FRIC — Viewing Species: Kovul

This furry newborn has a very long tail, which it curls around itself to keep warm. Though its eyes are shut, its ears are very large and reactive to noises nearby, so it's fairly clear that the creature is alert even in its infancy. It has a mottled, spotted coat which is likely meant to keep it hidden from predators in the wild.

Having long since opened its eyes, the adolescent creature has become active and playful, similar to many common mammalian pets. It chews on furniture and wires if left unattended, but giving it food or a toy will keep it occupied enough to prevent much damage to equipment. The creature startles easily, and when alarmed it quickly hides in either its handler's clothing or somewhere dark, enclosed, and difficult to reach. When calm, however, it's extremely social with its handler, and even though it can be a little rambunctious, it's plainly affectionate.

The Kovul is a small, omnivorous predator that lives in trees and underbrush. Though it resembles creatures such as the Arthen and Lutreo, Kovul are completely unrelated, with their resemblances caused mostly by convergent evolution. This arboreal mammal relies on its dappled coat and large ears to evade the larger predators that share its habitat, and escapes up trees when faced with carnivores that can't climb or fly. Because of its small size, it's a common prey animal for larger creatures, but also a common predator for smaller animals. They hunt mostly via ambush, but may take an opportunity to scavenge or run down an injured rodent; if prey is scarce, Kovul will also eat leaves, berries, and bird eggs.

Kovul are social and highly vocal, most commonly yipping and chittering at each other to socialize, or at predators to warn them away. Though in the wild they're more often found in small den groups, even an individual out of the wild may bond fiercely with its handler and become a viable pet. Rehoming a tamed Kovul is not recommended, as the creatures form this bond almost always only with their original handler; they will be wary of and slow to trust a new person. Keeping more than one as a pet is also encouraged, as their social natures will keep each other busy and out of their handler's way.