Tlinma - Dusk Claw

The tlinma, as it is known by the Khitim, or dusk claw (Tlinma voluptabilis) is a carnivore from the wolverine or badger family, native to the the cloud forests of the Dhilor highlands, the Rift, and the taiga of the northern continental span. It is the only extant species in the genus Tlinma. While not common, the dusk claw has been known since pre-history due to the efficacy of its venomous attack, and the use of that venom by healers and doctors.
The name dusk claw is derived from its coloring versus a penchant for hunting at twilight. It is interesting to note that the Khitim name for the animal, tlinma, is most accurately translated twighlight sickle, calling out the two most dramatic aspects of the animal, its coloration and fearsome armament. As an aside, the Khitim use a tool similar to a sickle for harvesting gum pods called an inmahr.
Dusk claws have a thick pelt of steel gray fur with a dark brown underbelly. The tail ends in a tufted wedge of white. Rare instances of a melanistic "midnight" color phase are found in the Rift. A coppery cinnamon color phase is not uncommon in the taiga. They have a short nose round ears and can look quite majestic when reared up scenting prey, but it is best to view a dusk claw from a great distance if they are hunting. Its normal gait is an awkward looking bound, launching from the hind legs, catching itself on its front legs, without the usual hunching hump of a mustelid. While not capable of running long distances, a dusk claw is capable of covering incredible distances quickly with a gracefully stretched leaping stride. Dusk claws are diurnal, primarily sight hunters, but are opportunistic and have refined olfactory and auditory senses which allows them to hunt through the evening into night if necessary.The species voluptabilis pays homage to the euphoric qualities of the venom. It is said to be killed by a dusk claw is horrifically painful, but you don't care.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The dusk claw is large, males weighing between 200 - 300 pounds, standing on average 30 inches at the shoulder, with a body length of 4 - 5 feet long and a bushy tail 5 - 5.5 feet long. A dusk claw has long muscular forelegs with shoulders set high on its back used for powerful stunning swipes. Its rear legs are shorter but powerful in their own right enabling leaps of 25 - 30 feet.
The paws of a dusk claw are short toed and rounded. The rear paws have short, stout non-retractable claws that aid as anchors for attack leaps. The claws of the front paws are wickedly sharp individually retractable slicing claws, sometimes reaching 4 inches in length, with a venom gland at the base of each, coating each claw on extension. The rear paws are five toed. The front paws only possess four toes and a vestigial dew claw.
While the head and neck of a dusk claw appear in proportion to other mustelids, its body is squat and appears almost barrel like in contrast to the long bodies of weasels or otters or the flatter bodies of badgers or wolverines. Their tails are proportionally the longest recorded of any mustelid and while primarily used for maneuverability during their hunting leaps, they perform a secondary function of partially obliterating the distinctive tracks of the heavy carnivores.
Like other mustelids, dusk claws possess scent glands at the base of their tails. The scent of a dusk claw is not as strong or pungent as some other species, but is described as a smoky musk, and is used as a territorial marker.

Genetics and Reproduction

Dusk claws are monogamous and mate for life, but live separately each individual maintaining their own hunting territory. Mated partners will share a very shallow overlapping border, but because of the vastness of their hunting ranges will mate whenever they encounter one another in their shared area. Due to the unknown timing of mating, pregnancy lengths are variable and embryonic diapause guarantees births are timed so young dusk claws can take advantage of learning on newly born prey. Generally this means dusk claws are weaned shortly after spring births of prey occur.

Growth Rate & Stages

Dusk claws are born blind with limited sense acuity, measuring 6 - 8 inches with proportional short haired tails. Growth in size is slow during suckling and claw development does not occur until meat is introduced into their diet. After weaning, venom glands begin to develop and size growth accelerates. Yearlings are roughly a quarter the size of full grown adults. Adolescents reside with their mother for the first two years at the end of which they are roughly 80% of their final size. At the end of the second year their pelts thicken and the fur of their tail lengthens dramatically. It is at this point they are driven from their birth home and must carve out a new hunting territory for themselves. At they age of three they are considered adults and size growth has ceased but weight gain may continue for another two years. Occasional graying of the throat has been seen in truly ancient specimens but otherwise coat color and consistency is maintained throughout their life. General lifespan is 35-40 years, but those "truly ancient specimens" were seen to achieve ages in excess of 50 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Dusk claws thrive in vast forests with medium undergrowth, but individuals have recorded in rain forests and there was a small veld population as well. Any environment that can provide cover for the hunter is theoretically viable. The dusk claw is a gracious predator leaving carrion and offal for scavengers.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Grown dusk claws are strict carnivores who hunt large mammals by stealth. They live sedentary lifestyles when not hunting so do not require prey often. When hunting a dusk claw will conceal itself in underbrush and wait for an opportunity to ambush prey. Dusk claws attack with a single leap (usually) swiping at the nearest flesh. Any strike will cause unceasing bleeding and euphoria. The dusk claw will begin careful dissection of the largest muscle areas of its still living prey as it bleeds out. The euphoric state prevents the prey from fleeing. Once a sufficient meal has been consumed and the major cuts of meat have been cached for meals in the coming days, the carcass is abandoned for scavengers, making dusk claws favorite denizens among non-prey.

Biological Cycle

Dusk claws maintain a regular schedule throughout the year. They are not affected by the passing of seasons and do not hibernate. They will rid themselves of an annual shed of old fur around the vernal equinox. The fur then grows thicker through the remaining year.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Dusk claws are consummate hunters with sensitive visual, olfactory and auditory senses. Additionally dusk claws have an extra taste receptor on the tips of their tongues that allows them to track the taste of their venom in blood in minute quantities. It appears that venom "taste" is specific to an individual and a dusk claw will never track the prey of another.

Scientific Name

Mustelidae Tlinma voluptabilis

Origin/Ancestry

There are many examples in the fossil records of mustelidae larger than dusk claws, but only one hare sized ancestor shared its unique structural morphology. It is unknown if any other mustelidae possessed similar venom glands.

Conservation Status

Dusk claws have been widely hunted throughout history, but until the advent of remote hunting technologies, fatalities among hunters always outnumbered prey. Because of the value of their venom, their revered status with neighboring cultures, and the extreme danger of killing a dusk claw, formal conservation laws were not put in place until the early 1940's CE. Today hunting dusk claws for sport is globally prohibited and commercial harvesting must acquire a license from a global consortium of inhabited locales.
While not endangered, dusk claw populations are not large. Because of the stealthy nature of their hunting it is difficult to accurately keep a current census, even with electronic tagging and satellite initiatives.

Geographic Distribution

• The Rift