Category:Whips

Whips come in several varieties. They're mainly called whips because they use their tails to defend themselves, The bony protrusions on their tails extend into spikes, resembling collapsible grappling hooks, extending into four sharp barbs. They range in size from "mini whips, which are frequently used as familiars, up to the large "Acid Whips" used as mounts and weapons.

The small whips can leave rather painful welts, even on creatures with fur and they can also spit small amounts of fire, and possess a venomous bite. Their venom is about as powerful as that of a rattle snake that acts as a powerful muscle relaxant. So the smaller the creature, the faster it falls. During the winter mini whips cluster in groups and start small fires to keep themselves warm. They understand Shivae speech, but are unable to speak it themselves.

Miniwhips are known by many names. Fox call them tree mites, alerts, or Xanxes Butterflies (but consider them to be pests and have little use for them). Wolves refer to them as whips. Mounties name them fairies. Shivae view them as alarms. And to the Koyoties, they are merely called, breakfast.

Miniwhips also have a fondness for Honey Nuts and often make their homes in their trees. Their eggs are also camoflaged to look like a honey nut with a bug inside. When hatched, they often have baby stripes for the nest which fade after about a month.

Acid Whips actually spit an acid that catches fire the instant it hits the air, Acid Whips are almost useless as mounts anywhere outside the mountains, but there they are convenient transportation over the rough terrain, and fast. Being larger than Shivae, they also can't come inside anywhere most buildings. Adult acid whips stand approximately 15 feet tall at the shoulder, and can grow to three times that length. When moving through forest or tight crevasses their wings are folded up above their body to prevent dragging or snagging. When they vocalize they have rumbling-deep roaring sounds, along with when they're being affectionate more high pitched sounds. Of course, they also use some sounds to confuse their prey.

Whips, like most other Cyanthian species have thin fur coats. They possess silky tufts of fur about the shoulders, where their wings join their body.

Normal whips live anywhere from 20 to 30 years if left alone, while those who've been altered for technofamiliar use live considerably less. *Take note that it's not the wolves who did this.*