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- Bikkeraile -
Thread Prefix -
Semi-sentient.
Name -Bikkeraile.
Biology -The Bikkeraile is a small, lightly built species of flying reptavian. Its body is covered in fur-like down, with bat-like wings and a semi-prehensile tail with a feathered tip; its wing-span is approximately 0.6 meters on average. When on the ground, Bikkerailes are quadrupedal, folding up their wings to allow the use of the digits on their forewings.
Bikkerailes are small, and though they are agile fliers, their endurance and general constitution are rather poor. Bikkerailes typically do not fly very far, and tend to stop and rest often as they travel.
Bikkerailes have a beak-like muzzle, lined with small but very sharp teeth. Their saliva contains a powerful anticoagulant, causing bite wounds inflicted by the species to bleed profusely for several hours; many also have dangerous bacteria festering in their mouths, which can lead to infection. Bikkerailes normally use their potent bite to hunt large prey, and have been known to bring down animals as large as womp rats with multiple bites and patience.
Finally, Bikkerailes are highly intelligent, and though not actually sentient, have been known to display particularly advanced linguistic comprehension, pattern recognition and general problem-solving skills. In the wild - and in captivity - Bikkerailes have demonstrated the capacity for tool use, and can be taught complex behavior with relative ease.
Breeding -Bikkerailes are small, and though they are agile fliers, their endurance and general constitution are rather poor. Bikkerailes typically do not fly very far, and tend to stop and rest often as they travel.
Bikkerailes have a beak-like muzzle, lined with small but very sharp teeth. Their saliva contains a powerful anticoagulant, causing bite wounds inflicted by the species to bleed profusely for several hours; many also have dangerous bacteria festering in their mouths, which can lead to infection. Bikkerailes normally use their potent bite to hunt large prey, and have been known to bring down animals as large as womp rats with multiple bites and patience.
Finally, Bikkerailes are highly intelligent, and though not actually sentient, have been known to display particularly advanced linguistic comprehension, pattern recognition and general problem-solving skills. In the wild - and in captivity - Bikkerailes have demonstrated the capacity for tool use, and can be taught complex behavior with relative ease.
The Bikkeraile is an egg-laying species. Males and females typically mate for life, with established couples constructing a permanent nest in a secure location, safe from predators and the elements. Females tend to lay a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs once every 2 years, with chicks hatching after 3 months and maturing after an additional 6 months, at which point they leave the nest to seek territory and a mate of their own.
Strengths - Intelligent, agile, loyal, and equipped with a poisonous, potentially septic bite.
Weaknesses -Small, physically weak, tire easily when flying any distance.
Diet - Bikkerailes typically eat insects and small fish, though they will also go after rodents and feed off carrion when given the opportunity. It is uncommon for the species to attack prey larger than itself, though they have been known to occasionally go after animals the size of womp rats, using repeated bites to slowly bleed them out.
Behavior/Temperament - The Bikkeraile is a mostly solitary animal, highly territorial, with a habit of diving on intruders of all species, either scratching with its small claws or biting. Typically, Bikkerailes are only social when the time comes to choose a mate, and will mate for life, sharing territory, prey and a common nest with one-another.
Bikkerailes do not usually get along with other species, but do very rarely form strong attachments to certain individuals. The criteria for these friendships are a mystery, but the Bikkeraile will - arbitrarily, it seems - decide to trust an individual, and will even follow them outside their own territory, accompanying them wherever they go, protecting them from perceived threats and even responding to emotional states. They cannot properly be considered pets; even the best behaved examples in captivity can only be said to be marginally tame, but even so they can be exceedingly loyal and protective.
Once bonded, an individual Bikkeraile may pass on their attachment to their mate and offspring, and may eventually include the subject's close friends and descendants, leading to multi-generational partnerships.
Bikkeraile are exceptionally intelligent, demonstrating advanced language comprehension, pattern recognition and general problem-solving skills. They can be taught to perform relatively complex tasks, such as manipulating door controls and fetching specific objects when told to, or at certain contextual cues.
Communication -Bikkerailes do not usually get along with other species, but do very rarely form strong attachments to certain individuals. The criteria for these friendships are a mystery, but the Bikkeraile will - arbitrarily, it seems - decide to trust an individual, and will even follow them outside their own territory, accompanying them wherever they go, protecting them from perceived threats and even responding to emotional states. They cannot properly be considered pets; even the best behaved examples in captivity can only be said to be marginally tame, but even so they can be exceedingly loyal and protective.
Once bonded, an individual Bikkeraile may pass on their attachment to their mate and offspring, and may eventually include the subject's close friends and descendants, leading to multi-generational partnerships.
Bikkeraile are exceptionally intelligent, demonstrating advanced language comprehension, pattern recognition and general problem-solving skills. They can be taught to perform relatively complex tasks, such as manipulating door controls and fetching specific objects when told to, or at certain contextual cues.
Though they can be taught to understand many sentient languages, Bikkerailes are not vocally equipped to reproduce many of them. They communicate through a combination of body language and various squawks and screeches.
Culture -N/A.
History -Bikkerailes originally come from the planet Onderon, and are distantly related to Rupings, though they are of course much smaller. Despite their viciousness, their occasional habit of forming close attachments to certain individuals has given them something of a reputation. Several ancient Onderonian kings were said to have had Bikkerailes as companions, which has led to them becoming a status symbol; they fetch a high price in the exotic pet trade, though most Bikkerailes sold as pets will never establish the kind of bond their owners desire, and may at best be taught not to attack them on sight.
Bikkerailes evolved on Onderon, but escaped pets have founded colonies of the species on many worlds, especially jungle planets and ecumenopoleis. Aside from Onderonian royalty, Bikkerailes are also known to have been companions to many other important figures throughout Galactic history, with a high proportion of smugglers, warlords, pirates and other scoundrels.
Planet -Bikkerailes evolved on Onderon, but escaped pets have founded colonies of the species on many worlds, especially jungle planets and ecumenopoleis. Aside from Onderonian royalty, Bikkerailes are also known to have been companions to many other important figures throughout Galactic history, with a high proportion of smugglers, warlords, pirates and other scoundrels.
Onderon.
Technology -N/A.
Intent - To create a suitably cool species to take the place of the old standby parrot or obnoxious Kowakian monkey-lizard on the shoulders of the Galaxy's scum. I also wanted them to do something more useful than just repeat phrases and beg for crackers, hence the bite.
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