The above document summarizes Niklaus' involvement in the Hyadian regime and may shed some light into his character. We have also deemed it worthwhile to present the following fact sheet regarding his species.

A short description of the features of a kangaroo rat:
Kangaroo rats are so named because their preferred method of locomotion essentially mimics that of the kangaroo. In brief, they are excellent jumpers – a 14 inch long rat (counting the length of the tail) can leap upwards of 8 feet, and they have the ability to change their facing upon landing which allows for quick and erratic turns. Aiding the rats' leaping prowess are their characteristically long tails; ending in a tuft of fur, these appendages are notably longer than the head and body of the rat itself. The legs of the kangaroo rat end in furry, four-toed paws and are markedly longer than their upper limbs.

Another curious adaption in the kangaroo rat are its cheek pouches. Lined inside with fur, these pouches exist on the outside of the body, on each cheek. Their openings run parallel to the lower jaw and the rat can fill them with seeds to save for later snacking.

As a desert species, kangaroo rats are particularly adapted towards conserving moisture. Getting much of their water from the seeds that they eat, these rats are also readily capable of producing sufficient metabolic water such that, with proper regulation, a normal roo rat may not ever need to drink. One such regulatory activities includes keeping their burrows very humid and sleeping with noses buried in earth to form a little pool of moisture; this has the tendency to quickly introduce mold into seed caches, and as a result, roo rats have grown to appreciate the flavors of slightly moldy seeds. You may see why this little factoid was considered worthwhile.


For more information: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.e.....s_spectabilis/

Extrapolating this for Niklaus:
Niklaus is five and a half feet tall. By extension this gives him a tail of about eight feet in length. It also suggests, if following a linear scale, that he is capable of a maximum jumping distance of twenty-two feet, although the accuracy of this assumption has not yet been established. When walking he locomotes much like any other proper individual, yet he does not run, for he is built to leap and prefers to “lemur-hop.” He's incredibly quick, therefore, but also a terrible shot at speed.

Feeling that he looks like an idiot with his pouches stuffed full, Niklaus does not make use of them very often. He does however keep a concealed knife tucked away in the left pouch for emergencies. The blade is small and thin and does not visibly deform his cheek.

As far as water conservation is considered, lack of humid little burrows or an all seed diet and considering the higher salt intakes that come with civilized diets he is not completely reliant on his own metabolic water (although with some self-discipline he could likely go longer than the average joe) but then again an excess of water and wine is not exactly out of his reach, either.

Hyadia propsers!