Author Notes - This was definitely one of those families that changed things a lot when Pikmin 3 Deluxe came out. Not necessarily for the creature itself, but more for the implications. Olimar's notes on the thing go like this: It has several qualities unique to this ecosystem, such as producing milk for its young, which may someday give rise to a whole new taxonomy of fauna. This appears to imply that the Amprat is the ONLY creature in the whole game that is absolutely 100% a mammal. Which is an interesting thought...
Also this creature has a fully-textured anus in-game. I have no idea why, and you can see it with the Koppad after you kill one, but it's there.
NUMBOUSE FAMILY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
EMILY'S PERSONAL NOTES
Oh my god, we've got a mammal! I mean, many creatures in this ecosystem display mammal-like qualities, but this is the first one to be a proper mammal. See, all the others have something weird going on that prevents them from being properly classified as 'mammals', such as giving birth to larvae, but this one has the works - fur, live birth, warm blood, feeds young by breastfeeding… it has all the works! Also, it's really cute, so bonus points right there. Some say that it looks less cute when you see its face, but I disagree. It's just a different kind of cute.
I never understood why rats get such a bad rep, really. Yeah, wild ones spread diseases and stuff, but that's like... every wild animal that ever existed. It isn't exclusive to just rats! The little guys/girls/whatevers are so smart too! And they end up adoring their owners, much like a cat or a dog would. And they're just so freaking adorable! Then again, people have a habit of being very selective of what animals they actually care about. Typically the 'conventionally cute' ones. Not all people, of course. Plenty care about all of them! But 'plenty' isn't enough for me.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCES
On first glance, the Porcellus barbavolta (Bearded Amprat) may look like a dog-like creature with long white-and-brown fur. However, a closer look will reveal its dark-brown feet resemble those of rats and not dogs' paws. The extra long fur over their head leaves only their big eyes visible, unless the creature is preparing to attack. Its face, normally hidden by the fur, is very rat-like, with noticeable teeth on the top and bottom of the jaw.
HABITAT
Amprats thrive best in cold, arctic areas, and have adapted to have thick insulating fur to protect themselves from the bitter cold. This fur keeps out the freezing air and keeps them warm long into the night. However, they can also be found in warmer areas. Amprats who reside in warmer areas have noticeably thinner fur, and this species is capable of shedding or growing more fur rapidly if it is exposed to a sudden climate change.
DIET AND DEFENCES
Amprats are omnivorous by nature, much like other species of rodent. Their preferred diet is fruits and vegetables, though they will also consume various meats if the opportunity arises. They are one of the only non-humanoid species known that is capable of digesting chocolate without much problem, albeit in lower dosages.
They do not hunt prey, and only attack to defend themselves or their territories. The fur over their face acts as a capacitor, and they can charge powerful electrical currents by rubbing the fur with their hands or other objects, much like the electrical charge gotten by rubbing up against carpet. This electric shock is rarely lethal, but is easily capable of knocking a foe unconscious. They can adjust how powerful this charge is to account for their opponent's size.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Much like the rats they are partially named after, Amprats are highly social creatures. They require another one of their kind, preferably a group, to be happy. An Amprat all by itself will quickly grow sad, and its electricity will fail to work. If you see one Bearded Amprat, another is sure to be close.
Amprat groups are typically littermates or non-related females. Males from other litters often act territorial with each other, but rarely start fights. In fact, two unrelated males can get along perfectly fine if they encounter each other on good terms. They will regularly have playfights together, which can appear rather aggressive but never end in serious harm. Females will have these playful fights as well, though they won't be nearly as aggressive.
COURTING AND CHILDREARING
Though the reproduction methods of the Amprat may not be that strange at all to most sapient species, they are one of the only - if not the only - true mammal in the ecosystem. Thus, their way of reproducing is unique among all the planetary animals.
In most circumstances, Amprats will only mate with those they have developed a strong emotional bond with, though they will also settle for strangers if their numbers are low. A female Amprat will carry her babies for two months before giving live birth to a litter of four-ten offspring. Unique to this particular ecosystem, she will feed her children her milk. The father of the children will remain by the family's side until the offspring reach maturity at three months, whereupon he will leave to potentially find a new mate. Soon after, the children leave their mothers one by one. They stay close, but may not see their mother again.
OTHER NOTES
The discovery of this animal has put the taxonomic status of several creatures into question. Many animals previously classified as mammals have since been changed, such as the Bulborb.
NOTES FROM OTHER RESEARCHERS
Bearded Amprat -
Electricity generation is a useful trait in an animal! I'm not sure if this one can be domesticated, but think of all the useful applications if it could. At the very least, we could study it to see if we could reproduce the trick. - Alph
With a few tweaks to its output, I bet its electricity-generating properties could really open up my pores. I'll run the idea by Alph and see what he thinks. - Brittany
It looks cute and fuzzy, and that's how it springs its trap. Throw a few Pikmin on thinking it's easy prey, and it'll zap the life out of them. The best strategy is to take a squad of Yellow Pikmin. Then it's you who'll get the last laugh. - Captain Charlie
Author Notes - I have created Demisexual Amprats and I don't know how I feel about that. A pretty fascinating creature all around. Emily's little rant about rats is basically just me projecting my own thoughts onto her, I'm gonna be honest. Hey, it's fine to use your characters as mouthpieces as long as you're honest about it. Right? RIGHT?!
Peckish Aristocrabs are a pain to fight, but we still gotta deal with them.
