BABBYDOGGOS

I was working on more Draedha development, and one subject I was brainstorming on was their reproduction/aging/parenthood. Expanding on some of the base info I developed when finishing up the species.

Draedha typically only have one pup at a time but twins are not uncommon, and triplets rare but not unheard of. Females can get pregnant anytime but go into a “heat” twice a year where they are particularly fertile, though also slightly more aggressive, both tending to be more irritable and much more clingy to their object(s) of interest. The change is easily detected by males, but aside from being distracting it rarely causes any issues; their society is generally quite respectful of each other. Males may get competitive with each other for a female’s attention, but it doesn’t usually escalate to real fights.

Pups are born blind and helpless, and remain that way for between four to seven days. They can be actively mobile on all fours by a month old, and able to move well on two legs between four to five months. They are born with small teeth that eventually grow out, falling out around a year old to be replaced by their sturdier set that will continually grow out and be replaced over their adult lives.

Parents share responsibility but females often share childcare amongst themselves within clans. Males tend to take charge of most of the heavier playing and eventual training of pups, while females rely on themselves and each other for the tasks of actually looking after and providing for pups. It varies from clan to clan, and couple to couple. Pairs often mate for life but it is also common for couples only to come together for a season or at least for the first year or two of a pup’s life.

Draedha have long lifespans, up to 200 years and in rare cases sometimes longer. They reach physical maturity at about 25-30 years old.