#critters

[cannibalchicken]

[motfal]

Some rotten creep clamped this NASTY bulldog clip on this critter [Smiling friends crittersona brainrot]

[nickshutter]

Focus.

[possumcollege]

Enjoy a few of my favorite Crittertongue background creatures.

These are typically one of the last things I draw on a strip. Most are just doodled in off the top of my head. Some are just shapes with faces (aren't we all) but some really capture my heart. I've probably erased thousands of them over the years for being too dumb or overly complicated. There are a few I might like to bring back or flesh out as characters but the real fun of them for me is filling this place with weird little guys.

[louise-auxcimes]

Scribbles from back on Valorant & Soul Fighter ! - It was one year ago and I loved working at Wizz ♥ Ticking away

[alleesaur]

Your very own CritterPet™ !

[sixteenseveredhands]

The Buff-Tip Moth: the resting posture, shape, and color/pattern of the buff-tip moth allows it to mimic a broken birch twig; the moth's buff-colored head and the patches on its hindwings even resemble freshly-snapped wood

It also definitely tends to look like there's a weird little smiley face in the setae surrounding the moth's head, which is arguably even more striking but for some reason none of the sources I dug up on this species seem to mention that weirdness.

This type of camouflage is generally referred to as a "protective resemblance" -- a form of mimesis in which an animal can avoid being preyed upon by mimicking an inedible/unremarkable aspect of its environment. Many different moths are able to disguise themselves in similar ways, and it is especially common within the family known as Lasiocampidae. Some of the other species that engage in protective resemblance include Gastropacha quercifolia, Gastropacha pardale, Gastropacha populifoli, Euthrix potatori, Euthrix laeta, and Calyptra minuticornis (along with the other members of genus Calyptra). Most of these moths disguise themselves as leaves/foliage.

The buff-tip moth is particularly adept at disguising itself, however, and the fact that it so strongly resembles such a specific object (i.e. not just a dead leaf or a vague piece of foliage -- but a broken twig from a silver birch tree, in particular) makes this disguise seem even more impressive/unique.

This species (Phalera bucephala) can be found throughout the British Isles, mainland Europe, and Asia, with its range extending into Eastern Siberia.

Sources & More Info:

Wildlife Insights: Buff-Tip Moth Identification Guide

ButterflyConservation.org: Buff-Tip Moth

The Wildlife Trusts: Buff-Tip Moth

Wildlife Insight: the Buff-Tip Moth

Moth Identification: P. busephala

Encyclopedia of Life: Global Map of Known Occurrences for P. busephala

Insecta: Phalera bucephala

Lepidoptera and their Ecology: P. busephaloides and P. busephala

Journal of Ecology & Evolution: Strong Foraging Preferences for Ribes alpinum in the Polyphagous Caterpillars of Buff-Tip Moth Phalera bucephala

Dickinson County Conservation Board: Protective Resemblance & other Forms of Mimesis/Mimicry

[queenoftheantz]

!!WIZARDS!!

I drew these last year and made them stickers that I sell at cons, but I forgot to post them online! (If you happen to go to Dokomi this year I'll have these with me there) (the two cats at the top are based on my friends' cats, who are perfect and special)

[staff]

Tumblr Tuesday: Speculative Species

Did you hear? They've found the golden mole! It still exists! It just took a break from being perceived. What a mood. Here are some other animals that totally exist, too. Just your very normal collection of animal art, really. This is one of those where you'll want to click through on the attributions below the art. For context. For transformation. For taxonomy. It's all there. The level of detail for these friendly animals that definitely exist is quite unhinged in the best way.

@exobiotica:

@villiedoom:

@dokupine:

@extrajigs:

@remotus11:

@yellosnacc:

@steinntroll:

@cathchicken:

@insectghost:

@charseraph:

@tickfleato:

@kattheerat:

@juicyolpickle:

[eggwishing]

furries. kind of !

[voujix]

Frolicking and flower picking 🌼

[cannibalchicken]

[hydaen]

new beasts

[cat-cosplay]

I have found that it is the small things, everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.

[stinkman007]

hey. dont cry. little kitties all over the world. forever. ok?

[soaring-trash]

Love is warmth.