Irakis

A snow iraki

Irakis (*Ee-rah-kee-s*) are a non-sentient species inhabiting Ixotis.

## Biology

 There are four subspecies:

* Snow irakis: White-blue variants with droopy ears. Lives in Tolores.
* Woodland irakis: Brown-green ones with outwards-pointing rounded ears. Lives in Rentrenarriay and Cevis.
* Plains irakis: Pale green ones with tall pointed ears. Lives in in Cevis.
* Desert irakis: Yellowish-brown ones with big perked ears. Lives in Hurus.

## Appearance

Irakis, at first sight, bear the closest resemblance to a dog mixed with a rabbit (though the snow and plains variants are undeniably the most rabbit-like. They have four-legged bodies with a fur that is thinner in warmer climates and thicker in colder ones. They have four somewhat dog-like legs with five claws on the front paws and four on the hind ones.

Their muzzles are pretty short, but this doesn't limit their sense of smell in any way. They have big foreheads and small noses.

Each iraki species has four distinct ears, two on each side of its head. The ears are primarily made out of cartilage, so they don't notch or tear easily. They also aren't really mobile, and are not used for communication. Snow irakis have drooping ears, but other species have them pointing outwards or up.

Irakis have big, round and somewhat inexpressive eyes, the color of which depends on the subspecies. Their tails are usually deer-like.

Irakis teeth generally are close to that of an omnivore, however, they have four distinct incisors that bear a resemblance to those of rodents. These are used for getting a good grip when attacking a prey.

## Range

Irakis are found in all four lands of Ixotis.

## Behavior and diet

Irakis are a highly social species and cannot be without others of their kind. They communicate mostly by using their tails, scent marking and making high-pitched noises.

Irakis cannot be kept as pets; they simply aren't tamable and start to literally wither away when kept in a domestic situation. They need to be able to roam and live in a pack of at least four adult animals. Even young separated from their parents and kept as pets will simply become lethargic if they don't get their needs.

Still, since Elves and Men like having a form of pest control for their villages, they'll usually bring in a wild pack which they keep close by providing food and water for them, thus making them roam close around the village and work there of unwanted vermin. Sentient beings generally leave these kinds of "barn irakis" alive. Petting or even approaching them is ill-advised: they can and *will* bite. They're just fed and given water from a safe distance, and that's enough.

Irakis live in small packs where they individuals have very close bonds with one another, which is why they especially can't be kept alone. Packs usually consist of related animals, but unrelated lone irakis may also team up to form their own, as they prefer being with others of their kind over being alone. Packs are usually very structure-less and they make decisions together, rather than having a leader or leaders like other animals. Small iraki packs consist out of only four animals, whereas big ones may have over ten animals. However, if the pack gets too big (about 12-15 animals), it'll usually split up into several smaller ones. Iraki packs are not very territorial and don't mark their living areas, but they do often have a favorite roaming ground they return to every few weeks.

Irakis can mate year-round, though the females can "postpone" their whelping until she has found a comfortable enough place and good enough circumstances to bring them into the world.

Irakis are omnivorous, but will usually lean towards killing their own prey for meat, which is the much-preferred meal. They will also feed on carrion, nuts, berries and eggs, though.

## Abilities

Irakis have very close bonds with their packs, much closer than the usual animals. Their strength also comes in numbers: if you pick a fight with one of the pack, you'll have to deal with the rest, too. Irakis are rather fast and can sprint short distances very well, especially plain irakis, which are the fastest subspecies. They can also give a nasty bite and may carry diseases, which is why it is usually said that it's best to leave these animals alone. They have non-retractable claws for grip.

## Aging

Irakis generally live up to ten years, but those roaming close to villages that have food and water provided to them and stay close enough to civilization to the point that no predators will go after them may grow to be even older.