Haadiq
The Haadiq (Mafera indega) is a species in the family Diaret and a member of the genus Mafera. It is a large cat endemic to the Pāll-tanír that primarily occupies the border regions of the tropical rainforest that is the Shār.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Compared to other members of genus Mafera, the haadiq is a compact and well-muscled animal. Its relatively short legs and body make it highly maneuverable and extremely strong. Compared to the other large members of genus Mafera, the craglion (Mafera raqhaba) and the sarad (Mafera bataen), the haadiq has a relatively smaller, narrower skull and weaker jaw strength, relying primarily on its arm strength to capture and kill prey.
Haaduq do not demonstrate any overt sexual dimorphism, though females tend to be 5–10% smaller, on average, than males of similar age. Mature haaduq males have been found to weigh between 49–91 kg (108–200 lbs), with observations of a few exceptionally large specimens estimated to weigh around ~110kg (242 lbs). They stand at around 58–71 cm (23–28 in) at the shoulders, while on average they measure at around 99–165 cm (3'3"–5'5") from the nose to the tip of the tail.
Ecology and Habitats
Though haaduq can be found anywhere in the outer reaches of the Shār, they tend to concentrate around rivers and other low-lying wet areas in the jungle. It is unknown if they range deeper into the Shār as no expedition into the jungle deeper than 40km has ever returned. Surveys into the "safe" area of the Shār suggest that haaduq remain largely within the 40km band of land within range of the border of the jungle.
Aggressively territorial creatures, haaduq continuously mark and patrol their territories, clawing at, rubbing against, and urinating near trees that mark the boundary of their territories. Occasionally, they can be found in the transitional grasslands beyond the edges of the Shār, but it is largely believed that this transpires when they are pushed out by stronger haaduq or other ecological factors such as food scarcity.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Haaduq are obligate carnivores and opportunistic predators. They hunt and eat anything that presents itself as easy prey. As ambush predators they prefer to hunt during twilight hours when their coloration is best-suited for hiding in the shadows between the trees or in the water. Though they hunt fish when presented with the opportunity, haaduq primarily subsist on waterfowl and rodents that live near the rivers. Otherwise, small mammals, ungulates, reptiles, and amphibians are also potential prey for the haaduq.
Scientific Name
Mafera indega
Conservation Status
Due to the difficulty of navigating the Shār, the dense jungle has historically protected haadiq populations. With the arrival of the Dominion on the Pāll-tanír, strict environmental policies have ensured that haadiq populations remain at a stable level.
Geographic Distribution
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