Spiky Wassies (colloquially known as Spikies) are a strain of Wassie identified by the porcupine-like texture of their fur.
Spikies live a somewhat unfortunate existence (even for Wassies). When Spikies were first observed by Wassie researchers, it was hypothesized that they were 'alpha Wassies' given their propensity to venture further out into the wilderness often away from other Wassie strains, with their spikes acting as a defense mechanism from predators as long as a mating signal. This theory fell apart upon further discovery that Wassies do not breed and Spikies are actually outcasts (not Outcasts) from their communities.
Spikies are generally shunned by Wassie social groups due to the texture of their fur (in contrast to Fuzzies) which can cause fatal injuries to other Wassies given the general clumsiness of the species. They are thus often forced to become lone wolves roaming outside of Wassie communities even though they are neither more courageous than other Wassies or possess a more adventurous spirit. The only reason for their solitary behavior is that they are exiles. Spikies are still naturally social creatures and groups of Spikies have been identified in the wild (though with a higher than normal prevalence of injury and blindness).
The spikes on Spikies however accord them with a longer than average lifespan in the wilderness as predators are less likely to target them. Non-Wassie predators that attempt to do so however tend to find Spikies to be quite easy prey given the fact that the spikes actually soften when Spikies are scared.
