Lycanine

Lycanine are a large, ape-like species of canine, most closely related to the coyote. They bare a close resemblance to infamous creatures of folklore such as the werewolf/wolfman, or wulver.

Description

Lycanine bare a resemblance to apes such as the chimpanzee or gibbon in terms of bodyplan and stature. Despite this, Lycanine are in fact classified under the taxonomical family Canidae. The head of a Lycanine looks very similar to that of a coyote or wolf, albeit larger and nastier. They possess forelimbs longer than their hind limbs, giving them a slanted posture when standing or walking quadrupedally. One of the most noticeable traits of the lycanine, are the long, claw-tipped digits on their hands that allow them to grasp prey and objects; though they are not as dexterous as animals like racoons or humans. Lycanine are covered in fur that can range in colors such as black, white, brown, and several shades of gray.

Ecology and Biology

Diet and Foraging

Lycanines like other canines, are carnivores. Unlike other canids however, lycanines tend to have a hunting style that combines pursuit predation with ambush hunting. A lycanine will typically quietly approach its prey before running at them from a relatively close distance and relentlessly chasing them down. Lycanines have been known to hunt in pairs or small groups.

Life Cycle

Lycanines give live birth like all other placental mammals. Lycanine litters tend to be smaller than those of other canids, only producing 2-3 cubs, similar to that of bears. Both parents usually take part in caring for their cubs. Lycanines will stay with their parents and siblings until they are approximately 2 years old, at which time they go off on their own. Lone lycanine individuals will sometimes meet up and form loosely-knit groups to make their odds of their survival better. Lycanines live about 20 years on average.

Behaviour

Lycanines possess a reputation for being ferocious, attacking most animals that get too close to them. They regularly will target humans because they see humans as both prey as well as potential competitors. Like other canines, lycanines will often partake in sessions of howling at night, either to establish territory, or to locate other individuals. Lycanine howls can be distinguished from those of coyotes and timber wolves; whom they share a range with, due to the deeper and more gravely sound of the howl. Man-mockers are known to occasionally mimic lycanine howls, despite lycanines regularly preying upon them. The reason man-mockers do this is unknown.

Natural Abilities

Jaws - Lycanines posses strong jaws capable of crushing the bones of smaller animals, as well many sharp teeth for tearing flesh.
Clawed Hands - Lycanines are capable of grasping things with their hands, often using their sharp claws to keep hold of struggling prey.
Olfactory sense - Lycanines have a very good sense of smell, being on-par with other canines.
Hearing - Lycanines have hearing well adept at hearing sounds from far away.
Eyes - Lycanines possess eyes that allow them to see well in low light levels.

Trivia

Lycanines are based off of monsters from a somewhat traumatic nightmare that the author of Fogwalkers, MockingMaeve, had as a kid that she still remembers quite vividly to this day
Aside from werewolves and wulvans, Lycanines also take some inspiration from the Indoraptor from Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, and the Wendigos from the video game Until Dawn.