Raekokos

Raekokos is a fictional mammal species described in the worldbuilding and fantasy literature of Avaloria. It is the only species in the genus Raekokos, with the binomial name Raekokos sylvatica. The name combines elements from two local words in the archipelago of Nyr, meaning forest and wanderer.

Approximately the size of a large fox, Raekokos has a thick olive-brown coat, a short crest along the spine, and a prehensile tail used for balance and gripping branches. Its snout is pointed, and its ears are tufted.

Raekokos is endemic to cloud forests on the northern islands of the Nyr archipelago, at elevations from 800 to 1800 meters. It favors mid- to high-canopy layers and creates sleeping nests in tangled vines.

An omnivore, it forages for fruit, seeds, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. It is mainly crepuscular, with periods of activity at dawn and dusk. Vertical tree movement and rapid leaping between branches are characteristic.

Breeding occurs once yearly, with a litter of one to three offspring after a gestation of about two months. Young stay with the mother for several months and reach independence around six to nine months.

Within its fictional ecosystem, Raekokos populations are described as stable, though habitat loss due to deforestation is a concern in in-world sources. The species appears in folklore and contemporary fantasy media as a symbol of agility and resilience.