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Description
A while back, I created a monster called the larn: [link]

Here, I am ressurecting the design and creating a character out of it. As a matter of fact, Chake is going to be my "monstersona". I was actually a bit surprised to learn that monstersona was already a real word after I thought about it. I guess it's not much different from a fursona, although it is a bit more unique. So you'll probably be seeing a lot of more Chake, since he will now be representing me here on deviantART.

His personality is basically like mine; he's normally quiet and shy, but he can be nice and open with someone who becomes his friend. He's interested in learning why things are the way they are, so he has a natural curiosity about him. Chake prefers to avoid conflict and doesn't like making people feel bad. He also enjoys spending time alone to contemplate things in peace.

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Biological Data on the Larn

Basic Appearance
Larns normally stand bipedally on digitigrade rear legs, but are capable of some cumbersome quadrupedal motion as well. The head possesses a snout which contains many peg-like teeth similar in form and function to those found in dolphins. The pointed ears are capable of moving in many different directions for good overall situational awareness. Although the tail is long and flexible, it is not prehensile.

They are covered in thick fur, each hair of which is coated in a layer of oil to prevent water from sticking to it. There is pronounced sexual dimorphism between males and females. The fur of the male is a pattern of gray and black, whereas the female is light brown and dark brown. The fur around the males' neck is thickened to form a mane; the length and fullness of which has a connection to his relative fitness.

The claws on the primary digits are lengthened into sickle-like hooks. The main function of these claws is to impale fish as the larn runs it's forepaws through the water. In this sense, it is similar to the large claws on the dinosaur Baryonyx. None of the claws are retractable and they grow constantly. They are usually worn down through scratching or walking on rough terrain.

The pawpads on the forepaws are softer and more sensitive to touch than those on the rearpaws. They are useful in feeling around on the bed of a stream (similar to the behavior of raccoons). They are also more sensitive than the palms of human hands.

Size and Weight
Males stand at about 4 feet high at the hip, with a nose-to-tail length of 15 feet, and an average weight of 460 pounds. Females are somewhat smaller, being 3.5 feet at the hip, around 14 feet in length, and weighing 310 pounds.

Diet
Fish make up the principal component of the larn's diet. For this reason, choice territories contain streams, rivers or ponds. Fish are captured with the use of their sickle-like claws, after which they are swallowed whole without being chewed. If fish are in short supply, the larn can turn to eating other small animals or even fruit (which are also swallowed whole).

Due to the fact that some fish contain poisons (or possess poisonous spines), the larn has chemicals in its blood and body tissues that help neutralize their effects. These chemicals turn their blood and mucous membranes orange.

Reproduction and Lifecycle
Mostly monogamous, male and female larns typically pair up for life and share territories. The mating season begins in September and lasts about a month. During this time, the female goes into estrus and the male goes into musth. Males in musth become notably more irritable and suffer from mood swings. This is when males typically fight each other over territory and females. However, since larns have human-level intelligence, they can sometimes work these issues out without having to resort to violence.

Eggs develop within females over a period of 4 months, after which they are layed. Leathery in texture and pale tan in color, the eggs are only somewhat larger than those layed by the ostrich. They are incubated for a further 4 months before hatching. Although the whelps are not born blind, they are still relatively helpless.

Unlike mammals, which have external mammary glands, larns (both male and female) have a kind of crop similar to those of pigeons which secretes "milk" internally. Production of milk is stimulated when the parents are exposed to particular pheromones released by the egg for an extended period of time. After about 2 years, the whelp is completely weaned and has developed many teeth.

Larns reach full maturity at around 18 years of age. This is usually when they go out to find territories of their own, although some may elect to stay with their parents for one reason or another. Large communities are rare; Larns tend to prefer the company of only their mates, siblings, parents and/or offspring. Sometimes males and females whose territories overlap may also enjoy one-another's company without developing a romantic relationship, however.

In the wild, the average lifespan for the larn is 40 years, although they can sometimes live more than 70 years in ideal circumstances.

Description
A while back, I created a monster called the larn: [link]

Here, I am ressurecting the design and creating a character out of it. As a matter of fact, Chake is going to be my "monstersona". I was actually a bit surprised to learn that monstersona was already a real word after I thought about it. I guess it's not much different from a fursona, although it is a bit more unique. So you'll probably be seeing a lot of more Chake, since he will now be representing me here on deviantART.

His personality is basically like mine; he's normally quiet and shy, but he can be nice and open with someone who becomes his friend. He's interested in learning why things are the way they are, so he has a natural curiosity about him. Chake prefers to avoid conflict and doesn't like making people feel bad. He also enjoys spending time alone to contemplate things in peace.

----------

Biological Data on the Larn

Basic Appearance
Larns normally stand bipedally on digitigrade rear legs, but are capable of some cumbersome quadrupedal motion as well. The head possesses a snout which contains many peg-like teeth similar in form and function to those found in dolphins. The pointed ears are capable of moving in many different directions for good overall situational awareness. Although the tail is long and flexible, it is not prehensile.

They are covered in thick fur, each hair of which is coated in a layer of oil to prevent water from sticking to it. There is pronounced sexual dimorphism between males and females. The fur of the male is a pattern of gray and black, whereas the female is light brown and dark brown. The fur around the males' neck is thickened to form a mane; the length and fullness of which has a connection to his relative fitness.

The claws on the primary digits are lengthened into sickle-like hooks. The main function of these claws is to impale fish as the larn runs it's forepaws through the water. In this sense, it is similar to the large claws on the dinosaur Baryonyx. None of the claws are retractable and they grow constantly. They are usually worn down through scratching or walking on rough terrain.

The pawpads on the forepaws are softer and more sensitive to touch than those on the rearpaws. They are useful in feeling around on the bed of a stream (similar to the behavior of raccoons). They are also more sensitive than the palms of human hands.

Size and Weight
Males stand at about 4 feet high at the hip, with a nose-to-tail length of 15 feet, and an average weight of 460 pounds. Females are somewhat smaller, being 3.5 feet at the hip, around 14 feet in length, and weighing 310 pounds.

Diet
Fish make up the principal component of the larn's diet. For this reason, choice territories contain streams, rivers or ponds. Fish are captured with the use of their sickle-like claws, after which they are swallowed whole without being chewed. If fish are in short supply, the larn can turn to eating other small animals or even fruit (which are also swallowed whole).

Due to the fact that some fish contain poisons (or possess poisonous spines), the larn has chemicals in its blood and body tissues that help neutralize their effects. These chemicals turn their blood and mucous membranes orange.

Reproduction and Lifecycle
Mostly monogamous, male and female larns typically pair up for life and share territories. The mating season begins in September and lasts about a month. During this time, the female goes into estrus and the male goes into musth. Males in musth become notably more irritable and suffer from mood swings. This is when males typically fight each other over territory and females. However, since larns have human-level intelligence, they can sometimes work these issues out without having to resort to violence.

Eggs develop within females over a period of 4 months, after which they are layed. Leathery in texture and pale tan in color, the eggs are only somewhat larger than those layed by the ostrich. They are incubated for a further 4 months before hatching. Although the whelps are not born blind, they are still relatively helpless.

Unlike mammals, which have external mammary glands, larns (both male and female) have a kind of crop similar to those of pigeons which secretes "milk" internally. Production of milk is stimulated when the parents are exposed to particular pheromones released by the egg for an extended period of time. After about 2 years, the whelp is completely weaned and has developed many teeth.

Larns reach full maturity at around 18 years of age. This is usually when they go out to find territories of their own, although some may elect to stay with their parents for one reason or another. Large communities are rare; Larns tend to prefer the company of only their mates, siblings, parents and/or offspring. Sometimes males and females whose territories overlap may also enjoy one-another's company without developing a romantic relationship, however.

In the wild, the average lifespan for the larn is 40 years, although they can sometimes live more than 70 years in ideal circumstances.