Mot

 
Welcome to Solaris, traveller! This is a slower-than-light science fantasy set in our own solar system.
About Solaris | Guide to Solaris | Prologue
The mot is a small domestic keras native to Mercury. Mots are soft and furry, and have six legs with two claws on each paw. They are ferocious hunters of small prey, and are welcome companions for their ability to keep food safe from pests. As they have gained popularity as pets, they have spread throughout the Sol system and can now be found on nearly every planetary body.   Mots have dull compound eyes that are adapted to low light conditions. Their eyes capture and amplify even small amounts of light, which helps them see and hunt in the dark. This also means their vision is overwhelmed by bright light, only allowing them to distinguish between dark and light patches with little shape or depth perception. Mots thus rely on their antennae to navigate during the day, giving them their reputation of clumsiness.   It takes a while to win the trust of a mot. Mots are particular and often shy. Once you do win their trust they can be quite affectionate and demanding. While they spend most of the day lazing and napping in their favourite humanoid lap, they do like to get into mischief during the night. They are curious creatures, and their fine motor control allows them to manipulate items and open simple locks.
Illustration of a Mot standing up. You can see all six limbs. It is very fluffy.
Standing Mot by Annie Stein

See Also

Mercury
History Scorching of Mercury
Locations Caduceus · Penumbra · Biomes ( Sunbleached Wastelands ) · Iron Spires ( Hokusai · Hun Kal ) · Enheduanna
Characters Blue NM-2 · Eun · Sciah · Roseah · Tray
Species Keras ( Mot · Walker )
Politics Ruling ( Mercurian Triumvirate · Interplanetary Solar Defence Council ) · Keystone of Mercury
Society Ethnicities ( Refugees of Mercury · Nomads of Mercury ) · Borealis Ice Mining
Image of a mot, a creature somewhere between a cat and a moth, curled up for a nap.
Napping Mot by Annie Stein
Lifespan
10-20 years
Average Height
20-30 cm
Average Length
50-80 cm
Geographic Distribution
Notice: This article is a stub. It may be expanded later!


Cover image: Standing Mot by Annie Stein

Comments

Author's Notes

Feature Friday 05-2025   What is a space opera without an iconic creepy-cute critter? The mot is inspired by our two cats, Luna and Apollo. Luna has poor vision and is very clumsy, and Apollo is a beloved menace who will get into any cupboard. Thankfully he doesn't have fine motor skills!   Also Mochi and I did an art trade, and omigosh look at this super cute mot they drew!! While you're at it, check out Orbit Kitty for some more cute space critters.

A sleepy mot naps on a pillow.

Sleepy Mot by Mochi


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Feb 16, 2023 13:17

Cute little buggers. Debating if I want one :D

You wanna see what we did for the last events? Go, click here: Eddies Major Events
Feb 16, 2023 13:20 by Annie Stein

Thank you!

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Feb 16, 2023 13:30 by Chris L

What a lovely little cat analog! So cute and, as always, love your drawings!

Learn about the World of Wizard's Peak.

Feb 16, 2023 13:35 by Annie Stein

Thank you so much!

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Feb 16, 2023 22:23 by Aster Blackwell

Would a baby mot be called a mitten????? T^T

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Feb 17, 2023 10:14 by Annie Stein

omg yes, that's adorable!!!

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Feb 17, 2023 22:36 by Aster Blackwell

T^T I'm obsessed with themmm

I just think you're neat!   Check out SanZera or support me on Ko-Fi!
Feb 18, 2023 20:56 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

I love them and I want one. Even though I would have to install several locks on their food cupboards.

Emy x
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Feb 19, 2023 10:09 by Annie Stein

So many locks!

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Feb 23, 2023 20:01 by Deleyna Marr

I can just imagine the trouble these things would get into at night! I wonder what my cats would make of one if I had one???

Deleyna
Feb 24, 2023 20:53 by Annie Stein

Oh gosh, all the trouble! I think they'd get along decently with cats, especially if they grew up alongside the other.

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Jul 5, 2023 17:23 by Marjorie Ariel

Very cute. I love how they're insectoid but also resemble cats or dogs.

Jul 5, 2023 17:27 by Annie Stein

Thank you! That's what I was going for.

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Aug 8, 2024 15:40 by CoolG

OOOOH I WANT ONE!!!

Explore the dark and mysterious Inferncenem, the bright and wonderful Caelumen, the dark but magical Ysteria, the vibrant and bustling Auxul or the world of contrasts Mytharae!   Have a good one!   Join the Discord and chat with like-minded people!
Aug 9, 2024 07:56 by Annie Stein

Pop by your local Mercurian quarter and see what they can do for you!

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Mar 30, 2025 13:29 by Asmod

So cute!

Mar 30, 2025 14:46 by Annie Stein

Thank you!

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