Rafalkiens are differentiated by three factors: Type, Subtype, and Subspecies.
Type refers to whether the Rafalkien is an Alpha or an Omega. Subtype refers to whether they are Feral or Non-Feral, and Subspecies refers to what type of dragon they originated from, and inherited biological needs from.
Anatomy:
Though every Rafalkien’s anatomy is different depending on subspecies, and subtype, there are some consistencies. Rafalkiens are a humanoid/dragon hybrid species in appearance, but their biology is far more complex. They are actually a mix of demonoid creatures, and dragons who bred with them. As such, some can retain the elemental attributes of their parent dragon, though it is not a guarantee. Their tails are thick and heavy, coated with scales that gradually blend against their lower back, and they have horns atop their heads that seem to be aesthetic features. They have animal-like tendencies, no matter the subtype, as they are still descendants of dragons. Things like this include animal like quirks that differ between subtype and subspecies, as well as personality.
Female Rafalkien are an extreme rarity, encompassing barely a sliver of a fraction of a percent of the entire species, and are incapable of reproduction. As such, the males are the only ones who reproduce, and are separated by Alpha and Omega typing.
Alphas-
Alpha type Rafalkiens tend to be taller and more muscular than their more curved and slender Omega counterparts. Each of the subtypes have their own important differences in anatomy and structure. Most notable aspects are dependant on subtype.
Ferals (F’s):
Feral Alpha types are extremely aggressive, especially around their mate or young. They behave in a feral like manor, like any wild animal would. They are highly territorial, and will attack any unwelcome intruder that enters their territory. Alpha ferals are the ones that do the hunting for their familial pod, and take pride in a successful hunt, as well as skillfully butchering their hunt back in the home cave. Alpha ferals have a very dominant and respectable presence, and sharp, curved claws on the end of all limbs, and sharp teeth in their skulls, which enable them to be excellent hunters.
Non-Ferals (NF’s):
Omegas-
Ferals (F’s):
Non-Ferals (NF’s)
Diet:
Rafalkien diets mostly depend on subspecies, but most subspecies eat some kind of meat. Whether birds, fish, or smaller mammals, or even other reptile eggs, Rafalkiens are resourceful in obtaining their protein. Most Rafs are not fans of vegetables or greens, but some subspecies will actually prefer those to meat. Aside from things available in their natural habitat, Non-Feral Rafalkiens are known to enjoy sweets, other types of seafood, grains, and (for some subspecies) nuts. Ferals typically stick to berries, greens, and proteins found in their natural environmental habitat. It should be noted, however, that while Ferals can have any kind of raw meat without worry for bacterial sickness, Non-Ferals are not so lucky. In the example of the Generic subspecies, they can eat any seafood raw, but when it comes to land meats, like beef and pork, they cannot consume these raw. This will cause them to become ill, much like how it affects humans. If not flushed out of their system with lots of fluids, the Rafalkien may die within days.
Molting:
All variations and types of Rafalkiens will molt at least once per year. This is indicated by a mostly opaque, semi-translucent film over any existing scales on the Raf, which comes off gradually as a snake-like skin. It can come off in large chunks (consisting of molt from large sections, like the tail), small bits(consisting of molt skin from only a few scales at a time, like the face), or in single scale skin flakes. Any of these types of molting can happen over any part of the body. It’s believed humidity and temperature affects molt skin removal and quality, but there is no proof of this fact to be true. As expected, Non-Ferals have far less molting spots, so some only molt for a short time once a year, with the tail taking the longest, as one cannot just pull it off all at once.
Rafalkien molt skin is too frail to be used for any kind of leather based product, and as such, is typically discarded.
Scale shedding:
Though somewhat uncommon, some Rafalkiens can lose entire scales during their lifetime, which can fall out differently from molting. It’s believed this has something to do with the filament that holds the scales to a Raf’s body loosening, but the cause for that is unknown.
Breeding and Eggs
Dragon breeding:
Rafalkiens can come from any type of dragon, and will frequently take the traits of a parent. Technically any two subspecies of dragon and rafalkien can breed together to create an offspring, but there are preferences within the subspecies. Water dragons will not breed with Lightning elementals, as those two elements are natural enemies. However, a rain spirit dragon may choose to breed with a sky, thunder, lightning, or cloud elemental rafalkien. It comes down to attribute affinity. Though there is an entire subspecies class that can breed with any dragon, and these are the Generics. They lack any elemental typing, and can breed with any dragon. Alpha Rafalkiens only breed with Omegas of their species, but Omegas can breed with small to large size class dragons, if they so choose to. These pairs reside in the Dragon Lands, and live the Traditional way, connected with nature.
When an omega Raf lays his clutch of eggs, and he bred with an Alpha Rafalkien or another species, there is a very small, and very rare chance that one of the eggs may come out as a full dragon hatchling. The only logical explanation for this occurance, is that due to the dragon’s DNA within them, it can sometimes mutate so that the dragon dna becomes more dominant, and overtakes any other dna input. Though this can happen, it is a very rare occurance, around 1 in 400,000 eggs.