Giant Rat

History
Giant Rats have been the dark fact about civilization since the Aem first began to construct homes. Rarely appearing outside of civilized areas, they have carried a plethora of diseases with them and caused thousands to die without even touching them. Always a target for extermination, Giant Rats are guardians of their smaller cousins - and so large amounts of rats signal the presence of multiple Giant Rats in the area, even if they themselves are not seen. They are the horrors parents tell their children before bed, warning them to stay away from the dark recesses of cities.

Behavior
Giant Rats are highly aggressive creatures, but only when threatened or in the presence of multiple Giant Rats. Otherwise, they are scavengers that feast on anything they can get their hands on and avoid being seen at all costs. They are highly protective of their smaller cousins, and so will attack any that dare to harm them in their presence with no discretion.

They will gladly hunt and feast on larger creatures, such as Humans or Aem, if they are among others of their kind.

Appearance
Giant rats are 21 inches tall, when on their hind legs, and equally as long (excluding their tail, which is just as long by itself). They are covered in either brown or black scraggly fur with hairless feet and tail. Their teeth are jagged and their claws razor sharp, their eyes a bright yellow or deep red.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Giant Rats, like most rats, are not fond of the light and try to avoid it at all costs. They are also not the brightest of creatures, easily falling for traps and simple tricks. They are, however, very quick and highly adaptive, able to avoid dangers and live in any environment they are put into. Giant Rats also carry a variety of diseases upon them, including the bubonic plague, rat bite fever, and split bone infection. The most concentrated dose of the bacteria that cause these diseases is found in their mouths, and thus in their bite, of which such a high dose will kill most adults in a few hours - their saliva is a pale green due to this, and should be avoided at all costs.