W h a t d o t h e y l o o k l i k e ?
In General
Lio(n) + (Ge)cko
Liockos are a new species of feline species, which were discovered lately and are at the size of an average lion.
Both, males and females, have long and very fluffy cheek and chest fur, crossed eyes, in are usually yellow, orange or green tones and and a tounge in the same color. They have large fennec fox-like ears and spikey feather-like features, usually very dark main fur adn marking can come in any shape and color. Mutations like light main fur, unusual eye color or body-mutations are possible but considered uncommon or up to very rare.
Males
While both gender are at almost the same size, males are more cat-like. Their bodies are very sleek and slender, they have a smaller and more defined skull, larger ears and bigger eyes. Male Liockos have feathers on their tails, their thighs, elbows, ears and head, which fade out on their back. Males usually have markings all over their bodies.
Females
Females look pretty much like a lion, due to their 'chubbyness', muscular body shape and the mane going round their neck. Compared to their opposite gender they have shorter and a less amount of feathers, which are located on their tails, their knees, elbows, ears and head, where they fade into their mane. But also they usually don't have body marking but huge facial paintings instead.
Kitten
Liocko kitten are very similar to lion-cubs, as we know them, until they reach adulthood, when their look defines the males from the females. They have very short feathers at the beginning - on their head, ears, elbows and tail - while the 'tail' isn't yet fully grown and only consists of some feathers.
Kitten's fur markings do not show clear and all markings yet.
W h a t i s t h e i r b e h a v i o u r l i k e ?
In General
They need either cold or tropical climate, hence why they live in dark and wet places like caves, swamps or jungles like the rainforest. In their normal habitat they live in small group or 'prides' of three to six Liockos; usually one or two males and four to five females, while the females are always in the majority.
They communicate to each other through 'meows', hissing, roaring, purring and body-language.
Every Liocko hunts on it's own and their prey are usually small mammals and small birds but they also eat insects and fruits. Very, very few Liockos are able to catch fish.
Liockos usually become mate for life, while it's still possible for the male to mate again with another female, if the first died or got abandoned for whatever reason.
Hoever, if a pride leader dies, the second male takes over, if existing. Otherwise the left females try to join another group. Loners are possible but usually don't survive for long.
Males
The leader of a Liocko pride is always male, the strongest one becomes the leader, if two males in one group. While they are pretty calm and peaceful but also fast and agile due to their body shape they aren't very strong, less good at fighting and defending. They often hunt birds in the trees.
Females
While there's one male leader, the females have to fight about their ranks and only the strongest one is allowed to mate. They are somewhat aggressive and strong but also very prtective about their pride-mates and kitten. They are less intelligent and less agile, though and hunt on the ground only.
Kitten
Each litter consists of one to three kitten; more are possible but pretty unusual. They are rasied by the whole pride and usually stay in their mother pride for about a year until they reach adulthood and leave to join another group, if female, or find their own territory to build up a new group of Liockos, if male.