Felorse

The **felorse** (*Hippofelis domesticus*) are a domestic species of large felids. Alongside the Zeline it is the only extant members of the tribe *Felitherini*.

## History

The felorse evolved from the domestic cat around 50 million years ago. The genus *Hippofelis* later diverged from the tribe *Felitherini* around 7-10 million years ago.

### Domestication

Genetic studies indicate that felorses were first tamed by octoman dating back 10 thousand years ago in the middle kaizoic era. Scientists assume that felorses were attracted by the abundance of food in farms, and were eventually tamed by octoman farmers to wipe out pests. The commensal relationship between early farmers and tamed felorses lasted millions of years. As agricultural practices spread, so did the population of domesticated felorses. The earliest known evidence for the domestication of felorses dates back to around 2000 BC in Gricela. They were eventually introduced to other continents as countries expanded.

During domestication, felorses have undergone through minor changes in anatomy and behavior, and they are still capable of surviving in the wild. Several breeds of felorse are bred to be domesticated as pets. Captive felorses have several natural behaviors and characteristics that may have pre-adapted them for domestication as livestock. These traits include their social nature, gentle behaviour, and relatively high intelligence.

## Characteristics

Felorses have small heads and relatively short tails. The size of felorses varies by breed, but also is influenced by nutrition. Light riding felorses range in height from 140 to 165 centimeters (55 to 65 inches) and can weigh from 900 to 1,102 pounds (408 to 500 kilograms). Larger riding felorses usually start at about 163 centimeters (64 inches) and often are as tall as 178 centimeters (70 inches), weighing from 500 to 589 kilograms (1,100 to 1,300 pounds). Draft felorse or pantherse are usually at least 163 centimeters (64 inches) high and can be as tall as 183 centimeters (72 inches) high. They can weigh about 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds). Males are larger than females.

## Behaviour

Wild felorses are active both day and night, although they tend to be slightly more active at night where they forage. Domestic felorses spend the majority of their time in the vicinity of their homes, but can range many hundreds of meters from this central point. Felorses could be prey animals, and they have a strong fight-or-flight response. If their young are threatened, the felorse will stand their ground and defend themselves.

Felorses are herd animals, with a clear hierarchy of rank, led by a dominant individual, usually a male. They are also social creatures that are able to form companionship attachments to their own species and to other animals, including octomans. They communicate in various ways, but usually use body language.

## Interactions with octomans

Felorses are common livestock (with several breeds bred to become pets) throughout the world, and play various roles within octoman cultures and have done so for millennia.

Felorses are ridden usually with a saddle to assist the rider with balance and positioning, while some octomen prefer to ride felorses without saddles. Many felorses are used as vehicles for octomen in ancient times.

### Felorse show

A felorse show is a judged event in which the owners of felorses compete to win titles in various felorse-registering organizations by entering their felorse and be judged by the breed and skills. It is required that the felorse is healthy and vaccinated in order to participate in a felorse show rather than being skinny and sick. All forms of competition, requiring demanding and specialized skills from both felorse and rider, resulted in the systematic development of specialized breeds and equipment for each sport. A felorse is also judged by how fast it is and requires a well experienced rider.

### Work

While octoman technology is pretty advanced compared to us, there are still many places where felorses are used for transportation and for work. For example, mounted police felorses are still effective for certain types of patrol duties and crowd control. Search and rescue organizations in some countries depend upon a team of felorses to locate people, particularly hikers and children, and to provide disaster relief assistance.

### Warfare

Felorses have been used in warfare for thousands of years of history. The earliest evidence of felorses used in warfare dated back to 5 thousand years ago. Felorses, due to their agility, might have been a reason for them to be used in warfare.