Mushuk

Hunting small birds and rodents through the forest, this feline swoops over the branches and stalks animals like no other in the Theorston Thicket. Their cushioned paws allows these cats to traverse the forest floor with little sound as to not startle their prey.

"Whoah, what is that?!"
Nola elbows her friend Barney and points towards a furred animal wandering the edge of the forest.
"That's a Mushuk, they hunt in the thicket," he answers as he follows the striped cat with his eyes. "Did you know their eyes are a bright orange? They always say you should stay away from the orange eyes, before they get you."
"What?! They eat kids like us?!" Nole froze.
"Yes... yes they do... We better get back to the city..."

Creative Tabby

The coat of the Mushuk is one not often seen in the animals of Eshil, or even Hesli itself. It primarily consists of very dark strips, most of the time vertical or spotted, against a darker colour, such as gray or chestnut brown. This colour combination helps the Mushuk in the hunt as it makes the hunter even more difficult to spot because it blends in with its environment very well.
But the fur isn't the only reason why the Mushuk is such an excellent hunter; its eyes play a huge role as well. Varying from a dark red to a brighter yellow, this cat shares a unique sight with fellow hunters. Their pupils can dilate more than that of most species, allowing them to see more especially during the night. However, they can also constrict their pupil further as well, so they do not get blinded easily in brought daylight.
Finally, their fluffy and big ears allow the Mushuk to hear even the tiniest and most silent of sounds. The rustling of leaving from a rodent trying to escape can be heard from a kilometer away. Combine that with an excellent nose, and a deadly hunter roams its territory.

Hunting Mushuk by Aleksei Zaitcev

A Stalking Mushuk by 42 North

Lifespan

25 years

Average Height

Male: 28 - 35cm (11" - 13.7")
Female: 23 - 30cm (9" - 11.8")

Average Weight

Male: 7kg (15lbs)
Female: 5.5kg (12lbs)

Average Length

Head to Body
Male: 60cm (23.6")
Female: 50cm (19.6")

Tail
Male: 35cm (13.7")
Female: 28cm (11")

Geographic Distribution

• Theorston Thicket