Sturkaz

Sturkaz is a fictional nocturnal mammal described in regional fauna accounts and speculative biology set in the montane Iskara Basin. It is depicted as a medium-sized, robust creature adapted to dense undergrowth and rocky terrain.

Its body measures 45–60 cm in length, with a 25–40 cm tail. The thick fur varies from slate gray to rufous-brown, often paler underneath. Ears are rounded, the snout whiskered, and a short dorsal crest runs along the neck.

Sturkaz is endemic to temperate deciduous and mixed forests in the Iskara Basin, favoring humid understories near streams at 200–1500 m. It is primarily terrestrial but can climb low branches.

Behavior is largely solitary and nocturnal. It is an omnivore, foraging for insects, fruit, small vertebrates, and occasionally eggs. It uses scent marking and soft vocalizations to defend territory.

Breeding occurs in spring. Litter size is 2–3, with a gestation of 38–42 days. Offspring are altricial and stay with the mother for several weeks. Sexual maturity arrives at 12–18 months; wild lifespans are 7–9 years.

The name derives from the Iskara language, meaning "shadow wanderer." In folklore, the sturkaz is elusive and wary, symbolizing forest resilience; it appears in environmental education as a nocturnal-life emblem.

Conservation: In this fictional setting, the sturkaz is listed as Least Concern, though habitat loss and introduced predators are potential threats.