My fursona's species, Kannik, is a joint race of Snow Leopards (called Kayi) and Huskies (called Kimmek) with an Inuit-based, hunting-focused, and monotheistic culture and my fursona is a hybrid of both species (with added qualities for individuality). Someone on Facebook told me that my sona, Frostfire, is not part of a species and is just a hybrid. Though I want to ramble and get defensive, I'll just reason my thinking instead.

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First of all, a mule is it's own species and yet is a hybrid of a donkey and a horse; same goes for the most famous hybrid in the world - the Liger, despite that it doesn't have a unique name. This is a byproduct of Hybrid Speciation. I'm sure there are other functional hybrids out there I am neglecting but they exist. Either way, to breed, both species must be compatible in order to have offspring (something I learned from this video). With that in mind, where canines and felines could not breed in real life due to this rule, it is possible in a fictional world and thusly, why Kannik are undoubtedly are a species.

And speaking of species and rules, one could argue that, say, Ino's Dutch Angel Dragons are just a Horse/Dragon hybrid with specific rules. And what about the Deereon, LiLaiRa's species? They are essentially Deer/Fish hybrids. What's to stop these species from just being hybrids? The rules placed on them. Without these rules, they would be something else entirely.

As I pointed out, Kannik are a joint race, meaning that, typically, Kimmek are male and Kayi are female. I kind of based this rule off an idea I had years back and the rules on the species known as Mobians in the Sonic universe where Mobians usually pair up with members of their own kind (but it is not unheard of for interracial couples to be formed). When interracial Mobian couples have children, they typically either have twin children that each carry one of the parents' physical traits, or have one child that carries both parents' physical traits. Of course, genes don't always abide by such rules, hence why there are female Kimmek, male Kayi, and hybrids can happen.

One might ask "How are the species different from their real-life counterparts?" Several ways, I would answer them. I still have yet to come up enough rules to make them truly a designated species but I'll get there, even if it takes me the rest of my life. Anyways...

The most blatant difference (but not the most important difference since any fursona could have them) is the coloring. Though each Kayi and Kmmek abides by natural coloring according to their real-life counterparts, they also have unnatural markings to their pelts. For instance, Frostfire has burgundy red spots on her shoulders, knees, hands, feet, ears, and back as well as a matching fade along her body. All Kayi have these colored spots in the aforementioned places on the body and can be any color as long as each of these spots match. The same applies to Kimmek who have a thick colored fade on their body. I have yet to add something further to the Kimmek's anatomy other than the fade but eh, I'll get there. These markings are crucial to the summoning of the Guardian Angel - that was given to them at birth by their diety, the All-Maker - when in danger (which is tied to the necklace that they wear as it is of the animal that represents their GA). These portions glow when the GA is protecting the summoner.

Another defining point of the Kannik as a species is a different kind of marking that both Kayi and Kimmek have regardless of gender and species: The colored Inukshuk.

In Inuit culture, these are rock structures built as waypoints for hunting and crafted to look like a human body - hence why each of the seven parts are separated by color and appear on seven parts of the body (forehead, wrists, ankles, and chest). Each color also represents the colors of the Aurora Borealis. Every Kannik has a hidden power known as Eoskinesis, which can be activated through these markings when they move to the back of the neck to form in the cross-shaped Inukshuk. When a Kannik's eyes begin to shimmer a spectrum of colors, they are granted thermal vision, heightened senses and strength to aid them during impossible hunts. Without the All-Maker's Cairn, any Snep or Husky is NOT Kannik.

Some other notable things about the Kannik is their powers and eye color, which is tied together. Everyone knows that Huskies are famous for their striking blue eyes and Sneps are usually seen/drawn with blue eyes. However, in real life, Huskies can have a variety of colors and Sneps have gray or pale green eyes. Despite this, the ice blue color is the most important trait, as it is literally intertwined with Cryokinesis (Ice manipulation), a Kannik's inborn ability. Heterochromia is uncommon but possible so if at least one eye is ice blue, any other natural color in accordance to species is acceptable. Conversely, Pyrokinetic Kannik are also possible but are shunned, as their fiery orange eyes strike fear into the hearts of their people.

Some other rules regarding species and gender are tails and ears, respectively. Male Kimmek typically have curled tails while females do not and female Kayi typically have lengthy ears why male Kayi do not.

Lastly, hybrids will have any combination of the markings and colors but they will always have the All-Maker's Cairn.

As of right now, these are all the rules I have created but I will eventually think of more. If these aren't good enough to classify my Kannik as a species and more than a hybrid, I do not know what will.

So, with that out of the way, what are your thoughts and opinion on this topic?

If any of the scientific stuff is misinformation, I apologize.

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(Background and Inukshuk drawn by Solar-Paragon from deviantArt)