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Description

Today I'd like to present a project I've been working on for a while -- a species concept! This species is called a "Lykodraak" roughly translating into Wolf-Dragon.

General description:

They are very large, winged creatures that have a furry body, wolf-like head and large cat-like body along with dragon-like leathery wings and long tails. Similar to large cats, they have long, razor-sharp, retractable claws which they use to grab prey such as deer, elk, even moose. Similar to wolves, they have large canines. However, unlike wolves, their canines are often doubled and extend substantially below the lower jaw line. These, combined with powerful jaws, can easily break through flesh and bone alike with ease. Most also have varying size and shaped horns that extend from the rear of the skull backward.

Generally, Lykodraaks are found in cold, northern regions where prey are large enough to sustain their giant appetite. There is another subspecies of the Lykodraak that primarily lives in warmer, southern regions. More commonly referred to as "Lyodraaks" (roughly translating into Lion-Dragon), this subspecies is so-called because the fur on it's body is much shorter and they appear to have more lion-like traits.

Personality:

Lykodraaks are sentient creatures. Much like dragons, they can both communicate in a common species language and manage to speak a common human tongue (however, it is heavily accepted). They are intelligent creatures capable of forming social structures and hierarchies. However, they generally do not live together beyond immediate family groupings (though some communities have been known to exist). They cannot be tamed, although some will accept a human partner through years of bonding and trust. Unlike a horse, they have a mind of their own and will freely disobey. At their size and intelligent level, few humans are able to contain their power.

Physiology:

Horns: Lykodraaks have horns which originate from behind each ear. These are most often straight, however some can curve up or down

Teeth: Each individual has two pairs of double canines (in rare cases, only a single canine appears below the top lip). It's most common that the rear is about half the size as the front, but sometimes they can be the same length or the forward canine could be much larger - sometimes identified as a "saber" Lykodraak.

Tail: Tail fur on Lykodraaks has a lot of variation - though two constants remain: a vertically oriented spinal fur merges into a horizontally oriented tail fur. This combination provides essential maneuverability while in flight.

Sexual dimorphism: Male Lykodraaks are about 10-15% larger on average than females. This typically makes females more mobile, faster, and maneuverable than males. However, in single combat, males tend to have a weight and size advantage.

Fur coloration: The quintessential markings of a Lykodraak include a dramatic spinal fur coloring and camouflaged body fur colors. Common colors for the spinal fur include: red, white, yellow, and black which tend have an extremely high color contrast with body colors. Common body colors include shades of brown, black, cream, white, tan, white, and maroon. However, some rare exceptions do occur and include more exotic colors.

Claws: Retractable, cat-like claws are on each paw.

UPDATE: I have added a few variations of possible differences between individuals. These are not exhaustive, but are indicative of what one could expect. Members of the species will not dramatically vary outside the bounds shown. For example: all Lykodraaks have either single or double canines (double being overwhelmingly most common), but not more or less than that. They can vary in size, but the second one is at most the same size as the first.

This is an open species and you may draw it -- but please link back to this species page if you do. I'd love to see it!

Description

Today I'd like to present a project I've been working on for a while -- a species concept! This species is called a "Lykodraak" roughly translating into Wolf-Dragon.

General description:

They are very large, winged creatures that have a furry body, wolf-like head and large cat-like body along with dragon-like leathery wings and long tails. Similar to large cats, they have long, razor-sharp, retractable claws which they use to grab prey such as deer, elk, even moose. Similar to wolves, they have large canines. However, unlike wolves, their canines are often doubled and extend substantially below the lower jaw line. These, combined with powerful jaws, can easily break through flesh and bone alike with ease. Most also have varying size and shaped horns that extend from the rear of the skull backward.

Generally, Lykodraaks are found in cold, northern regions where prey are large enough to sustain their giant appetite. There is another subspecies of the Lykodraak that primarily lives in warmer, southern regions. More commonly referred to as "Lyodraaks" (roughly translating into Lion-Dragon), this subspecies is so-called because the fur on it's body is much shorter and they appear to have more lion-like traits.

Personality:

Lykodraaks are sentient creatures. Much like dragons, they can both communicate in a common species language and manage to speak a common human tongue (however, it is heavily accepted). They are intelligent creatures capable of forming social structures and hierarchies. However, they generally do not live together beyond immediate family groupings (though some communities have been known to exist). They cannot be tamed, although some will accept a human partner through years of bonding and trust. Unlike a horse, they have a mind of their own and will freely disobey. At their size and intelligent level, few humans are able to contain their power.

Physiology:

Horns: Lykodraaks have horns which originate from behind each ear. These are most often straight, however some can curve up or down

Teeth: Each individual has two pairs of double canines (in rare cases, only a single canine appears below the top lip). It's most common that the rear is about half the size as the front, but sometimes they can be the same length or the forward canine could be much larger - sometimes identified as a "saber" Lykodraak.

Tail: Tail fur on Lykodraaks has a lot of variation - though two constants remain: a vertically oriented spinal fur merges into a horizontally oriented tail fur. This combination provides essential maneuverability while in flight.

Sexual dimorphism: Male Lykodraaks are about 10-15% larger on average than females. This typically makes females more mobile, faster, and maneuverable than males. However, in single combat, males tend to have a weight and size advantage.

Fur coloration: The quintessential markings of a Lykodraak include a dramatic spinal fur coloring and camouflaged body fur colors. Common colors for the spinal fur include: red, white, yellow, and black which tend have an extremely high color contrast with body colors. Common body colors include shades of brown, black, cream, white, tan, white, and maroon. However, some rare exceptions do occur and include more exotic colors.

Claws: Retractable, cat-like claws are on each paw.

UPDATE: I have added a few variations of possible differences between individuals. These are not exhaustive, but are indicative of what one could expect. Members of the species will not dramatically vary outside the bounds shown. For example: all Lykodraaks have either single or double canines (double being overwhelmingly most common), but not more or less than that. They can vary in size, but the second one is at most the same size as the first.

This is an open species and you may draw it -- but please link back to this species page if you do. I'd love to see it!