KANGAROO RATS (1 serving): kangaroo rats are tiny creatures with large hing legs, small front legs, and rather large heads. their stature and tendency to hop about on their hind-legs is what earns them their name, alike the kangaroos of australia. they are tan or light-brown in color, with a white belly, legs, and pale tail. their eyes are large, beady, and black. most dogs simply happen upon them when scrounging through the brush, catching the creatures as they hop away. they are often simply referred to as 'hoppers' among the hounds.
ROADRUNNERS (2 servings): these long-legged birds among the cuckoo family are often seen scurrying across the dry dirt and sand of the hound's territory. they're rather round creatures with dark-brown feathers streaked with white. their beaks are long with a downward curve at their end. these creatures are most vulnerable during the male's territorial skirmishes, in which they normally pay little attention to outside threats. they are often simply referred to as 'runners' among the hounds.
JACKRABBITS (2 servings): jackrabbits are rather large hares that travel together in small bands, scrounging throughout the chaparral in search of what little food it may offer. they do manage to survive, however, but often in small numbers. they reside in small dips or grooves in the earth which they cover with debris for shelter, yet an experience hunter may easily be able to scout-out such dens and make haste at tracking-down its owner. they are often simply referred to as 'jacks' among the hounds.
CACTUS WRENS (3 servings): as their name suggests, cactus wrens take refuge among the prickly cacti and perch atop them with little fear, building nests out of reach from predators. they tend to have no fear, even going as far as to foraging in the open in daylight. this confidence, however, may serve as the wren's death-sentence, as a hunter may easily spring from cover to kill the bird. being the largest of their species, they are a substantial meal for even a few dogs. they are simply referred to as 'wrens' among the hounds.
SPOTTED SKUNKS (4 servings): spotted skunks are interesting characters with white stripes or spots spread across their black fur. their ears are short and rounded, with a white spot marked between their eyes. they have longer and thicker fur along their tail, which is mostly black but tipped with white at their ends. much like any other skunk, they are able to spray a nasty musk on predators if they feel threatened, leaving a pungent smell on the victim. hunters must be wary among these creatures and take them out quickly before they have the chance to spray. they are simply referred to as 'skunks' among the hounds.
BEZOAR GOATS (5 servings): bezoar goats are larger creatures which must be hunted as a group, due to their size and strength. traveling in small bands or communities, they take to the larger hills and rocks of the terrain, where it is cooler during the winter months. they are bold and take little care to predators, especially the billies in which will challenge any threat that comes their way. their pelt is tan or light-brown in color, with dark-brown stripes along their face, back, and legs. hunters know to seek-out those that are separated from the group, for defense from the rest of the herd may be devastating to the success of the hunt.
MULE DEER (7 servings): mule deer are by-far the largest prey animals among the territory. they are large, tan or light-brown creatures with white tails, dark at their ends, and pale faces, with a dark nose. the males sprout large antlers in the spring, seeking the does to breed, who usually travel in small to medium-sized groups or herds. mule deer must be hunted as a group, for their rather large size and agility. hunters will often have to seek-out the weakest of the herd if they intend to succeed in their hunt, for a healthy and strong deer will be too much for them to handle.
COYOTES (common): coyotes are less of a predator and more of a competitor to the dogs──similar in size and stature to that of a large to medium-sized dog, they are rather troublesome. these nuisances harass the dogs as often as they can manage in many ways; stealing prey, interrupting hunts, killing pups, and even attacking patrols, competing for territory. the dogs have always been at a constant status of war with the coyotes, and must keep an open eye for their presence may they even strike.
WOLVES (rare): the wolves are much larger than both the dogs and coyotes, yet their presence is less common. they rarely show their faces among the chaparral, and when they do, it is brief. if they do ever make a presence in the territory, it is a dog's best choice to simply avoid making any contact with them. one is enough of a threat, but the damage of an entire pack could be catastrophic.
