Felis Amarynthe (or Arainian Green Tiger)

Felis Amarynthe (or the Arainian Green Tiger as it is more commonly known) was first found in the jungles of the planet Araine in the Jinten system (Darpa Sector). The creature is a particularly long haired form of big cat, with fully grown adults reaching between two to three meters in length. The animal's long hair has a green hue, cut with stripes of either brown or a shade of green somewhat darker than the base fur. A hunting predator, the Green Tiger uses ambush tactics, lying in wait, sometimes for hours, until pouncing on passing prey from the verdant jungle. Its colouration makes it extremely difficult to spot a waiting cat.

When the native Arainians first began studying the cat it was found to possess some remarkable qualities that are almost unique for a creature of its kind. The first unusual thing scientists discovered was that the Amarynth was almost completely hairless at birth, other than small, tufty patches around its nether regions and central face. Upon closer examination it was noted that the 'hair' was not formed of keratin as in any previously studied mammal, but rather was a symbiotic plant.

During mating the plants on the mother and father cross pollinated, in much the same way as normal plants. Through the gestation period both the infant cat and plant grew together, feeding off the mother in the same way as a normal child. Around 3 weeks after birth the plant begins to spread across the kitten's body, growing rapidly now it has sunlight to help it along, and feeding off the tigers internal energy.  Initially, scientists were unsure of the benefits to the tiger of hosting the plant, but it has since been observed that  a tiger that has been denied food for an extended period of time with suffer few ill effects as the plant creature shares the results of its photosynthetic processes, transporting nutrients into the tiger to keep it alive.

A secondary effect of the plant 'hair' is that it acts as a form of insulation, keeping the tiger cool in the heat of the day and warm during the colder nights. Clothing designers have been trying to exploit this for years, though it is difficult to keep the plant alive once the host has been killed and skinned. 

Once the animals began to be exported off-world, either to zoos or for private collectors, it was noted that the plant symbiont had the ability, over time, to adjust its pigmentation to account for any changes in the wavelength of sunlight of its new habitat, to maintain its efficiency of light collection, and at the same time assisting the tiger to blend better into local vegetation.

Type: Jungle Predator

DEXTERITY 3D+2
PERCEPTION 3D
Hide 4D+2, Search: Tracking 4D, Sneak 5D
STRENGTH 3D+2
Stamina 5D+2

Special Abilities:

Teeth: STR+1D
Paws: STR+2D
Senses: Felis Amarynthe possess sharp senses of smell and hearing and add +2D to Perception and Search: Tracking when applicable.
Camouflage: +2D to Hide rolls in its habitat

Move: 15
Size: 2-3 meters long