| The Evolution of Unicorns |
| Unicorns came upon earth's scene much later than dinosaurs of dragons; it was not until well into the Age of Mammals, The Cenozoic Era, that the earliest unicorns appeared. They evolved not from the order of horse-like ancestors like believed, but from the order of cloved-hoofed mammals like present-day camel, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope. One of which reasons is that Unicorns have true horns, which are only found among cloven-hofed animals. Unicorns may have first appeared in either Asia of Northern Africa, both of which are current homes to the true antelope. From the original Unicorn species, Plioceros Abaequalis, three distinct modern species of unicorns eventually evolved: The Karkadann. This was the largest of all modern unicorns. It inhabited the grassy plains and deserts of India and Persia, perhaps even extending to northeastern Africa, and whenever it appeared it was greatly respected forits enormous strength and ferocity. Most reports of its appearance are garbled and exaggerated, for it was often confused with the rhinoceros. However it most closely resembled an oryx, a large beautiful type of antelope. The Kirin. This very rare and beautiful unicorn is native to Eastern Asia. It has always been extremely shy and, as a result, is the least known of all Unicorns. it can easily be recognized from other Unicorns because of it's extremely spotted back, which is covered with white markings of various shapes and patterns, and its unusually blunt-tipped horn. This Unicorn avoids fights at all costs and is the very symbol of peace and tranquility. It mostly resembles a small stag but has the body of a musk deer and the shaggy tail of an ok. It is yellowish under the belly and is multi-colored. A few artists have even depicted it as having scales like a dragon. The European Unicorn. This is the kind of Unicorn that is best known, since it is the type that is almost always illustrated. It has the straight, pure Alicorn, usually has a white horse-like body, with a flowing mane. An adult European Unicorn stands about three and a half feet tall and sometimes weighs more than a hundred pounds. Although females are slightly smaller. The lives of unicorns are strange and wonderful. Unicorns become sexually active in the fall, at about three years old, and give birth to their young in late spring. The preganany is usually 9 months, the same as humans. Young Unicorns spend nearly a year with their mother until about a week before the next fawn is born, then the mother slowly nudges the young one away. Except for the short breeding period in September and October, unicorns are largely solitary. The male unicorn seeks out his female in this breeding period by periodic callings, normally heard in the early morning hours or late evening. The voice of the male unicorn has been described as a loud wail. Other than breeding season, unicorns are surprisingly silent and as a result, are extremely hard to find. After about 15 years Unicorns are no longer able to reproduce. They tend to wander about in the woods, rarely seen by anyone, and sometimes travel great distances. Unicorns age spands are unknown, but thought to be at least 30 years. |
 |