Mammoths of the Absolute Royal Federation are divided into three distinct groups: Eastern, Southern, and Scanderan. Each of these groups can be further categorized into various races. Despite the diversity among these populations, all share a common ancestor, and interbreeding is frequent, especially in modern times where mammoths are often relocated across regions. This has led to a general belief that most mammoths today are hybrids to some extent. Areas with overlapping populations, such as the volcanic islands between Scandera and Astermark, as well as the Gielish realms, are home to hybrids like the Giel Mammoths, which are generally considered a feral domesticated breeds rather than separate wild species.

Mammoths are recognized as keystone species in their ecosystems. They create large trails through dense jungles and pine forests that other animals use as migration routes. In addition, mammoths serve as prey for various megafauna and help maintain open plains in northern regions like Scandera and Astermark.

History

Federal Mammoths
	The Mammoths that can be found in the federation
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Proboscidea
Family:	Elephantidae
	Habitats, red being scanderan mammoths, green eastern, and blue southern

Mammoths, alongside geese, hounds, shagrats, pigs, and oxen, are among the most important domesticated species in Scandera. Their domestication is similarly significant in Astermark and Vatnafalten, with various breeds of mammoths fulfilling different roles across the Federation. Historically, mammoths were used for labor, long-range transportation, and notably as war beasts. Although the use of war mammoths has diminished in modern combat, several noble families continue to raise them for prestige, and the royal household keeps purebred war mammoths as part of their stables.

Despite the rise of machinery, mammoths are still widely used. Work mammoths assist human crews in various industries, while transport mammoths continue to patrol traditional routes both within sprawling cities and in the countryside. It is believed that many ancient roads in Scandera were originally created by mammoths, later extended and connected by humans.

Reproduction

Mammoths have higher caloric needs compared to regular elephants due to their faster growth during childhood. Their breeding strategy is more K-selective, resulting in them they often produce twins or triplets instead of single children. Their pregnancies are shorter than those of other elephants, and they give birth to smaller calves as an adaptation to predation and need for repopulation. Herds of plain mammoths are typically larger, especially in the northern regions, where they are preyed upon by bears, dragons, and entelodonts. In southern regions, they face threats from dragons, large reptiles like lizards and crocodiles, and aquatic predators such as serpent whales and sea lizards.

Diet

Mammoths are herbivores, like most other Loxodonts. They employ two primary feeding strategies: browse feeding (forest mammoths) and graze feeding (plains mammoths). The latter includes the Scanderan pygmy mammoths and the Southern mammoths, which consume aquatic plants. Mammoths play a vital role as seed spreaders, and their cleared trails through forests in Scandera and southern jungles are crucial for local wildlife.

Behaviour

Mammoths are highly social animals. Female mammoths often live in large herds led by an older matriarch, while males form bachelor groups upon reaching maturity. Unlike other species, these bachelor groups do not disperse entirely as they grow older. Instead, male mammoths often travel in small groups of three to five, known as "courts." The leading male is called a jarl, and the other males are referred to as knights in most parts of the Federation.

Life expectancy

Mammoths in the wild can live to around 70 years of age, though this is rare due to predation.

Breeds

Scanderan Mammoths

Scanderan mammoths are native to Scandera and the islands between Scandera and Astermark. This is the most diverse group of mammoths in the Federation, with significant variations in size and habitat. The largest of these is the Scanderan plains mammoth, which inhabits the northern plains in massive herds. These mammoths are responsible for preventing forest encroachment in the north. The second-largest type is the Scanderan forest mammoth, which feeds on pine trees and oak forests and aids in the growth of new trees by spreading seeds.

The smallest variety of mammoth is the Scanderan pygmy mammoth (Imerian: Kortmammut, meaning "Short Mammoth"), which resides on the islands east of Scandera. This species has dispersed across a vast range, from the southern parts of Scandera to the Arctic and the volcanic islands, even migrating as far east as the islands north of Astermark. The pygmy mammoth is one of the most diverse races, with varying characteristics depending on the island. Northern pygmy mammoths are covered in fur, while their southern counterparts are more hairless.

It is widely believed that the pygmy mammoth was among the first domesticated races of mammoths, although modern breeds are hybrids of all species.

Eastern Mammoths

Eastern mammoths are offshoots of Scanderan mammoths and share a closer genetic link with them than with Southern mammoths. Like their Scanderan relatives, they are divided into forest and plains types and fill similar ecological roles. Eastern mammoths are generally more hairless, with less fur on their faces and trunks throughout most of the year. However, during winter, they develop a thick winter coat, similar to Scanderan mammoths.

Southern Mammoths

Southern mammoths are among the most highly specialized of all mammoth species in the Federation. Adapted to warmer and more aquatic climates, they are believed to have split from northern populations early in mammoth evolution, making them more distantly related to northern groups. Southern mammoths have wider, flatter tusks that are straighter, and they have lost most of their fur. They are divided into two species: the southern forest mammoth and the sea mammoth. The latter is adapted to life in aquatic environments and is often seen migrating between islands or grazing on seagrass. The forest mammoths of the south live in inland and highland areas, feeding on foliage, bark, and fruits.

Domesticates

Mammoths are commonly domesticated in the Federation, with various breeds raised for different purposes. Some mammoths are bred for work, while others serve as household companions, and even as entertainers (formerly as singers, although this role has largely been replaced by terror bird choirs). The most notable and largest breed is the war mammoth, once used by Scanderan and Astermarker nobles in battle. While the use of war mammoths has declined in the last two centuries, several noble families continue to raise them for prestige.

White Mammoths

The rarest and most prized morphs are the white or silver mammoths, considered noble animals due to their unique color and blue blood. These mammals are often associated with high status, and, unlike human nobility where their status is inherited, mammoth offspring do not automatically inherit the noble status of their parents. In the wild, white mammoths tend to grow larger and often assume leadership roles within herds as matriarchs, or become jarl wanderers if male.

Domesticated white mammoths are highly respected and traditionally belong to the monarchs of the regions in which they were born. Federal law dictates that any white mammoth born in captivity belongs to the high king. These noble animals may be granted to favored servants, with their upkeep often supported by the granting of a mammutlan (mammoth fief), which reverts to the crown upon the mammoth's death. If a noble falls out of favor, they may be burdened with the responsibility of maintaining such a mammoth without the accompanying fief, leading to financial ruin in some cases.