Moorshrike (Moor-sh-ryke)

Moorshrikes appear to be a monstrous mix of bat, rat, and cat - a flying mammal the size of a wildcat with ratlike hands at the end of its leathery wings. They make their homes in caves, cliff-faces, and marsh canopies, hunt in flocks, and are surprisingly strong for their size.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Essentially, the moorshrike appears to be a sort of wildcat with bat wings where the forelegs would normally be - it has the digitigrade legs of cat and a primordial pouch like most felines. The wings themselves appear to only have two digits in the membrane, with two additional digits and a rudimentary thumb not unlike a rat's that are not part of the membrane wing structure.
The pelage is short and coarse with dense underfur, usually gray or black in color, though some white-furred moorshrikes have been spotted. Females of the species have a "mantle" of red fur color on the shoulders and the upper back. They lack tails.
The ears of the moorshrike are quite long compared to other compatible felines, more in shape and size with those of a long-eared bat. Compared to bats, moorshrikes are slower flyers and prefer to make short bursts of flight rather than prolonged flight.
Their heads resemble that of a wildcat with large ears and large eyes.

Biological Traits

Moorshrikes are known to often carry a disease that causes palsy and shaky vision, and their nests and lairs are rife with it. Some infected moorshrikes seem to be able to pass on the disease by bite.

Growth Rate & Stages

Moorshrikes are mammals and thus viviparous, giving birth to live young that are relatively underdeveloped.  Gestation length is 100–120 days, and females have a litter size of 2-3 young at a time, called a pup. Pups are sparsely furred at birth and dependent on their mothers for care. Pups are relatively small at birth, weighing approximately 10% of the mother's weight. While young, they cling to their mothers' abdomens, gripping her fur with their thumb claws and teeth, and females carry the pups for the first several weeks of life.  After this, the females may leave the pups behind at the roost at night while they forage. Mmales do not assist females in parental care, and rarely remain part of the nest.
Pups fledge beginning at 2 months old, but may not be weaned until 3-4 months old. Pups may stay with their mothers until age one, when they reach reproductive maturity. Females can have up to two litters annually. Mooorshrikes are seasonal breeders that give birth in the spring. In the wild, average lifespans are likely 15 years.

Dietary Needs and Habits

While they appear to be omnivorous, they prefer a diet of fresh meat, but will often scavenge anything they can get. The moorshrike's hunting strategy is often compared to that of raptors like eagles, hawks, and falcons: They’ll sit on an elevated perch, scan the ground below, and pounce on any spotted prey. Hunters have watched how moorshrikes will dive bomb down on prey, claw and bite, then rip away chunks of flesh as they flee away for another pass. Moorshrikes have also been witnessed skewering prey on branches, especially those of trees in rocky outcroppings, to save for later.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Moorshrikes can be found in great numbers in wetlands across Thamrysis, especially when there are nearby cave systems. They are often an invasive threat, as they have few natural predators.

Average Intelligence

Moorshrikes display behaviors that indicate a reliance on long-term information storage, and are capable of group hunting behaviors similar to wolves. No instances of moorshikes being trained or domesticated exists to date.
Moorshrikes have been observed operating existing mechanisms, such as latches or buttons using the three-digit section of their hand. They have a large head for their body, indicating a large brain. They appear to have the general intelligence of a domesticated dog.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They locate resources with their keen sense of smell and excellent eyesight. They are nocturnal and adapted for low light environments. They navigate with keen eyesight, as they cannot echolocate.

Lifespan

14-15 years

Average Height

13-16 inches.

Average Weight

3–10 lbs, with females reaching the heavier end.

Average Length

19in, up to 32 inches.

Average Physique

There are documented cases of moorshrikes reaching larger sizes when food is plenty, but no documented cases of a moorshrike being larger than 12 lbs. Often, the wingspan of a moorshrike can be up to six feet when fully unfurled.