Post by nebuae on Feb 20, 2009 1:57:29 GMT -5
Species Name: Alpine Wolves. Canis boreas aquilo
Nicknames: Maned wolves, Mountain wolves,
Average Height: (at lower altitudes) Females: 20-24 inches at the shoulder, Males: 26-30 inches at the shoulder, extremes: 16 inches - 36 inches
Average Weight: (at lower altitudes) Females: 80-90 lbs Males: 95-105 lbs, too thin 60-, obese 120+
Age: 20-30 years. They age at about 1 year (human terms) every season, reaching maturity at 4 years old (16 human terms)
Description: (images will come soon enough)
Much shorter and stockier than the average wolf. They are barrel chested with short legs, large paws with widely splayed toes and a thick coat.
The coat is composed of two layers, the long, stiff and mildly waterproof guard hairs. Below, the shorter, dense undercoat. Naturally in the winter, the coat becomes thicker and longer. The texture is crisp and somewhat wiry. Resulting in a puffy appearance, the hair does not droop down much. They molt once a year in the springtime. Cubs' coats are silky and downy to the touch and often a solid color (a different color than the adult coat ex. a female was a peach color before developing a gold and orange coat). The adult coat starts growing in at 3-4 months of age starting at the paws and moving upwards. The adult coat is fully in at 18 months of age. The mane grows in at two years of age.
The mane is permanent and does not molt in the spring. It extends from the forehead to between the shoulder blades. Older individuals do tend to lose their manes. Males have a thicker mane than females.
The face has a shorter muzzle than the average wolf. Eyes are round and forward facing. Slightly almond shaped. The ears are small and the nose is large. Think chow-chow.
Color and markings are unlimited. The nose, gums, pads, and tongue tend to have an unusual color aside from the usual black. Generally contrasting from the rest of the fur on the body. Solid colored coats are rare and considered undesirable. Coats with an iridescent sheen are also very rare, but on the other end of the spectrum are considered very beautiful. Eyes are generally solid colors. Odd-eyes or split colored eyes aren't impossible, just extremely rare.
History: They started out as a separate species known as the Timberline Wolves (Canis boreas). An ancient war in their part of the mountain range drove many packs out of their territories. Many chose to migrate to lower altitudes, but a few managed to adapt to the higher altitude and harsher climate closer to the mountain's summit. They eventually became smaller and denser than their forefathers and a subspecies of their own.
They lived in the mountains for quite some time. Several generations later and a culture developed.
Unfortunately, a recent development in human expansion forced them away from their mountain homes. Many became loners but others chose to move on and join a new pack. Newly born generations tend to grow a lot larger than their parents because of the richer oxygen at lower altitudes.
Beliefs: They are not deeply spiritual in nature. They do have a lot of social customs involving certain ways to address others of a different rank or gender. The newer generations tend to be less strict and more flexible about adopting different cultures. As many have. The first rule to confrontation is to avoid at all costs. Diplomacy is a proffered weapon over jaws. Proper respect and calm demeanor is critical. Outbursts of excitement, complaining loudly, whining and insults are frowned upon.
Prey: At lower altitudes they will eat any prey item available, save of course anything poisoness. They oddly can't digest anything too oily like fish very easily. Favorite prey items are food of their home land. Hares, ptarmigan, caribou, moose and mountain goats. They are not strictly carnivorous, eating grasses, roots, tubers, and nuts to supply their diet with extra vitamins and minerals.
Magical Abilities: Mostly mind matters, such as Insight, Hypnotism, Telepathy and others. Empathy is standard. Sometimes they can communicate with the spirit world. If the bond is strong enough, pack members keep mental ties between each other to keep in emotional contact. Being able to sense if someone is injured or under stress. Couples' bonds are sometimes strong enough to be considered one mind. Parents and pups are also very closely mentally tied. The bond eventually weakens at adolescence but never completely disappears.
Strengths: They are built for stamina and power as opposed to speed and agility. They are very well suited to extreme cold and sometimes prefer to sleep outside by themselves as the pack dens can be uncomfortably hot.
Weaknesses: Water, their dense bones and little body fat does not permit swimming very well. Heat or lack of water. Droughts would spell certain death for them. Disease. Because they evolved in a climate that did not support microbial life well, they did not develope immunity to newer diseases.
Habitats: Mountains, tundra and boreal forests are where they are found most often. Although because they are so spread out, there is no definitive true habitat for them as of yet. They are never found in tropical, or desert environments.
Other: Because they are so spread out, it is likely they will interbreed with other species, eventually diluting them down to almost nothing. Unless of course a large isolated breeding population is established.
Public/Private: Public, please do make one! Just run the character by me, I'd love to see them.
Nicknames: Maned wolves, Mountain wolves,
Average Height: (at lower altitudes) Females: 20-24 inches at the shoulder, Males: 26-30 inches at the shoulder, extremes: 16 inches - 36 inches
Average Weight: (at lower altitudes) Females: 80-90 lbs Males: 95-105 lbs, too thin 60-, obese 120+
Age: 20-30 years. They age at about 1 year (human terms) every season, reaching maturity at 4 years old (16 human terms)
Description: (images will come soon enough)
Much shorter and stockier than the average wolf. They are barrel chested with short legs, large paws with widely splayed toes and a thick coat.
The coat is composed of two layers, the long, stiff and mildly waterproof guard hairs. Below, the shorter, dense undercoat. Naturally in the winter, the coat becomes thicker and longer. The texture is crisp and somewhat wiry. Resulting in a puffy appearance, the hair does not droop down much. They molt once a year in the springtime. Cubs' coats are silky and downy to the touch and often a solid color (a different color than the adult coat ex. a female was a peach color before developing a gold and orange coat). The adult coat starts growing in at 3-4 months of age starting at the paws and moving upwards. The adult coat is fully in at 18 months of age. The mane grows in at two years of age.
The mane is permanent and does not molt in the spring. It extends from the forehead to between the shoulder blades. Older individuals do tend to lose their manes. Males have a thicker mane than females.
The face has a shorter muzzle than the average wolf. Eyes are round and forward facing. Slightly almond shaped. The ears are small and the nose is large. Think chow-chow.
Color and markings are unlimited. The nose, gums, pads, and tongue tend to have an unusual color aside from the usual black. Generally contrasting from the rest of the fur on the body. Solid colored coats are rare and considered undesirable. Coats with an iridescent sheen are also very rare, but on the other end of the spectrum are considered very beautiful. Eyes are generally solid colors. Odd-eyes or split colored eyes aren't impossible, just extremely rare.
History: They started out as a separate species known as the Timberline Wolves (Canis boreas). An ancient war in their part of the mountain range drove many packs out of their territories. Many chose to migrate to lower altitudes, but a few managed to adapt to the higher altitude and harsher climate closer to the mountain's summit. They eventually became smaller and denser than their forefathers and a subspecies of their own.
They lived in the mountains for quite some time. Several generations later and a culture developed.
Unfortunately, a recent development in human expansion forced them away from their mountain homes. Many became loners but others chose to move on and join a new pack. Newly born generations tend to grow a lot larger than their parents because of the richer oxygen at lower altitudes.
Beliefs: They are not deeply spiritual in nature. They do have a lot of social customs involving certain ways to address others of a different rank or gender. The newer generations tend to be less strict and more flexible about adopting different cultures. As many have. The first rule to confrontation is to avoid at all costs. Diplomacy is a proffered weapon over jaws. Proper respect and calm demeanor is critical. Outbursts of excitement, complaining loudly, whining and insults are frowned upon.
Prey: At lower altitudes they will eat any prey item available, save of course anything poisoness. They oddly can't digest anything too oily like fish very easily. Favorite prey items are food of their home land. Hares, ptarmigan, caribou, moose and mountain goats. They are not strictly carnivorous, eating grasses, roots, tubers, and nuts to supply their diet with extra vitamins and minerals.
Magical Abilities: Mostly mind matters, such as Insight, Hypnotism, Telepathy and others. Empathy is standard. Sometimes they can communicate with the spirit world. If the bond is strong enough, pack members keep mental ties between each other to keep in emotional contact. Being able to sense if someone is injured or under stress. Couples' bonds are sometimes strong enough to be considered one mind. Parents and pups are also very closely mentally tied. The bond eventually weakens at adolescence but never completely disappears.
Strengths: They are built for stamina and power as opposed to speed and agility. They are very well suited to extreme cold and sometimes prefer to sleep outside by themselves as the pack dens can be uncomfortably hot.
Weaknesses: Water, their dense bones and little body fat does not permit swimming very well. Heat or lack of water. Droughts would spell certain death for them. Disease. Because they evolved in a climate that did not support microbial life well, they did not develope immunity to newer diseases.
Habitats: Mountains, tundra and boreal forests are where they are found most often. Although because they are so spread out, there is no definitive true habitat for them as of yet. They are never found in tropical, or desert environments.
Other: Because they are so spread out, it is likely they will interbreed with other species, eventually diluting them down to almost nothing. Unless of course a large isolated breeding population is established.
Public/Private: Public, please do make one! Just run the character by me, I'd love to see them.