-*-appearance-*-
Shadow Dogs (Felicanis pardoformis) stand roughly a meter and a half at the shoulder. They have lightly built, sleek bodies with long, thick fur. They have very long tails for canines; more like a cat than a dog. Their paws are rat-like, and are armed with sharp claws. Their ears are long and taper to a keep point; and are pointed backwards to a degree; though it does not seem to hinder their sense of hearing. Their eyes are also very strange; they are fully colored with a single shade, a darker mark the only semblance of a pupil.
Shadow Dogs typically have fur colors ranging from pitch black to gray; and are marked with leopard-like patterns that come in various darker shades of violet. Their large eyes are typically very bright colors, though duller shades have been observed.
-*-habitat-*-
Shadow Dogs are most common in forested areas, where they can take advantage of the dappled shadows and their own dark pattern to hunt. They are also known to inhabit mountainous areas, though most do not attempt to hold out the winter, and move on to the valleys where the weather is warmer until spring. There have been rare sightings of Shadow Dogs in deserts and plains, typically dwelling in or around the small groves of trees and caves that dot the landscape.
-*-social.structure-*-
Shadow Dogs are pack animals. They form clans, comprised of a mated pair and their pups. Unlike wolves, these individuals will stay with the clan their entire lives, though in hard times they may be chased off.
-*-abilities-*-
Thanks to their very flexible paws and claws, more like a cats than a dogs; Shadow Dogs are adept climbers. They take full advantage of this; fleeing into the trees if threatened; and hauling larger kills up into the branches to eat in peace. As an adaptation to their nocturnal and partially aboreal life style, their senses are extremely keen.
