Well I started lining this then thought that it looks pretty bad and isn't worth it so I stopped; wanted to submit it anyway to explain a 'new' (its pretty generic really) species I have. I'll scrap this later if I don't forget.

So basically the species is called an Iqo (pronounced eye-koe), plural Iqa (eye-kah)
This is just an example of it, as modelled by my OC Joey (who is actually a human OC, I just think he'd be cute as one of these)

In this example, the Iqo is a mixed-breed, the main species being that of a bear. As a result of this, he has big hands/feet, with the big bear claws. He also has sharp teeth, and has three rows of sharp pointed teeth (the rows further back are smaller), this is for eating fish so they don't wiggle out of his mouth :B

Characteristics of Iqa aren't set in stone, they're different for the individual - for example, this one has big hands/feet because of the bear in him, but not all bear Iqo will have big hands/feet. :B However, they are more likely to - just as, say, a mouse one will be more likely to have dainty, more human-like hands.

You can get lots of different species of Iqa. They pretty much come as anything, and of course can be mixed breeds/'mutts'. And like I said before, the species affects the different individuals in different ways, so you could get a fish Iqo with a big fishy tail, then another fish Iqo with no tail, just fins.

Iqo have their own language, I can't really describe how it sounds in my mind but I guess think of how a budgie talks - it's lots of different noises strung together that make up the words/phrases.
They can learn other languages, such as English, but it is usually easier for them to understand other languages than to speak them, because they can find it difficult to pronounce some sounds. Of course, you also get some that speak it fluently, but this is usually when they have been around the language since a very young age.

They are kept as pets by humans, but also live in their own villages in 'the wild', for lack of a better term. I guess sort of in tribes. Some Iqa will prefer the 'pet' option of course, as they get to laze around the house all day and have their meals handed to them :B But some like living independently in their own villages.
Iqa are pretty much just as intelligent as humans, they're just not treated equally.
Humans have taken to selectively breeding the Iqa to get pure breeds of certain animals/breeds of dogs. The main reason for this is that, when Iqa are babies, you can pretty much not tell what they will grow up to look like - other than the obvious hooves or whathaveyou. They don't grow the hair/fur/scales on their arms or legs until they are kids, at which point it is very light, soft or unnoticeable. When they get to teenagers it becomes much more noticeable, and changes such as larger hands, thicker fur and/or bigger teeth/claws will grow. As it is easier to raise an Iqo from a very young age, people want to know what it will grow up to look like, obviously.

Uh, oh man I am typing way too much here. almost done i swear

Although there is great variation in Iqa, there are some main rules to them;
The animalistic parts are on their arms and legs mostly - this is where any fur, scales, feathers etc. will grow. Some feathered Iqo may have feathers replacing head-hair, though.
The other animalistic parts are the tails, of course, and the ears - if the animal part of the Iqo has ears, this will replace the more human ears. If the animal does not ears, then it might have human ears instead.
It is very uncommon, but 'mermaid/merman' type Iqo can occur.
Uhhh
They usually don't wear clothing, but more 'domesticated' Iqo will - this is mainly due to what their human owner decides.

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff out, but what the hey. If you have any questions, go ahead and ask.
If anyone is interested in making their own Iqo, ask me and you can 8D Remember, you can pretty much be as imaginative as you want when adding the animalistic features, as long as you stick to the 'ground rules'.

SO YEAH.
IQOS ARE MINE, AS IS JOEY THERE.
IF ANYONE ACTUALLY READ ALL THAT, I COMMEND YOU.