Alternative History
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Under contruction icon-red The following Great Nuclear War Mutations (Great Nuclear War) is under construction.

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Animal populations affected are mostly those with high reproductive rates, such as many rodent species, insects, dogs, and cats. Other affected groups are amphibians, as they are easily affected by environmental toxins.

Amphibians[]

Polliwog

In many places, the amphibian population was given a hard blow by the Great Nuclear War. Rivers would flood with heavy metals, pollutants, and irradiated particles; wherein frogs, salamanders, and the like would absorb these harmful chemicals through the skin, often leading to deformity in the offspring, ranging from extra (or fewer) legs to total blindness. Such deformed frogs go by many names, such as polliwogs, kermits, and in the case of aberrant toads; woads.

Kermit

Salamanders also fall into this category, with many examples of six-legged or two-headed newts and salamanders turning up. These are known by many different names, such as Bug Newts for six legged salamanders.

Salamander

Other examples include the various amphibians of North Carolina swamps, some of whom have adapted to survive better in brackish waters, allowing them to hunt in the more plentiful tide pools and swamp edges.

Mammals[]

Humans[]

Human Mutation is incredibly rare (as humans oft take precautions from radiation, and have a low gestation rate), and the majority of cases are cancer, though some hox gene mutations do occur, such as polydactyly, oligodactyly, cleft lips, and others. Some (notably small and isolated) populations propagate specific hox mutations through their communities due to inbreeding. Examples include the Cro Nation of Northern Michigan, where nearly 60% of the populace has gigantism, or Tennessee, where a sizable portion of Gatlinburg (nearly 40%) has ectrodactyly, also known as lobster hands.

Cro[]

Gigantism in Cro leads to many health problems, such as disc problems, joint pain and failure, arthritis, increased nutritional needs, and heart murmurs. On the other hand, Cro afflicted by gigantism are seen as greater warriors, being faster and stronger than their average counterparts, and often gaining more combat prowess.

Rodents[]

Rattus norvegicus[]

The Brown Rat, one of the most common rodents, have undergone much in the way of mutations, having such incredibly high gestation rates, and being able to survive nearly anywhere, subsequently being exposed to many mutagens (radioactive particles, industrial chemicals, etc.).

Toxoplasma gondii Symbiosis[]

Toxoplasma gondii was originally a parasite which caused rats to no longer fear cats, among other affects. Post-war, exposure to mutagen has caused a change in the way the parasite operates. Rather than using the rat as it's temporary host, it became the primary host, and causes the rat to no longer fear open spaces, and to seek out new food sources in order to maintain proper nutrition. This has caused an explosion of various aberrant rats whom exploit new niches.

Reptiles[]

Horned Snake

Reptiles were not as heavily affected by mutation as some other groups, but there exist examples of new phenotypes nonetheless. One such example (from the Colorado region) is the Horned Snake, brandishing a mutation common enough to warrant their being named. The "Horns" of the snake are actually modified fangs which grow through the roof of the mouth, similar to a a Narwhal's tooth.

Fish[]

Fish big-janitor-fish-and-the-viewers-1382478695 b

So far, it can be assumed the irradiated coast lines and bodies of water have a mutated population of fish and other aquatic life. Reports include fishes having grown to larger sizes.

In the Philippines, residents living across Laguna bay have caught a large janitor fish. The janitor fish, along with many others, was believed to have swam across the irradiated Pasig River. Pre-war, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment was concerned of janitor fish dumping in the river - due to its presence as a invasive alien species (IAS). Since the capital's abandonment in 1962, janitor fish that were not killed grew to larger size possibly due to the radiation from the nuclear strike.

False Reports[]

Many, many false reports of mutants exist, especially in North America. These range from people whom claim to have astonishing mutant abilities; to reports similar to those of pre-war cryptids. Some more commonly touted examples include Snow-Apes, described as snowy-white gorilla like beings; or reports of Hulk-like beings of immense strength.

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