Mastan


 * APPEARANCE AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS**

Mastan have rather stocky bodies, supported by medium length, strong yet thin legs. The forelegs are particularly well developed in most of the species, and the forepaws of all subspecies are equipped with a long, very strong and flexible 'pinky finger' which forms the first and outermost radius of the wing. This 'pinky finger' carries a sharp claw, which is used in hunting. The second radius is formed due to evolution causing the radius to separate from the ulna, yet remain attached firmly to the carpus, or 'wrist bone'. The third, and last radius is created due to a malformation in the elbow, causing it to elongate. The heads are rather round with relatively short, blunt muzzles; however the eyes and ears are somewhat large. The eyes face three-quarters forward (Much like a cat's) and the ears are similar in shape to a giraffe or horse ear. The males of the species in most subtypes also tend to have a frill of webbed spines on their cheek, which are used in most instances for attracting a mate. The head usually has two small, blunt yet thick horns growing from just behind the ears. These appear longer in males, and more curved in females. The tails are variable in length; they are more commonly short in the mountain and forest dwelling Mastan, while the Plains and Desert varieties are rather long (around half the length of the body or more). The tails are always held high off the ground as they sport a cruel, curved spade which is often backed by a small fur patch. This spade is usually used to strike the killing blow in a hunt, or to battle with a rival over territories and the like. . In their general appearance the Mountain Mastan are in fact the least Mastan-like members of the sub-family. With their rather more elongated bodies and tails they look to have more in common with other, more distantly related members of the Leviathans than with the other Mastan.


 * MEASUREMENTS**

At around 36 1/2 (females) to 40 1/2 (males) inches at the shoulder and weighs between 120 and 150 pounds, however some of the desert breeds tend to be smaller (60-80lbs) and only stand at 25-28 inches. The arctic Mastan is one of the largest of the species, however is incapable of most flight and little gliding. Plains and Forest are similar in size and weight, though generally a little smaller and lighter. Sea Mastan are smaller still, and the Mountain are the smallest of all.


 * COLORATION**

Generally, the coloration of Mastan depends on the subtype; IE Forest Mastan would tend to be greens and browns, Desert Mastan would be sandy yellows and neutral browns. Some, but not all, Mastan will have subtle striping or spots, however the dominate trait is actually to have a slight mixture of the two. All of these Mastan have one or two-tone body fur, with the webbing of the wings, and possible some marking-mutations in a contrasting color. The most common coloration for a Plains Mastan is dark blue with a chocolate brown contrasted, despite the obvious lack of camouflage. Arctic Mastan are rather different in that they exclusively have spots; and they are mostly dark gray or pale blue with black contrasting.