Beasts of Pern

[Rose of Pern]

Beasts of Pern

Trundlebugs, rollers (similiar to a woodlouse or pill-bug), VTOLS (a type of fly), springs (a type of parasite) and some spider like creatures commonly called a spinner or crawler.

There are also a type of worm (or millipede, they're never quite clear) which is called a Grub. Grubs are primarily on the Southern Continent as the Northerners have hunted down the grubs and destroyed them (unknown why but some Northerners have believed that they were Thread or parasitic). These Grubs are capable of eating Thread and have done so in the Southern Continent for thousands of turns.

Vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, fowl, etc) on Pern primarily have six limbs. Flying creatures on Pern all possess four legs and and a set of wings. Ground-bound creatures all possess six legs or fins (if they are aquatic). Wherries are the main bird-like creatures seen on Pern and are carnivorous. They are also edible and often kept for food. Tunnelsnakes, despite the name, also possess six limbs and most are highly specialized for digging or hunting. Some are edible but most are poisonous and considered pests.

The original colonists to Pern encountered a creature they called 'dragonets'. From those initial beasts, they engineered Firelizards, Dragons and Whers. The origin of the three species has long since been lost and everyone believes them to be naturally occurring species. The Firelizards, being smarter and more capable at surviving, eventually replaced the naturally occurring Dragonets either by pushing them out of prime territories or out breeding them. Dragons can be perceived as large Firelizards while Whers would seem to be a step between Firelizards and Dragons (Please keep in mind we do use some things from Dragon's Kin for Whers but not the other books).

The Pernese circa the Ninth Pass of the Red Star tend to categorize animals by use more than by species. Herdbeasts are animals kept in large numbers for meat or leather, and include bovines, ovines and caprines (which became the standard Pernese terms for cows, sheep and goats). Milchbeasts are the same species as herdbeasts, but kept for milk. Draybeasts are donkeys, oxen or draft horses. Runners are a particular breed of horse developed by the Pernese, a riding/racing beast vaguely analogous to the Anglo-Arabian. Burdenbeasts may be donkeys or llamas.

Cats and dogs, called felines and canines, are kept for pest control or, in the case of dogs, as herd or guard animals. The felines and canines have adapted to fit the colder climates of Pern, having developed thicker, shaggier coats. A large feline (mentioned to be a cheetah in "Dragonsdawn") was engineered by a renegade settler for the purpose of being an intelligent helper, but they turned on the settler and went wild on the Southern Continent.

There are a variety of fish in the Pernese sea. There are three commonly caught Fish across Pern, packtails, redfins and whitefish. Packtails produce a natural oil which is often used by seacrafters and Sea-Holders alike. It is also quite a good oil to use on the dry and cracking hide of Dragons and Firelizards alike. Redfins are considered to be the most delicious of fish but they are not as easy to preserve as the whitefish.

There are also Dolphins on Pern but they have become known as Shipfish. Shipfish are all very intelligent and are thusly named for their tendency to follow Ships and help sailors in need. Currently, there isn't a Dolphincraft Hall in our timeline as the true intelligence of the Shipfish has not been determined.

[Rose of Pern]

Canines, Felines and their Purpose on Pern

Canines
Canines are primarily used to assist in herding animals. Some are used towards hunting and yet others are trained to haul sleds. The only thing a canine is not used for is as a house pet. Canines are not like dogs are on Earth being a hardier type of creature. They have to be given the nature of Pernese living. Sometimes, there will be a Canine with a particular family but this is generally because of the work the head of the Household is in. He's not keeping the Canine around just for the joys of it's company.

Felines
Felines are wild carnivores on Pern. There are a few that have managed to tame them but think of them more like big cats kept in Zoos. Yes, they like their trainer and they won't actively try to eat them but sometimes, they'll accidentally maul them to death. All Felines are the size of cheetahs and bigger, depending on where they're found. They are also primarily on the Southern Continent as most Pernese were smart enough not to take them North.