Supides

Supides are a fictional species of small, arboreal mammals described in world-building and speculative fiction. They have semi-translucent skin with visible vascular patterns and blue-green bioluminescent patches.

Adults measure 25–35 cm in body length, with a 30–40 cm prehensile tail. They have soft brown-gray fur, large forward-facing eyes, and grasping hands with curved claws. Their skin reveals a subtle vascular network, especially when illuminated.

Habitat and range: Supides inhabit tropical and subtropical forests near river basins in the fictional region of Sylara. They prefer mid-canopy to understory and build simple sleeping platforms in trees.

Social structure and behavior: They live in matrilineal groups of 6–18, led by an elder female. They communicate with calls, postures, and coordinated tail movements; bioluminescence aids night signaling. They are generally diurnal but active at dusk and dawn.

Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on fruit, seeds, leaves, and small invertebrates. They crack nuts with stones and forage near streams for aquatic prey when available.

Reproduction and life cycle: Breeding occurs after rains. Litter size is typically one or two. Gestation lasts several months, and offspring receive care from mothers and other group members for several months.

Taxonomy and status: In-universe taxonomy places Supides in the genus Supides, family Supidae, order Primates. Conservation status is often Not Evaluated, with local declines tied to habitat change.

In culture: Supides appear in regional folklore as symbols of resilience and communal care and feature in stories across communities in their fictional world.