Llirid Fox

Llirid Foxes are very rare in Apenia and are considered to be endangered. They're well know to be very mysterious animals but despite being all around us, they're a bit of a mystery.

## Appearances

These foxes are a mixture of a fox and a bird. They've black fur that's neatly placid that seems to shine in the sun and white fur that's faded down to their paws. They've a red feathery mane around their neck with white smaller feathers around their long fox-like ears. They've a tail that's fluffy and long that's white with black streaks within while purple feathery antennas are on either side of their tail creating the illusion of their tail being similar or the same as a bird's. On their front hinds, they've a faded red feathery fan-like.

Yokaze ōkami and Grey Wolves have similar behavioural instincts. Unlike the Dire Wolf, these wolves live, travel and hunt in packs of 5 to 7 animals on average. Packs include the alpha female and alpha male, their pups and older offspring and/or in extremely rare cases, wolves from a different territory. The alpha female and male are typically the pack leaders that track and hunt prey, choose den sites and establish the pack's territory. In the pack, these wolves develop strong social bonds. However, not all prefer to live in a pack as some live on their own which can be stressful and/or even die.

These wolves are the most fearsome of the canine family and will even kill their pack members if necessary. They’re territorial and they don’t always get along well with other canines but they’re usually good with humans as if they see one in the woods, they won’t attack but if the human is in their territory, they will attack and possibly kill. Despite their show of highly aggressiveness, they’re very friendly but this species never show their friendliness unless towards another member.

## Behaviour

Llirid foxes are part of the Canidae family which means they're related to wolves, jackals and dogs but unlike their relatives, these foxes are not pack animals. When raising their young, they live in small families called a "leash of foxes" or a "skulk of foxes" in underground burrows.

## Habitat

These foxes live on every continent and thrive in cities, towns, and rural settings but despite being around humans, these creatures are rarely seen.

## Breeding and Pups

Foxes reproduce once a year. Litters range from one to 11 pups (the average is six), which are born blind and don't open their eyes until nine days after birth. During that time, they stay with the vixen (female) in the den while the dog (male) brings them food. They live with their parents until they're seven months old. Vixens have been known to go to great lengths to protect their pup

## Diet and Hunting Method

Like the cat, these foxes are most active after the sun goes down. In fact, they've vertically oriented pupils that allow them to see in dim light unlike other foxes. They even hunts in a similar manner to a cat by stalking and pouncing on their prey.

Like a guided missile, the fox harnesses the earth's magnetic field to hunt. Other animals, like birds, sharks, and turtles, have this "magnetic sense," but the fox is the first one we've discovered that uses it to catch prey.

According to *New Scientist*, the fox can see the earth's magnetic field as a "ring of shadow" on its eyes that darkens as it heads towards magnetic north. When the shadow and the sound the prey is making line up, it's time to pounce. Check out this video of a fox in action.

## Trivia

* These foxes are sometimes mistaken as a Dark Creature due to their black coats and unusual features.
* Like the cat, theses foxes have sensitive whiskers and spines on their tongue. They walk on their toes which accounts for their elegant, cat-like tread. However, despite having similarities to the cat, they can't climb trees due to no claws.