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= Arctic Wild Cat =

The Arctic Wild Cat (Articus Rufus Felis) is a modern-day feline that first appeared after the mass migration of their ancestors, the bobcats (Lynx Rufus). Containing no recognised subspecies existing, the Arctic Wild Cat ranges from Northern Canada to the Arctic, close to the polar region on the Earth's Northern Hemisphere. Their ancestors originated in North America, where they migrated to Greenland and finally to the Arctic Northern Hemisphere. The Arctic Wild Cat is an adaptable apex predator that inhabits most areas in the Arctic region. With white to grey coat, whiskered face and grey ears, it is unrecognisable from its ancestors in the past because of how much it had evolved to adapt to the Arctic environment.

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Subfamily: Felinae

Genus: Felis

Species: F. Articus

How did it evolve?
Their ancestors, the bobcats, roamed through North America and mainly lived in habitats such as forests, swamps and even suburban areas. A drastic change in the environment of their habitats resulted in removal migration, meaning the bobcats habitats became permanently inhospitable to the species. Bobcats were forced to move to a different location, evacuating from their original home. The forced migration of the bobcat species was caused by human development and poaching. Human development drained swamplands and resulted in mass-deforestation which destroyed the bobcat’s habitats, along with poachers who have massively poached the bobcat’s preys which resulted in limited food source for the species. The bobcats were forced to migrate to the Arctic, where they have had to adapt and change for the much cooler environment and fight off the competition awaiting the species.

Characteristics, attributes and adaptations
As bobcats usually did not fear water, The Arctic Wild Cat developed better swimming skills than their ancestors. They can easily travel through the cold, arctic water and have developed better strength in their limbs to be able to swim faster and swim underwater. This skill can be used to escape other animals that compete with the species (Polar Bears, etc) and hunt prey in the water. Arctic wild cats are considered cathemeral, meaning they are able to sleep both night and day, and are mainly active whenever finding food or water (e.g. of other cathemeral animals - lions, frogs, coyotes).

Physical Characteristics
The Arctic Wild Cat do not resemble bobcats because of the amount of new attributes they had to develop to survive. It grew in size and is 9x heavier than their ancestors, with an average weight of 70 kilograms. The weight differs from the gender, with males being heavier than females. Despite this, Arctic Wild Cats still have the same flexibility as a mountain lion and can easily climb mountains in the Arctic region. This species has developed fur that is the same shade as snow to be able to camouflage better, and has attained fur that is as thick as Polar Bears to make sure they can endure the harsh chill of the Northern hemisphere. Grey spots can be seen around the edges of the fur, and the location can vary differently on the animal. Their eyes have developed into blue eyes, and have short, stubby tails hanging from their rear ends.

Diet
Their preys consist of seals, Canadian Geese, reindeer and in rare cases, the washed-up carcasses of deceased animals from the sea; Its main prey varies by region. Arctic Wild Cats have big competition with Polar Bears for the same resources, as both species mainly prey on seals and both live relatively close to each other. The Arctic Wild Cat can survive for long periods without food, and eats depending on their appetite if an abundance of prey is available. This species can hunt any animals of different sizes, and can adjust its hunting style accordingly to the prey.

Familial structure and home range
Arctic Wild Cats can define their own territories, which can vary depending on the gender and the region of the animal. The Arctic Wild Cats territory can include numerous places of shelter and a great distribution of prey. Arctic Wild Cats can mark their own territories the same way domesticated felines and canines do, by the smell of their urine or feces. Like their ancestors, Arctic Wild Cats are largely solitary animals and only overlap to breed.

Impact on Earth
The ability to swim long distances through the rough seas, the access to moving through different locations easily because of their solitary structure, and highly adaptive nature can be effective to the survival of wild cats. Once environmental problems hit the Northern Hemisphere stronger, the Arctic Wild Cat can leave and transport themselves to a safer region.

Life Cycle
The average lifespan of the Arctic Wild Cat can range from 15 years to 22 years. The lifespan rarely exceeds 22 years. This species has the longest known lifespan a wild cat has ever had, making their chances of survival greater. The Arctic Wild Cat can reach the beginning of their reproduction at the age of 2 years old. A male can be fertile from September or October each year, and a dominant male can travel with the female and can breed several times. Once a female has been successfully mated with, males will tend to leave them and set off on their own once again. The female has an oestrous cycle of 55 days, with the oestrous typically lasting a week. Females raise the young kittens alone, and will choose a secluded den to raise the litter. The amount of kittens reproduced can range from one to six. These kittens will remain in the den with their mother for 9 to 12 months and during that time, will learn how to hunt and take care of themselves before they set out on their own. Arctic Wild Cats remain reproductively active throughout their whole lives.