APHEM SPECIES

Lifespan and life stages

A Aphem tends to live about 10 years in the wild, however Aphem in captivity have been recorded to average at about 13 years old. The eldest Aphem found in the wild was 14 years old, and the oldest Aphem found in captivity was 16 years old at the time of death.

Miniature Aphem, however, have many medical issues that shortens their lifespan by about half. They are reported to last 5-7 years before passing away, however many pass away younger due to medical issues not being properly tended to.

Aphem are all born the same, by a fertilized egg. Once they are hatched, they are called Shellings, until one year of age. At this time, they are simply considered a Aphem, though they do not reach full maturity until they are three years old. As Shellings, the young Aphem are taught the basics of life such as how to hunt, how to communicate, and more. They are capable of walking, hopping and running within the first couple weeks. However, they do not learn how to glide until three months of age, and do not learn how to fly until nine months of age. Once they are nine months old, they are then expected to begin hunting for themselves with a guide to supervise and step in if necessary.

 

Size and Measurement

The Aphem are known to average at 15-30 inches long, with a wingspan of about 15-30 inches, and weigh 10-30 lbs in the wild. In captivity, the Aphem tend to average about 16-32 inches long, with a wingspan of 16-32 inches, and weigh 12-35 lbs. The Aphem are never measured in height, and only length. This starts from the tip of the nose while the neck is stretched forwards, to the farthest curve of the flank. The tails are typically measured separately. The longest tail has an average of about 30-60 inches long in the wild, 32-64 inches in captivity. However, the two shorter tails are typically about the same size of the body, averaging 15-30 inches long in the wild and 16-32 inches long in captivity.

Minatare Aphem are typically about half this size, as genuine finger size was impossible to accomplish for even the most prestigious breeders. They average at about 7.5-13 inches long, with a wingspan of about 7.5-13 inches and weigh 5-15 lbs. Their longest tails average about 15-30 inches long while the shorter tails typically average 7.5-13 inches.

 

Reproduction and Development

At two years of age, the Aphem are sexually mature. However, it is not until they are three years old that they are at their reproductive prime and tends to last until they are six years of age. Once this prime does pass, they are less likely to produce healthy offspring. Offspring produced after six years of age tend to have hearing, visual or physical abilities that are considered lacking and are at a higher risk for birth defects.

The Aphem must fertilize and lay a egg every early spring, or else they risk death and/or risk being chased out by the colony. The Aphem are a asexual species and have no true gender or sex. Each Aphem is capable of both laying and fertilizing a Aphem egg, and must do so or risk consequences. If an egg is not laid it is due to the egg becoming trapped in the oviduct, and it can kill the N!me if it doesn’t pass within a month. A Aphem that does not fertilize will have hormonal build up, this will cause bouts of aggression and can cause issues such as illness, loss of appetite, lowered immune system, depression, anxiety and more. If the Aphem refuses to fertilize, the colony will chase them out and will only allow them to return once they have fertilized.

Despite the necessity to lay an egg and fertilize, this does not mean a Aphem is required to produce a child. An egg that remains infertile can be eaten by egg bound Aphem to help their egg pass. Fertilization can occur anywhere, and does not have to be on an egg. The hormones simply must be expelled at some point so that hormone build up doesn’t occur.

When a egg is fertilized, it takes about three months to fully develop and hatch. Their heart and lungs is the first to develop, then the brain and stomach. Bones and skin then begin to develop, and soon eyes and reproductive organs develop as well. They are born with minimal fur, though it is typically grown in by the first week. Feathers do not fully come in until they are two months old, and they are typically covered by down feathers until that time comes.

Aphem almost never fertilize their own egg, as the species has long understood the consequences following this cloning tactic. Instead, they fertilize others eggs typically at randomly unless a pair agrees prior to eggs being laid that they will host each others young.

 

Senses

The Aphems most vital sense is their eyesight and hearing. Aphems have very little sense of touch, taste and smell. It is only when eyesight and/or hearing is lost that a Aphem can maneuver based on touch alone. Unlike many creatures, Aphems have two pairs of eyes for two different purposes, and they cannot have both pairs of eyes opened at once due to the varying uses. The primary eyes, the largest of the set, are used as anyone else would use their eyes. They can view color, and process light as anyone else may. Their pupils are much like a cat’s, going from wide circles to thin slits depending on light availability. The more sun that is available, the thinner their pupil will be while the less sun that’s available the wider the pupil will become. Aphems also have a smaller secondary pair of eyes that work through thermal sensing. These eyes are typically used at night, then their primary eyes don’t function nearly as well.

Aphems long ears are also a huge advantage to their senses. These ears can pick up noise up to a half mile away, and are critical to Aphems tracking and avoiding predators. With only a moment's observation, you can see that Aphems ears are almost always moving. They twist left right, forwards, back and once in awhile you can catch a Aphem at full attention with their ears raised far above their head. Many have compared their tall standing ears to a rabbit, both in appearance and functionality.

 

Movement

All Aphem's have only two gaits. The walk is the slower gait, and is a four beat movement. Aphems walk on a diagonal, meaning if the front left wing moves, the back right leg moves. As the back leg settles the leg directly in front of the back leg then moves forwards, and so on and so forth.

Aphems also have the “lunge” gait, a three beat gait that primarily involves their wings and kick off strength of their back legs. When using this gait, a Aphem will grab and pull the earth with their wings, then kick their back legs at the same time to toss their hind in forwards, allowing their wings to stretch out and grab the next patch of earth. A good part of this gait is spent completely off the ground.

Aphems are also possible of upwards climbing, however cannot climb downwards due to their hooked claws. Aphems use their paws to carry and pull their body up the object they’re climbing, wrapping their largest tail around the object if possible. Their two smaller tails then wrap the object in opposite directions, and are used to heave the hindquarters up along with the rest of the body as their hooves cannot drip most vertical surfaces.

When it’s time to come down, the Aphems will release the object with their paws, and twist their body in the direction they wish to go. Their tails balance them so that they are capable of putting their hooves against the object and preparing to kick off. As soon as the wings are spread, the Aphem kicks off and releases their grip on the tree.

 

Behavior

Aphems are typically very passive, kind creatures. They will almost always flee rather than fight, unless members of their colony are unable to flee with them. It is only then, or when the Aphem is caught by a predator, that they will fight rather than flee.

They are extremely social creatures, and prefer to be with other Aphems over any other creatures. A lone Aphem can develop mental issues such as anxiety, depression and behavioral problems such as aggression. If left alone for too long, a Aphem can develop bad habits that are nearly impossible to break. Some of these habits include but are not limited to; scratching at their ear until it bleeds, gnawing on own paws, pulling fur out of body in patches, yanking on their tails and plucking feathers.

They are also known for their nurturing nature of their own kind. Some Aphems sacrifice their own unfertilized eggs to offer to Aphems that have become egg bound to help save them and the egg. When a shelling becomes a orphan, other Aphems will take the shelling in and care for them alongside their own young. These creatures are also extremely tedious in teaching their young manners, and removing them from a parent too young can cause a number of behavioral issues.

Shellings will become hostile to those outside their own kind if taken away from their parent Aphem too early. Parent Aphems teach Shellings far more than the basics of survival, but also how to behave. Once they turn a year old, Aphems have been taught how to survive, how to care for themselves and of course, how to behave towards others.

The Aphems are generally are very good companions, both to members of their own species and to members outside of it. Aphems have been seen to develop close bonds with birds, rabbits, squirrels, yak’s, and most other creatures introduced to them. Many Aphems are also found to enjoy hanging on their friends, or just sitting along for a ride. Most creatures don’t mind the Aphems company as they eat the ticks, fleas and other pesky insects that trail them and make a home in their fur.

Humans took notice of this behavior and began to tame them as their own companions. However, with the lack of insects to feed off in human hair other than occasional lice issues, Aphems seem to look more towards humans as their superior, and rely on them for protection and food. They enjoy resting on biceps, and around necks primarily and can be trained not to leave their owner.

 

Intelligence and Learning

Aphems are known to be extremely bright, and can learn a series of tricks and commands through their lives. With proper training techniques and patience, the Aphem is capable of learning a trick or command within the span of two to three weeks. Toilet training on average seems to only take about one to two weeks with proper training.

They are also capable of having a small vocabulary of up to twenty words. They can string together the words they know, however they don’t normally have any idea what they’re truly saying. A Aphem that requests food knows not what the words truly mean, however they do know that by saying those words they are sometimes gifted with food and treats. Normally, the first word a Aphem learns to say is their name.

Aphems are also quite capable of solving problems and equations and a Aphem was even reported to be taught how to complete puzzles. With their bright mind comes a lot of tricks, however. Aphems can easily escape most locks, so proper Aphem cages are equipped with a digital lock pad including a key to slide the lock pad open or with a small chain and small pad lock. These creatures have been known to memorize movements and undo combination locks and number pad locks, and have been reported to use their teeth to break or open clipped locks.

 

Temperament

Aphems are generally very kind and cuddly creatures. However, they can be a bit fiery when they don’t get enough exercise or are stuck in a cage for too long. The last thing a Aphem owner wants is to get bit by one of their pets, as their sharp hooked teeth sometimes require medical intervention to be removed. It is extremely rare this happens, however.

When a Aphem is having a bad day for whatever reason, such as illness, injury, loss of a friend or just a bad dream, they tend to tense up their wings and scoot around on their chest with their back legs as their engine.

Most warning signs with a Aphem can be seen by monitoring their ears alone. When a Aphems ears are completely against their neck it is a sure sign that they are angry and to not approach. If they are approached, they will often bare their teeth and lash their tails back and forth until they are left alone. A inch closer, and they will lunge and bite.

The ears of a Aphem can be easily used to decide how a Aphem is feeling emotionally. Perked up ears means they are alert. Relaxed ears behind their head indicates that they are content, while relaxed ears to the side of their head may indicate that they are annoyed or didn’t find something amusing.

 

Sleep Patterns

Aphems generally sleep laying down, normally in a small nest if one is available. Typically, a Aphem will remain awake while the others sleep to keep careful watch. Aphems require nine hours of sleep per day to function properly. Much less can result in illness, and poor attitudes.

Domesticated Aphems, however, will sleep whether another Aphem is awake or not. It is believed that Aphems part of a human home have learned to understand that their owner is their guard, and so they need not sleep in shifts.