Ready to make a character? Not sure what species to pick? For ideas, you can look at the species listings on the forum here and here,  or you can use 'census' to see how many of which species already exist on the muck. RP is typically strongest between members of the same species, so making a character of a species that already has a player-base on the MUCK may be a good way to spark up some friendly RP.
A few things to bear in mind - As stated in the rules, we stress realistic RP here. When you've decided on an animal to play, it is highly encouraged that you read up a bit on your species of choice. There are many resources on the internet toward this end, but if you need assistance, several of our staffers are hardcore animal nerds who could certainly help you out.
Once you're ready to make a character, log in as a guest ('connect guest guest') and request via the '@request' command.  If you wish to create an alternate character, please log in as your pre-existing character and @request from there. This links your alts together and makes life much easier for the staff.

Names should be kept to a general 'nature' theme. Nature-based names based on concepts, plants and objects one might find in the natural world (light, sun, river, lake, grass, leaf, flower, oak, aspen, buttercup, etc.) as well as Native American-sounding names for animals native to the area. Exotic animals (tigers, lions, etc) would possibly have names based more in the lands from whence their ancestors originated (African, Indian, Asian, so forth). Fantasy-sounding names should be all right, but avoid high fantasy-sounding names (elven stuff, etc). Please avoid 'normal' Anglo-saxon type names (Robert, Abigail, Christopher, Anna, and the like), though you may see some Varg with that sort of name. There is a reason. As usual, staffers are here to help if you have a question.

Specific breeds of domestic animals no longer exist. They are merged into a general 'mutt'. Purebreds exist only due to human intervention, and without said intervention, dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and other domestic animals would breed freely until an 'average' is achieved. While your char may lean slightly toward characteristics found in existing breeds, you will find no purebreds in the world of After...
Only natural animal colorations will be allowed, though we will provide a little wiggle room. No blue tigers, no red lions, no blue-eyed wolves. If there is a natural color mutation (albino, leucistic, melanistic, piebald) or hybrid you are interested in playing, you will need to speak to a wizard. We would like to keep 'unique' odd colorations and hybrids to a minimum.
If your character is of a species that is a social, group animal, it is highly-encouraged that you join up with a group or potentially speak to a wizard about forming your own.
There is no limit to the number of characters you may have. There is, however, a limit to the number of wolves and lions, since those tend to be the most popular choices on this sort of MUCK and we don't want to be overrun.
For now, you may have only one lion and one wolf character. Both are social animals and do not do well on their own, so be advised that to avoid the number of lone wolves and solo lions, there will be IC stresses encouraging you to join a pack or a pride. If you wish to play an adult male lion with any chance at leading a pride, you will need to start your character no older than adolescent and fill out your pinfo completely and be approved by a wiz.

If you have an overwhelming NEED for a second wolf or lion character, OR if you want an oddly-colored or hybrid character, you will need to fill out an application and either PM it to Sidian on the forum, or email it to the headwiz.
Name:
Age & Gender:
Species:
Description (detailed):
Personality (detailed):
Background/history (detailed):
Goals/concept (what does your char hope to achieve? How have they survived if they are albino or otherwise crippled):


Reproduction
As this is a MUCK that focuses on relatively realistic animal RP, and one of the major drives for animals is reproduction, this is something that is going to come up, and probably a lot.
Firstly, as stated in the rules, if you choose to play out your...reproduction urges...please do so in PRIVATE. There will be no tolerance for people RPing mating in public areas.
Secondly, it's a definite rarity for animals to mate for 'fun'. Typically it only occurs during that species' mating season, which for large animals is generally only once a year. If you came here just looking for TS, you came to the wrong place. That's not what this muck is about. Please glance over some info on your species to determine when their mating season is and what time of year they give birth.
Lastly, if you would like your character to have babies, please discuss it with a wiz, preferably the Headwiz, and we'll see about arranging something and finding players for your character's offspring.