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Greevlin Species Info

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Description

Name: Greevlin (GREEV-linn)
Size: 1' tall, 11'-13' long
Diet: Omnivore; scavengers
Habitat: Jungle floor and caves/tunnels
Intelligence: Average
Lifespan: 40 years
Birth: 1-3 live young

Behaviour: 
They are generally very wary and superstitious, and so separate themselves from other species. They live in burrows with their immediate family, but are found in widespread communities usually located around mountain bases. Children can leave the family burrow once they have come of age but are welcome to stay. Many do since leaving would require finding their own ideal location and making a burrow from scratch.

The Greevlin butt heads so to speak with the Vea-io. Originally this was due to differing religious beliefs, although the Vea did not have a problem with this. The main reason, however, is because Greevlin have a habit of digging tunnels under Vea settlements and eating their food stores. In desperate times Greevlin can resort to eating the young of Vea and Oblaken as well, although this is rare.
Greevlin will sometimes find themselves the prey of Pliecilus when in the caves. They are not fast enough to outrun a Pliecilus, but can escape through the many tunnels they have dug and outwitting the large predators. Their natural forms of defense do not work on the blind Pliecilus so Greevlin must be extra cautious when going into an open cave.

Greevlin will eat carcasses, fungus, low-growing fruit and seeds, plants, and small animals that are unlucky enough to cross their path. They do not actively hunt, instead setting sink traps and holes, or lying still amongst undergrowth and waiting for prey to come close enough to bite.

For a full background on their beliefs and superstitions you can read more here.

Reproduction: Greevlin must compete for attention from a potential mate using a series of dances and barks. They will spread their frills as wide as they can and sway back and forth in front of the Greevlin they wish to woo. When they have caught their eye, the competitor will scratch at the ground, spin in circles, walk in patterns, vocalize, and move their body rhythmically. They are not allowed to touch the their desired mate the entire time, and said mate looks on assessing the dancer's skills; the display can be a good measure of digging ability, strength, cunning and creativity. If another Greevlin is competing for the same mate the competitors will bump and shove each other until it escalates into a fight, at which point they will rear up, hissing, and attack each other with their teeth, aiming for each other's exposed underbellies. A victor is determined when one backs down or the mate steps in.
Same-sex couples are not unheard of, and the display is the same between males and females. 
Greevlin do not mate for life, nor are they strictly monogamous. When taking mates it is discussed between the families who shall move where, although in the end it is up to the new mates what to do.

Young are born in a nook in the burrow, where they are kept at their mother's side. When the mother needs a break she will leave them to her mate. The Greevlin newborns have no fur or quills and their eyes are still shut, so they must be kept under constant watch and warmth. Fur begins to grow after two weeks, and after a month they will open their eyes. They are allowed to explore the burrow at four months old, however they can not go outside until they are at least a year old. It is considered a rite of passage to be allowed out on the surface. However they remain supervised while outside and are taught what to eat, how to hunt and dig, etc. At five years old they are essentially teenagers, go unsupervised, and are now allowed to leave the family burrow for one of their own. At eight years old they are full-fledged adults and may participate in mating rituals.

Body: 
Greevlin are very distantly related to Oblaken, as evidenced by their mouths and limbs. The large bottom teeth are (unlike the Oblaken) outside of their mouths are used for shoveling dirt, chipping away at rock, and fighting. They are extremely hard for this purpose, and become sharpened with use. It is also necessary to use them often because they grow quickly and continuously, unlike the rest of their teeth. Chipping can occasionally occur on these front teeth, but it isn't a problem. It is common to see these teeth at varying sizes and angles. Two pairs of canines just behind their front teeth grip large chunks of food, allowing the incisors to act like scissors and tear it off before the back teeth partially grind the food. Greevlin have an extensive digestive tract in their long bodies, allowing them to extract as many nutrients as possible and break down even bone.

When digging their mouths are kept close and their feet move displaced dirt behind them, to be thrown out of the hole or tamped down by their wide, flat tails. Four long, sharp claws on their front set of feet are used to further break down chunks of rock and dirt. Their eyes have a double lid to protect them from flinging dirt while still allowing them to see. Short, coarse fur requires little to no cleaning, and provides a bit of extra defense against claws and teeth.

The quills around their head form a frill that rest flat against their body. When they feel threatened, are making a mating display, or need to look intimidating they raise the quills, showing off the vibrant pattern and making them appear bigger. Their tails, which have longer fur than the rest of their bodies, will puff out as well unless it is for mating purposes.

There is slight sexual dimorphism in the species. Males have pink tongues and the females' are black. Males also have larger frills than females.

Coloration: They can have any color markings and do not have to be symmetrical. However their quills are always one dark color and one bright color, and parts of it typically bleed into the head as well. Their tails are the same size as and mimic their heads as a way to confuse predators, down to mimicking their frill pattern when it is closed. The markings on the tail do not have to match up perfectly. Their eyes are any shade of red, yellow, or blue.

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Comments3
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VANAD1UM's avatar
They look so derpy I love it