Name: Eelcat Scientific Name: Felis muraenocauda
French Name: Murélin
⤷ Classification:
• Kingdom: Animalia • Phylum: Chordata • Class: Mammalia • Order: Carnivora • Family: Felidae • Species: F. muraenocauda • Type: Semi-aquatic Mammalian Predator • Alignment: Neutral Good (Friendly Wild Animal)
⤷ Appearance:
• Size:
Body length: 50–70 cm (20–28 in)
Tail length: 80–90 cm (31–59 in)
Weight: 5–11 kg (11–24 lbs)
• Head: Rounded feline head with slightly flattened muzzle. Large reflective eyes adapted to both underwater and nighttime vision. Ears remain catlike but possess muscular folds capable of partially sealing against water. The mouth contains numerous backward-curving, needle-like teeth resembling those of moray eels, allowing slippery prey to be firmly grasped.
• Body: Compact, muscular feline body built for swimming without sacrificing agility on land. Flexible spine permits both catlike leaps and eel-like undulating movements underwater.
• Fur/Skin: Exceptionally dense, waterproof double coat similar to an otter's. Colors range through every shade of blue, cyan, turquoise, teal and deep indigo. The underside is almost always lighter, while dorsal fins are darker than the surrounding fur. Many individuals possess mottled markings, marbling, speckles or soft gradients.
• Limbs: Four webbed feline paws with retractable claws. The claws remain extremely sharp, providing grip on slippery rocks and aiding in climbing riverbanks or reefs.
• Tail: Long muscular eel-like tail making up more than half the animal's total length. Used as the primary source of propulsion underwater while also acting as a balancing organ during jumps.
• Dorsal Fin: A soft, flexible fin extends from behind the ears along the spine before gradually merging into the tail fin. Despite appearances, it is supported by cartilage rather than bone.
• Other Details:
Thick whiskers detect vibrations both in air and underwater.
Nostrils automatically close while diving.
Fur traps a thin insulating layer of air underwater.
Small patches of faint bioluminescent speckles are common, particularly in coastal or deep-water populations. They become slightly brighter during excitement or courtship.
Despite their fearsome teeth, their facial expressions remain surprisingly catlike and adorable.
⤷ Reproduction & Behavior:
• Sexual Dimorphism: Very slight. Males are generally larger with broader heads and longer tails, while females tend to display brighter turquoise coloration.
• Intelligence: Comparable to domestic cats or small otters. Excellent memory, remarkable curiosity, capable of recognizing individual humanoids and remembering safe fishing spots for years.
• Reproduction: Viviparous.
Gestation lasts approximately 9 weeks.
Litters consist of 2–5 kittens.
Kittens are born with proportionally short tails that rapidly lengthen during their first year.
Young begin swimming within two to three weeks.
• Parental Care: Excellent. Mothers fiercely defend kittens and teach both swimming and hunting techniques. Older siblings often help supervise younger littermates.
⤷ Ecology:
• Diet: Strict carnivore.
Primarily feeds on:
Fish
Eels
Crustaceans
Squid
Small amphibians
Occasionally rodents or seabirds near shorelines
Unlike true cats, Eelcats frequently swallow prey whole if small enough.
• Hunting Method: Patient ambush predator. Waits motionless beneath rocks or vegetation before launching explosive bursts of speed powered by the tail. On land, hunts much like a stalking cat.
• Habitat: Found along:
Rivers
Lakes
Marshes
Mangrove forests
Rocky coastlines
Coral lagoons
Cool ocean shallows
They require easy access to both water and dry resting areas.
• Behavioral Pattern: Crepuscular. Exceptionally playful and inquisitive.
Frequently observed:
Chasing floating leaves
Playing with shells
Stealing shiny objects
Following fishing boats
Bringing "gifts" (usually fish) to humanoids they trust
They spend many hours sleeping in sunny spots after swimming.
• Social Structure: Usually solitary or found in bonded pairs, though temporary "rafts" of several unrelated Eelcats may gather where fish are abundant.
• Territoriality: Marks territory using scent glands beneath the tail and scratches on driftwood or rocks.
• Natural Enemies:
Sirens
Large sea serpents
Giant aquatic birds
Adult manticores near shorelines
Large sharks in open waters
Young are vulnerable to many predators.
• Population Control: Naturally balanced through territorial behavior, predation on juveniles, and relatively small litters.
⤷ Cultural Status:
• Threat Level: Very Low. Only dangerous if cornered, protecting kittens, or if someone attempts to pull prey from its mouth.
• Nicknames: River Cat, Tide Kitty, Moray Cat, Splashcat
• Legality: Legal to own in most kingdoms with an aquatic animal permit.
Wild capture is restricted in several coastal regions due to declining local populations.
• Domestication: Can be domesticated surprisingly well.
They remain playful throughout life and form strong attachments to their caretakers, although they retain independent personalities similar to ordinary cats.
Owners quickly learn that every bathtub, fountain, pond, or fish tank is considered fair game.
• Uses:
Excellent pest control around fisheries.
Sometimes accompany fishermen by driving fish toward nets.
Popular companions among sailors, riverfolk and merfolk traders.
Their waterproof fur naturally sheds water and was historically studied to improve enchanted clothing.
• Folklore: Many coastal villages believe an Eelcat choosing to sleep on your boat guarantees calm seas the following day.
Conversely, if one refuses to enter the water before dawn, many fishermen postpone sailing, believing it senses an approaching storm.
⤷ Biological Weaknesses:
Extremely dry climates rapidly damage their waterproof coat.
Fur loses much of its insulating ability if coated in oil or tar.
Sensitive whiskers make them vulnerable to strong vibrations or sonic magic.
Long tails can be grabbed during combat, though they will often twist free by rotating their entire body.
Less agile than ordinary cats while climbing tall trees due to tail weight.
Overheating is common in hot deserts without access to water.
⤷ Additional Notes:
• Lifespan: 12–18 years in the wild; up to 22 years in captivity.
• Vocalizations: Retains familiar cat sounds (meows, purrs, chirps, trills and hisses), but also produces clicking, bubbling, and low gurgling noises underwater.
• Swimming Speed: Can briefly reach around 30 km/h (19 mph) underwater.
• Favorite Activities:
Sliding down muddy riverbanks.
Chasing schools of fish for fun, even when not hungry.
Carrying pebbles or shells in their mouths.
Floating belly-up while napping.
Curling their long tails around trusted companions while sleeping.
• Magical Adaptation: Their whiskers can detect magical currents in water, allowing them to instinctively avoid polluted mana streams or locate enchanted springs long before other animals notice them.
