Werruts are the name given to the small, rodent-like creatures seen dashing from tree root to tree root in search of nuts and their favorite berries. Despite being docile, werruts are still very skittish and will often dart away at the first sign of not being alone. That doesn't mean they are defenseless, however, and the species is equipped with a set of razor-sharp claws, primarily used for digging into the bark and grabbing ahold of the fleshy exterior of manaberries. Some researchers believe their odd blue coloration comes from their preferred diet of manaberries, since young werruts don't exhibit the unique colors until they reach their juvenile stage. Researchers believe that their diet helps to mitigate the number of manaberries that would otherwise go wasted. Werruts also have a thick and densely packed coat that allows for them to have some buoyancy in the water, which they take advantage of when some of the berries have drifted too far out. Werruts primarily live in burrows crafted in the thick root systems found in Ealei's tree systems, and their nimble nature allows them to quickly dash in and out for food or to escape. Werruts also have a complex language system, consisting of different chirps and calls allowing them to communicate from long distances. Some people have even observed werruts shaking branches or roots to alert other werruts of danger nearby. Werruts that have grown up near other populations don't appear to be nearly as skittish, and if you spend enough time around the wharf cities you're bound to notice a few cozying up to others to gain a few treats for their behavior. Because of this, sometimes the species is popular enough to keep as pets since they are relatively easy to take care of and have a simple diet. However, werruts are still a social species and shouldn't be kept alone or else the risk of them becoming too dependant on their caretaker can cause serious health issues.
