Sand SpeciesThe Sand species is a common species found on the island, and they naturally stick to the desert. Their attitude sets them apart from most other species, and they are known to be extremely cocky, stubborn and fearless. Their way of living is also different from most wolf packs, as they tend to function better in pairs. They make their homes in the desert and sand-based lands, as one of their more unique abilities allows them to move smoothly through sand as if it was water. Sand wolves come in three different pelt variations; desert, spiky and oasis. Well known as trackers, hunters, thieves and merchants, they travel all around Delv Ihoo.
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Information
Stats / Strengths (Desert/Spiky/Oasis)
Advantage / Disadvantage
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Behaviour
Sand wolves are extremely bold and cheeky, they don’t back off easily and generally have a confident attitude. While they aren’t necessarily aggressive, they love to show off dominance and have been known to capture enemies and even keep them as prisoners. They will even hide underneath the sand to catch wolves of guard and drag them with them. Aside from this, they have also been known as guides who, for the right trade, will guide wolves safely through the desert. Sand wolves are quite individual and seem to function better in pairs than in packs, and it’s not unusual for sand wolves to live in single pairs. Because of their attitude they have been considered childish at times as well. They are well adapted to the heat and can last up to two weeks without water. Sand wolves have no natural fear unlike some other species, and they are willing to try almost anything and have confidence they will succeed. Their packs are different than that of most species.
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While wolves generally live in packs, sand wolves calls their packs communities. They usually mind their own business, and stick to themselves or their partner. While they might have a more dominant individual in their group that could be seen as a leader, they generally mutually agree on things as a group. They will only group up together for hunts for bigger prey or guarding during pup season.Their howling is rather interesting, as they are not capable of howling as most wolves. Instead their howls are more yelps and high pitched screeches. At night this species will even use their vocalizations to their advantage, if they are dealing with wolves of a different species they will vocalize in these high pitches to to bring forth an eerie atmosphere. Most wolves outside of this species find the howls uncomfortable to listen to as they tend to get nervous from it. Sand wolves require sand in order to fight properly. This means that without sand they can be very vulnerable as they cannot make sand, in comparison to water wolves that can generate water. Because of this, they will usually remain in sandy areas or wear accessories formed by sand.
DietSand wolves are omnivores and will eat almost anything. Meat, fruits, insects and even reptiles. Because of their immunity to poison, they will even consume poisonous snakes and scorpions. For most of the year, they will usually hunt smaller prey which they can handle alone or in pair. During pup season when they seek protection of their communities, they will hunt together for larger prey so females can feed better to nurse their young.
ReproductionAfter a bonding process, sand wolves usually mate for life. They are sexually mature around the age of 18. After mating, females have a gestation period of 60 to 75 days before giving birth. As they live in pairs, they will only seek protection from a group or community during the first years of raising their young. Pups are born blind and deaf, and gain sight and hearing after a week. They are born with floppy ears, and their pelt type depends on where the gestation period took place. The death rate of sand pups is high, as they tend to wander off due their boldness. Because of this, parents tend to keep a very close eye on them.
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Physical Appearance
Variations: Desert pelt (image 1.), Spiky pelt (image 2.) and the final pelt type is the "Oasis pelt" (image 3.)
Sand wolves are generally around the same size as most species but have longer legs compared to other species. They have a sandy brown pelt, with darker brown markings. They also have lighter colorations on the paws and face. They have bushy tails and large ears which helps them to keep cool. They have furry feet to protect themselves against the heat and cloven paws, lacking a dewclaw. They have short fur but this depends on the pelt variation. If the female wolf spends gestation in the desert, the standard “desert” pelt will be the result. If she spends gestation outside of the desert, the “spiky” pelt will be the result. If the female spends gestation within an oasis, the “oasis” pelt will be the result. The standard desert pelt is most common as most female sand wolves, even if they live outside of the desert, will return there while they are pregnant.
Sand wolves are generally around the same size as most species but have longer legs compared to other species. They have a sandy brown pelt, with darker brown markings. They also have lighter colorations on the paws and face. They have bushy tails and large ears which helps them to keep cool. They have furry feet to protect themselves against the heat and cloven paws, lacking a dewclaw. They have short fur but this depends on the pelt variation. If the female wolf spends gestation in the desert, the standard “desert” pelt will be the result. If she spends gestation outside of the desert, the “spiky” pelt will be the result. If the female spends gestation within an oasis, the “oasis” pelt will be the result. The standard desert pelt is most common as most female sand wolves, even if they live outside of the desert, will return there while they are pregnant.
- Males have shorter and less of a bushy tail. While their paws as furry, it is shorter compared to females. Marking wise, a difference can be seen on their paws, as males feature up to four colored socks. They also have dark markings on their neck and tail, with the neck being different from the female.
- Females have bushier and a longer tail than males and their paws have more and longer fur. Unlike males, females lack the brown marking on most of their neck, but instead features a larger brown patch on the back that runs down till the end of their tail. They also only feature colored socks on their front paws.
Powers and Abilities
Common moves
- Sand whirl: This move will send out powerful swirls of sand to damage their target. Even if the target manages to resist, the sand will surely blind them or make it harder for their opponent to see properly. Mastering the ability of "Sand bending" is required.
- Drift Sand: Known as one of their most lethal attacks, they can turn regular sand into drift sand upon touch of a sandy surface. They will use this move to either trap or suffocate their opponent. This move is generally a lot harder to master than others and requires a lot of practice in order to perfect it.
- Sand Shield: With sand bending as the base for this move, they will move sand upwards to form a wall and protect them from incoming attacks.
- Sand rush: With this move Sand wolves will create swirls in sandy areas which is needed to use in order to preform Sand rush. Once the sand swirls are present the individual Sand wolf will use it to boost their speed for quick tackles and hits. Some Sand wolves will even use it for travel purposes.
Abilities
- Sand bending: This ability allows for sand wolves to manipulate sand. They generally are best at bending desert sand, as different types of sand require practice. With this ability they are known to form sand charms and decoration. While it seems to serve as decoration it is actually in most cases there for offensive reasons. After all if they are attacked in area's that lack sand, they will be extremely vulnerable. By wearing items of sand they will always have a weapon. They are also known to build dens of sand. While they can bend and control sand, this is limited. They can generally control the amount they can carry, the more sand they lift the more exhausting it will become.
- Sand storm: When working together in groups their howls will bring forth sandstorms. For this to work they do require a sandy area. Smaller sandstorms can also be created by them which only requires a pair of wolves. Sand wolves are more often in pairs after all.
- Sand swimmer: This ability allows them to move fluently through sand as if it was water. Their elemental energy will push away sand allowing them to dig under it and move around. They make swim like motions to move around which is why they tend to call it swimming. They will not move to deep as they do require to go up for air. Sometimes to cool down they will dig themselves under with only their nose above the sand. Sand wolves use this as well to escape danger. Wind wolves are still a threat because Sand wolves remain on the surface of the sand which wind wolves can disturb easily. This ability only works with desert sand as it is the softest sand around. Once underneath the sand, the wolf in question will have a perfect sense of what is up or down. However the wolf needs to be alert, if caught of guard they won't have time to make use of this ability as it does require them to charge up elemental energy before activating this ability.
- Poison immunity: This ability grants them immunity against (lethal)poisons. They are not affected by it and generally if they do feel effects they are only minimal. This gives them a huge advantage to not only Poison wolves but also poisonous animals.
- Keen sight: This ability allows for clear sight during sandstorms, but it also aids when they go underneath the sand. When surrounded by sand it empowers the ability and boosts their senses. This way underneath the sand they will not accidentally hit one another, as they will also be capable of finding smaller prey animals that hide in the sand by using a similar method to their ability "Sand swimmer".
Mythical abilities
- Desert beast: This ability is extremely powerful as sand wolves lose the restriction which normally only allows for them to manipulate an amount of sand they would be capable of carrying. With this mythical ability they will manipulate sand covering themselves completely as they will take the shape of a sand like being of their own imagination. With this they can become quite large, at least half the size of a Dragon God.
HabitatWhile they prefer to stick to sandy areas, and are mostly seen around the desert or the sand plains, they are considered common and found all over the island. They prefer sandy areas as they require sand to fight efficiently. Without sand, they could get into serious problems. While they can last long without water, they generally do enjoy to live around an oasis as they like the slight breeze and soothing sounds of such places. Outside of the desert they will prefer more rocky areas, as these usually have available sand. They prefer open plains and therefore usually avoid living in a forest as they are naturally used to hunt and live in wide open spaces.
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Dragon Goddess Sameku
Sameku is their Goddess, and is known well by the sand wolves that live in the heart of the desert. She acts as a guardian over this habitat and has been known to even save strangers if she considered them to be worthy. She can be quite playful and at times will even bring forth sandstorms only to conceal herself so she can wander around. As she has helped strangers, she also enjoys tricking them to test their bravery. |
Gallery and available coloration's
Below you can find extra images and a link which contain the coloration chart. This chart shows all the available coloration's this species can have. Available colors for different mutations are visible as well.
Trivia
- The sand species was open for change through a design contest on DeviantArt, and so gained a new design.
- Following the new concept they are inspired by jackals, African wild dogs and Arabian wolves.
- For their behavior they are inspired by jackals and honey badgers.
- The sand species is one of the few to gain pelt variations.
- Originally sand wolves were gentle and calm, for the reboot their standard behaviour became very different.
- They are as of now the only species who does not have a dewclaw.
- The sand wolves their mutated coloration were based of different times during the day in the desert.
- Behaviour wise they are the only species to prefer living in pairs over packs.
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