Sandshell
Megarmadillus robustus
Domesticated Draft Beast - Desert Regions
Known as the Desert Girdle Beast, the Sandshell represents a perfect blend of armor, power, and desert adaptation. These heavily armored creatures have become indispensable for heavy transport in desert environments, their unique physiology allowing them to thrive where other draft animals would perish. Their domestication has enabled the expansion of desert trade routes that would otherwise be impassable.
Physical Characteristics
Standing 5-6 feet at the shoulder and measuring 16-18 feet in length, Sandshells possess a low-slung, heavily muscled body covered in overlapping bony plates. These plates, arranged in flexible bands, allow surprising mobility while providing exceptional protection. Weighing 4,000-5,000 pounds, they move on thick, columnar legs with broad, padded feet that distribute their weight across loose sand.
Their distinctive shovel-like snout enables efficient digging, while small, deep-set eyes are protected by multiple membranes. The armor plates themselves are remarkable - up to 2 inches thick, they create natural channels for moisture collection and reflect sunlight to regulate temperature. Color ranges from pale sand to deep terra cotta, providing natural camouflage in desert environments.
Desert Adaptations
Sandshells have evolved extraordinary adaptations for desert survival. Their efficient cooling system uses plate channels to regulate temperature, while their ability to slow metabolism allows them to conserve water for extended periods - requiring hydration only every 5-7 days. They can partially burrow to escape extreme heat, seal their nostrils and eyes during sandstorms, and collect morning dew through their plate channels.
A multiple-chamber stomach enables maximum nutrient extraction from sparse desert vegetation, while specialized blood vessels provide efficient temperature regulation. Dense fur beneath their plates offers insulation and sand protection, allowing them to work in temperatures up to 130°F.
Working Capabilities
The Sandshell's primary value lies in their exceptional pulling capacity - they can haul three times their body weight (12,000-15,000 pounds) while maintaining a steady pace of 4-5 mph for 12-14 hours. Their low center of gravity provides excellent stability, while natural resistance to sandstorms and excellent stamina make them ideal for desert caravans. Their natural pathfinding ability and capacity to sense approaching storms add to their value as desert transport animals.
Domestication and Training
Training begins at 3-4 years of age, focusing on voice and touch commands, load tolerance building, and sand navigation. Team coordination training develops their naturally social nature, as Sandshells work exceptionally well in groups. Prime working years span from 8-35 years, with regular plate maintenance, monthly health checks, specialized foot care, and regular armor oiling required for optimal condition.
Guild Advisory
The Merchant Guilds maintain Sandshell certification requirements for desert caravan operations. Guild certification is required for handlers, with specialized training in plate maintenance and desert operations. Sandshells are considered essential infrastructure for Great Sand Sea trade routes, and their care is regulated to ensure animal welfare and operational reliability.
Information compiled by the Imperial Academy of Natural Studies, with contributions from the Desert Merchant Consortium and the Caravan Handler's Association.