[thesimplegallifreyan]

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ah-kwih-cane-icks

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Amphicanicthoids, more commonly known as Aquicanichs, are a unique species of aquatic mammals. They appear at a glance to be mostly canine, with the exception of fins on their backs that resemble sharks' fins.The word Amphicanichthoid stems from many root words. "Amphi" (both), "canis" (dog), "ichthy" (fish), and "oid" (resembling). Based on these roots, the word literally means "resembling both dog and fish." The word Aquicanich also includes the root word "aqui" (water), therefore meaning "water fish-dog."

There are several sub-species of Aquicanichs, named for their dorsal fins as well as other features.

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Tall/Orca-finned Aquicanich

Classified as Uncommon.

Size;; 25 inches at the shoulder, 95 lbs. (size of a German Shepherd Dog)
The Tall-finned Aquicanich is larger than the Common Aquicanich. It's fin stands very straight, and resembles the fin of a male Orca whale. It is known for its tall fin, and also for its coloring. An Orca-finned Aquicanich is only two or three colors, with large and less intricate patterns. Often, the patterns are simply splotches of a lighter color on the dark colored animal. The base color is almost always dark and the patterning color light, though occasionally "inverse" (light base dark pattern) Aquicanichs can be found. Inverse is considered rare.
This Aquicanich is semi-aquatic, with the ability to breath both underwater and on land. It has specialized airways, allowing it to either filter water across its gills or breath air with its lungs. The gills are placed on the sides of its neck, and are hidden by fur. This fur acts as a filter for salt and other particles, and allows the gills to function in both salt and fresh water. The Orca-finned Aquicanich has extensive webbing between its toes, and the toes can spread very far apart, especially the front toes. This makes the Aquicanich a fast long-distance swimmer, though it can be a little clumsy on land if it forgets to keep its toes close together for land travel. The weight of the large dorsal fin can also make land travel for long distances difficult/clumsy/akward.

Generally the open ocean. Anywhere you might be able to find Orca whales, you might also find Orca-finned Aquicanichs. They need lots of space.

Fish, small sharks, small-medium sized mammals (anything from a mouse to a fawn), birds, eggs, etc. depending on whether the Aquicanich is hunting in the ocean or on land.

Orca-finned Aquicanichs are very social, amongst anyone whom they consider to be a part of their 'pack.' In the wild, Orca-fins travel, hunt, and live together in family units called packs. They can be aggressive towards those not in their packs, though they may be curious towards different species such as humans. They are high intelligent, and can be very focused when working (hunting, training, etc.) but they can also be playful. Their ability to focus makes them very easy to train.

My second entry! This one is of the Tall/Orca-Finned Sub-species. This one is based off of a whale shark, which incidentally is actually a shark, not a whale.