Tizheruk/Subspecies

*Jump to subspecies:*

Armored

Bearded

Hooded

Icebreaker

Ribbon

Ringed

Spotted

Yurashian

**Lower Risk**

**Least concern (LC)** – Lowest risk; does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
**Conservation Dependent (CD)** - Dependent on conservation efforts to prevent it from becoming threatened with endangerment/extinction.
**Near threatened (NT)** – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
**Threatened**

**Vulnerable (VU)** – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
**Endangered (EN)** – High risk of extinction in the wild.
**Critically endangered (CR)** – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
**Extinct**

**Extinct in the wild (EW)** – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
**Extinct (EX)** – No known individuals remaining.
**Other**

**Data deficient (DD)** – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
**Not evaluated (NE)** – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

## Armored Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Data deficient (DD)
This rare yet fairly recently discovered subspecies was the result of Tizheruks interbreeding with Tundra Reavers in the wild, creating offspring that have the physical qualities of both parents. They were first discovered sometime in the March of 1993.

### Biology

A quite large subspecies, yet still a fair bit smaller than the Icebreaker Tizheruk, Armored Tizheruks stand roughly 5 feet at the shoulder, and are typically 10 feet long from snout to tail tip. They are a fair bit bulky in physique, yet still generally quite streamlined. Their horns also split into two, as opposed to the single horn Tizheruks generally have.

Their name comes from the armor-like ice growing from their shoulders, backs, necks, and heads, something that no other subspecies has. They also have fairly short tails.

## Bearded Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Conservation Dependent (CD)
It is based on the *bearded seal*.

### Biology

Named for the impressive 'mustache' and beard of fur that extends all the way down the front of their necks.

## Hooded Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Conservation Dependent (CD)
It is slightly based on the *hooded seal*, primarily by name alone.

### Biology

Named for the 'hood' of ice that covers most of the back of their neck and the top of their head, their trademark horn grows from this hood. They are also called the 'Helmed Tizheruk'.

Hooded Tizheruks with comparatively fancy/complex 'hoods' of ice are often referred to as 'Crowned Tizheruks'.

## Icebreaker Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Near threatened (NT)
It is primarily based on the walrus.

This rare subspecies was discovered sometime in the December of 1923, near the Cool Edge Zone of Artika.

### Biology

A brawny and heavily built Tizheruk, as opposed to its generally slender, streamlined cousins, Icebreaker Tizheruks, often simply referred to as "Icebreakers", have longer, thicker fangs than other subspecies, as well as a somewhat shorter horn; their necks are a bit shorter and thicker as well, and they have shorter, broader snouts. They also have shorter tails.

Their bodies are quite bulky, yet they retain the short limbs with thick forearms and large claws. They are also one of the largest subspecies of Tizheruk, reaching almost 8 feet tall at the shoulder, and being 13 feet long from snout to tail tip; however, the reason they are not significantly longer in length is due to their stockier build.

Like other subspecies of Tizheruk, female Icebreakers tend to be slightly smaller, and have a straighter horn. However, the sexual dimorphism of this subspecies is somewhat less noticeable than with others.

### Temperament

A highly aggressive and territorial species, Icebreakers will diligently patrol their territories; these territories can go as far as a mile inland, and they violently drive away all intruders they come across. Signs warning both locals and tourists to stay far away are commonly located at the borders of an Icebreaker's chosen stomping grounds, as people have been killed by these creatures.

Icebreakers are generally solitary, yet "alpha" males can typically be seen with a harem of 6-10 females; like their territory, alpha Icebreakers will defend their harems with their life, and it is known that they are surprisingly affectionate and caring to their females, a trait that contrasts sharply with their violent nature.

Males with a harem are considered the most dangerous kind of Icebreaker to come across, due to being violently protective of their harem, yet solitary males, as well as females (either in a harem or solitary themselves) are also incredibly powerful and dangerous; generally, it is ill advised to approach *any* Icebreaker.

### Habitat

Icebreakers are found exclusively on the continent of Artika, near the coastlines. They primarily populate the coastline of the Cool Edge Zone, and are considered quite dangerous by the faction of the Artika Egg Army stationed there, so much so that Egg Soldiers will typically refuse to go to the coastlines alone, for fear of running into an Icebreaker.

In fact, somewhat near the Arctic Shores Egg Base is a herd of about twelve Icebreakers, comprised of a single male and his harem. So far, five Egg Soldiers have been killed by the male alone.

## Ribbon Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Least concern (LC)
It is based on the *ribbon seal*.

### Biology

They're slightly larger than the Ringed Tizheruk.

## Ringed Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Least concern (LC)
It is based on the *ringed seal*.

### Biology

One of the smallest subspecies of Tizheruk, The Ringed Tizheruk typically stands an average of 2 feet tall at the shoulder, and is about 8 feet from snout to tail tip. Like most Tizheruks, it has a slender, streamlined body, with somewhat slimmer forearms, and it also has one of the smallest horns, with it typically only growing to a foot in length. Its body is covered by fairly small, ring-like markings, from which it gets it name.

### Temperament

A somewhat shy and reclusive subspecies, Ringed Tizheruks spend much of their time in the water, but can sometimes be found settled onto ice floes; they typically do this to rest. Their less extreme temperament compared to other Tizheruks often leads them to being the most common choice for Summoners wishing to tame a Tizheruk.

## Spotted Tizheruk

**Conservation Status:** Conservation Dependent (CD)
It is based on the *spotted seal*.

### Habitat

They are the only subspecies to be found in Yurashia, at the colder northern coastlines of that continent. They can be found nowhere else in the wild.