Post by A®heim on Dec 3, 2009 1:35:42 GMT -5
Species Name: Flickercat Felis luminus
Species Type: Mammalian
Planet of Origin: Aiaru
Average Lifespan: 20 years
Age of Maturation: 7 months
Average Height: 30 cm
Average Length: 70 cm (+280 cm tail)
Average Weight: 40 kg
Notable biological features: Small, cat-like body with a greenish-grey pelt. Large eyes, usually amber in color, have a third eyelid used while swimming through Aiaru's swamps. Ears are thin and laid back sharply along the head, allowing them to seal against the skull while underwater and in combat. Long, prehensile tail separates into three prongs about 3/4 of the way down. Each prong is ended in a sharp barb as well as small chambers in which bio-luminescent chemicals create a soft blue glow when calm or a fiery red when agitated. Tail assists in movement both in the water and in the treetops.
Number of limbs and Type: 4 legs, 1 (3) tail(s)
Lifestyle:
Flickercats are listed as "non-sentient" but are deceptively intelligent and do have some basic communal behaviors. An oddity amongst most predators, flickers begin life as pair hunters, hunting only with 1 of its litter-mates until such time that they may join a pack. This can only be done once they have taken down a large prey animal and present it to a pack leader.
During mating season, Flicker territory comes ablaze with quick flashes of light from the creature's tails. In addition to attracting a mate, these light shows also make up a complex mating ritual in which the female will twist her tails and flash the tips in a certain pattern which the males must then compete to duplicate as closely as possible. It is not uncommon to find evidence of "cheating" in this game as other males have been known to rip off the tail prongs of those that can best them in "light weaving".
Once the female has selected the most competent light weaver, they will mate for life, hunting together til the end of their days. They bear a litter of 3 pups once a year, leaving them to fend for themselves at 5 months. It is extremely rare for this number to differ. As flickercats only hunt in pairs, the third offspring will typically die off before reaching adulthood. However, it is not unheard of for these outcasts to survive and many of them become rogue animals that will not be welcome in any pack.
When hunting, flickercats will utilize the luminous tips of their tails as lures with which to attract prey. Once the victim has its full attention focused on the dancing lights in front of it, the second flicker will attack from behind. Once this combat is engaged, the pair will work in almost perfect conjunction: one member serving to weaken and restrain the prey's movement (often by attempting to entangle limbs or whip sensitive areas with the tail barbs) while the second takes aim and strikes through a vulnerable area with it's tail. This tail is incredibly strong, easily capable of knocking a grown man from his feet or even punching through body parts with the aid of the sharp barb on the tip.
Communication:
Flickercats communicate both through low, guttural growls, as well as a complex sign language composed of light flashes and tail movement. While difficult to decode as the patterns tend to differ slightly amongst regions, several generally universal signs have been identified.
3 Tail Flick - Often accompanied by a sharp change from blue to red light, this gesture is one of excitement or irritation. Flickercats often make this gesture just before they attack.
Sway - all 3 prongs sway back and forth at different rates. This pattern is generally displayed while the flicker is unsure of a situation or pondering a solution. This is also a common pattern employed while luring prey as it is calming and hypnotic to gaze upon.
Quick Tail Movement Blue Light - often seen while a flicker interacts with others of its species.
Quick Tail Movement Purple Light - Fearful or wounded.
Limp Tail No light - it's either dead or sleeping.
History: Flickercats are still fairly unknown to the galaxy due to the remote location of their homeplanet. Several have been accidentally brought off-world, but these tend to be fearful and therefore deadly and are generally killed out of self-defense.
While any have yet to be successfully tamed, researchers believe that if a 3rd offspring were acquired at a young age, a pair bond could be formed between the person and the flicker, like that of the first 2 offspring, resulting in an extremely loyal relationship with him/her.
Daytime:
Nighttime:
Species Type: Mammalian
Planet of Origin: Aiaru
Average Lifespan: 20 years
Age of Maturation: 7 months
Average Height: 30 cm
Average Length: 70 cm (+280 cm tail)
Average Weight: 40 kg
Notable biological features: Small, cat-like body with a greenish-grey pelt. Large eyes, usually amber in color, have a third eyelid used while swimming through Aiaru's swamps. Ears are thin and laid back sharply along the head, allowing them to seal against the skull while underwater and in combat. Long, prehensile tail separates into three prongs about 3/4 of the way down. Each prong is ended in a sharp barb as well as small chambers in which bio-luminescent chemicals create a soft blue glow when calm or a fiery red when agitated. Tail assists in movement both in the water and in the treetops.
Number of limbs and Type: 4 legs, 1 (3) tail(s)
Lifestyle:
Flickercats are listed as "non-sentient" but are deceptively intelligent and do have some basic communal behaviors. An oddity amongst most predators, flickers begin life as pair hunters, hunting only with 1 of its litter-mates until such time that they may join a pack. This can only be done once they have taken down a large prey animal and present it to a pack leader.
During mating season, Flicker territory comes ablaze with quick flashes of light from the creature's tails. In addition to attracting a mate, these light shows also make up a complex mating ritual in which the female will twist her tails and flash the tips in a certain pattern which the males must then compete to duplicate as closely as possible. It is not uncommon to find evidence of "cheating" in this game as other males have been known to rip off the tail prongs of those that can best them in "light weaving".
Once the female has selected the most competent light weaver, they will mate for life, hunting together til the end of their days. They bear a litter of 3 pups once a year, leaving them to fend for themselves at 5 months. It is extremely rare for this number to differ. As flickercats only hunt in pairs, the third offspring will typically die off before reaching adulthood. However, it is not unheard of for these outcasts to survive and many of them become rogue animals that will not be welcome in any pack.
When hunting, flickercats will utilize the luminous tips of their tails as lures with which to attract prey. Once the victim has its full attention focused on the dancing lights in front of it, the second flicker will attack from behind. Once this combat is engaged, the pair will work in almost perfect conjunction: one member serving to weaken and restrain the prey's movement (often by attempting to entangle limbs or whip sensitive areas with the tail barbs) while the second takes aim and strikes through a vulnerable area with it's tail. This tail is incredibly strong, easily capable of knocking a grown man from his feet or even punching through body parts with the aid of the sharp barb on the tip.
Communication:
Flickercats communicate both through low, guttural growls, as well as a complex sign language composed of light flashes and tail movement. While difficult to decode as the patterns tend to differ slightly amongst regions, several generally universal signs have been identified.
3 Tail Flick - Often accompanied by a sharp change from blue to red light, this gesture is one of excitement or irritation. Flickercats often make this gesture just before they attack.
Sway - all 3 prongs sway back and forth at different rates. This pattern is generally displayed while the flicker is unsure of a situation or pondering a solution. This is also a common pattern employed while luring prey as it is calming and hypnotic to gaze upon.
Quick Tail Movement Blue Light - often seen while a flicker interacts with others of its species.
Quick Tail Movement Purple Light - Fearful or wounded.
Limp Tail No light - it's either dead or sleeping.
History: Flickercats are still fairly unknown to the galaxy due to the remote location of their homeplanet. Several have been accidentally brought off-world, but these tend to be fearful and therefore deadly and are generally killed out of self-defense.
While any have yet to be successfully tamed, researchers believe that if a 3rd offspring were acquired at a young age, a pair bond could be formed between the person and the flicker, like that of the first 2 offspring, resulting in an extremely loyal relationship with him/her.
Daytime:
Nighttime:
Still, this is a great and well thought out animal. Very interesting. 
