Tarand (animal)

[1] It was also mentioned in Pliny's History of the Animals (Tarandus), Aelian's De Natura Animalium (Tarandos),[2] Solinus (Parandrus)[3] and Caesar, appearing again in key texts of the medieval period, such as The York Mystery Cycle (1440) and Francois Rabelais' Pantagruel (1552).

Holland, 1601) provided a detailed description and discussion of the tarand: IN Scythia there is a beast called Tarandus, which chaungeth likewise colour as the Chamæleon: and no other creature bearing haire doth the same, unlesse it be the Lycaon of India, which (by report) hath a maned necke.

As for the Thos (which are a kind of wolves somewhat longer than the other common-wolves, and shorter legged, quicke and swift in leaping, living altogether of the venison that they hunt and take, without doing any harme at all to men) they may be said, not so much to chaunge their hew, as their habite and apparell: for all winter time they be shag-haired, but in summer bare and naked.

The Tarandus is as bigge as an oxe, with an head not unlike to a stagges, but that it is greater, namely, carrying braunched hornes: cloven hoofed, and his haire as deepe as is the Beares.

He taketh the colour of all trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, and places wherein he lieth when he retireth for feare; and therefore seldome is he caught.

It is a native of Scythia and its back and size resembles a bull; and the Scythians cover their shields with its hide and consider it a good counter to a spear.