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Energy
Calm, fierce, cautious, playful, or alert?
Probe intent: defensive, predatory, curious, social, solitary. Observe without labeling.
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Size
Small, medium, large, massive?
Compare to human scale: hand-sized, knee-high, chest-high, larger-than-you.
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Texture
Fur, feathers, scales, smooth, or armored?
Note directional texture (grain), thickness, and “shine” (sleek vs matte).
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Movement
Crawling, hopping, flying, swimming, stalking, still?
Movement quality matters: jerky vs fluid, gliding vs pounding, drifting vs darting.
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Body Shape
Long, compact, tall, rounded, thin, or wide?
Scan “silhouette”: neck length, limb style, tail presence, head shape—avoid naming the animal.
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Sound / Presence
Quiet, loud, gentle, intimidating?
“Presence” can be energetic. Ask: does it feel innocent, ancient, sharp, heavy, or quick?
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Location
Air, land, water, trees, underground, sky?
Habitat is a strong classifier. Note environment cues (wet, sandy, leafy, rocky).