Introducing... ✨Hydrakes✨ [Closed Species]

Introducing... ✨Hydrakes✨ [Closed Species]

Yes, this is a closed species. But the only payment I ask for? Subscribe to my YouTube channel, because all my subscribers get a complimentary hydrake!

So what is a Hydrake? 

They are a semi-aquatic animal that can live in freshwater OR saltwater and are mostly pescatarian. They prefer to eat fish, cephalopods, and shellfish, but they will also occasionally nibble on seaweed or seagrass. Because they are hunters, they have a mouth full of sharp teeth which I based off dog teeth, and they move quickly through the water like dolphins, thanks to their webbed feet and powerful tails.

Given that they’re semi­-aquatic, they also have a pair of functional lungs to help them breathe air when they’re prancing about or basking on land, which is why they have nostrils. But, these nostrils typically close up when their underwater, similar to hippos. They can survive on land, but it’s important for owners to prepare a pool for them and bring a spray bottle to keep them hydrated on walks.

In the wild, they build their nests on land. Usually close to shallow bodies of freshwater like ponds, which is an ideal place for them to raise their small pups. These creatures mate for life and they can have about 3 to 4 pups in a litter. They are also ovoviviparous, meaning they lay eggs and nurse their offspring after. Like a platypus.

[Hydrake Pup]

They have skin similar to dolphins and orcas, and they come in a rainbow of colors and markings, fin shape, and sizes! There’s really no limit to how your creature can look, as long as you adhere to some rules to maintain consistency in the species. And I think that’s a good transition into how you can make your OWN creature!

⚠ Species Traits ⚠

They MUST be quadrupedal 

The pelvis is situated slightly higher than their ribcage, giving them a sloped back

Thick forelimbs that almost function like flippers underwater and webbed feet 

The gill on the highest part of their head MUST stand upright and is considered the primary gill 

Their tails must be the same length as their body if not longer

Their fins must always be translucent 

Their teeth should always be sharp! They are hunters!

Hydrake Disposition/Personality

These creatures to essentially be excitable dogs. Their very social and playful, and always full of energy. In the wild, they hunt and travel in packs with the strongest, oldest individual acting as the leader. Their hunting techniques are similar to dolphins in that they will corral fish into a group and take turns snapping them up. The stronger individuals often keep watch for competitors like sharks, dolphins or killer whales, and the faster individuals scout ahead to search for prey or identify danger. They also babysit, and pack members – male and female - will look after each other’s pups as a group.

They aren’t afraid of humans, and are naturally curious creatures, which unfortunately meant a lot of them were killed and hunted because humans suck, but it also wasn’t long before someone took one of them home and kept it as a pet. They can get a bit territorial when it comes to food and toys, but most of the time, they are mild-mannered creatures. They’re also very vocal, and I imagine them sounding like huskies where they will scream and try to warble human words. They’re also very intelligent in that they can be trained to do tricks, follow commands, or even work as service animals.

Once humans started keeping them, they started breeding them for specific purposes. That’s when different breeds started emerging.

Breeds

Nobles were bred specifically for beauty and show. You can think of them as show dogs that were bred specifically to be put in shows and win a lot of trophies and are only bred with other champion show dogs. This breed has the longest, most extravagant fins that flare out when they’re underwater, and drape around their bodies like a satin cloak when they’re on land. Their fins tend to have unique shapes that flow gracefully in the water, which isn’t very functional but is very pretty. They usually also have additional accessory fins, such as around their nape or the base of their tails.

Their snouts tend to be more slender and their skin is adorned with intricate patterns or vibrant coloration. Their legs are longer and thinner than average, and their bodies are more defined with stronger silhouettes. You could say they are the poster child of their species due to their visual appeal, and thus are most often used in commercials, movies, and other forms of media. However, they are quite high maintenance, so they’re really only kept by the upper class, or very dedicated breeders.

Personality-wise, Nobles are pretty aloof. They’re very calm and well-mannered. They aren’t as hyper as other members of their species and that’s partly because of their upbringing for show and their long, flowy fins which make it harder for them to move as quickly as other breeds. As a result, they are also very careful and care a lot about their grooming, so they don’t do very well around small kids that like to grab and pull and make messes everywhere.

The striders are the racehorses of this closed species. These guys were built for speed, so they are the sleekest and most slender of the species. Their bodies are longer and they lack all accessory fins which are replaced by a dorsal fin along their spine. Their front legs are much thinner than their hind legs which they use more frequently to kick through the water, and as a result, they possess wide, strong hips which also help to support their tail.

Their snouts are also longer and thinner than other breeds, inspired by bottle-nosed dolphins whose snouts help them cut through the water a lot easier. Striders were built for function, and like racehorses, people spend a lot of money raising, racing, and betting on them. I imagine their circuits can range from rivers to lakes, to open seas and oceans and it’s a huge spectacle to watch. Because of this, they are also the most high-energy of all the breeds. They fall on the same level of prestige as the Nobles, where only a certain demographic of people tend to keep and raise them, but given how they are pretty low maintenance, they also make good pets. But, due to their high energy levels and urge to run, they tend to do better in wide, open spaces as opposed to crowded cities.

Striders are very excitable and are prone to zoomies, both on land and underwater. They are very intelligent, but are also willful and independent, which means they get into all sorts of trouble. If they want to get into your food, they WILL find a way to do it, and locked doors don’t stay locked for long. They’re very sassy and will often try to talk back to you if you tell them off. They comprehend a lot of human words, they just choose not to listen most of the time.

Guardians are the big guns, both literally and figuratively. Similar to how dogs were bred for certain jobs, these guys were bred to work. They are the biggest breed and are pure muscle: they can guard; pull boats, nets and wagons; corral fish; fend off sharks; and give rides across bodies of water. These guys are TOUGH. They can go the longest without water and their hides are thick to withstand injury, and their barks are more akin to a bear roar which makes them pretty intimidating.

Unlike the other breeds, the Guardians were bred to be hostile. They are alert and territorial, and they lack the natural curiosity their species usually has. Instead, they are very suspicious; hence they don’t take kindly to strangers, but they are still social creatures and enjoy the company of familiar humans and members of their species. They have a strong protective instinct and are very loyal, so they make great companions for people who live alone in rural areas.

Their snouts are the thickest, and that’s because they bite the hardest, too. They have the thickest, most powerful tails, which help them pull or carry heavy loads, but can also seriously injure someone with a single swing of it. They have the thickest limbs, and their muscles are well-defined. However, they don’t tend to have very flashy fins. They were built for function, after all. Their markings are going to be similar to working dogs like German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, or Border Collies.

Snugglers were bred to be family pets, so they are the friendliest, most social, affectionate, and gentle-natured of the species. Because of this, they’re great with small children and other family pets. They have soft paws and small snouts, and they are the smallest of the different breeds, which allows them to fit into any household. These little guys just want all of your love, all of the time.

They are often brightly colored and doe-eyed which makes them very precious and irresistible beans. That’s not even getting to their mewls that are basically puppy whimpers. Yes, this breed is also known as the forever pup because they stay relatively small and retain a lot of the features of the pups of their species.

They love to play and nap, and they’re always curious about what you’re doing, and they will try to include themselves in your activities. Because of that, they can get a bit clingy, so they don’t tend to do very well on their own. So, make sure they have a friend!

Here are the size comparisons for your reference

Of course, like in any animal species, cross-breeding DOES happen, so if you want to make Noble Striders, Guardian Snugglers, or something else, definitely go for it!

If you do end up making one for yourself, please tag me, because I want to see the hydrakes you come up with!