Feline
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Felines (Gatis gatis) are a species of bipedal sentient mammals from Urth. They have large complex brains which have enabled them to develop and use tools and complex language and they possess heightened self-awareness. They exhibit relatively low signs of sexual dimorphism. Although they are capable of living in and adapting to a plethora of environments, they are largely concentrated in Central Yasteria. It is unknown why they did not spread over much of the Urth but scientists speculate that it was due to competition with primines, vulpines and lupines over resources and space. They have a population of over 1 billion members which is largely concentrated in Packilvania. Members of the suborder Feliformia are named after Felines because they possess strikingly similar characteristics.
Anatomy
The average modern adult Feline has a height of between 1.3m and 2m. They have an average body weight of between 40kg and 80kg. They are relatively small compared to primines and ursines. They have highly flexible bone-dominant internal skeletons. They are bipedal and have digitigrade ambulation i.e., they walk on their toes and a large part of the visible leg consists of the bones of the rest of the foot. They possess five phalanges on both the feet and hands and they have opposable thumbs. They have large ears high on the sides of their heads which retain limited movement. Although originally used for hearing, the movement of ears has become a tool for non-verbal communication.
The ancestors of the modern Felines were carnivorous semi-quadrupedal predators. Some of these traits remain present in modern Felines. Modern Felines have retractable and protractable claws on their hands and feet. The claws are relatively dull and short compared to their ancestors and cannot feasibly be used for activities such as hunting. When relaxed, the claws are sheathed by skin and fur. They usually protract their claws when they experience heightened negative emotions like anger. Modern Felines have surprisingly sharp molars and long canines for a modern sentient species. This is attributed to the fact that Felines switched to an omnivorous diet fairly late in their development due to the fact that the environments in which they were primarily found lacked enough plants thus they relied on other animals especially fish and game for protein and other nutrients.
Modern Felines have skin covered in fur. The length and texture of fur varies greatly among ethnic groups. The Shirazi have no fur while the Azraq have thick fur of varying colors and textures. In ethnic groups with fur, it can appear in any of the following colors: ginger-orange, gray, white and black. In rare cases, some groups have developed brown fur. Fur can be monochromatic or appear in large patches. All Felines have light peach colored skin under their fur (if they have fur). The fur length and texture of Felines is believed to have been influenced by natural selection in that fur that was suited to environmental conditions or reproductive needs survived and the traits became concentrated among certain groups. Due to the incredible diversity of the environments that Felines have inhabited and the length of their existence, they have a very high level of genetic diversity.
Felines can hear sounds ranging from 55 Hz to 79000 Hz although their hearing is most acute between 500 Hz and 32000 Hz Thus, they can hear 10.5 octaves. They see in color and have excellent night vision, requiring less than a third of the light humans need to see. Feline life expectancy ranges from 40 to 100 years depending on environmental and social conditions. Naturally some members have been known to exceed 100 years with the oldest confirmed member living to 123 years. The average natural body temperature is around 35°C.
Behavior and society
Felines are known to live in groups and form families. Most Feline couples mate for life and produce offspring within the mating pair. Feline females are fertile for much of the year except for a week a month when they go through menstruation. Because Felines are highly diverse and intelligent creatures, their mating habitats have evolved due to social, religious and other conditions. The average female is capable of having a litter of up to 10 kittens in her life time. The average Feline female produces between 2 and 4 kittens on average. Nevertheless due to education, urbanization, greater longevity and declining infant mortality rates, birth rates have declined. However they remain higher than most primines. Kittens rely on their mother's milk, which she produces from mammary glands located on her torso however artificial alternatives such as formula have become common. Felines often form emotional bonds with each other, other animals and sentient beings allowing them to develop friendships and complex social hierarchies.
Felines are similar to other sapient creatures in that they are capable of complex reasoning, abstract thinking, problem solving, creativity and use of complex language. Felines have thus developed various religions over the course of their existence. For instance, the majority of Felines are adherents of Paxism, but they have also practiced Yasterian Folk Religions, Thaerism etc. The vast majority of Felines speak the Packilvanian language but they also speak other languages including languages spoken by other species due to the fact that they have a very similar vocal chord, resonance and articulatory structures.
Felines produce a variety of vocalizations to convey emotion such as hissing when angry and purring when content. They also have a variety of bodily cues such as arching their backs and protracting their claws when angry or agitated or frightened, and raising their tails when being confrontational. They also smile and flatten their ears when happy or when content. They enjoy physical touch from loved ones and intimate partners such as hugging and cuddling, rubbing against one another and licking and kissing one another. Felines sleep for an average of 13 hours a day although somnotists argue that they can survive with less. Due to modern work habits, sleep has declined and incidents of insomnia have increased.
Habitat and population
Felines are adapted to almost every climate largely due to the use of tools. Having learnt to farm crops and keep other animals for work, food and other resources, they have been able to occupy and live on every continent including Sempiterna where small groups of Felines go for scientific missions. Furthermore, Felines have been in space due to the space exploration efforts of Packilvania. There are an estimated 1 billion Felines largely from Packilvania. Felines live in or have lived in the following countries: Free Pacific States, Great Morstaybishlia, Durdanini, Fortuna, Ayaupia, Sokala, Duominzu, Lactoska, Katyunon, Federation of Bana and Emberwood Coast. This makes them one of the most populous sentient species and mammal species in the world, but they pale in comparison to primines who outnumber them 6 to 1.