Wild Cat

When the apocalypse happened, many animals escaped from the zoos, large and small cats among them. Without proper breeding partners or environments, the strongest survived and thrived, where the weakest, those unable to cope with the wilderness, died out. From these many long years of survival and evolution, came a breed of large feline that lurks in the forests of Sverige.

Lifespan: maximum of 15 years / Diet: carnivore  / Rarity: common

Anatomy
They were also affected by the radiation, which has given them several interesting traits. It sports a pelt of medium-length thick fur in the colder months, which sheds to a thinner pelt in the warmer months. It has a long tail and large, rounded ears, typical of many large cats. It also has long, sabre-shaped canine teeth which extend down from the mouth even when it is closed. They are wide-bodied and very muscular, especially in the shoulders. All males and females sport a fluffy ruff around the shoulders. The markings on this creature are unique, a varied pattern of rosettes, stripes and patches of color that provide it camouflage in the forest. The colors of the pelt and markings range from blacks, browns, greens and dark greys in varied patterns and shades.

Dimensions
This feline is nearly the size of an ordinary jaguar, weighing as much, if not slightly more, than the largest wolf species on Sverige (200 - 250 lbs), it can be up to 30 inches tall at the shoulder.

Diet
They prefer hooved creatures, overall, and can easily take down a single deer by themselves. They also will eat smaller animals and fish if they are near to water. They will not eat wolves, and usually will stay away from them unless they are infringing upon their territory.

Behavior
Wild Cats tend to be solitary unless they are breeding and bringing up young. In rare cases, they have been known to form "prides" if they feel like they are being threatened and need to band together. Often, they find wolves "curious" and will observe them from the trees if they enter the forest.

Breeding
Wild cats can mate throughout the year, if they want to, however, they will not breed if prey is scarce in an area. Their gestation period is about 90 days, and they will have between 2 - 4 kits.

Language
Wild Cats speak in a language of growls, purrs, meows, and roars. They are quieter and more melodic when they are pleased, and louder and harsher when they are angered. As well, they use ear, body and tail expressions to enhance their feelings. Wolves can learn their language, since parts of it are similar, along with the body language. It does take some practice, and observation, so a wolf would need a very patient subject to learn from. Since some of it is like their own, Wild Cats can also learn the wolves' language, most just don't care to.

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