Slugcat

Small semi-sentient furry animals. Smarter than a dog, routinely observed using tools, but not yet adapted to civilization.
Originally engineered for ever-changing, rocky environments. They can slip over rough terrain, through rocky landslides, and into any tunnels they may find.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Adult specimens range from 2 to 4 feet in length, measured from extended nose to tail. Their bodies are largely cylindrical, with a tapered, densely-muscled tail and an opposing face. Most specimens have 4 equal limbs, spaced optimally as 2 arms and 2 legs. The hands have 3 digits, 2 spindly and an opposed thumb. The legs have 2 forward-facing toes. These are less about locomotion, which is primarily through the muscled tail, and more about control and aiming of their impressive leaping capacity. The round face of the specimen conceals a surprisingly large mouth, filled with 2 rows of needle-like teeth. These teeth are frequently lost, and are replaced within 2-4 weeks. All specimens have a small pouch on their forward abdomen. This is accessible to all four limbs, though the grip capacity of the toes is severely limited. Some are optimized to hunt aquatic prey: with slick fur, webbing between digits, and extrasensory "whiskers" to better detect movements in the water. Others are adapted to stalk land-based prey: increased leg length for controlling jump, larger teeth to rip prey, and longer arms to reach their mouth. Many other breeds have been recorded.

Genetics and Reproduction

Specimens give live birth, with litters of 1-6 (average 3). All specimens have the biological ability to bear children. A gathering of specimens in co-habitation will routinely transfer genetic material through physical contact of certain mucus-producing glands. A child-bearer can, and likely will, intake this material from multiple other specimens. Multiple breeds of the species exist. The pup's breed is determined by the most predominant material provided by the parents, with an increased chance of matching the mother. It is not uncommon for secondary traits to manifest from the breeds of other providers.

Growth Rate & Stages

At birth, pups are only inches in length, pink, and hairless. Water-adapted breeds are an exception, born with a sparse amount of slick hair. Pups will stay in a marsupial-like pouch of their child-bearer for the first few months of their lives.   Upon becoming large enough to eat solid food, pups with leave their child-bearer's side. At 4-6 inches long, they are functionally independent, but will not stray far for long.
After 4-8 years, these pups reach physical maturity. The glands to share biological material activate first, as well as a drive to routinely make contact with other specimens. Childbearing behavior does not appear until at least a decade into their life, though this not appear to change their biology or behavior.

Ecology and Habitats

Specimens have been found in any number of environments. Each breed seems adapted to certain conditions or hunting behaviors.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Different breeds have different dietary concerns. While all can process light vegetation, only some are capable of digesting meat and other heavier protein. Fewer still can process hardier plant matter. When not occupied by a pup, specimens often store food in their pouch. Specimens have been noted to harvest excess food in the growing season, caching it for the colder months.

Biological Cycle

Specimens are most active during the growing season, often going into mock-hibernation during the colder months. This is more akin to extended sleep, and they awaken routinely to eat form their food cache.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Specimens have a wide variety of sensory organs, varying by breed. Most have 2 eyes, adapted for visual acuity in minimal light conditions, though specimens with 3 eyes are not uncommon. The majority of the eye is dark pupil, and have no discernible iris. A large portion of the population has 2 mock ears: social organs designed to communicate rather than sense audible input. Rather, they have an internal tympanum, invisible under a layer of fur, that allows more omnidirectional hearing.  It is believed that specimens' sense of touch is equivalent to their sense of taste. This results in avoidance of making contact with materials that may not appear to be dangerous, but rather are unpleasant to taste.

Geographic Distribution

• 61 Cygni System