The Immortal Naturalist's Guide to Cryptic Creatures: The Shovel Tusker

This post is part of the Immortal Naturalist's Guide series. The explanation for that series can be found in this post.

    While wandering the Bronze Woods of the Lonely Island, it is common to find large trenches dug into the dirt. Locals, while not believed by the world at large, say that these trenches are dug by a creature the size of an elephant known as the Shovel Tusker. By following the trail of the freshest trenches, I was able to find the beast. The Shovel Tusker spends its time digging in the dirt for the edible roots of the otherwise inedible bronzeleaf trees, leaving long trenches in the ground. While usually too focused on feeding to bother others, anything red will immediately gain the Shovel Tusker's attention and be the subject of a vicious attack. The Shovel Tusker's tusks can be used to deadly effect in this rage, so it is best not to bring any red objects to the Bronze Woods.

    Another strange thing about this already strange beast is that the fur on the end of its tail has the magical ability to repel insects, mice, and other pests from areas where the hairs have been scattered. This ability seems to keep parasites and biting flies off of the Shovel Tusker, but it is inherent to the hairs. Oddly enough, the Shovel Tusker seems to shy away from anything that is blue, an opposite reaction to when it sees something red. I cannot say what the cause for this is, but it may be a learned reaction based on something in the beast's past. Regardless, I have found this information to be quite useful in my time studying the Shovel Tusker.

    Every night, the Shovel Tusker returns to the same meadow and goes to sleep in the same spot. The creature has carved several notches into the trees surrounding its home, causing the bronzeleaf trees to ooze sap. This sap has dried and has a unique, metallic scent that makes it worth a lot of money as an ingredient in perfumes and incenses. Such a large supply of dried sap would be worth quite a bit. Additionally, the fur on the tip of the Shovel Tusker's tail regrows relatively quickly, allowing one to collect and use it. The only issue is, of course, shaving the tail without gaining the attention of the Shovel Tusker. I have had some idle thoughts about making a regular trip to collect the dried bronzeleaf sap around the creature's home and to shave its tail in its sleep, but I generally feel like I have better things to do so I don't.