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Critter Capsules #005

The Profuga Cave Millipede (Mammamia profuga)! Yes, that is it’s real scientific name. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on who you ask) this is the only species in the Mammamia genus. But I certainly wouldn’t complain if there were a couple more Mammamia millipedes marching around! Discovered in a cave in Italy in 2011, the scientists who discovered this remarkable animal named it Mamma Mia in astonishment… They were not Italian. Completely blind, it lacks any kind of eyes or ocelli, and has characteristically long and sharp hooked gonopods (the end-most 2 pairs of legs, modified to aid in reproduction). It’s species name is profuga, meaning ‘homeless’ or ‘refugee’, as the cave it was discovered in was subsequently blown to smithereens by mining equipment. “Mamma mia, I’m homeless!”

#art#animals#millipede#3d artwork#troglobite#lowpoly#zoology#biology#animal facts#critter capsules#Mammamia#Mammamia Profuga #Cave Millipede

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Critter Capsules #004

The Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)! More than just a silly scientific namesake, these incredible apes have long captured us human’s fascination since their discovery! Their huge and imposing figure, combined with their similarities to ourselves, inspire awe and public wonder! Like us, different groups of Gorilla enjoy varying diets of different greens and grubs (suggesting evidence of different food cultures)! Groups are headed by a dominant Silverback, an old and powerful male defined by a large (and generally brown) head crest and that iconic silver back (which is actually just the hairs beginning to gray from aging, just like us). Unfortunately, these animals are critically endangered, mostly due to deforestation and poaching. They are also often victim to blatant and shameless anthropomorphization, which can lead to a misunderstanding of how these amazing creatures work and how they should actually be treated. Koko was a prime example of this; Gorillas rely on mostly body language to communicate and cannot learn to sign. Any and all communication by her was just interpretation from keepers and media editing (if Koko’s climate address didn’t already tip you off). Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble here, but don’t worry! They’re still amazingly intelligent creatures! I just think it’s a bit silly to believe that these animals always had the capacity for complex grammatical language in the wild and just never figured it out until us humans came around to educate them on how to use it, is all.

#art#animals#gorillal#3d artwork#westerngorilla#lowpoly#zoology#biology#animal facts#critter capsules

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Critter Capsules #003

The Wild Camel (Camelus ferus)! Now if you’re anything like me, you were taught that there are indeed two kinds of camel. Dromedary Camels with one hump, and Bactrian Camels with two. Maybe you were even taught a fun way to remember the difference, because ‘D’ has one hump and ‘B’ has two! Fortunately for camel lovers everywhere, such is not the case! There is a third species, the elusive Wild Camel! Endemic to northwestern China and Mongolia, it’s body and humps are smaller and thinner than the Bactrian, as well as having much less hair. It has a distinctive flat head (in Mongolian it’s known as the Havtagai, which means ‘flat-head’), and can survive on water saltier than actual seawater, a feat matched by no other mammal in existence! Unfortunately for camel lovers, however, is that these amazing animals are critically endangered, with only about 1,000 individuals living in the wild today. Conservation efforts are ongoing, so let’s hope we can continue having three different species of camel forevermore.

#art#animals#camel#3d artwork#wildcamel#lowpoly#zoology#biology#animal facts#critter capsules

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Critter Capsules #002

The Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)! The Sockeye is, like many other salmon, Anadromous, which means it is born in freshwater, where it lives until maturity before migrating to live the rest of its adult life at sea. It then returns to the same body of freshwater it was born in order to spawn. When ready to mate, Sockeye Salmon will turn a garish bright red and green color (as opposed to the more muted silver of their youth) and males will experience massive growth in body width, snout length, and hump height! Sockeye are also Semelparous, meaning their body breaks down and they die right after mating. Some Sockeye (called Kokanee Salmon) also never leave for the sea, instead preferring to live their whole lives in their freshwater home. But in this economy, can you really blame them?

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The Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavesencs)! As one of the most popular saltwater aquarium fish in the world, it can often be a surprise how aggressive they can prove to be, especially as juveniles! Males are a bit bigger than the females, but otherwise look the exact same. To woo a female, a male will display behavior known as “shimmering,” swimming in a zigzag pattern in an attempt to win her over. They also only spawn during full moons (how romantic)!

If you couldn’t tell, I’m learning Blender! I had a lot of fun making this guy, so look forward to more (with more fun facts to boot). Enjoy!