Ulvenian

"Instinct, we Ulvenians are born with it."

Ulvenian were vicious, carnivorous, wolf-like canine predators native to the Outer Rim world of Nassius Prime. Ulvenians were known to be quick and efficiently powerful predators, possessing sharp teeth, advanced hunting and tracking instincts, heightened hearing, sight, and smell; retractable-claws, incredible strength, speed, agility, balance, and endurance; mood-sensitive fur, and prehensile tails. Ulvenians naturally traveled in packs, and were particularly active during the winter months.

Biology and appearance
Ulvenians were carnivorous, mammalian canines that were believed to have evolved from both wolf and panther ancestors. The average height of a Ulvenian was about 1.7 meters.

Ulvenians were well-known for their cat-like fur which was thick and soft, but somewhat coarse, and covered with all kinds of eye-catching markings. Most Ulvenians had a mane of thick, horse-like hair that formed a distinctive window's peak on their foreheads and the head behind the ears. The mane continued along down on the neck and chest and down the belly, as well as a small patch of it on the backs of their arms and legs. The mane was used to make Ulvenians appear larger then their true size, providing an excellent intimidation display which aided them during confrontations with enemy packs and fearsome predators. Their fur color was functioned as a form of camouflage, serving to help an Ulvenian conceal itself amongst the dappled shadows and grassy savannas of their environment as they stalked their prey.

Ulvenians had long, pronounced muzzles filled with 42 sharp teeth (including four canine teeth for stabbing through flesh), but their faces were relatively short and slightly blunted. Their pointed ears, set on top of their heads (which could move around in other directions), gave them a good, heightened sense of hearing. Ulvenians also possessed large, sharp, forward-facing, slit-pupiled eyes; which provided them excellent night vision and binocular vision. Their eyes ranged in a variety of colors, though the most common color was a yellowish-gold. They also possessed extremely keen senses of smell, which latterly allowed them to "taste the air". Their tongues were covered with microscopic hooks which not only helped them to rasp meat from bones, but also to help groom their fur. Ulvenians also possessed small, but highly sensitive, whiskers set deep within their skin, which provided them with sensory information about the slightest air movement around them. Ulvenians also possessed anal scent glands which produced pungent, foul-smelling secretions which were used for marking territory, social communication, and defense against predators. Ulvenians also had prominent, retractable claws on their hands and feet which could deliver powerful killing attacks on foes and prey, and a set of dewclaws on the inside of each of their hocks.

Ulvenians could run at high speed for long periods without getting tired. As expected for a species of hunters, they had extremely lithe, flexible, slender, muscular, agile bodies; an excellent sense of balance, extraordinarily quick reflexes, and a talent for leaping, jumping, and acrobatics. Ulvenians were agile climbers, possessing strong forelimbs, chest muscles, and razor-sharp claws. Their bushy, prehensile tails helped them keep their balance when climbing or leaping. Their tails also were used for communicating with other pack members. Their powerful, hind-legs were thickly muscled for pouncing and their paws were large and heavily padded to cushion the Ulvenian’s landing after a jump. Ulvenians walked on their toes, which was used to increase their stride length and speed. Most Ulvenians were able to land on their feet after a fall, an ability which relied on both their vision and the sense of balance. Their bodies also possessed rapid healing abilities which allowed them to recover from minor wounds quickly, and larger wounds within a matter of days. They had extremely dense bone tissue and padded feet, which allowed them to endure greater physical trauma than other creatures with similar physiques.

Breeding
Ulvenians mostly bred once a year. Ulvenian pups were born blind and helpless, often in a concealed den. At birth, pups tended to have lighter-colored fur and blue irises that would change to a yellow-gold or orange color when they turned eight-sixteen weeks old. Young Ulvenians crouched to eat; resting with their paws tucked underneath them, and could purr. As they get older, Ulvenians would begin to lie down to eat, resting with their paws out in front, and could roar.

After weaning, adults would carry food to their dens. Usually, both parents would look after the pups. Sometimes, parents would gain extra assistance from juvenile pack members who acted as babysitters.

Behavior and Society
Most Ulvenians were solitary, while others were sociable. Sociable Ulvenians lived and hunted in packs, often up to twenty or more members. Living in groups enabled Ulvenians to hunt large prey cooperatively, to share care of their young, and protect each other from attacks by fearsome predators or rival packs. Each pack defended a territory large enough to provide sufficient food, and its boundaries were scent-marked to ward off enemies.

Ulvenians hunted anything they could eat, including the other sentient species of their homeworld, the Jelenans. Ulvenians normally hunted at night, using stealth while stalking their prey silently with their bodies close to the ground and often creeping up to it with low, fast movements when the prey was not looking. Once the Ulvenian was close enough to attack, it would pounce on the prey and deliver a fatal bite into the prey's neck before the prey can kick or bite back. If the prey escapes, the Ulvenian would peruse it tirelessly over long distances until it is exhausted. After bringing down a prey animal cooperatively, the pack would share the kill and allow pups to feed as well. Feeding as a pack also helped keep out other predators from getting to the meal.