mangeybum

[mangeybum]

Arctic Fox-Squirrels (firebending:passive) Keystone species - Specimen touched by Ocean Spirit Their dens are vital to the prevention of permafrost in the rare tundra forest biome. Together with many other species of plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria they enable life to flourish even in the harshest of tundras. These creatures play an important role maintaining the proper balance, due to their unique firebending adaptation. They maintain an increased body temperature which not only allows them to hunt freely all winter, but their dens work to keep the ground from freezing permanently, which allows tree roots and many other organisms to survive the harshest of the arctic winters. Their furs are in high demand and the subsequent hunting and trapping of these animals is working to erode the vegetation barrier that helps insulate the forest floors, leading to massive deforestation in these rare and prestine habitats. So far removed from civilization they have managed to thrive where many others could not. The species is normally white with reddish-orange highlights, but this particular individual sports a jet black coat, a white spot on its chest, and eyes of deep cobalt. Thought to be the mark of the Ocean Spirit. This melanistic pattern can be found in a wide variety of species across the tree of life.