‘The esophagus of the ungulopes are reinforced with thick, rubbery connective tissue that help protect their throat and digestive tract from the sharp and abrasive silica edges and deposits of saberleaf–and renders the esophagus and stomach wall virtually inedible and unpalatable to the predators that prey on them. Elastic and of a leathery consistency, even the southhounds whose diet, in some groups, consists primarily of ungulopes very rightfully exclude it from their diets. That is not to say, however, that it is of no use to them, as, with their ingenuity, found various functions for the ropy organ once dried and dessicated in the suns’ rays. To young pups, it makes for an entertaining chew toy and plaything to keep them occupied and strengthen their jaws and teeth. Adults, in the meantime, use them as safety ropes to grab onto when negotiating difficult terrain, as flags for marking important locations, and, when affixed with carefully-selected plant thorns glued in place by resin, even worn around their necks as a protective accessory that protects their vulnerable throats from the bites of enemies, be it wild animal or hostile rival southhounds. These defensive collars, however, take great and gentle care to equip and remove with their limited dexterity, and have to be put on and taken off by another individual: furthering the interdependence the southhounds have with their packmates.’

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