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| Novacene; The live on earth in 35 Million Years | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 5 2016, 05:46 AM (2,533 Views) | |
| Ursumeles | Jun 5 2016, 05:46 AM Post #1 |
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Newborn
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We´re in the Novacene, 35 Million Years after the holocene- and after the (suspected) exinct of Homo sapiens. The world is much warmer than today, the average temperatur is 18° degrees celsius. The Sea Level is 30m higher than today, so are many regions(like parts of east china) covered by a shallow sea, the biggest part of the holocene ice shields are gone. At the end of the holocene many species gone exinct, under them many island species(among others kiwis and komodo dragons) and a big part of the megafauna(nearly all bears, giraffes, elephants, bisons, lions etc.). While mammals are still the dominate (terrestial megafauna) group, it give large Birds and Reptiles-especially latter are much more diverse than in the holocene. Beside Animals that look much like the holocene ones, the world is populated by odd animals(and plants), which live in every area of the world. We´re in a world with an biodiversity which the world didn´t see since dozens millions of years! Table of contents: Proboscosuiformes: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1262108&t=6059585 Pannonian Basin: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1263622&t=6059585 Danube: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1265513&t=6059585 Ground quail: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1275829&t=6059585 Arctic Dwarf Whale: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1278916&t=6059585 Aartitans: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1279384&t=6059585 Bearbadgers: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1279637&t=6059585 Timeline: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1281646&t=6059585 Afrotropic: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=1282467&t=6059585 Boiúna: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=3030503&t=6059585 Yakwawiak: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=3035543&t=6059585 Frutures: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/single/?p=3044516&t=6059585 Edited by Ursumeles, Feb 8 2017, 10:59 AM.
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Aug 21 2016, 10:43 AM Post #16 |
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Newborn
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Spoiler: click to toggle Kingdeer(Regiocervus major) Description: The Kingdeer is one of the biggest deer species, only the Giant Waterelk reaches an similar weight; whereby their size differs between the sexes and the subspeies sometimese dramatically They reach lenghts of 290-420cm, shoulderheights of 197-260cm and weights of 500-1163kg. They have an powerful body and extended spines, although these aren´t as long as these of the near related Genus Euryceros. Here set the muscles and ligaments on, which carry their large antler. They have long, powerful legs and a long neck. Their furcolor differs between reddish gold to dark brown. They have relative "small", but heavy antlers with an span of 1,7m and an weight of 28kg, usually they´re far smaller. In January they shed their antlers. Distribution and Habitat: Kingdeers are distributed in wide parts of Eurasia; from the open rainforest of the Balkan over the Forested Steppes of Central Asia, to the temperated forests of Northeastern Asia. Partly they also enter Africa(Atlas Mountain System). Southern they reach the North of Indochina(They´re absent in India and Arabian Penisula), in the North the Amur Region and Central Europe. They usually live in halfopen enviroments, like Bushes and open forests. The conditions are, that a population of trees or large bushes, and drinkable water exist; so they also live in swamps. They enter heights of 1200m in the Alps, and 2300m in the eastern Himalayas. Ecology and diet: Kingdeers are usually folivores, in Southern Europe they prefer the sprouts of willows and Fagaceaes. Only a few predators attack these watchful herbivores, even Large Cats and Bearbadgers attack them usually not. They have an variable Social Structure, usually they live in small, gender-segretated Groups; sometimes also in large, gender-mixed groups, or solitary. After an gestation period of nine months they bear one, rarly two, youngs, between may and July. The youngs grow pretty fast, after an half year they´re bigger than a roe. Till the next young is born, they stay on side of their mother. |
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Aug 22 2016, 06:08 AM Post #17 |
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Newborn
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Afrotropic The North of Africa is drier and higher as it was in the Holocene, through the collision of Africa and Europe, and the so following dry out of the Mediterana Sea. Overall the climate of the Sahara is though more humid, where today the dry Sahel was, is now an typical savanna climate in the north, and even humid savannas and rainforests in the south. The biggest change of the African geography was the split-off of Aksuminia, the East-African-Subcontinent. So it now gives a small sea between Africa and Aksuminia, the Aksuminian Passage. Another big change was the North African Hydrology. Out of its source in the rest of the Ethiopian Highlands, the Nile now flows from east-to-west through the Sahara, entering the lake Chad, which covers an area of 4,900km2. The Niger also enters Lak Chad now. The West- and Central-African Rainforest covers now a far bigger area, than in the Holocene. Out of the many Rivers there, the Congo is by far the largest. Here are also some big lakes, of which the Congo Lake is with an surface Area of 1,437km 2 is the biggest. There are some Mountain Ranges in Central Africa. South of the Rainforest large areas are covered with savannas. The Kalahari Desert and the Namib Desert are the largest deserts, although they dwarfed since the Holocene. The biggest River here is the Zambesi, which is surrounded by a gigantic Swamp Area. The Okavango still flows through the Kalahari Desert. In the Far South of Africa the South African Plateau lies. In these high mountains a unique fauna and Flora lives. Fauna Note: Although this maybe sometimes covers North African animals, this is about the Afrotropic The Afrotropic Region lies in the South of the Nile. Here it gives an unique fauna, which sometimes strongly resembles the Holocene one. Like their name says, Afrotheria are typical for Africa. This didn´t change in the Novacene, although some orders (Sirenia, Proboscidea) died out. The most common and diverse of them are Hyraxes. Many terrestrial species live in dry areas, others however in Swamps. They´re usually small to midsized, with the very biggest species being around Sheepsize. Tree hyraxes are also common, but they don’t reach the diversity of the Rock Hyraxes. The Elephant shrews are also usually small, but in the Congo Rainforest an large Sengi lives. Goldmulls aren´t as diverse as they were in the Holocene, but they still quite common in the Southern reaches. Otter Shrews can be found nearly everywhere in the Central African bodies of water, with specialized species living in Rivers with an strong stream. Aardvarks can be found south of the Sahara. Shrews are very common, as well as hedgehogs. Many bats species are found here, most of them look conservative. Feliformia are far more common here, than Caniforms. Latter are represented by a few jackals and foxes; and mostly small mustelids. Bigger mustelids are the Skunkbadgers, some honey badgers (the biggest of them being a leopard-sized Agriomellivorid) and otters. Otters live only here and in North America, African species varies between 5 and 100kg. Other, but smaller, amphibious carnivores are the Ottermongooses. Mongooses in generally are very common (the most common and diverse Carnivora here), reaching here there biggest species number. Besides mostly small and omnivorous civets, it gives some large, carnivorous civets. The biggest of them are the Njembacivets, some of which are mainly carnivore, some prefer an herbivorous diet. Hyenas are represented by all three subfamilies: the insectivore Protelinae, the carrion and small animal eating Hyaeninae, and the hypercarnivorus Crocutinae. The biggest species of latter, Titanocrocuta rex, is possible the largest hyaena to ever exist. Nandiniids are pretty common, usually small, arboreal omnivores of Central Africa. Besides many small and midsized felids, here also live lion-sized caracals. Suids are very common. Of Eurasian orgin are Proboscosuids, which are represented here by Infradontids- one of them, Mkubwa kubwa, is the largest animal of the Afrotropic- and Suotherids, of which the Genus Tembo is the most common. Hylochoerids are now only represented by one Species, after prosperity in the Neocene and early Allocene. Potamochoerids whereas, are very common and diverse, ranging from the size of a large cat, to cow sized. A mainly carnivorous species lives in the Guinean Highlands. The amphibious Hippopotamochoerids reach here their biggest diversity. Pachycephalosuids (thick-headed Suids, with heavy bodies and thick heads) live usually in Southern Africa, but sometimes also in the Rainforest. Warthogs live in Savannas and Deserts, with a digging species living in the Kalahari. Chevrotains are represented by conservative species, and the Hydrotragulids: mid-to-large-sized amphibious species, which live in freshwater as well as in some marine Environments. The only extant Buffalo here is the large, strange looking Circlehorn. Most "Antelopes" have a conservative look, sometimes with strange Horns. Giraffelopes(Dolichocollidae) are quite common, unde them very large, tree-browsing forms. Duikers are possible the-besides Potamochoerids-most common ungulates. Sacrocephalophids are small carnivores, which prey on birds, lizards, rodents and others. They live in Central- and West-African Rainforests. The Antboks(Lepognathus) are small, insectivorous(mainly ants and termites) Species, which aren´t part of the Sacrocephaloidae, but of the Philantombinae. Some River Dolphins live in West African River systems. Hares are represented by small, conservative species. Rodents are too diverse to cover them in one post: Squirrels, Anomalurs, Rats, Porcupines and Splacids are all very common, besides many others. Megafauna’s representatives are, among others, represented by the Aartitans. Sirenocoypoids live in nearly all large Rivers, besides the Nile, and coast-near, marine environments. Among monkeys, it gives large-arboreal-ape-like forms, as well as terrestial baboons. Ostriches are represented by two species, the bigger one (Deinostruthio altus) is the biggest bird of the world, reaching weights of over 500kg. The Afrotropic is the only region of the world, where you still can find bustards. Cranes are very common, as well as Storks and Herons. Hamerbills are represented by a few species, one of which is an Apex predator. Birds of prey are represented by a few large sized, and many smaller forms. Endemic to the Afrotropic is the small family, of the Ground woodpeckers (Geocolaptidae). Galliformes are common, small quails and francolins as well as large Guineafowl. It gives some large, terrestrial Hornbills. Other Hornbills, Doves and Parrots are very common, especially in the Rainforest. While Passeriformes are also extremly common, it usually doesn´t give unique species; but Weavers are noteworthy, alone through their sheer number. Snakes (colubrids, viverines, elapids, pythonids and others) are common, they ranging from small to very large forms, from arboreal over digging to amphibious species. Noteworthy is among others the Emperor Mamba, the longest venomous snake of the world. Under lizard’s lacertids, plated lizards, monitor lizards, geckos and skinks are common. Agamids are represented by many different forms. Large, arboreal, herbivorous as well as small ant eating, and amphibious forms. Tortoises are diverse, some of them reach weights if far over 50kg. Besides Geoemydids and Pelomedusids, also many Trionychids live here, under them species with carapace lengths of over 1,5m. Crocodiles reach an enormous diversity here, being represented by at least five Genera: the smallish Parvosuchus, the piscivorus Gavialodon, the conservative Crocodylosuchus, the hypercarnivorous Iratosuchus and the terrestial Geosuchus. Frogs are by far the most common amphibians. Under them are fully aquatic Clawed Frogs, one of them is the largest frog of the world. Caecilians live in West African Rainforests. Fishes reach their biggest diversity in the Congo-River-system. Perciformes are very common here, large Latidae as well as small herbivorous Cichlids. While common, Cypriniformes don´t reach the same diversity or size, as their relatives in Eurasia. Characiforms, however, are. Besides tiny species, also large carnivores live. But the most impressing fish of Africa, are probably the Whalecharacids(Cetoichtyidae). These are small to gigantic (2 tonnes+) fish, which eat tiny fishes, invertebrates and phytoplankton. Catfishes are very diverse as well, here it also give many small species, besides some large. The most common of them are Mochokids, under them an Genus of very large, herbivorous species. Gymnarchids are restricted to the Nile-Chad-Niger-System, while Elephantfish are distributed in most of Africa. |
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Dec 17 2016, 10:42 AM Post #18 |
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Newborn
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After my long absence, a small post. A bigger one is in work. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of the regions of the world, which the humans nearly destroyed at the end of the Holocene were the South-American Rainforests. Despite some small regions at the Amazon and the Guianas, contiguous rainforest vanished completely from the Continent- and with them many species. The ecosystem nearly collapsed, but now- 30 million years later- it regenerated completely. In the rivers and swamps of the Amazon River lives a rich fauna- despite fish also amphibious mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. One of the largest predators of the region is the Boiúna (Eunectocaecilia boiúna) - named after a large snake of the Brazilian mythology. But, in fact, it isn´t a snake- it is actually a caecilian. This species reaches lengths of up to 3m and weights of 30kg- it is by far the biggest caecilian and the largest amphibian of South America. It is a member of the Typhlonectidae; and it´s body is elongated and slim, and it has a black or grey colour. A long fin runs along its back, the back part of their body is flattened. They have an exceptional big head, and powerful jaw muscles. They have many highly developed teeth. Boiúna´s are nearly blind, their eyes are underdeveloped. Instead they have large barbels at the side of their head. This species can be found in large parts of South-America; in the Amazon as well as in the Orinoco and the Lake Maracaibo. Here they inhabit slow-streaming rivers, lakes and swamps. Lurking in mud or between water plants, they wait for prey- medium-sized fish, frogs, large invertebrates and others. Sometimes they also actively search for their prey, their barbels help finding them in the murky water. With their strong jaw, they can easily crack the shell of crabs, and even small turtles! If they find large carrion, they usually penetrate the animal in their abdominal area, bite on the meat there and spin around themselves, to rip chunks of meat of the corpse. We don´t know much about their mating, except for the fact that they´re viviparous. Edited by Ursumeles, Dec 17 2016, 10:43 AM.
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Jan 5 2017, 06:06 PM Post #19 |
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Newborn
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Yakwawiak (Arctotyrannus yakwawiak) Many large species of herbivores dwell the prairies and woodlands of North America. Among them are the cursorial Peccabucks, the large Allocephalid boars, as well as large deers and the tyrannus huge Giant Porcupines and Trunkboars. Large Carnivores are represented here mainly by canids, like Moqwaio, and Felids, like the Greater Saber-toothed Panther. But even these fearsome predators usually avoid the confrontation with many of these Giants, and if they don't do, they only attack in large Groups. But one predator practically specialized in hunting these giants - the Yakwawiak(Arctotyrannus yakwawiak).This Apex-Predator isn’t a canid, felid or mustelid, but a member of a group, which is nearly archaic in the Novacene - the Bears(Ursidae). This group was once distributed nearly worldwide - from South Africa and Patagonia to Scandinavia and Greenland. At the end of the Holocene most Bears were extinct - killed off by Humans and anthropogenic pressure. Only the Black Bear(Ursus americanus) survived, as a relative small, and adaptable species, living in large parts of North America. After the extinction of the humans, descendants of this species were quite successful, even penetrating in the Old World again. But today Bears are restricted to the Original Home of their ancestor again, with one exception. Yakwawiak is a very large species, even exceeding the Pleistocene Arctodus simus. Males reach at average sizes of 2,75-3,2m, and weights of 800-1,150kg. They stand up to 1,8m high at the shoulder, and easily over 3m tall on the hind legs. The very largest Individuals reach weights of up to one-and a half ton. Females “only” reach weights of 650-800 kg; but the Sexual Dimorphism in size isn't as big as in many other Bears. With this huge size it is the largest Land Carnivore of the world - only their more or less near relative, the huge bear Mistahâpêw, and some of the very largest pinnipeds, are bigger members of the Carnivora. But the latter are near-aquatic, while the former is nearly-fully herbivore. Other predators that even compare to their size are few - they even dwarf the largest Agriomellivorids and Bearbadgers, the largest Fishing Bears and the huge Civets Pashusamraat and the Greater Njembacivet. Besides them, only the largest Walking Crocodiles and Deinohogs of Australia reach similar sizes. Their big skull is adapted to their carnivorous diet, and is as similar to those of of a Big Cat as to those of other Bears. Their canines are big, and have large gaps between them. Their carnassials and premolars are huge. These teeth, together with their powerful jaw musculature, are perfectly adapted to crush big bones - even those of Proboscosuids! Their body is powerful, as are their long legs. Something unique in this species - they have retractable claws, like most species of Felids. With special muscles, they can retract their large claws fully. Their fur is brown-gray, but around their nose is often a thin, white stripe, and around their eyes the fur is black(in males) or white(in females). This species lives in the temperate and cold parts of North America, from the Arctic Coast to the 35° latitude north - they penetrate a bit more southern in mountain ranges. They live in prairies and woodlands, as long as the landscape is relatively open and there is an abundant food supply. Most bear species are omnivores, with a huge part of plants in their diet, or herbivores; with Yakwawiak being a big exception. Over 90 percent of their diet is made of meat. They often prey on large mammals - mainly Allocephalids, and the North American Hornmouse, as well as young's of larger animals (like Trunkboars or Giant Porcupines). Rarer they attack smaller species, like the cursorial Peccabucks and Deers, as these species are usually to fast. They also often eat carrion, that they find with their extremely good olfaction. They also dispel other predators from their prey. When they go hunting, these solitary bear´s usually hide themselves between trees, and sprint with sometimes 60km/h at the prey , when these is distracted. When they outrun the prey, they try to wrestle the to the ground. Smaller prey often dies at this first onslaught. At bigger prey, they now try to kill them with a bite in their neck, or head. If the prey however flees, the bear chases it when it already has wounded it, or does not, if it is still healthy. If the Yakwawiak decides to hunt Trunkboars -most frequently the Nâpekohkôs, but also the North American Boarphant, a newcomer from Eurasia, that slowly supersedes the former species-, it has a special tactic. Over the course of hours, or even days, they chase these giants - mainly young males, that are old enough to leave it´s herd, but still don´t reached the size of an Older Individual, nor have the experience of those-, and inflict them in many attacks wounds, slowly weakening them, till they die through their weakness, or the Final Attack of the bear. But there is another species, which is hunted by them in a special way - the huge Giant Porcupines. The Yakwaiwak can´t use his usual tactic -sneaking up from behind- on this huge rodents, as their whole back is covered by spikes, and their spiked Tail is a deadly weapon. But also on their front they're armed heavily - their feet end in large claws, and especially Northern Species have a layer of fat, protecting their neck and stomach from weaker attacks. When preying on this species, they are even sneakier than usually - they attack them when they sleep, trying to catch them off guard, before they realize what happens. But some individuals of the northern Subspecies have a interesting hunting technique: like other individuals, they try to catch the porcupine off-guard, but they also try to wrestle the rodent to the ground, so that they can hold them on the ground, being protected by the thick winter fur -Porcupines are generally only attacked in the winter, when easier prey is harder to find-, and to kill them with a bite in their unprotected face. Despite all these adaptations, the success rate of the Yakwawiak is relatively small -but still higher than in most solitary carnivores-. These species lives in huge territories, which span about hundreds of square kilometers. Often the Territory of a male overlaps with those of several females. If two males met, they get in a ritualised “fight”. At first, both stand up on their hind legs, and stretch their snout heavenwards, comparing their size. Sometimes one individual gives up now, but often they proceed - standing on their hind legs again, they punch each other -their claws withdrawn-, and try to knock the opponent over. This ritual can last dozens of rounds. In nearly all cases, one male now surrenders - if not, the ritualised, harmless fight degenerates - now they attack each other with extended claws, and their deadly bite. This fights often lead into the death of the loser. the mating season starts in the Summer, but the time of birth of the young's differ from region to region. In southern regions the they're born in the February, in Northwestern Regions of their distribution often in the March. But the dormant Individual´s of the northeast North America are different - here the youngs are born in december, or early January. This can be explained with the nidation of the bears. At the time of their birth the young´s are blind, and weight 500-1000g. The female lactates her youngs over one-and-a half year, whereby they begin taking solid food at the age of six months. Thanks to the mothermilk, which is rich in proteins and fat, young Yakwawiak´s grow at a fast rate, reaching weights of 20kg at the age of three months. the mother expels her offspring after two to three years, the young's often stuck together for a lengthy period after that. The bears reach sexual maturity at the age of four years, but still grow over the course of several years after that. They can reach thirty years of age. Several subspecies of the Yakwawiak are recognized: The Prairie Yakwawiak(A.t. vulgaris) lives in the huge prairies of North America, and is the most common subspecies. In the Forests of Appalachia and the northern forest, up to the Baffin Peninsula, the Eastern Yakwawiak(A.t. appalachia) lives. They are rather short-bodied, and the individuals at the South of their distribution are the smallest of the Species, while northern ones reach average sizes. In the north of their range, they hold as only members of their species a dormancy. On the other side of North America -In the Forest of the pacific Coast, and large parts of the North American mountain range- another subspecies lives - the Western Yakwawiak(A.t. horribilis). It differs from the Prairie subspecies through their shorter and more powerful build. In the Northeast of the Continent, from Beringia to the Hudson Lake, from the Arctic Coast to the North of the Mountain Range, the largest subspecies lives - the Yukon Yakwawiak(A.t. yukonensis). Large males can reach weights of nearly 1,500kg! They often hunt larger prey, than other subspecies; like Giant Porcupine´s and Trunkboars |
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Feb 8 2017, 10:56 AM Post #20 |
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Newborn
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 Accipitrids are still common in the Novacene, despite competition of various other carnivorous birds - Carnocorvids, shrikes, owls, falcons etc. Among them are small, as well as gigantic forms, aerial predators, ground-dwelling forms and also fish-eating forms. But not all species are carnivores - the frutures (Frugypiidae) are herbivorous species, eating fruits and nuts, only sometimes complementing their diet with insects and small vertebrates. Descendants of the palm-nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis), these usually large birds live in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World, from the Alysian Archipelago west of Africa, to some Oceanic Islands east of New-Guinea and Australia. They reach their highest diversity in the Tropical rainforest of Africa. I'll introduce you now to a few species of the family. a) Common Fruture; Redheaded Fruture (Frugyps erythrus) A typical member of the family, the Redheaded fruture is distributed in Equatorial Africa. It is a large bird, reaching wingspans of 1,8m and weights of 4 kg. The species is named after it's read head, in contrast to it´s mainly grey body. The beak of this species is rather conservative, as they eat rather soft food - fruits and berries. b) Giant Fruture (Parafrugyps giganteus) The Giant Fruture is the largest species of the family, reaching a wingspan of over 250cm and weights of 9kg. But it´s not only the largest member of the family, but also the one with the widest distribution - from Equatorial Africa, over the rainforest of Aksuminia and Madagascar, to the Malayan Archipelago and New-Guinea. They are good fliers, and species can be found on islands a few kilometer away from the mainland. This species is a nut eater - it feeds on large nuts -even coconuts-, and sometimes also on crabs and other hard shelled animals. c) Toucan Fruture (Rhampastomimus rex) This species is similar to the Holocene Toucans, due to its long beak. With the beak, it reaches fruits that are far off. It is a medium-sized species, reaching wingspans of 150 cm and weights of 2,5kg, living in Central Africa. d) Broad-beaked Fruture (Massorhynchus asiaticus) In contrast to the just mentioned species, this Fruture has a short, massive beak. It feeds on a variety of nuts, breaking them with its powerful beak. It lives in Australasia and South East-Asia, and is a rather large species with a wingspan of 2m and weights of 6kg. e) Dwarf Fruture, Lesser Nectar-Fruture (Leptorhynchus alysianensis) The Alysian Archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic is the home to a variety of strange forms -under them many flowers, like the Titanic Hera Flower. Here the largest variety of flowering plants, compared to the area, can be found. And a specialized species of Frutures feeds on the Nectar of them - the Dwarf Fruture, the smallest member of the family. While it's small for its family, its the second largest species of nectar-eating birds of the World - second only to the Hera Fruture of the same archipelago. It reaches a wingspan of 50 cm, and weights of 500 g. The beak alone measures 12cm in length. It feeds on nectar of a variety of flowers, which it finds in heights of over 3m; but it also feeds on insects and berries. |
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Feb 11 2017, 12:02 PM Post #21 |
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Newborn
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 The largest flying bird of the Novacene epoch is the Ziz Eagle (Basilaquila ziz), named after the huge bird of Jewish Mythology. It is the heaviest of all flying birds, and second in wingspan only to the largest Albatross of the Genus Aeroregens. It is one of the last of its kind - one of the remaining eagles, and its genus is the last descendant of the Genus Aquila, outside of Australia and the near regions (the descendants of A. audax). To be more precise, it is a descendant of the Golden Eagle. Adult females can reach lengths over 2m, including their long tail-feathers, and heights of more than 1,2m. Large Individuals can reach weights of 35-55kg, their wingspan is usually between 4,1 to 5,1m. Males are a bit smaller. In mountainous areas, individuals are usually larger. Their huge heads can be a half meter long, of which 20cm alone is their powerful beak. The head of this species is huge, with big eyes and a powerful beak that can break the bones of medium-sized mammals. On top of their head feathers form a small crown - it is larger in males than in females. The Ziz has broad wings, perfect for soaring. Their legs are powerful, good for walking and even better for killing large prey. They can kill mammals of the size of a Ox, piercing through their skull. Alternatively, mostly when the head of the species is protected by horns or similar defence mechanism, they can break the spine of their prey. Among their prey are mostly large mammals (like hyraxes, Antelopes and donkeys) and birds (mainly Ostriches and large Galliform birds), but also turtles and other reptiles. They also eat carcasses, and rarer rob out nests. Usually, this species hunts and lives in pairs. These monogamous birds find their partner at a young age, when the males try to impress the females with their hunting. They build huge nests (often over 5m broad) in cliffs, and sometimes large trees; which they use for many years. Females usually lay two eggs between February and March, and incubate them for six weeks. At roughly 100 days of age fledging occurs. About two months later they start preying their own prey. One year after hatching, they become indepent. The Ziz Eagle is distributed in large parts of the old World, being represented by various Subspecies. In the South of Europe, from Iberia to the Pannonian Basin and Anatolia, the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Northern Africa the Golden Ziz (Basilaquila ziz ziz) lives. In the east of Anatolia, Persia and North-western India the Simurgh (Basilaquila ziz simurgh) lives, characterised by the red colour of their “crown”. And in the steppes of Central Eurasia (from the coast of the Blackcaspian Sea to the Gobi Region) the Semargl (Basilaquila ziz borealis) lives. Farther South, another species of this Genus lives - the Malagasy Rukh, also known as Roc (Basilaquila madagascariensis). This species differs from the Ziz due to its smaller size - it “only” reaches a wingspan of 350 cm and a weight of 15-20kg. Like the name suggests, it lives on Madagascar, but also reaches far off regions, due to it's amazing flying skills. It lives in the east of Aksuminia, the South of Arabia and the West of the Indian Subcontinent, but it also colonized Islands and Archipelagos far from the coast - under them the Seychelles, the Mascarenes and the Dura Archipelago. While it inhabits every habitat in Madagascar, and the Islands on which it lives, in India and Aksuminia it prefers Dry forests; in Arabia it also lives in the Sabean rainforests. Like its relative, it mainly preys on large mammals (mostly pigs, but also Lemurs, Bovids etc.) and Birds, but also large Snakes, Monitor Lizards, turtles and small crocodiles. Island and coast populations also often feed on fish, and washed up carcasses. Edited by Ursumeles, Feb 11 2017, 12:04 PM.
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Feb 12 2017, 03:26 PM Post #22 |
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Newborn
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http://ursumeles.deviantart.com/art/Caribbean-663134060 The Caribbean is a tropical sea between North and South America, connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific. Due to the Antilles, and the Panama Islands, the Caribbean is rather protected against most Tropical Storms - bar the ones that originate in the Caribbean itself- and also against extreme currents. Due to this, large areas of the Sea are covered by Floating Weed - various species of Sea Lilies, between 1cm and over one meter high. In this “floating forests” a variety of animals live, different from those of anywhere else. But not the whole Caribbean is covered by those plants - “usual” sea regions can be also found, as well as Mangrove´s at the Coast. Many fish species of the Caribbean are Live-bearers, represented by small plankton eaters, as well as by large predators, by bottom dwellers as well as Pelagic ones. But fish aren't the only animals of the Atlantic, various mammals, a vast number of Seafowl as well as many reptiles live here. Latter gave the Caribbean the second name “the Sea of Dragons”. Red-Head Cormorant (Erythrocrox carribeanus) Distribution: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico Suliformes Mergulocrocoracidae Thalassophilinae The Read-Head Cormorant is a flightless bird species, part of the Mergulocroacidae - a family of usually flightless, diving Seabirds, distributed over large parts of the World. This cormorant is a rather large bird - it reaches a height of 1m, and weights of up to 6kg. The beak is rather short, and it has a “crown” of feathers at the top of it´s head. Their feet are large and powerful - they give them propulsion, while swimming. With the help of them, they can reach speeds of 20km/h. Their small wings help them to navigate underwater. Compared to most other Sea Birds, they live in rather dirty water, where they are can't see over large distances. They hunt near the floating forests, in small groups. Some individuals chase them in the wings of their fellow comrades. Or they come from below, try to imprison their prey between them and the plant-thicket. Caribbean Eagle-Gull (Carnolarus rex australis) Distribution: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico Charadriiformes Laridae Carnolarinae Distribution: Coast of the Carribean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico The Caribbean Eagle Gull is a Subspecies of the North American Eagle-Gull (Carnolarus rex), differing due to its brown color frand smaller size from other subspecies. Reaching a wingspan of 1,7m and a weight of 4kg, this birds is impressive nonetheless. The huge beak is a deadly weapon, capable of tearing deeps wounds in large animals. This gull is a persistent flier. It often use this ability to attack other birds, exhausted from the long hunting, to steal their prey - or even kill the birds themselves. They use this tactic even on birds larger than themselves, like Albatrosses, being to swift for the exhausted birds to defend themselves properly. It also often kill Cormorants, and robs out nests of Seabirds , Turtles and even Caimans! Most often they patrol at the coast, or above the Floating Forests, searching for exhausted animals and carcasses. Lesser Hookbill (Allorhampus pulchrus) Distribution: Carribean Ocean, Gulf of Mexico Allorhampiformes Allorhampidae Allorhampinae The hookbills are a family of strange-looking Sea Birds, sometimes placed in the Charadriiformes, but most often placed in a separate Order. The hookbill family is a rather primitive family with only two genera, and five species - the Lesser Hookbill is one of them. With a wingspan of only 90cm and a weight of less than 1kg, the Hookbill is a rather small Seabird. The most obvious feature of the species is the hook on the bill (therefore the name), with many small Pseudo-teeth in it, while the rest of the body is rather typical, but long. The legs are small and weak. This species searches after prey, with parts of their beaks being below the water. If they touch prey -usually small fish or large plankton- the Beak closes abruptly, killing it with the pseudo-teeth, or filter it with those. Caribbean Whalecaiman (Eofiltrumcaiman carribeanus) Distribution: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico. Large rivers that flow into these seas, like the Orinoco and the mississippi Crocodilia Caimanidae Filtrumcaimaninae The most primitive Member of the Whalecaimans, the Caribbean Whalecaiman is a huge reptile, reaching lengths of 6-9m and weights of up to 3 tons. Their tail is powerful and flat, and their toes vestigial. The head of this species is large, with a huge throat pouch. Their teeth are long, but thin. This species swims through his habitat in small groups, on the search after their prey - schools of small fish and plankton. To the egg deposition they often migrate large distances, back to the beach on which they were born. At the Coast of Central america a subspecies of this Caiman lives, the Dwarf Whalecaiman, only reaching lengths of 5m. This species often penetrates far in rivers - a population even established itself in the Nicaragua Lake. Short-snouted Ghariam (Mergulocaiman sicaria) Distribution: Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Northeastern Coast of South America Crocodilia Caimanidae Tomistocaimaninae The Short-Snouted Ghariam is another marine Crocodile of the Caribbean. Reaching a length of 4-7m, this species is a piscivore. |
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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| Ursumeles | Apr 10 2017, 01:11 PM Post #23 |
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Newborn
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 Jumping Cockatoo; kao kākā (Cacatupoa gigas) Psittaciformes Cacatuoidea Cacatupoidae The kao kākā is the largest parrot of the Novacene, and one of the few flightless species. This species lives in the Kao Archipelago, which lies at the 180th Meridian, 20° south. Due to the isolated location of the Island, no terrestrial mammals, except for a few bats, exist on the Archipelago, so that reptiles and especially birds prosper here. The Jumping Cockatoo is a large species of birds - species on the main island measure up to one meter in length, and weight 10-14kg. Species on other islands are usually smaller, the smallest subspecies, C. g. humilis, sometimes only reaches 3kg in weight. This parrot has usually green-brown feathers, but dark-brown specimen have been found in populations on small islands. The kao kaka has a large and powerful bill, able to crack even large nuts. Their wings are small and largely reduced, and are lacking long feather. Their legs, on the other side, are big and powerful, if they look a bit thin for a animal of this size. While they are rather good walkers, they are best known for their jumping locomotion - this bird can jump one meter high and one-and a half meter far. They can reach 15 km/h while Jumping. With this movement they are usually able to flee from predators, though only a few animals are able to attack and kill an healthy adult of the main island subspecies - in fact, only Crocodiles and large specimen of the Kao Boa can do that. Smaller subspecies and juveniles are also sometimes attacked by birds of prey and gulls, the Read-Headed Carnorail, as well as lizards. Nestlings are sometimes even attacked by the large Terror Crickets, and land crabs. Adult Cockatoos, on the other side, sometimes prey on large arthropods like them, as well as molluscs. Regardless, the huge part of their diet consists of plant material - mainly berries and nuts, but sometimes also leaves. This species is a part of the small Pacific Cockatoos (Cacatupoidae) family, descended from the Holocene Palm Cockatoo. Crab Shag (Paracarbo carcinophagus) Suliformes Phalacrocoracoidae Carboidae Many cormorants of the Novacene epoch are flightless - in fact, they're likely more than 70 flightless species of them. For comparison, at the beginning of the 21th Century only a few more than 60 flightless birds existed, and the whole Cormorant species had less than 50 members in the Holocene epoch. Many of the flightless species live at coast, and most of them are part of the Mergulocrocoracidae family, but they are exceptions. The small Crab Shag of the Tuamotus is one of them. It isn´t a member of the just mentioned family, but of the Carboidae - to be more precise, it is a descendant of the Australian kawaupaka. Like its ancestor it is a rather small cormorant - only reaching a length of 60cm, and weights of barely over one kilogram. The body of this bird is streamlined, and the bill rather short. Like in most aquatic birds, the feathers of this species are water-repellent. The feathers of this birds are quite beautiful - while they are monotonous black, wet feathers shimmer in the sun.Interesting is the anatomy of the bill - it is rather high, and it can be used like a hammer. This species lives in the rather barren landscape - the islands are made from sand, soil is rare. Also, the Islands are all rather young, and vanish in a relative short time, before much soil can develop. But while the wildlife on the land is rather rare, the reefs in the sea are full of life - here searches the crab shags it´s prey. It is a benthic feeder, and finds prey mainly through its keen sense of vision, but also through randomly poking through sand. Like it's name suggests, a large part of the shag´s diet is made of crustaceans - mainly shrimps and small lobsters, but also crabs. Despite, they feed on mollusks, worms and small fish. While hunting, they can dive in depths of five meter, while they stay over a minute under water. But they meet not only prey under water, but also enemies. These small birds have rather many predators; like small sharks, and groupers, but also crocodiles, sea snakes and even dolphins and porpoises. Against these species, the shag can't defend itself in a fight, but tries to flee. Through it´s speed, and especially the enormous maneuverability of this species, they can avoid most predators, especially in shallow water. Trapped in deeper water, they can jump more than one meter out of the water. On land, they are far less animals that can be dangerous to this species, but here they can't rely on their speed and agility. Instead, they rely on the group, and their strength, as well as an extra weapon - they can spit undigested stomach contents on their predators. With this, they can drive off most reptiles and rats of the islands, while the gulls fear attacking a whole group of rather dangerous animals. But one animal doesn't cares for the barfing of the cormorants - actually, quite the contrary. For the huge Guerro Crab it is a easy way to find nourishment. Despite that, they rob out nests of the shags and sometimes even kill adults. Despite these furious arthropods solidarity is needed; the whole group of birds peck and mob the huge crab, trying to hurt the eyes or legs of the aggressor, while quickly avoiding the strikes of it with the fast reflexes. In most cases, this leads the crab to flee from the birds. These birds build their nests rather far inland, where they are protected from the powerful storms that often ravage the archipelago. Here they build up to two meter deep holes, at the end of which is a pad of palm leaves. Here the females lies every year one or two eggs, which later become the next generation of Shags. Eastern uku-nēnē ; Polynesian false marine-goose (Marinoanser mergulus) Anseriformes Mergidae Marinoneninae In large regions of the Pacific Ocean false-marine geese of the Marninoaneninae are common. They are distributed from Beringia in the very North, over Hawaii, Micro- and Polynesia, as well as Zealandia too some subantarctic islands. In the Southeast of Polynesia (mainly in regions that were known to the mankind as the Southern Cook Islands and French Polynesia) one of them lives, the Eastern uku-nēnē. Like the name of their family let´s suggest, they are not descendants of the “true” geese, but descendants of the Seaducks. But like any member of the Subfamily, the uku-nene is very geese-like, with a long neck and a big body. The bill of this species is rather short, with the lower beak having a slightly triangular shape. This is a large sized species of bird - it can reach a size of over 160 cm, and a weight of 15kg, though they usually only reach 11-13kg. The feathers of the geese are very small, and have a nearly circular form. The legs of this species are powerful, and the toes are webbed. The diet of this species consist of a variety of marine plants; mainly Sea Grasses and algaes, which they grass of rocks and reefs. they search these plants in a depth of sometimes up to 4m, and they can dive for nearly a minute. This uku-nene lives in small colonies, consisting of up to 15 members. For comparison, some colonies of their relatives near the poles can consist of over a thousand individuals. Only a few predators can be dangerous to these birds - in water, mainly large sharks and crocodiles, and on land only a few Lizards, snakes and predatory birds; but against most of these they are able to defend themselves against with strong bites. The possibly most dangerous predators of them are large owls and birds of prey, before all others the Polynesian eagle. They usually build their nest between rocks; but if these are lacking they can use sand and leaves. In They look after a region that is rather sheltered from heavy storms. Here they lay every autumn two to three eggs in their nest, which are incubated for roughly 32 days. The chicks are precocial, and soon begin to leave the nest. At first, they are feed on by their parents, then they search independently (though still under the watchful eye of their parents) after soft coast plants and washed away seagrass. While they can swim only a few hours after they are incubated, they not dive for food until they reach the age of two-and-a-half-months. They reach sexual maturity at the age of one year. Kigull (Nothoapteryx dolichorhynchus) Charadriiformes Lari Geolaridae Since the Holocene epoch, many new Islands and archipelagos appeared on earth. One of them is the Rūaumoko Archipelago -named after the maori god of Volcanoes-, roughly 450km east of the Louisville Archipelago, and nearly 2500 km far from New Zealand. These isolated Islands are completely lacking of terrestrial mammals, with the exceptions of a few bats - birds and reptiles rule the island. In the underbrush of the islands a bird stalks, that is similar to the Holocene Kiwi of New Zealand - one of the lasts paradise for birds, before mankind introduced mammals to the islands. But this species isn't a kiwi, not even closely related, but a gull - the Kigull. This species is a member of the Geolaridae, a family of often ground-bound birds, that live all across the Pacific, and parts of Antarctica & the Indic Ocean. Some species of the family are flightless, and the Kigull is easily the most derived of them, with their wings being extremely reduced and tiny. The Kigull is a small bird - it reaches a length of up to 45cm, and a weight of 500g. Alone 20cm of its length is made of their long beak. The legs of this gull are rather short and weak, the toes short. Their feathers are rather hairy. The coloring of them is brown to grey, with some black flecks. The diet of the Kigull consist of small underground animals - small insects, as well as Isopods and millipedes, and worms (not the typical earthworms, that don't live in the Archipelago, but Flatworms and roundworms). They dig with their long, sensitive beaks through the Ground, and quickly react when they touch a prey animal, or they feel a small animal moving through the soil. The Kigull isn´t a really dangerous animal, and tries to avoid predators through camouflage. To the predators of the Kigull belong mainly larger birds - mainly the Rūaumoko Owl, the Black Unraven and the large, likewise flightless Tete Gull. Despite them, also large Rūaumoko Gecko, and hatchlings are sometimes preyed on by large Terror Crickets, and the huge Titan Velvet Worm. The Kigull can raise hatchlings over the whole year, and the monogamous birds usually lay two eggs. Over the course of a month, the chicks are hatched in the nest, that is in a hole, hidden under rocks or Old Trees. The chicks are helpless in the first days of their life, and they reach Sexual Maturity at the age of six months. Tu'i Fuva (Deinorallus gigas) Gruiformes Rali Deinorallidae The Tu'i Fuva is a large species of birds, that lives in the Feu Archipelago, lying 270 km South-east of the Cook Islands. This Archipelago is large, and compares to Hawaii and Galapagos in size. The largest predatory bird of the Island is the Tu'i Fuva, it can reach a length of 1,8m and a height of 1,4m, while weighing up to 25kg. It is a massive bird, with long -though compared with running birds like Phorusrhacids, Ostriches and Emu´s, rather short- legs. On the end of its toes large, curved claws sit. They have a big (25cm long), slightly curved beak, that is perfectly able to crush small bones and cut through meat. On top of their huge head a small crown of feathers sit. In general, they look very imposant, and that lead to their name, which means “King Bird”. The Tu'i Fuva is a part of the Deinorallidae, a family of mainly carnivorous birds that live all across the Tropic islands of the Pacific. This species is the largest species of the family, and is distributed on the main islands of the Feu Archipelago. Here it lives in monogamous pairs, along with its current hatchling. Streaking through the Underbrush, this bird searches with its keen sense of smell for any possible prey - large crabs, smaller birds (like hatchlings of the Meganēnē and other rails), reptiles and even large crabs. It is able to quickly hunt other animals, and to take them down with a quick blow of beak or claws. While these birds are without a doubt enormously dangerous, they aren´t the undisputed Apex-Predator of the Archipelago - besides them the huge Fire Goanna lives, and a few species of Crocodiles settle in the freshwaters and coast of the Islands, while the large Polynesian Eagle is the undisputed king of the air here, and can kill even an adult rail. The nesting of this species usually takes place between March and April, after nearly two months the two or three nestlings are hatched. This species is precocial, and can walk only a few hours after hatching. Regardless, in the two months of their life, they stay near the nest, always under the watching eyes of their parents. At the age of two months, the fast-growing birds already reach a weight of 5kg, and follow their parents on their hunting trips. At the age of nine months, they leave their parents, and reach sexual maturity at the age of one-and-a-half years. Stripped Mouserail (Muorallus striatus) Gruiformes Rali Heterorallidae The isolated Feu Archipelago is a real paradise for flightless birds. The two most popular species are the huge, peaceful Meganēnē and the large, predatory Tu'i Fuva. A distant relative of the latter lives here as well, though it is nearly impossible to find any more than basic similarity between them. This Species is the Striped Mouserail. It is a medium sized bird, reaching up to a half meter in length, and 1kg in weight. It is the largest member of the Mouserails, a group of small, flightless birds, that can be found all across the Feu Archipelago, and some near islands. At this species, their wings can´t be seen at all, only a tiny, reduced rest is covered by the long, hairy feathers. These species got their name from their striped Colouration, which they use to camouflage themselves between the Underbrush of the archipelago. Here they also find their food - mainly seeds and small nuts, as well as fruits & berries, but they supplement their diet with invertebrates, and the eggs of lizards. This monogamous birds live in small flocks of 4-8 members, not including the hatchlings. They build their nest below or between stones or roots. They usually breed twice per year, and hatch three or four youngs. At a young age, the hatchlings are able to live independently. Other than most other Mouserails, they don't communicate through loud, shrilling calls, but through quiet warbling. |
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Spoiler: click to toggle That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die. -H.P. Lovecraft | |
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11:56 AM Jul 13