Raiju Info

Lifespan: 20 years (kit 1-3 | adult 6+)
Gestation: 2-3 weeks                   Litter: 3-5 kits

Classification: rat                        Function: domestic/vanity pet

Best Suited To: vanity pet

Homeworld: Cecatl/Wyrn
Diet: omnivore, insectivore
Habitat: anywhere, but loves tall grasses and rampant vegetation

Height:    3-5 inches

Weight:   3.9 – 12 oz
Length:   13.4 – 21.8 inches

Build: lean, but solid build. Extremely long fur.
Domestic have been bred to produce a silky variety.
Pelt: any color and pattern; most common, those found on rodents, mustilids or lagomorphs

Head: slim, rather square, with short, rounded ears of a rat. Excellent hearing

Eyes: small, beady, but can be colorful

Feet: short legs, little feet but wickedly sharp claws, enabling them to climb vertical surfaces with ease. Much like squirrels, the limbs are double-jointed to allow for scaling walls.

Tail: unusually long, but very mobile, curling around objects for balance. Raiju have been known to launch themselves across vast distances like squirrels, with the tail snapping behind them like a rudder.
Rumor has it there is a webbed variety of raiju, like the flying squirrels, but sightings are unconfirmed.

General Personality: Extremely agile and quick, raiju are very curious creatures. Intelligent and quick-witted, they have been known to puzzle their way through locked areas. They're very observant, learning quickly when things work or don't work.
Disciplines: any

Abilities:
 Domesticated raiju will bring home things for their owners; surprisingly, things the owner likes.
 Raiju can hold their breath up to 4 minutes.
 Ribs are hinged, enabling them to semi-collapse to get their entire bodies through anywhere their head fits.
 Has been seen sparking when aggressive, defensive or afraid, earning their name 'lightning rat'.
 Surprisingly good swimmers, despite having no flippers or fins of any kind.
Sound: squeaks, chirps and chitters, as well as bruxing, a soft, soothing sound they make when happy or content.

Pregnant does, called dams, are very chittery and aggressive. It's best to leave them alone, even domestic. Only once the kits have grown in their fur after a few days, is it 'safe' to handle them, and then only if the dam likes you.
Society/Social Mentality: highly social and very chattery, cheerful and cuddly. In the wild, the groups aren't so large, but if given the chance, in cities, raiju groups (called a mischief) can come to number in the hundreds or more. If not monitored, they will overwhelm the other wild rodents and easily overpopulate areas.
Natural Enemies: any larger predator, though if there's enough raiju, they band together to defend themselves.

Energy Level:  4/5   

Exercise Requirements:  3/5     

Playfulness:  4/5    

Affection:   4/5     

Friendliness toward other rodents:  3/5     

Friendliness toward other animals:   3/5     

Friendliness toward strangers:   2/5     

Trainability/Ease of Training/Learning:  5/5     

Watchdog Ability:  3/5     

Protectiveness/Ability to Protect:    2/5     

Grooming Requirements:  4/5     

Cold Tolerance:  4/5     

Heat Tolerance: 2/5