Scarlet bear

The scarlet bear (binomial: ursus coccinus) is a species of bear native to the plains of DSRR. It is common in some settlements as a working animal, due to its endurance.
== Appearance ==
True to its name, the scarlet bear's coat is scarlet, although brighter coats are not rare. The coat is thick during the winter but sheds during the summer. A scarlet bear's claws are grey and curved, with sharp tips.
The scarlet bear's proportions are a body length of 1.5 septants and standing height of 1.25 septants. Its claws are highly prized in the plains by hunters, leading to their gradual shortening.
== Reproduction ==
The mating season runs from November to March. Males are more common than females so there is not as much competition. When there is, males try to assert dominance by creating as large a flame as possible through "snapping" their claws off of flint: this practice is being gradually replaced by male bears wrestling to impress the female. 
Scarlet bears reproduce at 4 years of age, with childbirth taking 3 months to occur. Usually one child is born, with twins or further being very rare.
== Behavior ==
Scarlet bears are mostly herbivores due to the grassy plains, which results in their teeth being much shorter and less sharp. When trees grow, scarlet bears climb to the top to eat the leaves, though they will stop for berries if there are some. 
Males are normally docile but become very hostile if provoked, though they can be overpowered by putting leaves in their mouth. Females take more effort to provoke, as they will normally attempt to escape upon confrontation. Scarlet bears tend to group with their mate only and become hostile to those attempting to enter these groups. This does not occur in forest populations, which have mixed-sex groupings of 3 or more.
Scarlets do not hibernate, taking 13-hour long sleeps after usually 40 hours of living and hunting. They are very endurant and capable of "working" for long periods, leading to their use by some plains settlements.
Scarlet bears are capable of using flames as weapons if flint is available, usually pouncing on threats then stabbing them with their claws a few times and starting a fire on the body, then escaping.
== Habitat and distribution ==
Scarlet bears mostly populate the plains of the DSRR, although some populations have spilled into the western forest region and the tundra. They are equally distributed, with the exception of the forest, where scarlets group near areas without trees. Most sightings occur in settlements or by explorers in the forest.
Category:Mammal