Kala-Kala

A Kala-Kala or simply Kala is a large cat species found in Kalam. It is most recognisable for having striped and spotted pelts that appear grayish to yellow depending on the specimen. They have an impressive bite force used to chew through bones and shells, their jaws applying a pressure of about 1500 pounds when attacking their prey. They are the largest cat species in the known world.

Kala-Kala are extensively depicted in many Kalami cultures as symbols of power and divinity. They were declared Kalam's national animal in 49 PC as part of a push to create a national identity in the face of global relations.

Etymology

It's most likely the animal is named after the old plainic term "kauwla", which means to be striped or dangerous. It's possible the word was first used to name the animal and later on derived meanings from it. The duplication of the word is an archaic feature used to represent danger or greatness, but modernly it's sometimes dropped so the name can be shortened as simply "Kala", but to avoid homophones the term "Kala-Kala" is still preferred.

Taxonomy and evolution

In 50 PC a section an edition of Compendium Attum penned by taxonomer Firstname Lastname first described the Kala-Kala in a standardized fashion and gave it the classified name KalakalaPLACEHOLDER. The initial description was criticized and revised many times as availability of natural specimens increased.

Before modern taxonomy, almanacs of animals and plants were commonplace; many gave mostly coinciding descriptions of the Kala-Kala.

By 63 PC, the subspecies known to this day had been established.

• KalakalaPlaceholder1, a plainic specimen found in Hatun

• Kalakala2, an alpine species found in Hikuen.

• Kalakala3, a semi-arboreal species found in Samay and Pacha's jungles.

• Kalakala4, an extinct subspecies with fossils discovered in Samay.

A scientist named Hameo was the first to officially describe the Kala-Kala as sharing a lineage with the prairie cat in his works around 400 TT. Earlier works had declared the prairie cat as an isolate that evolved independently, but later works would adopt so-called "Hameic" ideas of evolution, including these shared lineages.

Evolution

It probably diverged from a common ancestor with the prairie cat about 6 million years ago.

Originally only being found in Pacha, It's theorized it reached other islands through ancient people's thousands of years ago using them as beasts of war, and the only subspecies to survive being the ones in islands with suitable environments for them. Some dispute this claim and prefer the alternative of ice land bridges existing during the Kalami ice age about one million years ago.

Description

Size

Agile and muscular, it is the largest felins of the known world, standing at 1.4 to 2.1 meters from head to rear during adulthood, with arboreal subspecies tending to be smaller and plainic subspecies tending to be larger. sexual dimorphism results in males also tending to be lighter, rarely surpassing 1.8 meters. Their long tails measure at 80 centimeters to 1.1 meters, about half their body's length. Healthy males weigh between 90 and 150 kg while females range between 100 and 200 kg, likely due to being more sedentary than the males. Males demonstrate shorter (800≈ cm) legs than females (140≈ cm) and generally shorter tails.

Fur

A Kala-Kala's coat can vary in hue from what's described as "ashy gray" to a colorful brown or yellow. As their hair follicles grow, the tips will turn gray due to sun exposure. With enough time and hormones the hair can turn nearly black. When the overcoat is present it will grow from the back of the neck and head onto the hide. Some genetic mutations can result in fully grey or even black Kala-Kala, but this is exceedingly rare.

The thinner fur near their stomach, inner thighs and neck is covered in brownish rosettes, similarly to the prairie cat.

Osteology

Their upper fangs can reach 4.5 centimeters by adulthood, and they are accompanied by smaller fangs on the bottom of their jaws. Between their fangs are smaller incisor teeth in a comb shape, likely used to groom other Kala-Kala as a social activity. They have large and hardy morals which see wear throughout their lifetime. If the molars are not worn down by chewing bones this can lead to health complications; sturdy bone chunks are gifted to reserved Kala-Kala for them to chew on. The animals instinctively bring the bones to the back of their mouth and utilize their molars.

Due to their impressive biting force, they have large and sturdy jaw bones connected to several tendons on the side of their head. Their biting force is also assisted by a pronounced sagittal ridge and short snouts.