Variations
The Chu of every forest are different. From appearance, to common traits, to culture, to diet. If you're looking for the perfect Chu for you, you'll have to start by finding the perfect forest type.
Deciduous Forest Chu: These are perhaps the most “normal” of the Chu. They tend to have light brown fur and eyes. Some of these Chu paint markings on themselves to stand out. These dyes are all made from the local flora. Some other species have also adopted this habit, but without the plants to make the dyes it's tedious to keep up. They live in treehouses and eat mostly fruit and fish. They are the most sociable and friendly of all Chu and live in large treehouse villages. Some are put off by their excitable and happy dog-like behavior. They enjoy hanging upside down from branches by their strong tails, eating fruit with their friends, or bathing in a river. One unusual thing about them is that some of them have “bait” tails. The end of their tail might be brightly colored and mimic fruit, including leaf-like fur around it. Its thought that this trait is vestigial from when they used to have a diet with more meat in it and needed to hunt. Some of these Chu have even evolved fish-like lures on the end of their tails instead. Heights can range from 3 - 6 feet (91 - 183cm).
Redwood Forest Chu: These Chu tend to be larger than average to match the giant trees they live in, from 6 - 8 feet (183 - 244cm) in height. They have very fluffy redish fur, manes, and usually have green eyes. Strangely, these Chu tend to make nests in their forest homes. They also braid redwood branches into their fur for fashion or camouflage. These branches usually stick out like leafy horns. They are omnivores with a wide and varied diet. Another thing that sets them apart is that they are one of the species of Chu that may have fangs instead of tusks. They tend to be more secretive and harder to befriend than other Chu, but are also very protective and compassionate.
Evergreen Forest Chu: They live in cold, sparse forests of pine and other evergreen trees to the north. It often snows there, so they have very thick fur. These Chu range from 5 - 7 feet (152 - 213cm) in height, have dark brown fur, and usually have black eyes. They don’t use their tail for climbing as much as other species, so their tails are shorter. On the other hand, they have much bigger, stronger paws and claws to climb with. The diet of these Chu is mostly carnivorous, but they also eat pinenuts and other coniferous seeds. The tails of these Chu fork like a snake tongue when they reach the age of 100.
Jungle Chu: A very strange species of Chu. Living deep in the thick, vibrant, and dangerous jungle, they are the most colorful of all Chu. While their base color is still usually some shade of brown (but not always), they usually have brightly colored markings and patterns: including tufts of fur that imitate flowers; bright-red, thorn-like claws; green stripes; anything you can think of, there’s probably a jungle Chu that has it. No two of them look the same. These Chu have the longest tails of any species. They are wild, energetic, and mostly nocturnal. While most of them live in small tribes, jungle Chu also have a few large towns. Their houses are built high up in the trees and don’t usually have roofs. Some Chu that live in the darkest part of the jungle are known to glow with bioluminescence. Occasionally, they will have fangs instead of tusks. They are omnivores, but it’s customary for each Chu in this society to pick a favorite food to represent them. This will become like a last name for them, and can’t be changed. The height of these Chu also varies the greatest of any species. They can be anywhere from 3 - 7 feet (91 - 213cm) tall.
Birch Forest Chu: These are the strangest species of Chu, so different that some debate that they are not actually a species of Chu. They are entirely carnivorous. Their fur is short, smooth, and white with black stripes, just like birch trees. Their body shape is what is most strange about them. They have very long, thin limbs that mimic birch trees. They almost always walk on all fours, hunting by holding completely still. Like this they are as tall as the surrounding trees. Unsuspecting creatures that walk beneath them will be devoured. Their tails also differ from other variations: thin and branching, with leaf-like tufts of fur, they look almost just like the branch of a birch tree. Their body is also thin, with a pattern like branches and leaves on their stomach to complete the camouflage. They have very long, very sharp claws and silver eyes. This species often has fangs rather than tusks. While other Chu tend to live in small tribes or even large towns in some cases, these Chu live a mostly solitary lifestyle.
Marsh/Mangrove Forest Chu: These are the hardest Chu to find. They are semi-aquatic and live in thickly forested wetlands. They can swim very well and hold their breath for a long time. Their fur is waterproof, and their toes are webbed. While brown is the most common color, their fur can also be slightly greyish or greenish to help blend in with their environment. Their eyes also tend to be brown, green, or silver. They eat mostly fish, but also like berries. They have dens similar to beavers, out in the water with an entrance underneath. Also like beavers, their tails can be flat and thick. Good for swimming, shoveling, or defense. Their tails can also be more fish-like. This can include an end that splits into a large paddle fin. Chu with this style of tail are faster swimmers. They may also have other fins elsewhere on their body, like their arms. They usually live in small groups with up to 8 members. These Chu tend to be on the shorter side, ranging from 3 - 5 feet (91 - 152cm) tall.
Mossy Forest Chu: These Chu come from thick, rainy forests to the northeast, by the ocean. The ground here is covered in ferns, and the trees are carpeted in moss, from root to branches. The moss hangs down in curtains, and makes it very difficult to see very far. These Chu are supposedly the closest to nature. Their eyes tend to be shades of green. While their fur comes in many shades of brown, they weave and cultivate many plants into it. These Chu often have moss, vines, and flowers growing straight out of their fur. They weave the high branches of their forest together to take shelter against the frequent rain. They do not eat meat, and only use animal products if they believe they were willingly given. These Chu live the longest of any other variation, though it is unsure how long that is. Some 300 year old elders are still nimble enough to visit the other forests. They can often be found sleeping on branches, or talking to plants and animals alike. They are usually between 5 - 7 feet (152 - 213cm) in height, but its said that some sleepy behemoths lie deep in the forest, indistinguishable from the mossy, fern-covered hills.
These are just some species of Chu. They live all around the world in every kind of forest and are very diverse. For information on other forest species, contact me.