Widowmaker
Overview
The Widowmaker, know as the "Teoviuda" in the Suriimese language, is a deadly predator native to the dense jungles of Suriima. This feline species, of comparable size to a lynx, is feared not only for its agility and hunting prowess but for its signature feature: a venomous bite. The presence of venom is extremely rare amongst feline species, making the Widowmaker one of the more unique creatures in the world.Appearance
Typically around 3 feet long, the Widowmaker is on the smaller side for a 'big cat', but by no means is a diminuitive creature in its own right. Its compact, muscular body is agile and well suited for hunting in the dense undergrowth of Suriima's jungles. What further helps this ability is its natural camouflage, the Widowmaker's short and sleek fur is dark grey, helping it blend into the shadows. Naturally, like almost all cats, it has sharp claws, which help it climb and catch hold of their prey. Its fangs, however, are the true danger, housing the delivery point for its potent venom.Hunting and Diet
The venom of the Widowmaker is primarily a paralytic, used to incapacitate its prey rather than immediately killing it. This allows the Widowmaker to kill its prey through traditional methods and keeps the meat at a level of toxicity that its own digestive system can handle, and crucially not making the food dangerous for its own young. Although the Widowmaker injects only small amounts into its prey, a larger dose is fatal to most creatures, including the sapient species of the world. The venom spreads quickly, causing immediate paralysis and shortly after, death. The window for delivering an antidote is short. Widowmakers, unsurprisingly, are ambush predators, who like to lie in wait or stalk their prey from the safety of the shadows. They primarily hunt small to medium-sized animals, including rodents, birds and other small jungle creatures. When rearing young, the parent Widowmakers will bring paralysed but still-live prey back to their dens for their young to practice delivering a killing blow on. When presented with a larger, or simply more dangerous creature, this is when a Widowmaker will utilise fatal quantities of its venom, taking minimal risk and aiming to take the threat down in one bite, if it can. This makes it especially dangerous to accidentally stumble upon for sapient species, as almost all varieties the Widowmaker would regard as a threat in this manner. Many a hunter, or traveller, have entered the jungles and succumbed to the Widowmaker, granting it its name for its notoriety in this regard.Habitat and Behaviour
They are native to the dense and humid jungles of Suriima, both the Phantasma Jungle and the Yunango Jungle, and other smaller rainforest patches. Widowmakers are solitary creatures and fiercely territorial. This territorial nature carries over once mated, the adult pair becoming loyal companions to one another and their den becomes one of the most dangerous places possible for other creatures to encroach upon. Widowmakers are usually nocturnal, the night providing extra camouflage for them and their dark fur.
Lifespan
~ 15 years
Average Height
~ 2ft
Average Weight
~ 45lb
Average Length
~ 3ft
Geographic Distribution
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