Qafz Jerboa

Fast and nimble is an understatement for this teeny rodent, even before they were blessed by Fliris! Fully nocturnal and well adapted to their environment, the Qafz Jerboa leaps and dashes across the dunes in search of dinner with legs reminiscent of a kangaroo. And they need to be, many of their neighbors eager to make them dinner. Despite being a staple desert meal, jerboa are well equipped for a quick escape. Inheriting Fliris' Agility or Charge, jerboa are capable of astonishing feats of speed and agility. Yet the strangest habit of these creatures belongs to those inheriting Rithaldis' Step. When they can't evade a predator, these jerboa fling themselves into one of the many miniature suns or pockets of radioactivity dotting the Shamsi Desert. But this is no suicidal plunge. Instances of solar energy like these act as portals into Rithaldis' Plane, only accessible to those with Rithaldis' Step. Its quite the sight, seeing such a teensy creature leap haphazardly into orbs of radiant plasma just in the nick of time! Prey Omnivore Nocturnal

Kaithur

First Ability Fliris' Agility Those with Fliris' Agility are able to move with increased agility and speed, fueled by their magic. The more drastic their movements, the more energy is used up. Fliris' Charge Jerboa with Fliris' Charge can store up kinetic energy inside their bodies. They can convert this to magic energy, strengthen their body or re-release it like an aura. When released as an aura, they can generate short bursts of flight, decreased gravity, increased speed, velocity or agility or decreases in size. However, unlike other forms Charge casters cannot generate their aspect, relying on a source. In this case, every time they move a tiny bit of energy is built up, usually released for short bursts of extreme speed or agility in order to escape a predator. Second Ability Rithaldis' Shield Those with Rithaldis' Shield are immune to damage or ill effects from both radiant magic and naturally occurring radiant energy. This includes solar plasma and ionizing radiation. Rithaldis' Step Jerboa with can enter and exit Rithaldis' Plane via solar portals and travel the plane freely, without injury or impediment. Can bring others while maintaining contact. This leaves them immune to radiant energy and allows them to step on this aspect as though they have Rithaldis' Movement. Any instance of radiant energy large enough to fit through can act as a portal.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Jaculus orientalis Egyptian Jerboa 4-5 years Weight Body Length Tail 139 g 5 oz 13 cm 5 in 20 cm 8 in Appearance While small, jerboa's have dramatic features. Its hind legs are four times longer than its forelimbs, resembling a kangaroo, and its long tail is naked except for a tuft of white and black fur at the end, useful for balance. Its fur is sandy brown with a white underbelly. In their magic form, jerboa gain robin blue across their limbs and tail while their fur becomes stark white

Adaptions

Fast Camouflage Hearing Vision With large eyes and ears, qafz jerboa have excellent night vision and hearing—essential for detecting predators. Long whiskers arc out from their face in every direction, aiding in their nimble movements when navigating and weaving between tight spaces quickly in a chase. Outside of running, jerboa move by jumpingg, hopping and leaping in way called saltation, their movements unpredictable. Even before making use of their magic they are astonishingly fast for their size, running up to 15 mph (24 km/h)! These maneuverable and mobile rodents are capable of traveling up to ten kilometers a day, nimbly traversing even the harshness of Aznag, the Dead Heart of Shamsi. To this end, jerboa can withstand temperatures ranging from below freezing to up to 130 F (54 C) and can go completely without water, surviving purely by the water in their food! Finally, the hair between the pads of their feet is extra long, giving them better control of movement on sand similarly to snowshoes--few can match their acrobatics in the desert!

Habitat

Desert Shrubland Rural Semi-Desert Coastal Wetland These rodents prefer tropical or subtropical environments with little to no rainfall, digging burrows with 7ft tunnels in firm ground. They can live in dry shrublands, sandy dunes, coastal shores, salt marshes, farmland and pastures. However, they are considered pests which damage crops and grains. The native range of a qafz jerboa includes the Arabiyyan and Shamsi Deserts, Birit Narim, Balkurtiz, Parsa, Kemet and Kna'an. They might also reside in Sesli Plato and Flumen Pontem or along the edges of Kasar Wuta, finding it difficult to survive in open grasslands.

Life Cycle

Subsocial Viviparous Polygynous Maternal Agonistic Altruistic While jerboa are solitary foragers, they become subsocial during breeding season. A nestbox consisting of one male and several females is constructed with two compartments lined with animal fur. Mating occurs between July and November, pregnancy lasting 40 days and each female giving birth to 2-8 babies. Newborn jerboa have weak and feeble legs, unable to walk or hop. They are totally vulnerable and reliant on their mother for seven weeks. Baby jerboa drag themselves forward at first before progressing to crawling as their legs become stronger. Most if not all care is provided by their mother but the father will protect his offspring fiercely, even at the cost of his own life. They are infamous for their tendency to defend their offspring by ramming into agressors at extreme speeds, much like a bullet, killing both parties. Outside of breeding, family groups of jerboa are very close, sleeping in large piles and engaging in massive play sessions on moonless nights! They communicate with each other by thumping the ground with their legs or using squeaks to show their agitation.

Diet

Graminivore Granivore Radicivore Folivore Insectivore While technically an ominivore, most of a jerboa's diet is herbivorous! Qafz shelter in their burrows during the heat of the day and emerge at night, searching for seeds, shoots and roots. If they come across any leaves or insects like beetles and worms, they gobble these up readily. They are especially partial to Khepri Scarab and Jari Tamal. In the barren sands of the Shamsi Desert, qafz jerboa are a staple food for many carnivores, having to put everything they have into evasion to survive! After all, once the[ve been caught there is nothing more they can do, having no means to defend themselves. Predators include Ayyur Fox, Strix Owl, Jah Eagle-Owl, Mefkaht Ostritch, Impangele Hen, Masriyyin Vulture, Paraa Falcon, Isk Viper, Asp Viper, immature Uwriun Scorpion, Rompo Skunk, Wata Jackal, Sha, Manid Hyena, ǁKo Wild Dog, Mul'ataa Agama, Mushussu and Hangkok Lizard. Even during the day they must remain cautious, building escape tunnels into their burrows in case a snake or jackal decide to invade their home! When fleeing from a predator without cover, jerboa propels forward in tremendous leaps rather than running. Before even making use of the kaithur, each jump can reach 1 meter high and propel them across 3 meters forward. That's 3 feet high and up to 10 feet forward in a single leap! And while they cannot use their forms for very long, their tiny bodies only holding so much magic, many predators lose sight of them as they yeet themselves across the desert at nearly imperceptable speeds!