Native to Collyvale
Woollyback
A shaggy-backed hillside animal
The Woollyback is a stocky four-legged animal of Collyvale’s woodland and hillsides, roughly the size of a large sheep.
Its tough earthy skin is mostly bare, but a huge strip of dense wool runs along its back. Leaves and burrs can get caught there as it pushes through the undergrowth.
A little closer
A few things about Woollybacks
Spring tufts
Loose wool catches on low branches and fence posts. Collyvale children sometimes collect the fallen tufts for tiny craft projects.
Unruly patterns
The thick strip of wool running from shoulders to rump grows in swirls, ridges and curls. One has a curl rather like a question mark—if you stand on the right side.
Sure feet
Their wide feet help them pick a steady way up muddy hillsides, though they are in no hurry to reach the top.
After the rain
Their wool hangs in damp, tangled clumps until the sun dries it into its usual enormous muddle.
Bits of hillside
Leaves and burrs lodge in their back-wool as they push through the undergrowth. Most fall out after a good shake.
Huff-huff
You may hear this soft sound when a Woollyback has found a particularly good patch of grass.
Old paths
A Woollyback often takes the same winding route through the grass. Anyone following behind may discover a path they had not noticed before.
A remarkable back
Most of their body has no wool at all. Their sturdy legs, broad snout, floppy ears and earthy skin make that shaggy strip even more striking.
Favorite grazing spots
Some return to the same hillside patch each morning, pausing as if checking that everything is where they left it.
Familiar faces
A Woollyback that knows you may stop and give a small, thoughtful huff before carrying on with its day.
