[TheCalicoTabby]

Hey there! If you've known me a while, you may remember these guys. I created the species over three years ago, and they've had a few different threads over the years.
Perhaps it's just because of my laziness, but as a species they've never been very successful. Still, I'd rather not just let them die.

So! I've decided to make them an open species. That means anyone can design them (for themselves or others), adopt them out, even sell them---so long as you give full credit to me for the species, lines, and info.

Below, I'll post my information for the species. This includes colour/marking guidelines. You do not have to follow these unless you want to create a 'realistic'/canon kayrah.
You can create a rainbow kayrah if you wish--but just like if you'd created a rainbow wolf, you cannot claim the colours are realistic for the species.

Edit: Neatened the colouring layers, added eye detail, and added several new mane types. ^^

Alright, thanks for reading!
Feel free to ask me if you have any questions. C:
All species information is in the second post.

Questions and Answers:



Q: Can I edit the lines?
A: Yes, go ahead!

If you're drawing unrealistic kayrah, anything goes.

If you want to make a "real"/natural kayrah, here's what is/isn't allowed:
Allowed: Different lengths/styles of mane or fur, realistic accessories (ex: feathers/leaves for wild kayrah, collars for domesticated ones), different body types (skinny, muscular, etc), healed scars/missing limbs, different ear types (big, small, floppy), other minor changes.
Not Allowed: Wings/other extra limbs, horns, feathers, scales, piercings, over the top accessories, blood/gore, anything that contradicts what I've written (ex: making females not have manes*), other major changes.
*maneless kayrah are allowed as a mutation, but do not remove manes from the entire species/one gender, etc.

For anything not listed, ask!




Q: Can kayrah of the same sex breed?
A: Realistically, no—though they can be a couple, and adopt kits.
For unrealistic kayrah, as usual, anything goes!




Q: Can these be posted on other websites?
A: Yes, so long as you link back! If posting to deviantart, please also link to my deviantart account.




Q: Can I make an RP? And does it have to follow the behaviour guidelines?
A: Yes, RP's are fine! Though I'd certainly like to see an RP following what I wrote about kayrah behaviour, you're free to come up with your own ideas if you think that would be more interesting.



Other Lines:
Alternate kayrah lines [Old]
Growing kayrah lines [Old]
Breeding/Family Lines [New]

Roleplays:
The Tribe ~by Tigerfur of WindClan
J O U R N E Y ~by Gebo
We are Legends ~by Freaksho

If you make giftlines or an RP, please PM or post to let me know! ^^

[TheCalicoTabby]

Kayrah Info

Here is the information I have on the kayrah as a species.

Basics:
Kayrah are mid-sized mammals in the weasel family. They have long muzzles, long, thick tails, pointed ears, three-toed paws, and a stiff mane of fur down their backs. They are omnivores, living alone or in small groups.

Size:
Kayrah are generally 30-50 cm tall at the shoulder when standing straight, although they often crouch low. They are 50-60 cm long, not including their tail, which is often almost as long as their body. Male kayrah are slightly larger and stronger than females, while females are faster and often better climbers.

Habitat:
Kayrah prefer to live in thick forests, often near a source of water such as a stream. They can travel long distances in search of food and territory, but most prefer to settle down when they've found a safe place to live. They are very good climbers, but many dislike the trees, only escaping into the branches when confronted by danger. They prefer to live in borrows, although they are not very efficient diggers, and will usually enlarge a burrow abandoned by another animal or find a sheltered den under the roots of a tree or in the thickest, strongest undergrowth. Rarely, they use caves, although these are often too cold for young. A kayrah will have one to three well-hidden dens throughout their territory. These dens will usually contain a well-constructed nest of mosses, grass, and fur. Kayrah will only share their dens with their kits or mates, and even the closest friends and hunting partners sleep separately.

Diet:
The primary food source of most kayrah is rodents and birds, although they will often eat insects, roots, berries or fruits. Few kayrah fish, as, due to their mane, they are not very skilled swimmers.

Colouration:
Kayrah have very varied coats. The base colour is usually a neutral brown or grey, with an infinite variety of markings. They often have lighter toes and darker ear tips.

Males have darker or more contrasting manes, while females usually have manes the same or a similar colour to their bodies.

Their eyes can be any colour at all, but they are most often a yellow, orange or redish colour.
Blue or purple eyes are rare among kayrah, and are generally considered attractive.

Behaviours:
Kayrah kits are usually born in litters of two to three. One or four kit litters are uncommon, while anything more than four is rare.

The father will provide for the mother, but will tend to keep his distance while the kits are being raised. Only when they have been weaned at about two months will he begin to take a more active role in parenting, teaching his children to hunt, climb, hide and survive.

At two years old, they will have reached maturity. At this point, they will either stay with the family or leave to find territories of their own. This is usually determined by the food supply and the size of hunting group; kayrah rarely live in groups of more than five.

Kayrah are usually not very territorial--in fact, they often welcome newcomers.

The exception comes when food is scarce--in which case they will challenge all trespassers. An aggressive kayrah will raise its mane and lower its head, pointing its nose towards the ground. If they are confident, their ears will point forwards. A more scared or desperate kayrah's ears are more likely to be pressed flat. Conflicts are usually solved this way, with the smaller or weaker kayrah reconsidering its challenge and fleeing. The winning kayrah will not waste energy chasing them unless they choose to come back.

Kayrah can be domesticated if raised by humans, but most live in the wild.

[ShrimpSundae]

This is really cool, I'll defiantly make some. ^-^

[TheCalicoTabby]

Thanks, looking forward to seeing them. ^^

[not a talking cat]

are we allowed to make free adoptables like kiamaras\JBD's? like,sometimes raffles and free adoptables and yeah..?

[TheCalicoTabby]

Yep, you can do whatever you like so long as you link back here. C:

[not a talking cat]

yay ;3;
-hugs calico-
i love you more than nutella right now
hehe,you should be happy i said that.

[Freedom!]

These are lovely!

[halierae]

awesome!

[not a talking cat]

one more thing - are we allowed to do line edits and give them like,the males have horns and the females don't? or maybe have like feathers around them,females have feathers and males dont?