Other Ballator Types

General Information

The smallest of Ballator types, the Lilliput is named after the small creatures no one knew existed in Gulliver’s Travels. Recently discovered and quite shockingly so, it appears that the Ballator species is more genetically diverse than previously thought possible. These tiny African Sub-Type Ballators are nimble and quick, annd very intelligent. The population of this type in the wild is near extinction, and the Equus Ballator Society has placed it under conservation watch and is creating breeding programs for this Type. Interestingly, nearly all Lilliputs are wild or seal bays or have the ‘+/t’ modifier in their genes, though a few black-based lillis have been seen.
Lilliputians exist in two known ‘types,’ though they are the same species: Cave and Jungle.

Jungle Lilliputs

The jungle Lilliput preferrs the African Rainforests such as the ones in the Congo Basin to the Serengeti, though some can be found roaming the plains along side their larger cousins. They also inhabit Indian jungles. These Ballators can be extremely colorful, and are the only other type other than Asiatics to possess the Bicolor gene. It is now thought that the presence of Bicolor has to be linked to the presence of toes in types and sub-types. They can express appaloosa-type markings and minimal white, but paint markings are not found in them; the only exception is Rabicano in very rare instances. Archetain and Okapi dun are very common, and Archetain is altered in appearance on this type, having the ability to be white without the presence of a paint gene.

Jungle lilliputs will express Appaloosa; They may also express Rabicano.

Cave Lilliputs

The cave lilliput ballator mainly resides in the cave systems of south America and Mexico, and they are characterized by their nocturnal behaviors, muted colors and reflective eyes. Like jungle lilliputs, they nearly all have the wild or seal modifier on agouti, but they do not express paint or appaloosa type markings other than Rabicano in very rare instances. Albinism is more common among this type as is archetain and dotted sooty. Their horns fit their environment and are either earthy tones, black, white or a shade of dull gray, and they are rarely spined.  Most of the time, you only know a cave lilliput is near you when they look your way and their eyes reflect the light in a yellow-ish hue. Since they live in caves, their hearing is greatly enhanced as well. Despite their nocturnal nature, they can be domesticated for daylight hours, but they are more prone to activity at dusk and dawn. The cave type makes fearsome fighters and loyal companions, but watch out for their mischief! More than one lilliput has broken into the feed room!

Cave lilliputs will carry Appaloosa; They may express Rabicano.

Physical Description & Sexual Dimorphism

Male Lilliputians are generally small, reaching only up to 9 hands, while females can be up to 10. These horses do not have the characteristic concave curve of the spine as seen in other equids; rather, it is arched convexly. The feet of this type are split into 3 toes, giving it traction on muddy or swampy ground and on rock as well. The ears of the Lilliput are very large and rounded, with small points at the tip. The fangs of this type grow from the bottom jaw and aid them in rooting around in the dirt; the canine tooth is but a small nub that barely pokes from the lip. 

8440 Simba by Wookdile

Horns of the Lilliput grow from a bony stalk on top of the head that is raised and covered with fur, much like a muntjac; however the Lilliput’s bony stalk is not as elongated as the muntjac’s, and will not pass the back of the ear. Horns are small and usually thin, but unlike the African, they can be very vibrantly colored, and usually are curled or straight. 
The manes of the Lilliput begin at the point of the shoulder and grow upward towards the spine, connecting just behind the withers to make a ‘cape’, and travel an inch or so down the spine before stopping. The male will have one singular mane, whereas the female has a double mane, one running alongside the other, creating one larger, thicker cape. 

Lilliputs’ adult horns and manes will be finished growing at 5 years of age, at which they are considered adults.

Jungle Lilliputian Ballators do not sport any type of paint or white marking except minimal white and Appaloosa.
Cave Lilliputs cannot have any white marking.

The height of the Lilliput ranges from 6-9hh for males and 6-10hh for females.

Behavior - Jungle Lilliputs

Herd: The Jungle Lilliputian Ballator roams in small herds of no more than 5-8, and is matriarchal. Much like hyenas, the Lilliput herd is commanded by one dominant female and her cohorts, and males are at the bottom of the pecking order. Males only stick around in a herd for the breeding season in fall before setting off. Lilliputs will often dig out dead trees to make shelters.

Feeding: Lilliputians are primarily insectivores, feeding on grubs and bugs of various sizes and species. They will eat fruit which falls from the trees in the rainforest, and use their tusks to dig up roots. They will hunt small creatures if they desire to do so, but they are not hunters by nature like the African.

Defense: The primary response to a threat from the Lilliput is flight. Being extremely nimble and agile, they can dart around trees and logs to escape predators, which mainly include larger carnivorous monkeys or apes, leopards, and the like.

Lilliputians can stiffen their manes and rattle them, as all types can, and will puff them up often to make themselves bigger. Bearing and clacking teeth is also a common practice.

Breeding: Perhaps the most intricate of Ballator mating rituals, the male Jungle Lilliput will craft a shelter of sorts out of leaves and brightly colored flora for the female, and stand by the entrance. The female will inspect it, and if she finds it satisfactory, she will enter it and lay down inside. The male will not approach the entrance, but rather stand outside and clack his teeth, puff out his manes, stamping the ground in a rhythm, flicking his tail back and forth, often slapping it against his sides. He will do this until he either gives up or the female exists his shelter, accepting him. Gestation for the Lilliput is around 5 months and foals are born very small and live in the shelter for the first for months of their life, where the male will bring it gubs and bugs when the female is not around.

Behavior - Cave Lilliputs

Herd: The Cave Lilliputian Ballator resides in caves, in small herds of no more than 5-8, and is matriarchal. Much like hyenas, the Lilliput herd is commanded by one dominant female and her cohorts, and males are at the bottom of the pecking order. Males only stick around in a herd for the breeding season in fall before setting off. One herd of cave Lilliputs will claim a cave system as their home and ward off any other Lilliputs or creatures.

Feeding: Lilliputians are primarily insectivores, feeding on grubs and bugs of various sizes and species. They will eat fruit which falls from the trees in the rainforest, and Cave lilliputs have adapted to eat fungi, and use their tusks to dig up roots. They will hunt small creatures if they desire to do so, being more apt to hunt than their Jungle counterparts.

Defense:The primary response to a threat from the Lilliput is flight. Being extremely nimble and agile, they can dart around trees and through winging caves to escape predators, which mainly include larger carnivorous monkeys or apes, leopards, and the like.

Lilliputians can stiffen their manes and rattle them, as all types can, and will puff them up often to make themselves bigger. Bearing and clacking teeth is also a common practice.

Breeding: Most of their mating rituals occur in caves and are poorly observed, but it is assumed that males will use their tusks to move rocks and dirty in nesting circles to appeal to the females, and they can be heard making similar noises and calls.

Special Information

Jungle lilliputs may have Bicolor and Appaloosa markings. They will not have paint markings or Jester.
Cave Lilliputs may not express bicolor, only carry it. They will not have appaloosa markings. They will not have more than two spines on the horns.

Lilliput Ballators will always CARRY Poecilia and Veneum but can express Zebroid.

Lilliputs may only have up to 2 horn sets, and only on the head.

Crossbreeding with African Ballators

Cave and Jungle Lilliputs may breed with each other, but it will always result in a Jungle-based Lilliput, as Cave Lillipts may not be extravagantly colored or have non-grayscale horns.

Africans and Lilliputs may breed, but will always produce a sterile foals.
This is how African x Cave Lilliputs appear: