Ayyur Fox

A dry wind rakes across the dunes, wisps of stray sand drifting in the moonlight. As this hot desert breath recedes, two oversized ears pop up and sweep for even the slightest sound. To the ordinary ear, these desolate sands are silent all for the distant call of a jackal. Yet these ears swivel suddenly, honing in on the slightest subterranean skitter. The fox stalks forward with the gentlest of steps, its movements painstakingly slow. Then, all at once, it bounds into the air before plunging its paws into the sand with claws translucent like glass and rapidly tosses the sand aside.

The loose sand presses into glass at the fox's touch until an al-Mawt Scorpion shuffles up from the glassy bowl in confusion. The fox is quick and nimble, ever in motion as it nips at and dodges the scorpion's tail. It chips away at the end of it, bit by bit, and even tosses the befuddled scorpion into the air—all the while emitting soft, silverine moonlight. The scorpion moves slower and slower as the fox bounds about it until, finally, its movements cease altogether and the clever fox clips off its venom bulb, claiming it's meal with a final crunch.

These are the smallest species of fox in Emynea, recognizable by their unusually large ears which dissipate heat and grant them impeccable hearing. These ears are used for tracking down prey such as the al-Mawt Scorpion and the Qafz Jerboa which hide beneath the sand. Their fur, paws and kidneys are especially adapted for their arid desert habitat but like most beasts of Shamsi they are crepuscular, hunting at dawn and dusk. Tertiary Predator Prey Crepuscular Hearing

Kaithur

Ilnid's Craft Using Ilnid's Craft, ayyur are able to craft, move or mold sand, quartz and glass by paw with great detail. They are skilled diggers in sandy soil and are unharmed by sharp glass or being buried in sand. Sylthari's Aura Ayyur are able to uses Sylthari's Aura to generate or summon moonlight or starlight. They can also lace mesmerizing, sedative, charming or hypnotic magic into the light. It is rumored to be able to generate prophecies or divinations but this hasn't been confirmed.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Vulpes zerda Fennec Fox 10-14 years Body Length Ear Length Weight 35-40 cm 14-16 in 9-10 cm 3-4 in 1-2 kg 2-4 lbs Coloration Their sand colored fur reflects sunlight but also keeps them warm at night. They have a black nose and a tail which tapers at the end with a black tip. In its magic form, ayyur fur turns silvery white and it's paws appear glassy, their claws translucent.

Diet

Omnivore Insectivore Invertivore Mammalivore Avivore Ovivore Herpetovore Frugivore Folivore Radicivore The Ayyur fox is a tertiary predator, playing the role of both predator and prey. They are omnivorous, frequently eating insects like grasshoppers and locust, small mammals, birds, eggs, lizards, dates, leaves, roots and tubers. Meanwhile, they might become the prey of Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, Wata Jackal, Manid Hyena, ǁKo Wild Dog and Cheetah. Watching these little hunters in action is in a word, adorable. They hunt alone, using their enlarged ears to listen for prey beneath the sand or in scrub. They stalk very carefully up to their prey before digging them up or pouncing on them, leaping up to three feet in the air with a standing jump. Ayyur Fox are extremely agile and nimble, able to catch and eat even al-Mawt Scorpion. They dig it out of the sand with their Craft ability and are clever enough to repeatedly nip off its tail before going in for the kill. Even if the scorpion attempts to flee back into the sand, ayyur are relentless in stalking after them again and again. Sometimes, they can even kill prey larger than themselves like the Sahra Hare. All the while, these foxes are emitting celestial light from their ghostly white fur, mesmerizing or lulling to sleep both prey and would be predators! However, its effect is not instant, it is a gentle effect which builds over time.

Habitat

Life Cycle

Desert	Semi-Desert	Shrubland	Montane	Viviparous
Monogamous	Biparental	Gregarious	Agonistic	Communication

Thriving in undulating desert sands, arid regs and craggy shrublands, the ayyur fox mainly resides in the Shamsi Desert but may also live in Kemet, Kna'an, Arabiyyah and parts of Birit Narim!

Ayyur fox are a social species, digging out complex dens inside sand dunes. Burrows are usually 1300 sq. ft (120m²) and may adjoin to burrows of other families. They can create 32 ft tunnels, each burrow possessing about 15 entrances in case of invasion. Utilizing Ilnid's Craft, they solidify the finished walls into glass or quartz to keep the sand in place. Up to ten individuals will live in a single burrow. These fox are monogamous, mating between January and April. Pregnancy lasts from 50-63 days, the male becoming aggressive in protecting and feeding his mate. They have 1-4 pups whose eyes open in 8-11 days. Both parents care for pups, communicating with each other using barks, purrs, yapping and squeaks. At 61-70 days they are weaned but many stay with the family or adjoin their own burrows to that of their parents.

Mythology In local mythology, ayyur fox are seen as symbols of good luck and fortune. Locals believe they can hear spirits with their large ears and that their light banishes evil spirits. Like many fox, they are seen as a cunning and clever tricksters, possessing stealth and wisdom. They are a sacred animal to the Masriyyin and also an omen of good luck. There are folktales which feature these fox appearing to those lost in the desert and leading them to safety. Killing them is considered bad luck.