Mernites are a sentient bipedal species native to the ice planet Mern.
Physiology
Mernites are slightly smaller than humans, standing around four and a half to five feet tall on average. They also often have quite round chubby builds as their species have an extra layer of blubber to help protect them from cold.
They have short chubby limbs, with two legs and two arms. Each hand and foot has four digits -which includes the thumbs- with each finger tipped with a sharp claw for defense and grooming.
They are covered in short fur -which is often some variation of beige or tan- with a slightly longer mane around their neck. They may have slight spots or stripe patterns, but they are always a shade lighter or darker than the rest of the fur, never a completely different color. While, black, and grey mernites are not unheard of but are more uncommon and are a result of genetic mutation.
They have short rounded faces with a wide snoutlike nose, short rounded ears, and whiskers. They have a mix of molars as well as sharper teeth in their mouth, with noticeably larger and sharper canines. They have round eyes that are often some shade of brown, blue eyes are rare but are possible.
In terms of sexual dimorphism, male merns tend to be taller and larger canines. The females tend to be a bit shorter and have smaller canines. This is the general rule, but of course, there are always exceptions to the rule so there may be Mernites that do not fit into this pattern.
The Mernites have a very good sense of smell, with it being one of their strongest senses.
Other Traits
Mernites live average lifespans, a little longer than humans, on average only living to around one hundred to one hundred and twenty years old.
Mernians give birth to infants, with litters ranging in size from one to five, who are small and hairless with their eyes and ears closed. Over a few weeks, the infant's fur with grow in, and their eyes and ears will open. Infant and child Mernites do not have the adult characteristics of the mane, the large canines, etc and these will develop throughout their adolescence.
For more info about their related culture see:Mernite - ethnicity
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