Species File: Werecreatures

[Azzy]

Species Name: Werecreature. Examples include werewolf, werepanther, werehyena, etc.
Scientific Name: Varies based on individual's shift. A werewolf is Homo Lupus, a werehyena (spotted) is Homo Crocuta, etc.
Lifespan: Little longer than normal humans. The average lifespan (excluding weres who were murdered and whatnot) is approximately 120 years.
Appearance: All weres have three distinct forms of which to speak -- a human, an 'anthro'/crinos, and an animal form. There is typically little to set a werecreature's human form apart from a normal human being. Some weres will, due to shifting too often, gain small mutations. An overshifted werewolf, for example, may gain permanent fangs or wolf eyes, or perhaps claws. This effect occurs most often in older weres, who have been through many a full moon, however some youngsters who shift constantly may also experience this. Apart from this however, it is rare for a were to be considerably different from a human, whilst in a human form. In the 'anthro' form as it is commonly known, or by it's official name, the crinos form, is a combination between human and animal. This form is typically taken on the full moon, or sometimes during battle as it is stronger and faster than both the animal form and the human form. It is usually 6 to 8 feet tall, depending on the size of the were in human form. A smaller human form (late four feet to early five feet) might equate to a six foot tall were, for example, while a 6'5" human form might equate to something closer to 8 feet. In this form, they gain the head, tail, fur, and paws of the animal, while keeping a humanoid shape. The last form is the animal form (or feral), one commonly seen as it is easier to use to blend in, being not unlike the animal after which it is modeled. A weretiger, for example, in its feral form would like not unlike a real tiger, except that it would be slightly larger. Easily mistaken for a large specimen of tiger. Some weres also may have markings that are uncommon for their species, however this is not an overly common thing. Most will look like perfectly normal (though slightly large) examples of their...wild cousins.
Range/Habitat: The habitat varies between weres; they typically take to places similar to those the animals they shift into would live in, however this is not always the case. It is not completely uncommon to see werelions in North America, for example. While it is uncommon to see actual lions, many werelion tribes have, centuries ago, migrated or immigrated to the Americas. Weres are found worldwide -- though their populations have diminished in certain areas in points in time (Europe in the Middle Ages, for example), nowadays they are a very healthy species.
Behaviour: This is also something that varies between individual species (and even genders, in some cases) of weres. As a whole, there is no distinct behaviour guide to weres. However, it is common for them to be, as a whole, secretive, violent, and protective. However, this is certainly not a set thing -- many weres are passive and happy and open. These are just common traits, as most of them do not want their other forms to be found out by humans, and if they shift into carnivores, they can often be a little...hot-tempered. Another piece of behaviour that is noteable in weres is 'packs'. Even in animals not necessarily typical of pack behaviour, packs of weres are often formed, even between different species. Weres tend to form strong, almost familial bonds with other weres, so it is not rare for them to run together as a group.
Reproduction: Baby weres can be...created at any point in time, in any form, however it is most likely that a child will be concieved if the mating occurs during the female's heat, which usually occurs a few times a year. Even more likely, if it is...attempted during the full moon. Reproduction between humans and weres also may occur, however the were gene is not always passed on, and if it is the halfling were may not have as much control over its shifting as a typical were does.
Childhood: Most weres can shift from a very young age. It is rare to see a werecreature that does not begin shifting until it is past its adolescent years. However, before the adolescent years, it is unlikely that the weres have any control over their shifting. Apart from this, weres typically have a very 'normal' childhood by human standards.
Relationship with Humans: The majority of human beings are unaware of the existence of werecreatures. Those that do are usually forced into much secrecy by the weres. Humans have been killed by weres over the years, which certainly has not helped their images in human 'mythology', however nowadays these killings are far less common, as weres are much more careful...usually.
Other:

• All weres must shift on the full moon, but depending on their control over their shifting, may shift at other times as well
  
• Though werewolves are the most common of all werecreatures, weres of all animals do exist
  
• more will be added later