Steirure

About

Common Names

Steirure (Waejir), sea-cat

Classification

Mammal

Small amphibious carnivorous mammals who dwell on shorelines, and riverbanks.

Description

Size

10 kilograms (23 pounds), up to 1 metre (3 feet, 4 inches) in length nose to tail

Appearance

Long lean bodied, with short legs, webbed paws with semi-opposable thumbs. Medium thick tails, medium neck, forward facing eyes, and small ears on a pointed face. They have a short haired fur with a water repellent undercoat. Colours range from sandy tones, through darker earthy red-browns, some grey of black markings dependant on sub-species.

Sexual Dimorphism

Adult females average about twenty percent larger.

Variance

There are a number of subspecies which vary significantly in size and general colour or patterning of their pelts.

Ecology

Habitat

Sub-Arctic to Tropical wetlands, sea shores, and riverbanks. They dig dens in the muddy banks above the waterline, with one or more entrances below the water surface.

Diet

Carnivores eating a variety of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, insects, small lizards, amphibians, mammals, or birds.

Behaviour

Social grouping

Small groups of 3-9 animals

Temperament

Curious, Friendly, Playful.

Intelligence

Clever animals capable of problem solving and coordinated activity in pairs or groups.

Reproduction

Steirure pair up and mate in the autumn, with females live-birthing up to four kits in their den over winter. These young will remain with their parents for up to one year before seeking mates and forming their own family groups.

Notable Sub-Species

Black Pawed Steirure

This sub-species of steirure is distinctive in the very dark colouration of its feet, and the tip of the tail, which lends a contrast to the white belly and fiery orange-red colour of their pelts.

Dwarf Steirure

This sub-species is much smaller than other steirure with adults reach a mass of 2-3 kilograms (5-7 pounds) and 0.3 metres (1 foot) in length. they are often of a sandy blonde, or grey colour, with black noses and ears.

Golden Steirure

Golden Steirure have a yellow blonde colouration, with white bellies. They occasionally have blueish grey streaks along their flanks, which seem to be a seasonal phasing in the colder months.

Spotted Steirure

This sub-species is noteable for their rich sable brown coats with dappled light brown and silver spotting on their face and along their back.

Domestication

General

Sailors and fishermen sometimes capture and train steirure as a means of shipboard vermin control, or a fishing partner..

Resources

Pelts, Meat