tunt

Tunt is a fictional term used in a world-building context to name a small nocturnal mammal species. It is not a real taxon and is not part of any real-world taxonomy.

The name tunt comes from the fictional language Turiin, where tunt is a compound of tun meaning "night" and t- meaning "creature." Note: This is fictional.

Tunts are roughly sparrow-sized, about 10-12 cm body length, with soft gray-brown fur, large ears, and large reflective eyes. They have a slender snout and a short tail.

They inhabit temperate forests on the fictional continent of Nareth, at elevations from 400 to 1200 meters.

They are insectivorous, feeding on beetles, moths, and small arthropods. They are nocturnal and use echolocation-like clicks to navigate in dense undergrowth. They are preyed upon by owls and small carnivores. They form small family groups.

They are territorial during the breeding season. Gestation lasts about 28 days; typically one to two offspring per litter. They communicate with a mix of vocalizations and scent marking.

In fictional folklore, tunts are believed to be guardians of the forest floor, and appear in children's stories as shy but clever creatures.

In the setting's media, tunt figures appear in maps and illustrations.