Aptonoth are common, large, quadruped herbivores with grey skin and black stripping along their backs. A large spiked crest adorns their heads which they use in conjunction with their spiked tails to defend themselves, their herd, and offspring. Although peaceful and choosing to flee rather than fight when the need arises they will go out of their way to protect their young.

Indifferent of humans until provoked they can be passed by without any trouble and act as an early alert to large game when seen rearing up to look for danger, becoming restless, and fleeing the area while lying down when all is calm and free of danger. They are the most common source of meat for human and beast alike. Their flesh is commonly drugged and used as bait by hunters for large game and are the prime target of exhausted predators.

Aptonoth live in a wide variety of habitats including jungle, forest, swamp, and tropical islands. One of few places they cannot inhabit is the tundra where other herbivores better suited to the cold have evolved.