#moccoto

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Ukaja Giraffe

These Giraffe-like Rahi get their name from the Moccotan word for “tall one”. They are known for their ability to stretch and condense their neck to reach the leaves of extremely tall trees.

The interior of the Ukaja Giraffe’s neck (the throat) is made of elastic organic matter and cannot be stretched apart from extension of the neck. However, sometimes a Giraffe’s neck can jam while extending and can asphyxiate them if it is jammed for too long. Jamming of the neck is one factor of their conservation status being listed as “vulnerable”. If a Matoran is nearby to help them, the Matoran usually must immediately fix the Giraffe’s neck so it could survive.

Onu-Matoran from Zakara (before the times vehicles and lifting machines were invented) saw Ukaja Giraffes as a perfect lifting tool for construction during the Building Era (will evaluate later). Ukaja Giraffes were soon put out of use after the favoring and invention of vehicles. Ukaja Giraffes were either kept in zoos or returned to Moccoto after their retirement as lifting machines.

Ukaja Giraffes originate from the savannas of Moccoto, and currently populate all of Moccoto’s said savannas.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

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Iridescent Lion

These Lion-like Rahi are named for their iridescent armor and fur. Their armor and fur can trick the Matoran eye when tilted at a certain angle, causing the Matoran’s eye to either see white and gold or blue and black. Some Matoran biologists argue whether white and gold or black and blue are their natural colors they are born with.

These Lions use their iridescence to hide in tall grass while hunting for prey. Their blue and black illusion especially helps when they hunt at night due to the dark colors.

Iridescent Lions have very obvious and noticeable sexual dimorphism, the male Lions have large, golden manes and fur on their elbows, as well as generally being larger, female Lions (Lionesses) lack these said features.

Unlike most feline Rahi, Iridescent Lions are very social and most of the time live in large groups known as prides. They are known for being territorial around other prides as a way to show dominance, however.

Iridescent Lions became a symbol of the Fire Clan of medieval Uniki after Unikian traders discovered these Lions in Moccoto when trading materials and food. These Lions also became a symbol of courage and royalty due to them being at the top of the Rahi Food Chain, and are sometimes referred to as “Kings” or “Queens” due to their rank.

Like most Moccotoan Rahi, they reside in the savannas of the outskirts of Moccoto.

Due to (now illegal) hunting of these Lions for their beautiful golden manes, they are now currently slowly rising from being endangered and have moved up to the “Vulnerable” rank.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Fun Fact: Their ability is based on the Dress Meme

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Wasuga Zebra

These Zebra-like Rahi are named after the Moccotoan word for “protective” or “guard” due to their tendency to be very protective of their herd against Iridescent Lions and other predators.

Wasuga Zebras are one of two ancient relatives of the domesticated Smith Horse and Mineral Donkey, the other ancient relative being the Akipi Ass (Yeah I know, I know).

The male leader of a Wasuga Zebra herd (the stallion), has a duty of keeping their herd safe from predators or any sort of threat. Stallions are also known to be very territorial towards other male Zebras, even ones in their own herd.

Wasuga Zebras have also been known to be very expressive Rahi, using their ears, nostrils, and mouth as a way to signal their emotions or commands to other members of their herd.

Due to their protective nature, Wasuga Zebras have been made into great mounts for Moccotoan guards. It takes a lot of skill to ride a Zebra because they are difficult to control since they already have an overprotective mindset, rather than that of a Smith Horse, Mineral Donkey, Rock Mule, or Field Hinny. Due to them already being protective, they do pretty much half of the riding.

Not many Zebras are used for riding, since domestication isn’t really the way of the Moccotoan Matoran. Wasuga Zebras are only domesticated when really needed. They are never domesticated for food, and are in fact hunted instead, like many Moccotoan Rahi.

Like many other Rahi of Moccoto, Wasuga Zebras reside in the savannas of the outskirts of Moccoto.

The Wasuga Zebra population is currently rising from the “Vulnerable” rank due to being hunted for their striking striped armor and organic matter, hunting for Zebra stripes has been declared illegal many years ago.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened