• pronounced row-kai •
Deep in the rainforests of Borneo, there lives an elusive species of feline, of the genus Panthera, and the common name of Rowki. Our world harbours many secrets, and this is one of the more startling ones. The Rowki is what has been referred to as a 'scientific anomaly', in that it possesses both feline and avian characteristics. The physical features that have marked it so are a ridge of feathers extending along the back of its neck, and a large feather sprouting from its tail-tip. It is something new, something special. Scientists have been at an utter and complete loss as how to explain this 'mixing' of avian and feline DNA. Extensive research has been done on it (though with little result), and many an unfortunate party of biologists have forayed into the rainforest in the attempt to procure a specimen for study. They're hard to catch, though, are the Rowki. They are incredibly light on their paws, and naturally shy. It takes a lot of time and effort to gain their trust -but when you have it, the bond nigh on unbreakable.
The Rowki is still a 'new' species, in terms of discovery, and many aspects of their natures are still uncertain. But, what we do know is expounded on below, so if you want to learn more about the Rowki, by all means, read on.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: P. pluma
•
Lifespan: 25 years
Habitat: Borneo
Birth
After 4 months of pregnancy
Eyes Open
Two weeks of age
Weaned
Seven to eight weeks of age
Leaving the Den
At two to four months of age
Learning to Hunt
As soon as they begin to leave
the den, they will begin to
follow their mother around
and learn from her
Leaving their Mother
Though they can most likely fend
for themselves at about two years
most Rowki stay with their
mothers for three to four years
Able to Mate
Female Rowki are able to mate
at four years of age, males
at five
Death
If they are lucky and healthy,
they can live up to 25 years
Viszla7
Creator | Artist | Mod
The Last Raven
Artist
~Just.Peachy~
Artist
[ s k r i l l e x ]
Moderator
h u r r i c a n e.
Moderator
Currently not
searching for any more mods
or artists!
If you fail to heed these rules, you
will first be warned, the, if you
continue to disregard them,
suspended, and, lastly,
banned. But, the moderators
and myself also have the right
to suspend or ban you outright,
depending on the seriousness
of your breach.
•Please respect artists, moderators,
and fellow CS users.
•Don't copy line-art/designs/species.
•Don't take off CS without
permission.
•Do not use/take adoptables that
don't belong to you.
•Please don't whine, beg, or bribe.
It doesn't work.
•This is not a first-come,
first-serve adoption agency. I will
choose who recieves which Rowki
based on the quality of the form.
•If you have an unanswered question,
please PM me! I'll be happy to help!
•You can adopt up to 4 Rowki.
None, yet!
The Rowki are an extremely large species -in fact, they are the largest of all of the big cats, almost reaching the shoulders of a 6-foot human whilst standing on all four paws. (View sizing chart below)
As well, they are extremely well-muscled, having a very high muscle to mass ratio on average. Much of this muscle is based in their legs, making them extraordinarily fast sprinters. It also lends them jumping power, and a Rowki has been observed leaping an obstacle twice its height. But, this strength also has its cons -one of them being the fact that they have poor stamina (in comparison to other, leaner big cats), and cannot run well for extended periods of time. As well, they require much food to sustain them.
Another feature that could be remarked upon would be the size of their jaw -very useful for the hunting of larger prey. They have 30 teeth -comparatively fewer than most other carnivores, though all of these teeth are lethally sharp. Rowki have retractable claws that, when extended, reach a length of 4 -5 inches.
Their pelts come in a wide variety of colours -from the lightest beige, to the darkest brown. Their markings seem to have an endless variety -stripes, spots, bands, speckles... You name it. There have also been reports of melanistic and albino Rowki, but these are unconfirmed. Their eyes seem to come in all colours of the rainbow, as do the feathers adorning their necks and tails. Male Rowki are known to have brighter plumage; a device believed to be for attracting mates.
One other characteristic of the Rowki would be the bone horns projecting from their foreheads, which seem to be exclusive to males. Their exact purpose has not yet been determined, but it has been speculated that they are for fighting for mating rights, and marking territory.
There is also not a very large size difference between male and female Rowki. Males are, at most, only 20 pounds heavier than their female counterparts.
And, now, onto that most bizarre of the Rowki's features -the one that earned them their binomial name (Panthera pluma, 'pluma' being Latin for 'feather'). They have been mentioned previously regarding colouration, but only briefly. The purpose of these feathers, aside from show, is still a mystery to scientists. No one seems to know exactly why or how they developed them. But, as to what they are -well, that is a little more certain. They are most definitely legitimate feathers, that is for certain. The shafts of the feathers on the neck are implanted in sockets, and seem to have a limited range of movement. When a Rowki is agitated, the feathers on their neck will ruffle, and they seem to have the ability to smooth them down again. If a feather is lost, it will regrow. The tail-feather, on the other hand, is a much stranger thing. It seems to have sprouted from the tail itself, with no sign of a shaft, or any connection. It is seamless -a part of the tail. This feather is much stiffer than the ones on the neck, more like a remige (flight feather). It's purpose and existance is even more enigmatic.
"Adoption?", you may ask, taken-aback. Who would want to adopt so formidable a creature as this? Before leaping to conclusions, I must remind you to 'never judge a book by its cover'. Whilst the Rowki are a large, carnivorous feline species, they have some unique behavioural characteristics as well as physical ones.
I mentioned earlier that gaining a Rowki's trust was an extremely difficult task -but once you accomplished it, just about nothing could break that bond. I must emphasize this, for this loyalty exceeds even that of a canine to their master. It is a bond for life, so if you are not certain about wanting a Rowki companion, then do not adopt one. They will follow you to the end of the Earth, and risk their life for you. And, if they, somehow, manage to oulive you, they will pine for you until they, too, waste away. This strange bond is weaker in the wild, where the Rowki cannot get so attached to something, because of the fact that it is 'survival of the fittest' out there, and trust could lose you your life. But, that bond is the reason why Rowki cubs prolong their stay with their mother -because they don't want to leave. It is only the aggression of the mother to her cubs as they age that finally pushes them out. As well, it is the reason why Rowki are among those few animal species that mate for life. But, in captivity, where there is no danger, the strength of the Rowki's trust is amplified tenfold.
But, of course, there is always the matter of gaining that trust. Believe me when I say that it is a very difficult (and very rewarding) thing to accomplish. So, make sure you aren't lacking in perseverence before you set out.
There is no 'formula' for adopting a Rowki. Each individual is looking for different things from their owner (they will all have unique forms). But, I will give you one, small hint: I'm looking for effort in these forms. If you don't try, odds are, you won't get the Rowki. As well, it's quality over quantity!
Good luck.
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