Crewmates vs. Impostors vs. Crewpostors
(long post, post below the cut)
If you've been thinking about adopting an amongus, the most important thing is to know which type you're getting, as they all have unique traits and care needs. So, here's a brief guide to all the types and how to care for them! (Reminder to adopt from shelters instead of pet shops, and make sure your breeders are safe and ethical.)
1. Crewmate
Crewmates are the most common and the most well-liked as pets. If the place you got your amongus doesn't say what type it is, a few signs are:
Have little or no canine teeth
In general, smaller or less visible mouths
More social, compared to any impostors in the same location
Can be seen doing tasks (anywhere from trying to fix a broken enclosure to fidgeting with a toy)
Only have their hands out when doing said tasks, or any other time when it's absolutely necessary
Avoid small spaces (mild claustrophobia)
May gather the other members of their lobby all together to talk (emergency meeting)
Tasks are very important for crewmates. If you can't get a task machine specially designed for amongi, baby toys are often a great idea! Make sure they're safe, but under no circumstances get a jack-in-the-box as it looks just like an impostor jumping out from a vent and will scare your crewmate. Get some baby fences too, and give your crewmate an enclosure filled with tasks and toys.
Amongi are omnivores, but crewmates have more plant-based diets. They enjoy softer foods than impostors, but crunchy foods like carrots and apples are still a good idea for the nutrients they provide. Their meals will usually look something like salad, but remember to occasionally give them some meat- chicken works well.
Amongi are very social creatures, crewmates especially, so if you get one it's a good idea to get two. They can be very skittish when alone, and having another crewmate to be by their side will make them feel exponentially safer.
SUBSET: Scientist. Scientists are a special kind of Crewmate who are incredibly attuned to the needs and health of their lobby. They make better pets for beginners, as they know how to and will sometimes take care of themselves, and they're often incredibly affectionate. They have an affinity towards Medbay-type tasks.
2. Impostors
Impostors are probably the least kept as pets, because they can be very tricky to train and care for. They do have violent instincts, but don't be put off- they can be just as kind, caring, and social as any crewmate. Some surefire signs of an impostor are:
Prominent mouth
Extra or particularly sharp canines
Sharp, whiplike tongue
Appear less social compared to crewmates in the same location, but interact with other impostors
Can be seen near tasks but never actually doing them (however, will still play with certain toys)
Hands out more frequently
Will shove and hit other amongi/caretakers- as a sign of affection
Bigger/squishier paw pads (to sneak up behind an unassuming crewmate)
Tendency to make a mess of things for fun (often called sabotaging)
LOVE confined spaces, such as vents, dog doors, tunnels dug in the backyard, etc
Impostors won't do tasks, but that doesn't mean they don't like to play. They just prefer to play more physically- they'll run around, climb through and around shelves and cabinets, and play-fight other impostors. If you have a large backyard or extra space in the house, impostors are a great idea. They're very rambunctious. Get them tunnels, install a dog door, let them play in boxes like cats so that they can vent and travel around the house safely and entertained.
For their care, I have a separate post about impostor diet, but what's most important for impostor care is training. They are born with violent instincts, and in the wild often kill other amongi frequently. But don't be afraid! Nearly every impostor available for adoption will already be at least somewhat trained, and if you take care of them as minis from before they're 1 year old they'll likely have already learned from your own behaviors not to be violent, but you should always still train impostors. If they ever get too violent- biting, stabbing with their tongue, using weapons, or even just affectionately shoving you too hard- give them a firm "NO." or "STOP." and depending on the severity of what they've done, take away a few toys or don't give them treats until they've slowed or stopped the behavior. But under no circumstances should you hit your amongi.
SUBSET: Shapeshifter. These impostors have the incredible ability to transform into any other amongus from their lobby, or even just a neighbor's amongus who they're friends with. They tend to be sneakier, and unlike every other kind of amongus who benefits from having company all the time, they're much sneakier and will be okay with being kept as an "only child".
3. Crewpostors
Crewpostors aren't kept as pets as often as either of the other types, because by their very nature they're a combination of a crewmate and an impostor- and so no one guide can tell you definitively how to care for them. Crewpostors come from either
a. One parent impostor and one parent crewmate
b. Two parent crewpostors
c. One parent crewpostor and one parent either impostor or crewmate.
Unlike the other two types, who are more "purebred" and are born from two parents of the same type, or in rare cases, of a crewpostor who's more one than the other and a parent crewmate/impostor. There's no definite guide to tell if your amongus is a crewpostor, just if they don't fit the criteria of the two other types, they likely are.
Crewpostors have sabotaging instincts and task completion instincts, which often results in them being very messy. Don't adopt one if you're not good at cleaning up! Every crewpostor's level of "crewmate-ness" and "impostor-ness" varies, so the best bet is to just give them an enclosure with every type of toy you can find and see what they like. A common crewpostor behavior is that instead of venting (which they will still often do) they will bury themselves- in piles of leaves, blankets, or their toys. So stuffed toys are a good idea for them.
Crewpostor diets are completely omnivorous, so make sure to feed them a variety of meat and plants, and be prepared if they're picky eaters. A good rule of thumb for crewpostors, with everything, including food- is to start off with one of everything and use the process of elimination to find what they actually enjoy. Crewpostors are known, more than the two main types, to try and eat human food- be careful! Not all of it is good for them, and some can be harmful.
They face more health issues than the other types of amongi, so be sure to take them to the vet regularly, and especially keep up with their dental hygiene. Mouths are the most different thing between crewmates and impostors, so be prepared for some strange smiles.
SUBSET: Engineer. Engineers are a special kind of crewpostor with no impostor traits or instincts except for venting. Take care of them as you would a crewmate, but provide plenty of boxes and tunnels for them to vent through.
P.S.
All amongi are different, and will have individual needs. And, if anything obvious seems to have been left out- that's because it's something you should do for all amongi, not just one specific type. Make sure to do your research before adopting any amongi at all, and make sure to always give them lots of love and attention.
