Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Species Factory; Empty your mind
Topic Started: Nov 6 2014, 06:54 PM (33,409 Views)
truteal
Member Avatar
forum bigfoot
 *  *  *  *  *  *
I've thought up the basics for my own alt world project, a good comparison would the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but a bit more conservative animal wise (no six limbed tetrapods)

This world has one continent, which reaches from the planet's north pole to near the equator

Fancyfeathers: Generic looking ground-dwelling bird that lives in cold climates. It has dull brown feathers (which turn white during the winter) but during mating season, all sexually mature males become brightly coloured, but due to spending all their time trying to attract as many females as possible (and their feathers stick out in the snow) all mature males die off during the winter

Shroomback: Large Cavids that have mushrooms growing on their back

Howling Screamer: Territorial but harmless Primates who make terrifying cries

Great Drifter: A Humongous Siphonophore, many species of seabird nest on it

Anaslonda: Giant carnivorous land gastropod

Lotharibuck: A Male only species of Antelope that mates with females of other Antelope species

Fungus-Eater: A brightly coloured Lagomorph that eats poisonous mushrooms, also becoming poisonous

Fungus-Eater-Eater: A brightly coloured Canid that eats Fungus-Eaters, also becoming poisonous

Invader: A blind predator that hunts using sonar, said to have come from another planet, its larval stage is a completely aquatic predator

Great Gulper: A Humongous Saccopharyngiforme that has long needle-like teeth that let it filter feed

Batagonia: A small island home to flightless land/tree dwelling bats

Hound-Bat: Quadrupedal flightless Bat that hunts other species of Quadrupedal flightless Bat that share its island home

Miterail: Flightless bird that removes external parasites from Quadrupedal flightless Bat species (including the Hound-Bat)

Bloodbok: A carnivorous Antelope with clawed front hooves

Eushrew: A Eusocial Insectivore, they communicate through scent, while most species are carnivorous, some eat fruit

Sandstalker: A giant Marsupial Mole

False Queen: A small gamebird that uses scent to trick Eushrews into giving it food

Buttbug: Insects that fly up Herbivores’ anal sphincters to lay eggs in their fecal matter while it is still inside their bodies

Beastlybyrd: A flightless arboreal predatory avian

Minimoose: Small antlered rodents
Edited by truteal, Apr 23 2016, 10:02 PM.
My sporadically updated Youtube page

Do you get it? I hardly ever come here so I'm like something a cryptozoologist would study
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Sayornis
Member Avatar
Neotenous
 *  *  *  *  *  *
truteal
Apr 23 2016, 10:02 PM
Shroomback: Large Cavids that have mushrooms growing on their back
Cool idea-- maybe the mushrooms could serve as camouflage like the algae that grows on sloths' fur. But how would they get mushrooms to grow on their bodies?
The Library is open. (Now under new management!)
Dr Nitwhite
Aug 19 2016, 07:42 PM
As I said before, the Library is like spec crack.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
truteal
Member Avatar
forum bigfoot
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Sayornis
Apr 24 2016, 01:59 PM
truteal
Apr 23 2016, 10:02 PM
Shroomback: Large Cavids that have mushrooms growing on their back
Cool idea-- maybe the mushrooms could serve as camouflage like the algae that grows on sloths' fur. But how would they get mushrooms to grow on their bodies?
I don't know (I'm probably just going to handwave it)

The mushrooms serve as a deterrent against predators (who wants to eat something covered with poisonous mushrooms?)
My sporadically updated Youtube page

Do you get it? I hardly ever come here so I'm like something a cryptozoologist would study
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Beetleboy
Member Avatar
neither lizard nor boy nor beetle . . . but a little of all three
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
truteal
Apr 24 2016, 04:03 PM
Sayornis
Apr 24 2016, 01:59 PM
truteal
Apr 23 2016, 10:02 PM
Shroomback: Large Cavids that have mushrooms growing on their back
Cool idea-- maybe the mushrooms could serve as camouflage like the algae that grows on sloths' fur. But how would they get mushrooms to grow on their bodies?
I don't know (I'm probably just going to handwave it)

The mushrooms serve as a deterrent against predators (who wants to eat something covered with poisonous mushrooms?)
I have had a similar idea for a rodent which lives in caves and has fungi growing on its back, which masks its scent from predators, and also the feel of the animal's fur, as some of its predators hunt by touch.
~ The Age of Forests ~
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Corecin
Member Avatar
Have you ever been bitch slapped for lack of listening? lack of doing what your told? cuz i'm not far from slapping you
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
So for future reference (I mean in the current COM that's out) I'm going to put everyone of my ideas I've had for it. Because for some reason every idea I've had so far is also being thought of by someone else. And I don't want to be that guy who always says "I had that idea too, so I'm doing it anyways" cause it may seem like I'm copying people.

Cave squid: a squid that uses very large hooks on its claws and it's very powerful beak to dig.

Tyflopontikosaur: a small sauropod that lives in burrows.


Also burrowing

Fox
Elephant
Therepod
Komodo dragon
Turtle


Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dr Nitwhite
Member Avatar
Luddite
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
I had a dream not to long ago and ended up with some interesting animals that don't currently fit any of my projects, but I think I can work them in somewhere. They are:

A monkey with stiffened hair along its arms to create a wing, which ends up looking rather like a bird's wing.

Small bipedal rodents that hop about in the company of plovers, with colored hair to make them appear as one.

These animals where frolicking about a zoo like structure. I haven't the faintest idea why or what I was doing there. I'm thinking of working them into my main continuum project or a putting them in project all on their own as genetically modified zoo exhibits.
Speculative Evolution Projects-

Other Relevant Work-

Final SE Lifelist standings

BREAKING NEWS
We interrupt your regular programming to bring you this cutting edge report.
ATTENDANCE DROPS DRASTICALLY ON SE SERVER
This past Monday on Discord, famous server Speculative Evolution took a hit in the attendance office when it's offline member list suddenly reappeared. Mods scrambled to rectify the situation, but unfortunately there was little anyone could do. Server member Ivan was asked what he thought of the situation. "So long as Flisch, lord of machines and scion of Urborg lives, all will be well". SE, (in)famous for it's eccentric userbase, has recently been spiraling downward, and now we have hard conformation of the decline. Moderator "High Lord" Icthyander states "There is nothing to be concerned about, Discord is merely changing its UI again", but members are beginning to suspect the honesty of their staff.
Stay tuned, we'll be back with more at 11.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Corecin
Member Avatar
Have you ever been bitch slapped for lack of listening? lack of doing what your told? cuz i'm not far from slapping you
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Dr Nitwhite
May 11 2016, 07:38 PM
I had a dream not to long ago and ended up with some interesting animals that don't currently fit any of my projects, but I think I can work them in somewhere. They are:

A monkey with stiffened hair along its arms to create a wing, which ends up looking rather like a bird's wing.

Small bipedal rodents that hop about in the company of plovers, with colored hair to make them appear as one.

These animals where frolicking about a zoo like structure. I haven't the faintest idea why or what I was doing there. I'm thinking of working them into my main continuum project or a putting them in project all on their own as genetically modified zoo exhibits.
Or zoo animals from the future?
Posted Image
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dr Nitwhite
Member Avatar
Luddite
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
AGolotl
May 11 2016, 08:06 PM
Dr Nitwhite
May 11 2016, 07:38 PM
I had a dream not to long ago and ended up with some interesting animals that don't currently fit any of my projects, but I think I can work them in somewhere. They are:

A monkey with stiffened hair along its arms to create a wing, which ends up looking rather like a bird's wing.

Small bipedal rodents that hop about in the company of plovers, with colored hair to make them appear as one.

These animals where frolicking about a zoo like structure. I haven't the faintest idea why or what I was doing there. I'm thinking of working them into my main continuum project or a putting them in project all on their own as genetically modified zoo exhibits.
Or zoo animals from the future?
Perhaps. Who knows where they end up?
Speculative Evolution Projects-

Other Relevant Work-

Final SE Lifelist standings

BREAKING NEWS
We interrupt your regular programming to bring you this cutting edge report.
ATTENDANCE DROPS DRASTICALLY ON SE SERVER
This past Monday on Discord, famous server Speculative Evolution took a hit in the attendance office when it's offline member list suddenly reappeared. Mods scrambled to rectify the situation, but unfortunately there was little anyone could do. Server member Ivan was asked what he thought of the situation. "So long as Flisch, lord of machines and scion of Urborg lives, all will be well". SE, (in)famous for it's eccentric userbase, has recently been spiraling downward, and now we have hard conformation of the decline. Moderator "High Lord" Icthyander states "There is nothing to be concerned about, Discord is merely changing its UI again", but members are beginning to suspect the honesty of their staff.
Stay tuned, we'll be back with more at 11.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Drakeking10
Member Avatar
Mountain Dragon
 *  *  *  *
Mmm what about a giant carnivorous bat called the Stormflyer.
Theoritically anything is possible, one just needs to think hard enough. But what is theoretically possible may not be possible in practice.

Religion, rationality, and civilization are all lies, they are simply manifestations of basic instincts.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CaledonianWarrior96
Member Avatar
An Awesome Reptile
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Drakeking10
May 13 2016, 11:54 AM
Mmm what about a giant carnivorous bat called the Stormflyer.
Sounds like a sea-faring flying animal
Come check out and subscribe to my projects on the following subforums;

Future Planet (V.2): the Future Evolution of Life on Earth (Evolutionary Continuum)
The Meuse Legacy: An Alternative Outcome of the Mosasaur (Alternative Evolution)
Terra Cascus: The Last Refuge of the Dinosaurs (Alternative Evolution)
- Official Project
- Foundation
The Beryoni Galaxy: The Biologically Rich and Politically Complex State of our Galaxy (Habitational Zone)

- Beryoni Critique Thread (formerly: Aliens of Beryoni)
The Ecology of Skull Island: An Open Project for the Home of King Kong (Alternative Universe)
The Ecology of Wakanda: An Open Project for the Home of Marvel's Black Panther (Alternative Universe)

(Click bold titles to go to page. To subscribe click on a project, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "track topic" on the bottom right corner)


And now, for something completely different
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Finncredibad
Member Avatar
Edgy and Cool
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
What about a walking plant creature that reproduces through explosions (yes, that was serious).
Favorite quotes

Spoiler: click to toggle

Projects and stuff
Spoiler: click to toggle
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Paleo_Specs
Member Avatar
Professor
 *  *  *  *  *  *
Jesus...
Tet....
Stahp...
Posted Image

Quote:
 
a species of canid that's always male because the females are in Hell, that commits blood rituals on unborn souls, and assimilates others into its flesh belongs in a competition meant to foster a sensible and mature discussion of evolution.
Nanotyrannus, COM 2016
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dragonthunders
Member Avatar
The ethereal archosaur in blue

Tet the Zoologist
May 13 2016, 03:04 PM
What about a walking plant creature that reproduces through explosions (yes, that was serious).
Well, something like a walking palm with explosive dehiscence, that's sort interesting.

At least if you're talking about a earth plant and not a plant alien, because with an alien plant you have more things to make without care about normal plant's problems.
Projects

"Active" projects

The Future is Far
Welcome to the next chapters of the evolution of life on earth, travel the across the earth on a journey that goes beyond the limits, a billion years of future history in the making.

The SE giants project
Wonder what is the big of the big on speculative evolution? no problem, here is the answer

Coming one day
Age of Mankind
Humanity fate and its possible finals.

The Long Cosmic Journey
The history outside our world.

The alternative paths
The multiverse, the final frontier...

Holocene park: Welcome to the biggest adventure of the last 215 million years, where the age of mammals comes to life again!
Cambrian mars: An interesting experiment on an unprecedented scale, the life of a particular and important period in the history of our planet, the cambric life, has been transported to a terraformed and habitable mars in an alternative past.
Two different paths, two different worlds, but same life and same weirdness.




My deviantart


Online Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
CaledonianWarrior96
Member Avatar
An Awesome Reptile
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Tet the Zoologist
May 13 2016, 03:04 PM
What about a walking plant creature that reproduces through explosions (yes, that was serious).
Actually this isn't as bad as it sounds;

Like what if a plant (alien most likely) develops a mechanism where it has seeds with fluffy filaments to act as chutes of sorts and they are contained within a sac-like structure. The sac fills with oxygen that the planet produces as waste and eventually the pressure inside increases to the point the sac bursts and the seeds float away.

Don't know how that could evolve but there's an idea for it. Anyone is welcome to expand or improve on this
Come check out and subscribe to my projects on the following subforums;

Future Planet (V.2): the Future Evolution of Life on Earth (Evolutionary Continuum)
The Meuse Legacy: An Alternative Outcome of the Mosasaur (Alternative Evolution)
Terra Cascus: The Last Refuge of the Dinosaurs (Alternative Evolution)
- Official Project
- Foundation
The Beryoni Galaxy: The Biologically Rich and Politically Complex State of our Galaxy (Habitational Zone)

- Beryoni Critique Thread (formerly: Aliens of Beryoni)
The Ecology of Skull Island: An Open Project for the Home of King Kong (Alternative Universe)
The Ecology of Wakanda: An Open Project for the Home of Marvel's Black Panther (Alternative Universe)

(Click bold titles to go to page. To subscribe click on a project, scroll to the bottom of the page and click "track topic" on the bottom right corner)


And now, for something completely different
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Paleo_Specs
Member Avatar
Professor
 *  *  *  *  *  *
You guys know that was a game theory, and the exact explanation for the creeper?
Posted Image

Quote:
 
a species of canid that's always male because the females are in Hell, that commits blood rituals on unborn souls, and assimilates others into its flesh belongs in a competition meant to foster a sensible and mature discussion of evolution.
Nanotyrannus, COM 2016
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Create your own social network with a free forum.
Learn More · Sign-up for Free
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · General Spec · Next Topic »
Add Reply