Vargr

Basic Information

Anatomy

Vargar (plural form of vargr) are large canids, with an appearance similar, but noticeably different, to huge, powerful wolves. While their furs are similar thicknesses, proportionately, vargar have shorter, stockier legs with large, wide paws, that act like snowshoes come winter, as well as large dewclaws. Their baculum can range 5 inches in length and 8.2 to 8.9 cm in thickness, relatively small for an animal of such size.

Genetics and Reproduction

Vargar are monogamous and mate for life. Although they often copulate throughout the season, estrus only occurs during winter and summer and only for 2-3 weeks. Gestation usually only last 110 days, with larger litters being born if prey is abundant. Vargar have small litters for canids, averaging around 2-3 1_3/4 pound pups, who are more developed than wolf pups, able to see at birth.

Growth Rate & Stages

Vargar pups are born able to see but are still dependent on their mother's milk for the first 2 weeks of their lives. Playfights among pups begin at this stage, but at 3 weeks old their bites are no longer inhibited. After the new pups are old enough to leave the den, around the same time they start to eat solid foods, the old litter is old enough to survive on their own and usually leave or are chased out of the pack at this point. As they grow, vargar experience high rates of muscle growth, particularly in the jaws and forelimbs.

Ecology and Habitats

Vargar are found in open grasslands, with little trees to be found. This is because that is where most of their prey is found, being of a size, either physically or in reference to their herds, that are unfit for the confined spaces of the densely wooded forests. In addition, vargar are adapted to such ecosystems where it is cool in the warm seasons and fridged in the cold seasons.
Vargar are the top predators of these plains, with most predators unable to compete with them directly. They tend to make their homes in abandoned bear dens or even chase bears out of their dens and are known to fiercely compete with Trolls over food and space. As a result, while both creatures are present in Hadorstadir, generally one does not encroach upon the territory of the other: when they do, it often ends in violent and bloody takeover.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Vargar are hypercarnivorous, with about 80% of their diet consisting of meat. 10% of the rest is bone, which they are well-known for their ability to crack and consume. Any plant matter is a dietary supplement, usually in the form of berries, but also apples occasionally.
Vargar favor hunting large, herd animals, so reindeer and musk oxen are especially common prey items, and mammoth calves occasionally being targeted. They are specialized pounce/pursuit predators; they chase prey a short distance before grabbing them and taking them to the ground and will surround their prey to ensure success. Vargar usually attack from the rear, in an attempt to cripple the legs or lower spine, and will do so as quickly as possible, as they lack the stamina of wolves which chase until the prey keels from exhaustion.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Vargar live and hunt in packs, much like wolves, with a mated pair and their offspring, averaging between 4-8 individuals. The mated male and female are always the leaders of the pack, with the male having supreme authority when the female is caring for pups. Pack hierarchy is very strict and vargar regularly discipline their litters when they get out of line. As harsh a life, it may be, the machine that is the pack is a well-oiled one and vargar parents, while stern, are fair. However, after the female's second litter is old enough to leave the den, the old litter is quickly and fiercely chased away, but at this point, the pups are old enough to survive on their own and generally go off to start a new pack.

Facial characteristics

Vargar have massive heads, with features that noticeably differentiate them from wolves: they have bulging foreheads, wide cheekbones to support powerful jaw muscles, and massive premolars, useful for crushing bones.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Vargar are endemic to Hadorstadir and its cold brush and mountains. They have adapted to the cold climate and isolated nature of the landmass and thus would struggle to survive anywhere else.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As canines, Vargar have a highly developed sense of smell, but even more so than most: They can detect a carcass in even the harshest of blizzards. Their hearing is also acute and they have excellent night vision.

Origin/Ancestry

Borophaginae

Lifespan

5-6 years

Average Height

3-4 ft at the shoulder

Average Weight

356-527 lbs.

Average Length

6.7-8.1 ft.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Vargr furs range from a variety of earthy colors, usually between a coffee and a chocolate, with the underbelly being lighter than the rest of the body. The face, paws, and tip of the tail are ebony colored, with some even being jet black.

Geographic Distribution

• Hadorstadir