Proceedings of The University of New Berlin: Volume 1

[University of New Berlin]

University of New Berlin

Department of Bioscience

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Topic: Fauna of New Berlin
Author: Carl Friederich Langsdorff
Editor: Professor Maria Wagner

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Introduction

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The planet New Berlin presents several types of fauna which are worth being mentioned in this report, which taking into consideration the different climates that exists on this planets, are quite diverse.
The planet main characteristic is represented by the periodically Ice Ages the planet goes, a fact which forced the flora and fauna on the planet to adapt to their new climates.
In this report, we will discuss about several exemplars from the polar and aquatic environments, as well as, if the time permits, some from the equatorial regions. We will be looking mostly at the predators but also at animals dangerous to humans, as the first colonists had several close encounters which showed that human technology, while formidable, cannot always compete for the place on top of the food chain.
The temperatures on the planet can vary, region to region, but it can drop to extremes, such as -71°C on average, in the polar region but it had been known to have periods where it even goes to -80°C. The equatorial regions are having usually an average of 16°C but it is known to drop to -35°C, when the planet orbits take it farthest from the sun.
In the artic regions or in the Ice Wastelands, we can mainly find the following animals:


Topic: White Bear-Raptor
Scientifical Designation: Album Raptoursus

The White Bear-Raptor is one of the top predators of the Ice Wastelands. Closely related to the inoffensive Brown Bear-Raptor, which everyone knows is inhabiting the more temperate climate located closer to the equator and being an omnivore, having mostly a vegetable diet but also consuming dead carcasses, the White Bear-Raptor had to evolve to the harsh conditions of the Frozen lands. Unlike their cousins, the White Bear-Raptor is a solitary animal, which prefers each other company only in mating season or in the chance of a successful delivery.
Weighing up to 1.2 tons and measuring up to 4 meters tall, they are the apex predator on the planet, until human arrived.
Very smart and presenting strong muscular system, the White Bear-Raptor is capable of taking on prey several time his size and easily win. The strong muscles in his jaws can allow this mammal to bite with a force 7700 psi and his strong leg muscles allows him to chase after his own targets at speeds of 132.3 km/h, making sure his prey will not get away.
Conserving his power, the White Bear-Raptor is known to be able to chase his prey constantly for up to 5 hours and even if it manages to hide from him, his nose is among the strongest ones on planet New Berlin, making him able to identify his prey even if it is in a burrow dig in the snow, 4 meters deep.
His claws, while designed to slash and hold the prey, are designed to also dig in the iced snow, allowing the animal to dig after their prey or to prepare their shelter. The gestation of White Bear-Raptors is lasting up to 7 months, with the cubs being near their mother for 3 years.
It is still unknown how the White Bear-Raptor is aware of the strong ice storms which batters the frozen lands but it has been reported and observed that they are among the first animals which prepares to face the storm.
The mating rituals of these animals can lead to savage fighting between the males but more so with the female of the species, as them are stronger than the males and is choosing whom they mate. It had been recorded that usually a mate partner lasts for life, observing the same males approaching the same females every mating cycle but also had been observed that is all at the behest of the female, as she is choosing the best possible mate. Scientists have determined that a change in the pheromone liberated by the male during the mating season is the key to the female choosing to either continue mating with their chosen partner or finding a new one.
The cubs usually live with the mother for 3 years of their life span but, due to unknown causes, 2 out of 3 births are resulting in dead cubs, which is helping to maintain the numbers low.
One of their best adaptability to the harsh conditions of the frozen lands, is their fur, which is formed out of 3 coats, one which is impermeable, a second which very thick and a third layer of blubber which insulates the White Bear-Raptor and keeping him safe from the conditions of the north. However, one of the animal downfalls is that it cannot live in more warmer climates, which allowed for other species to evolve in different areas.
The animal is mostly diurnal but is known and recorded that it is always hunting in the night, if the temperatures are not reaching their extremes.
While this animal is indeed the apex predator on the planet, contact with humans greatly reduced their numbers and combined with the low birth-rate, gave the human colonists the chance to take over the planet and construct the Rheinlandic civilization. There are less than 4000 animals in the wild, most of them located towards the poles of the planets or in the mountain ranges at high altitude but they are competing with the Neo-Bear in those regions.

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Department of Bioscience

Carl Friederich Langsdorff

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University of New Berlin

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