Batcat - original creature

Instructions

What is a Batcat/Spoox? A Batcat, more commonly known as a Spoox, is a leopard like creature with two large bat-like wings. A Spoox’s pelt consist of two main colours: black (in some very rare cases white) and another colour that can be from all over the colour spectrum, but is most commonly purple or blue. The black (or white) takes up the majority of the Batcat’s pelt, with the secondary colour appearing in spots, stripes, rosettes, and sometimes moon like, star like, planet like, or heart like markings. Though not featured in the artwork, Batcats have two large fangs, resembling those of a saber tooth tiger’s, which will inject venom into their victim. The wings are made of rubbery skin stretched taught, much like a bats except much bigger and stronger. On the underside of the wings, Spoox have two or three spikes that protrude outwards when the Batcat senses a threat. Right underneath these spikes, they have two or three pouches of skin used to carry things like herbs, shells, flowers, food, and in winter the fur of rabbits, polar bears and other mammals. Amour: Batcats grow amour in early autumn and use it for limited warmth and protection while fighting others of their kind for territory. It appears as large scales, iridescent and usually glimmering blue or purple. It forms around their legs, underbelly, wing stubs and neck. They prey on large and small mammals, but due to their large size (the size of a tiger and more) they can manage taking down deer, buffalo and even polar bears. Sometimes, especially in winter, Batcats will eat other things like berries and fish, but rarely. Young Batcats: Young Batcats are born the size of a house cat in early autumn, then grow rapidly through autumn and winter. They are born with such fluffy fur that they resemble balls of snow, which helps them blend in in winter. When born, their saber fangs are tucked away in a niche in the mouth and are almost twice the size of an adults fangs. As winter goes on, their fangs will shorten and push outward to stick out of the mouth, leaving the niche empty. Throughout spring they will lose their thick, snow like white fur, and instead it will be replaces with an adult Spoox’s coat colours (see top of page) It takes three years for a Batcat to fully mature. Seasons, and how they effect the Batcat: Summer: The season for having young, Batcats can reproduce without a mate. Autumn: Autumn is the season of action. Spoox cubs are born in early autumn, as ones born in late autumn will likely not survive the upcoming winter. Adult Batcats (ones abovethe age of three years) grow ‘amour’ which will keep them warm for a limited amount of time while also protecting them as the battle other Spoox for territory. The stronger the Batcat, the more territory they will gain, and the more territory they gain, the more chance of survival they have in the coming winter. Any Batcats who do not claim territory are called Wanderers, as they are forced to wander meaninglessly as the cold grips the land. Many do not survive. Winter: Early winter, Spoox will lose their amour, they shed their amour, and it comes off like scales. They gather rabbit fur which they put in the pouches under their wings to help keep warm. When they lose their amour, underneath bare, furless skin is revealed. It takes all of winter to grow back their thick fur, and many don’t survive. But the ones who do become stronger and more experienced. Spring: Season of recovery. Fur returns, surviving Spoox young grow. ~* More info may be posted soon *~