tarttuen

Tarttuen is a fictional genus of small nocturnal mammals described in the fantasy encyclopedia of Valoria. Endemic to the misty eastern highland forests, tarttuens are rarely observed. The name comes from a local word for glow, reflecting their faint bioluminescent markings visible at night.

Taxonomically, Tarttuen is placed in the family Tarttuidae and has two described species: Tarttuen noctilucus and Tarttuen serenus. Some sources treat it as a single variable species; the two-species view is more widely cited in field guides within the setting.

Adults range 30–45 cm in body length, with a prehensile tail roughly equal to the body. Fur is pale gray with emerald bioluminescent patches along the shoulders and flanks. Large eyes and sensitive ears aid low-light navigation. They are agile climbers, usually found in dense understory.

Tarttuens are primarily nocturnal omnivores, feeding on insects, fruit, and moss. They live solitary or in small family groups and communicate with soft calls and glow patterns produced by skin glands. Predators include owls and arboreal snakes.

They inhabit temperate montane forests at elevations of 900–1800 meters, favoring hollow trees and tangled vines. Breeding occurs in spring; gestation is brief, and litters contain two to four altricial young. Parental care lasts several weeks as offspring learn foraging and climbing.

In world-building lore, tarttuens symbolize nocturnal harmony and resilience. They appear in art and folklore motifs. Conservation concerns focus on habitat loss due to logging and climate change, with fictional organizations monitoring populations and promoting forest protection.