| Animals of the Parauri Kapua Tauranga | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 27 2015, 09:28 AM (27 Views) | |
| Advent | Feb 27 2015, 09:28 AM Post #1 |
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Most of the animals (excluding things like normal bugs and small birds and such): Carnivores: Dwarf Lions ![]() The dwarf lions native to the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga occupy the niche of top predator of the plains regions, and some edge habitat. Preferring to go after large herbivores in a pride, unlike male African lions, male Dwarf lions tend to take an active role in more hunts to compensate for their smaller size. They are very similar in appearance and coloring to modern lions, but tend to have smaller and darker manes than their African cousins. Ecologically they are nearly identical to their African and Indian relatives. Genetically, they are most closely related to the lions subspecies native to Beringia, but are well removed from North American lions. Prides typically consist of 1 male, 2-4 females, and a corresponding number of cubs and adolescents. Male lions average 290 pounds, 38 inches tall at the shoulder, and 6 1/2 feet long. Lionesses average 190 pounds, 30 inches tall at the shoulder, and 5 feet long. Dwarf Smilodons ![]() The dwarf Smilodons, christened Smilodon insularis by Soren, are veritable relics of the Ice Age still present on the relatively untouched ecosystem of the Parauri Kapua Tauranga islands. These cats live and hunt in mated pairs, and bond for life. They inhabit edge habitats, hunting medium sized game in the open forest and brushy grasslands marking the boundary between the two ecosystems. They tend to be prevalent along the coast, but are generally rarer than either lions or cougars. They are heavily built animals, well suited to short bursts of speed from cover, and muscle prey into submission, then quickly dispatch their victims with a quick slash from their long sabers. They possess full, luxurious coats of a rich honey-nut brown and are peppered with black spots and lines for camouflage. Males posses small manes, but other than this minor distinction, there is very little sexual dimorphism. They average 210 pounds, 32 inches tall at the shoulder, and 5 1/2 feet long. Cougars ![]() Cougars, a common large feline to North America, inhabit the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga. They are no different from mainland cougars, ecologically or physically. They average 120 to 140 pounds, 26 inches tall at the shoulder, and 6 1/2 feet long. Females are marginally smaller than males. Cougars, despite being markedly smaller than other big Island cats, are longer due to their low-slung physique. Some extraordinary individuals get as large as 170 pounds. Island Hyenas ![]() The Island Hyenas Native to the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga are present only on the southernmost island of Karaihe. This island is dominated by savanna grassland, the preferred habitat of the Island Hyena. The females are larger than males, and both sexes possess a sizable mane of thick fur. The fur of the Island hyena is thick and coarse, with a tan color splashed with dark brown/black spots. They fill the role of the Dire Wolf in their ecosystem. They are the primary scavengers and social predators of the grasslands. They are in direct competition with Dwarf Lions, and the two species frequently come into conflict. Clans typically consist of 15 to 25 individuals. They average 135 pounds, 32 inches at the shoulder, and 5 feet long. Gray Wolves ![]() The gray wolves present on the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga are typically larger and proportionally slimmer than wolves in other parts of the world. Owing to the very temperate climate of the islands, they have a thinner coat than most wolves, and they only get slightly shaggier during winter. Ecologically, they are similar to wolves in other parts of the world, but they leave the plains and large game to the more aggressive, heavily built Dire Wolves. As a result of this, they live primarily in the edge habitats, hunting smaller, fleet-footed prey through open forest and brushy grassland. They owe their abnormal physique to this lifestyle. Packs are usually smaller than other wolves, ranging from 4 to 8 individuals. They average 140 pounds, 34 inches tall at the shoulder, and 5 feet long. Dire Wolves The Dire wolves that inhabit the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga are another Ice Age relic. They are more heavily built than their Gray cousins, and have particularly robust skulls. Adept scavengers and big game hunters, these wolves have strong, heavy bones to resist blows from large prey, and often hunt in large packs of up to 20 individuals. Extremely territorial, these wolves will gang up on and kill other predators whenever they can. They almost exclusively inhabit plains areas because this is where their prey resides. They are absent from the southernmost island. These wolves are a relatively uniform dark bluish-brown with cream accents. They average 155 lbs, 30 inches tall at the shoulder, and 5 feet long. Wild Dogs The wild dogs native to the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga are specialized forest hunters descended from the dogs of the previous island inhabitants, and are morphologically very similar to large, shaggy dingoes. They have uniformly coloured tan coats with white accents, and light coloured eyes. They possess a stocky build adept at navigating deep forest, and a powerful skull. They exclusively inhabit the deeper forested parts of the island to avoid competition with wolves. They live in packs of 6 to 10 individuals, which are very loose in their social structure, and dogs will often migrate from pack to pack on a whim. They will occasionally drive cougars from kills. They average about 60 pounds, 25 inches at the shoulder, and 4 1/2 feet long. Bobcats ![]() Bobcats inhabit the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga and are no different from their mainland counterparts. Primarily inhabit deep forest and edge habitats. They average 25 pounds, 18 inches at the shoulder, and 3 feet long. Coyotes ![]() The coyotes native to the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga are only marginally different from their mainland cousins. Generally smaller, they have proportionally larger heads and are more adapted to scavenging. They live nearly everywhere, and are the all-purpose cleanup crew of the islands. They live either in pairs or small groups up to 4, plus pups. They average 20 pounds, stand 22 inches at the shoulder, and 3 1/2 feet long. Red Foxes ![]() Red foxes found on the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga share the role of small-game predator with bobcats and long-tailed weasels. They are no different from their mainland variants. Red foxes tend to prefer forest and edge habitats. They are lightly built, averaging 14 pounds, 16 inches at the shoulder, and 2 1/2 feet long. Long-Tailed Weasels Long-Tailed weasels on the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga are no different from any other population. They are small predators who inhabit edge and grassland habitats. They average 6 ounces and 14 inches long. Steller's Sea Eagle The largest bird of prey that inhabits the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga, the Steller's Sea Eagle is a coastal predator who tends to scavenge along the coasts of the islands. They also hunt fish and small animals when they can catch them. They average 18 pounds, 3 feet long, and a 7 1/2 foot wingspan. Peregrine Falcon The Peregrine falcon is a common bird of prey that inhabits the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga. They inhabit all areas of the islands and are the principal diurnal bird of prey. They can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour in a dive. They average 1.3 pounds, 18 inches long, and a 3 foot wingspan. Red-Tailed Hawk A medium sized bird of prey, the Red-Tailed Hawk inhabits edge and grassland habitats on the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga. It is larger than and sometimes kills Peregrine falcons. They are noted for their bright red plumage. They average 2.4 pounds, 2 feet long, and a 4 1/2 foot wingspan. Northern Spotted Owl The sole owl species on the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga, the Northern Spotted owl is a nocturnal hunter native to the Pacific Northwest. They hunt small birds and mammals. They average 1 pound, 17 inches long, and a 3 1/2 foot wingspan. Island Skua The Island Skua is shorebird endemic to the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga. It fills the role of gulls in the islands, which are absent. They are larger than gulls, and far more aggressive. Capable scavengers and predators, these birds are notorious for their thieving and violent tendencies. They won't hesitate to attack human children in pursuit of a meal. Extremely obnoxious, these birds will often mob young, injured or old animals to death. They often bully hawks and falcons away from their meals, and groups will even mob sea eagles and terrestrial predators. They average 5 pounds, 2 1/2 feet in length, and a 5 1/2 foot wingspan. Common King Snake The common king snake is one of only a few species of snake present on the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga, and it predates small mammals, birds, and insects. It is frequently eaten by birds of prey, Island Skuas, and small mammalian carnivores. It averages 3 pounds and 3 1/2 feet long. Pacific Rattlesnake A small, docile venemous snake native to the islands of Parauri Kapua Tauranga which despite it's mildly toxic (not life-threatening) venom is not a significant danger to healthy adults. Small children and the elderly are vulnerable to the bite of this snake. Average 2 to 3 feet long. Garter Snake The garter snake is a small non-venemous snake which is exceedingly common in the islands. Virtually harmless. Average 1 to 2 feet long. |
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9:47 AM Jul 11