What Are Amoux?

Amoux (pronounced ah-mooks) are a mammalian species that resemble a hybrid of canines and various dinosaur species. There are several subspecies, each with differing traits that set them apart from one another.

General Species Information

Biology

Amoux are warm-blooded mammalians that produce milk but lay eggs.

All Amoux possess the same basic traits - a canine-like snout and ears, fur, and pawpads on both hands and feet.
The subspecies are all related enough that they can possess the same genetics, including different fur coats and mutations.
The most common fur type is a medium length, soft fur. Amoux fur is slightly water repellent, so most do not have any qualms about getting in the water. Ones with thicker or longer fur types may be a bit more hesitant though, as drying off is more difficult for them.

Diet

Meat and fish are the staple of any Amoux's diet, though they can consume very limited amounts of plant matter. Wild Amoux may sometimes eat fruits or dig up roots when prey items are scarce.

Due to domestication, some Amoux are more able to consume plant matter. However, Amoux cannot sustain themselves on a purely herbivorous diet, attempting to do so would unfortunately make them incredibly sick.

Life Cycle

When pups hatch, they will begin their lives with their eyes and ears closed, sustaining entirely on their mothers' milk.

Around 2 weeks of age their eyes and ears will be fully open, and they will begin learning how to walk and communicate. The pups will also start eating small scraps of meat and fish provided by their mother and/or father.

At two months of age, the pups will have fully weaned off of their mothers' milk. They will also begin to learn how to hunt, fish, and forage for food at this age.

Amoux are half grown at around 6 months of age, and their mother will begin to encourage the young ones to separate and go on their own.

Males become sexually mature at around 3 years of age, while females take a bit longer at 5 years of age.

An Amoux is usually considered fully grown by the age of 6 years old.

Sexual Dimorphism

Females tend to be a tad larger than the males, but this often isn't discernable between individuals due to often varying sizes.

Females also have two teats for nursing young, located on the lower belly just between the legs. Males do not possess any mammary glands.

There are no other noticeable external differences between the two sexes.

Habitat

Amoux live all over Amaria, including colder climates. Some Amoux have further adapted to their climates, such as heavy coated Amoux which adapted to their colder environment in the North.

Different subspecies have preferences on specific habitats, such as Deinoch roaming the forests or Kaprocus dwelling in the swamps and wetlands.

Reproduction

The typical breeding season for the Amoux species widely depends on what region they're in. Warmer climates will tend to have egg-laying season during the winter and spring, while colder climates will be a bit later into the spring and summer.
Amoux subspecies can interbreed, but it's more common for pairings to be between the same subspecies. Between pairings of different subspecies, any offspring produced will look like either one parent or the other. It is exceedingly rare for any genetic hybrids to appear starkly different from their parents.
Different subspecies produce different average clutch sizes, with the smallest being from the Giganatori and the largest being from the Kaprocus. The differences in clutch sizes are directly related to the differences in size between the different Amoux subspecies.

When hybridization does occur, typically the mother of the clutch will lay the number of eggs that is considered normal for her subspecies.

Wild Packs

Amoux typically live in small packs, with the oldest and healthiest being the "leaders". Elderly Amoux usually step down and are taken care of by the other pack members. These packs may consist of siblings, parents and offspring, or just a group of Amoux that decided to band together.

Not all Amoux live in packs though, some choose to live as loners. This may be due to personal preference, or they may have been banished from their old pack. Ousted Amoux typically have a hard time finding a new pack to join, but are sometimes able to form their own if they choose to.

Amoux in captivity typically do not form packs in the same sense that wild ones do, but they can establish pack bonds with their companions or other Amoux and creatures they interact with on a regular basis.

Subspecies Information

Deinoch

Amoux celevenator - "Swift Hunter"

Among the most widespread is the Deinoch. They are small enough to be relatively easy to handle for most companions, but large enough to be used as a mount and to help with many different tasks. They tend to be rather energetic and even rambunctious at times. The Deinoch are believed to the the first domesticated subspecies of Amoux.

Average Height: 6-8 feet (~1.8-2.4 meters)
Clutch Size: 2-3 Eggs

Giganatori

Amoux magnusapax - "Great Predator"

The "Giga" is a larger, heftier version of the Deinoch. This subspecies varies greatly in temperament, some being gentle giants, and others being more aggressive. Larger individuals tend to scavenge more, or even steal prey from smaller Amoux. Just like their varying attitudes, they also are known for the most size variation within the Amoux species as a whole.

Average Height: 9-14 feet (~2.7-4.2 meters)

Clutch Size: 1-2 Eggs

Kaprocus

Amoux aquabestia - "Water Beast"

The Kaprocus is a crocodyliform-like Amoux, with massive jaws and sharp protruding "fangs". This subspecies of Amoux travels on all fours, but can stand up on its back legs for short periods of time. They are semi-aquatic and tend to live near shallow bodies of water, particularly swamps and wetlands. Unlike other Amoux subspecies, females will lay their eggs in mounds underground. She will also defend her eggs and babies with her life, while others are usually more inclined to abandon theirs.

Average Shoulder Height: 7-9 feet (~2.1-2.7 meters)

Clutch Size: 1-4 Eggs

Dactylus

Amoux caeluminas - "Sky Menace"

Not much is known about this subspecies of Amoux... other than that they can fly. More study and research on this subspecies is needed.

Average Shoulder Height: ???

Clutch Size: ???

Compyra

Amoux monticulus - "Small Mountain Dweller"

The first discovered Pygmy Amoux subspecies, the Compyra was found in an isolated population within the mountains. Despite this discovery, not much is known about them yet. More study and research on this subspecies is needed.

Average Shoulder Height: ???

Clutch Size: ???