Silverfang

We never heard it, we never saw it...until it ripped poor Markus in half. Eight trained soldiers and only two of us made it out alive. I still have nightmares of those horrible shining fangs.

- Sergeant Grax Woolholm

One of the many predators of the Ironwood Forest, the Silverfang moves unseen and unheard through the brush and trees of the wood, stalking it's prey until it's ready to pounce. These large cats resemble large jaguars in shape and overall build but due to the particular mutations from living in the Ironwood, their fur is imbued with metallic fibers making it into a natural armor. These animals are apex predators, with a cunning intelligence and instinctual expertise in tracking, stalking, and ambushing prey. Their fur is a blend of shades of iron, steel, copper, mithril, and other metals that give it a mottled appearance. Their fangs though are always a dark silver color, giving them their name.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Silverfang is a compact and well-muscled animal. It is the largest cat native to the continent of Orwynn. Its coat is generally a mottled variety of iron gray, bright steel, copper, bronze, mithril, and shades of black. This mottled pattern provides the perfect camouflage for it's native habitat as it virtually disappears in the metallic colors and shadows of the native flora of the Ironwood . Fur pattern is unique to each Silverfang, much like fingerprints for several of the races of men. Its size and weight vary considerably: weights are normally in the range of 180-240 lb. Exceptionally big males have been recorded to weigh as much as 348 lb. The smallest females weigh about 130 lbs. Females are typically 10-15 percent smaller than males. The length, from the nose to the base of the tail, varies from 5.4 to 6.8 ft. The tail is smaller than many of the known big cats at 18 to 30 inches in length. Legs are also short as compared to a tiger or lion, but thick and powerful. The jaguar stands 30-36 inches tall at the shoulders.
A short and stocky limb structure makes the Silverfang adept at climbing, crawling, and swimming.[23] The head is robust and the jaw extremely powerful and it has protruding slender canines that extend outward from 5-7 inches. It has the third highest bite force of all known big cats. A 220 lb Silverfang can bite with enough force to easily puncture plate mail. This allows it to pierce the armored shells of most prey in the Ironwood.

Genetics and Reproduction

Silverfangs are heterosexual and will mate for life. They have an exceptionally strong bond with their mate and with offspring, even after offspring have ventured off on their own.
No data is available regarding how long the gestation period is for a Silverfang.

Growth Rate & Stages

Growth rate for a Silverfang is equal to that of a Jaguar or tiger, based on the data available from the small number of successful domestication attempts of a cub.

Ecology and Habitats

The Silverfang is specially adapted to the Ironwood Forest as is evidenced by the metallic properties of it's fur and the metal imbued canines for which it derives it's name.

Dietary Needs and Habits

It is rumored that they require a high amount of metals in their diet, though little data is available to support this theory. If this is true, the specific types and ratios of metals that would be required are unknown, or at least have never been published.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Silverfangs are gifted with exceptional senses of smell and hearing as well as possessing powerful night vision.
Their sense of taste and touch are not known to be extraordinary, though little to no data exists one way or the other.

Scientific Name

Dens Argentum Mortiferum

Origin/Ancestry

Carnivora Felidae