity among the species.

PHYSCHOLOGY:
While there are many faceted personalities of Fabulous Onigiri, there are common traits in their personalities, namely a tendency to be rather demure, haughty, sensitive, feminine, and something of a diva. They seem to have an almost inborn compulsion to pepper the word "darling" in their lexicon, like a verbal tic, and get frequently upset if you say they are "whining." They seem almost instinctively attuned to using "guilt-based" or "cuteness-based" manipulation to get others to do things they can't do themselves, whether it be a cogent argument, requesting one's services, or resorting to adorableness, pleading, making puppy-dog eyes & pouting, and even panic, they seem to get most anyone to feel the need to help them for some reason, and it often works, with many only realizing after a Fabulous Onigiri has applied her guile towards them they just spent hours moving their furniture, palettes of fruit, or hauling multiple bolts of fabric too heavy for them to lift for them, or piloting a cargo plane full of supplies for them. Most Riceballs don't mind doing these things for Fabulous Onigiri, though there are some accounts of foreigners being a bit miffed at being manipulated in such a fashion.
Fabulous Onigiri seem to have an intrinsic interest in sewing and fabrics, to the point that most of their species' first and/or last names are associated with fabrics, string, textiles, or sewing techniques, and when they don't use such names, they typically will have names associated with rice, seaweed, or onigiri fillings. A tiny minority, about 3% of all Fabulous Onigiri, use Japanese names instead. Because of this naming method, one can almost always know if an individual is a Fabulous Onigiri just by having their name. Their innate interest in sewing also expands into haberdashery, as Fabulous Onigiri love to make giant hats, and because of this fascination, the wearing of giant hats is a common cultural trope in The Onigiri Enclave.
Most Fabulous Onigiri are also rather intelligent, being as smart, if not smarter, than the typical human. While IQ tests don't hold much merit in The Onigiri Enclave, a test done by a foreign think tank on various non-human species in The Bunny Fire showed they had an average IQ of around 133.
Fabulous Onigiri have a tendency to use eloquent elocution, disdain filth, and love posh living conditions & fancy things, which helps allude to their haughty diva stereotypes. They also don't like getting their tails dirty or mangled, so they dislike doing strenuous tasks, as it might lead to getting them dirty. While they usually speak English, Japanese, or R'ylethian on a daily basis, Fabulous Onigiri do also possess a native language and writing system they often use to talk to one another.
Fabulous Onigiri are typically a very sociable species, willing to talk your ears off on many things, namely fashion, jewelry, harvesting dragon scales & blood, and giant hats. However, severe trauma can make some Fabulous Onigiri reclusive. As the previous statement implies, Fabulous Onigiri do have a slightly antagonistic nature involving dragons and dragon-based humanoid species, viewing them as "resources" to make furniture, clothes, jewelry, and for religious rituals.

On a final note, as said at the beginning, we documented the Faboulous Onigiri as our "national animal" in protest to the speciest nature of the UN survey we filled out. We do have an actual national animal though, acknowledged by Riceballs everywhere - the alpaca."

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:51 pm

P

Nations whose names begin with the letter P will be listed here.

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:52 pm

Q

Nations whose names begin with the letter Q will be listed here.

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:53 pm

R

República Federal de Catalunya / Republica Federal de Catalunya - the Catalan Sheepdog. "It's breed of dog originary from the Pyrinees range. Known for: it's intelligence, bravery, stubbornness and independent behaviour."

"Rhanukhan is home to many species of land-dwelling cephalopod from the majestic herds of Giant Sedentary Octopuses found grazing on the central plains to the elusive - and possibly sapient - Omniscient Squid, recently discovered in the jungles of Skarthe province. Beloved by all Rhanukhani citizens and protected by law is the Common Burrowing Octopus which has been identified with the nation since the ancient Rhanukhii tribe adopted it as a totem when they first arrived in the area some 7,000 years ago.

The Burrowing Octopus has eight arms (each approximately 1.5 - 2m long on a full-grown adult) covered in suckers. Unlike its sea-dwelling cousins, however, the Burrowing Octopus can shape these into semi-rigid, flattened, blade-like appendages used for digging the burrows which give the creature its name.

The octopus usually moves around by wrapping its arms around tree trunks, rocks, observers' legs, or other pieces of terrain and dragging itself along or, when speed is required, by pulling themselves up into the trees and swinging from branch to branch much like a gibbon. Their usual methods of propulsion mean that Burrowing Octopuses are more frequently encountered in the forests and jungles rather than open plains, however, various breeds of Burrowing Octopuses can be found all over Rhanukhan. There is even a rare species noted for its hardy, practically bulletproof skin and prodigal strength (it is capable of jet propelling itself through soft sand in a similar fashion to a regular aquatic octopus through water!) found in the arid deserts of Harghattoria province, although the extensive uranium mining in the area is suspected to be the cause of reduced numbers in recent years.

Its tough, yet flexible, leathery skin is typically a dull brown or grey shade in its relaxed state. The Octopus can utilise colour-changing cells in its skin, however, creating complex patterns in a range of shades to communicate with its fellows or as camouflage. Albinos typically die early in the wild as a result of being shunned by their peers due to their inability to employ this visual communication.

His Resplendence, the Supreme Chairman Horatio J. Prism, is the owner of Squiddles - easily the most famous live example of a pure white albino Pygmy Burrowing Octopus. Squiddles is the longest-lived Pygmy Burrowing Octopus on record, having sat at His Resplendence’s side since his ascension to power in 2004. Given that the average lifespan of a Burrowing Octopus is 4-5 years, certain unpatriotic citizens have suggested that “Squiddles” is actually a dynasty of different animals, each secretly replacing their predecessor. Naturally, only the wildest conspiracy theorists would entertain such nonsense!

The Burrowing Octopus is primarily an ambush predator and will pile earth in front of its burrow, leaving an arm exposed and flapping about weakly as though it were some smaller, injured creature. When another predator or scavenger arrives, looking for an easy meal, the octopus bursts from its lair in a flurry of fast-moving arms which swiftly wrap around its prey, dispatching the target with a bone-shattering crunch from the octopus' beak. Occasionally, Burrowing Octopuses have been observed catching slower moving small animals (such as the Pendulous Tree Cuttlefish) from the branches while swinging rapidly through the trees, but this isn't believed to be common behaviour.

The Burrowing Octopus is intelligent, can be domesticated and the pygmy varieties are popular pets in Rhanukhan. Care should be taken when handling, however, as all breeds are venomous to a degree and some rare species are known to be fatal to humans.

Rhanukhani Common Burrowing Octopus photographed in the marshlands of south-western Hedhathan province"

"The Tanto Moose's historical range was Western Rhodevus, including the provinces of Yztal, Cundas and Wyle. At its height, the Tanto Moose held a population of between 1.1-1.3 million, travelling in herds with an average size of 150. The largest recorded herd numbered in the 10,000.

The Tanto Moose, unlike its name suggests, is not actually a part of the deer species like actual moose, but are a subspecies of horse. It is the only known species of horse that can grow antlers. Due to its immense size and shape, it was thought to be a part of the Rhodeve Western Moose species, which also inhabits the area and looks nearly identical.

Historically, the Tanto Moose was tamable and trainable, allowing for use in agriculture, travel and most importantly, warfare. The secrets regarding its "domestication" and training were kept by the Tanto Tribe. The Tanto Moose being named after this tribe.

When the Europeans brought the much more reliable and easily tamable horses, the Tanto Moose was out-competed, leading to its descent in numbers. With the loss of the knowledge of their taming and without the ability to properly train the animals, it became equivalent to an exotic food source. Between 1800 and 1910, nearly 800,000 Tanto Moose were killed for trophies as well as food for wealthy clientele. They were eaten to extinction.

In 2017, it was discovered that a small herd of 53 Tanto Moose lived in the wild in the dense forests of North-Western Yztal. The species was moved from extinct to critically endangered and the Tanto Moose will be left alone by all humans. Touching, injuring and/or killing a Tanto Moose now carries a huge fine and possibly a lengthy prison sentence. The areas in the forest have been made into a nature reserve and are barred from human entry. Pictures may be taken of the Tanto Moose, if they stray from this area onto the previously designated hiking areas.

The Tanto Moose is a slightly territorial animal that will mark out its mating ground and sleeping grounds by digging up patches of grass, shrubbery and top soil to create a zoned off area. The Tanto Moose will only defend its territory when young are nearby or at the start of mating season. The Tanto can give birth to between 1 and 3 foals each year with a gestation period of 198 days.

They are highly endangered."

Kingdom of Rwizikuru / Luziyca - the African elephant

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:53 pm

S

The Peoples Republic of Salessll - the Black Cat

The Democratic Socialist Union of Sauros - the Tyrannosaurus Rex*. More information available in their factbook.

United States of Silverdale / Legokiller - the Penguin

The Kingdom of Simonia - the Fox

South Helland - the Sheep

The Totally Independent Nation of Spratly Islands — the Feral Cat

*Facterra spares no expense in taking care of this national animal.

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:54 pm

T

The Socialist Federation of Terrapacis / -Terrapacis- - the Ovenbird

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:54 pm

U

Unogonduria - the Argentavis, "since our island is "hidden" from the rest of the world and with it's ecosystems, a group of Argentavises managed to migrated some millions of years ago, thus surviving the extinction of theircounterparts."

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:55 pm

V

Nations whose names begin with the letter V will be listed here.

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:55 pm

W

Washington-Columbia - the Orca "or the Killer Whale. the Beaver is also considered an national animal."

by **Dexterra** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:56 pm

X, Y and Z

The Republic of Zaranistan - the Zarani Leopard

The Hetmanate of the Zirkovian Host - the Nightingale