Clawsion

(CLAW-see-on)

Clawsions are a strange species; some scientists believe they are closely related to anyus for their almost bear-like posture, while others believe they are a distant relative of the feline celinox. The one thing both groups agree on is there is nothing quite like them in Subeta. They originate from coniferous forests, especially around Ytiva, where their thick, plush double-coats keep them warm in even the coldest conditions. Their large feet are perfect for walking on the surface of snow, and their short tails function almost as a beacon, warning their packmates of impending danger.

Among their unique physical features are their extremely large canines. What may be even more unique, however, is their use; clawsions use these fangs to bite into the lower base of large pine trees. These bites release the sap, which clawsions feast on; their bodies are able to process the sugar diet into both needed fat and energy for the cold weather. They do not survive ONLY on sap; clawsions will also eat some hard-shelled bugs as well as crustaceans from small streams in the warmer months, as well as whole honeycomb, which they will bring back to their dens for their young.

Clawsions are short and stocky - though they only stand at about 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) tall, they can weigh anywhere from 50-55 lbs (22-25kg)! In the wild, they live in small packs, generally made up of family groups, and communally raise their young, known as "saplings" due to their diet. Saplings are born with over-sized wings that they can use to keep themselves warm; as they age, the wings grow more proportional to the size of their bodies. Though their wings are in fact strong enough to lift them off the ground, clawsions cannot fly for long distances at a time; generally, it is just enough to get them onto a low branch or to glide from one rock formation to the next. This does allow them to have very few natural predators, with the exception of the celinox.

Domesticated clawsions make wonderful pets, as long as the owner can meet the demands for their high sugar diets! They can be fed their traditional saps and honeycomb, as well as fresh fruit and shellfish. Clawsions are not known for their extreme intelligence though they are often food motivated, and the dedicated owner can train them to do a number of tricks! They do require quite a bit of brushing for their fluffy coats, and owners must provide them with large pieces of bark or wood to keep their teeth shiny and healthy.