Sókat

Sókat is a fictional taxon introduced in speculative fiction to describe a nocturnal, arboreal mammal-like creature. In the canonical setting, sókat inhabit the temperate forests of the continent of Dauris and are known for their distinctive bioluminescent markings.

Description and ecology

Adult sókat measure about 40–60 cm in body length, with a 25–40 cm prehensile tail and a weight of 3–6 kg. They have dense gray-brown fur and glow-in-the-dark patches along the shoulders and flanks, which serve in social signaling and mating displays. Sókat are primarily herbivorous, foraging for leaves, fruit, and bark, and occasionally consuming small insects. They are adept climbers, spending most of their lives in the upper canopy and middle forest layers. Their digestive system supports high-fiber diets, with hindgut fermentation aiding fiber extraction.

Behavior and social life

Sókat are highly social, forming stable family groups of 6–15 individuals. They communicate through a repertoire of chirps, whistles, and scent marks deposited along the tail-base glands. They are mostly nocturnal, emerging after dusk to forage and socialize. Predation by forest raptors and large felids shapes their movement patterns and canopy use.

Reproduction and life cycle

Breeding occurs seasonally, with females giving birth to 1–2 altricial offspring after a gestation of roughly 60–70 days. Cubs rely on parental care for several months, with weaning typically by two to three months of age.

Cultural role and terminology

In-world folklore, sókat symbolize dusk and moonlight. The name is said to derive from the fictional language Solka, meaning “moon shadow.” In fiction, they frequently appear in tales as guardians of forest knowledge and night travelers.

See also: fictional fauna of Dauris, moonlit animals.