Virtus mammalia

Virtus mammalia are the mammal species of Little Beirut. One of five species of viran, mammals make up the so-called dominant, or superior species, as they are the most widely spread. Mammals make up the majority of the characters in the series.

The species name, Virtus mammalia comes from the Latin vir for man, and virtus for power. Members of V mammalia are “mammalian men.”

Appearance
Mammals are primarily built with a human bone and muscle structure. They stand upright on two legs, with their feet flat on the ground. All mammals have five fingers on each hand. Their feet will always match the number of toes that animal has in reality. Most will have four toes, but others will have another number of toes, or hooves. Their feet have paw pads, mirroring the shape and relative position as the actual animal. Animals that are normally digitigrade do not have pads on their heels.

They have claws on both their hands and feet. The hands have pads only after the distal knuckle, and before the proximal. Both hands and feet are referred to as paws.

Their tails vary in length and proportion, always appearing relative to the actual species.

Mammals possess both fur and head hair, but do not grow beards or other facial hair. Colours are always natural. Eye colours are dependent on the mix, giving some mixes greater variety in colour than others.

Their teeth are less exaggerated than feral animals. Their snouts vary in length, according to mix, and are shaped appropriately. Their ears are fairly uniform in placement, with the bottom of the ear attaching at the top of the jaw, affording enough room for their hair. They have higher, more rounded and pronounced brows than feral animals, and a square, human-shaped jaw.

Their coat patterns are often simplified, and less mottled or blended than their feral counterparts.

Physiology
Mammals do not hibernate, even if their real-world species would, though many grow winter coats.

Represented Mixes
A species within Little Beirut is not the same as a species in the real world. What might be considered a species for a character is their mix. As all members of V mammalia can interbreed, this is considered their species. The mix defines the character’s physical appearance and minor physiological quirks.

Currently, the following mixes are represented in the narrative:


 * Tanuki
 * Black Bear
 * Raccoon
 * Cougar
 * Otter
 * Hare
 * Fox
 * Rabbit
 * Badger
 * Ferret
 * Chipmunk