The Gryphons

Gryphons vary is size, but are primarily 8 to 14 feet in height, from the ground to the top of their head. To find the height of their withers, subtract approximately two feet from their height. (This equation will vary depending on the build of the gryphon and the length of it's neck)

Gryphons come in all shapes, colors and varieties. No one knows for sure why, but that's how they are. Gryphons are one huge society, there being no subspecies, and so all can breed with one another, no matter their looks to produce alike progeny. Human settlers have compiled this list of known variations resembling Terran feline and bird species.

Heads
Falcon types
Eagle types
Owl types

Bodies
Cheetah
Lion
Panther
Tiger
Cougar
Jaguar
Leopard
Bob cat

Front Arms and Hands
Bird's talons (Same type of talons as respective to resembling bird head)
Feline's paws (Same type of paws as respective to resembling feline body)

Tails
Tail Feathers
Cheetah
Lion
Panther
Tiger
Cougar
Jaguar
Leopard
Bob cat
Both tail feathers & one feline tail

Colors
Tan
Grey
Black
Blue
Red (not primary color red; a more rusty color)
Brown
White

Eyes
Red
Blue
Yellow
Green
Purple
Orange
Brown
Pink

Eye Type
Slit (feline)
Pupil (bird/human)

Some gryphons have no set species type, and are merely just gryphons. They have coat variations, and color variations, body and head differences and no true "type". 

The only true rare color among gryphons is the albino, where the feathers have a complete lack of color, giving them a sort of transparent white look. Pink twinges the feathers and runs throughout the body mildly, it's strongest points being in the flight feathers, tail feathers, some head feathers, and tail tuft. Albinos have pink eyes, and albinos are the only gryphons to have pink eyes. Albinos are extremely rare, as they are extreme mutations.

The gryphons are a basic matriarchal society. Meaning, only females are allowed to leave. Most male gryphons are naturally of a more subservient nature, and females more tenacious. The Aerie is lead by the three most tenacious female gryphon and their riders, forming a leadership triad.

When gryphons choose to procreate (or just do it for the fun of it!) they'll display themselves. The willing males will flock around her, displaying themselves; fanned tail feathers, fluffed wings, crooning songs, whatever they think will impress her. Once chosen, the pair will go off alone. Like dragons, gryphon riders will also consummate the pairing of their bonds with other humans they choose, or not do anything at all.

The gestation period, once a female conceives, varies. Most gryphons are not big in build, so they must lay eggs. However, some are able to produce live young, though the litter number will be stunted to around five.

Bonding also varies between Aeries. The only constant is no males, other than possibly the sire of the clutch, are allowed during the hatching (or, for live births, bonding) of the kittens. Bonders are presented, and if found suitable by the kittens, will leave as gryphoners.

Any gryphons who lose their riders, or riders who lose their gryphons, by either abandonment or death, will likely try to suicide if there isn't someone there to stop them. When a bond forms, the minds merge, so if one rejects another, the one rejected will feel empty, and the weaker minded individuals will not be able to handle this, and will try to be rid of the emptiness by ending their life. If there are others of their kinds (humans to comfort an alone human, or gryphons to comfort an alone gryphon) they may recover. If recovery goes well enough, they'll have a chance to bond again, or just live their lives in solitude.

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