{2017} Canora Information Sheet

EYES
Canora eyes can be either reptilian-like or canine-like. The reptilian eyes are most common and consist of a white or off-yellow sclera and a black slitted pupil. (Reptilian eyes can NOT be any other colour!! The only exception is when a Canora has inverted eyes, which turns the sclera black or very dark, and the pupil white. Otherwise reptilian eyes must be a pale shade of yellow or something similar.) Canine eyes however are much more diverse and can be any colour, as they have an iris, unlike the reptilian eyes. Natural and unnatural colours all occur.

Canora are typically diurnal creatures, but some are nocturnal by choice. Regardless of eye style, their pupils dilate in the darkness, giving them the best possible eyesight in all circumstances. Pups are also born with abnormally large pupils and are very sensitive to light during the first couple months of their lives, therefore it it essential to take care at such a young age. Mothers typically feed at night and the pups are always sheltered from the sunlight so their eyesight doesn't get damaged. At around two to three months of age, the pupils begin to shrink, and youngsters should be able to safely be outside in the sunlight at four months old.

EARS
Canora have very acute sense of hearing. The ribbed interiors and slits are features that aid in picking up sounds and are something that all Canora have (remember to draw these features on your Canora!). The amount of slits can vary, but there is always at least one per ear, and the slits follow the ribbed lines of the inner ear. (Slits can sit on either the inner or outer side of the ear). 
Canora ears are very long and triangular shaped, tapering to a point. They can be held tall and erect on top of the head, but are usually held backward in a resting position, as shown above. They are able to rotate in many directions in response to sounds. As a pup, all Canora have weak and flimsy ears that droop forwards because they are unable to stand erect. Although with age, they will gradually strengthen and stand upright. Seeing a mature Canora with floppy ears is a rare sight.

VENOM
Canora have the possibility of being venomous. Not all Canora are, and those who possess the ability to produce said venom vary in concentration and availability. Venom is always produced through the saliva gland, but the amount, lethality, colour, consistency and how often it can be produced varies between individuals. Some are able to produce it immediately at will, others will take longer to do so and may be limited to how often they can use it. And in rarer cases, may even produce venom involuntarily, which will occasionally ooze and drip from the mouth. Since the venom comes from the glands, not directly from the teeth, it will coat the tongue and insides of the mouth and can be used from a distance by spitting, making it a very useful ranged attack. Canora venom generally doesn’t result in fatalities, only sickness, weakening and paralysis of the body, but some do have a higher concentration and therefore can sometimes kill it’s victims, slowly and painfully. However, in order to infect a foe, the venom must enter the bloodstream. Therefore it is only potentially dangerous if it is accustomed by a strong bite. But it may also burn and cause irritation if hit on unscathed skin, or sting and possibly blind if caught in the eyes.

Whilst typically used as a weapon to bring down prey, Canora can also use their venom as a scare tactic to frighten off any approaching threats. Seeing it bubbling and seeping from the lips and teeth can be quite a startling sight, and is surely to make any enemy back away from fear, even if the venom is barely harmful (as some Canora have absolutely useless venom!). It can also be used to show dominance between fellow Canora in duels, either to show off or to try scare the other into submission.

Canora also have similar mouth anatomy to the classic wolf, though they usually have a slitted tongue. It still looks very much like a canid tongue - wide and flat (not like a thin snake tongue) but the end is forked. Although it's possible for a Canora to have an unforked tongue.

(Yes, you can choose your Canora to be venomous! It is not a trait, it's totally optional and up to you as an owner.)

TAIL
The tail of a Canora is always the same length - or longer - than the length of the body. (An exception being the rare docked tail trait, or the no-tail mutation - though this is seen as a huge disadvantage!) It is very reptilian-like in appearance, meaning it's very thick and powerful, being wide at the base and gradually tapering to a point. All Canora tails have this structure, regardless of the length of fur that covers it. In the skeletal structure, there are many chevrons inside the tail which enable it to bend, curl and support the weight of the body without sustaining injuries. (Think kangaroo!) This means that a Canora could even stand up tall on it's hind legs and stay there thanks to the tail acting as a support. The tail is also very flexible and can bend into some unnatural looking positions. It's a perfect tool for every day life: balance, quick turns whilst sprinting, swimming, communicating and fighting.

SCALES
All Canora have scales, it is just part of their anatomy. Their skin beneath their fur is a very thick, scaly hide, and this will become visible on areas of the body where fur is thin and minimal. Some long-haired Canora may still have visible scales because they may have clusters of prominent scales which squeeze through the hair follicles. Whilst the placement varies between individuals and can sprout anywhere on the body, all Canora must have some scales on the limbs. This is the part of the body where fur is the thinnest, therefore the scaly hide that all Canora have shows through the most. This skin is very tough and almost impenetrable, giving Canora amazing defence. The appearance of scales differs and is open to interpretation. The example you see above is the most common form of scales, but there are also: laddered, speckled, large and plated.

Whilst all scales regardless of size and style give a great natural defence, the larger and more compact they are without a doubt increases the individuals resilience.  The scales work almost like armour, therefore Canora with a higher scale coverage are naturally more protected during conflict. Normal, laddered and speckled scales are common, whereas large and plated are considered rare traits. 'Large' and 'plated' both consist of considerably big scales which cover a larger surface area per scale than the average. Plated is different to large because plated is a style where the scales noticeably overlap one another, giving them a very armour-like appearance. Though regardless of scale style or size, there will always be smaller scales dotted around between the larger plates, as the natural surface area of the skin isn't perfect and geometric - it contains many different rolls of scales.

(See our trait directory to see more about these scale variations!)
Yes, it's possible for an individual to have a combination of various scale styles.

LEGS
The hind legs of a Canora are very powerful. A notable feature is the dew claw. Whilst it is nowhere near as strong and opposable as a human's thumb, it is still able to bend and move independently, and allows Canora to stretch the toes to reach out and grab things, even hold objects with their hind paws. The front paws also have this feature, yet they are smaller and considerably weaker than the hind legs, therefore all grabby behaviour is typically left to the back limbs.

You may also notice the unusual shape and size of the hind legs. They are very long and muscular, and force the spine to curve upward and the knee to bend at an almost ninety-degree angle in order to accommodate them. Whilst having these kind of limbs comes with consequences, they are also probably the Canora's most powerful and useful tool. With them, Canora can reach impressive speeds of 70mph, their gait transforming into more of a feline-like leap or bound rather than a canine sprint, and can kick off hard from the ground to reach heights of up to 5". They can also be used as weapons; lashing out and kicking in battle, delivering powerful blows to their opponent.

The consequences however are issues that many Canora will face during the older years of their lives. Due to the shape of the skeleton and the amount of weight and pressure put on the joints, Canora are prone to issues such as arthritis and dysplasia in the hips, knees and ankles.