#desert creature

[jenfoundabug]

"That's enough *gestures at everything* for today." - desert tarantula (Aphonopelma iodius) in Northern California

[spencerranch]

Handsome little thief

Believe the hype, guys. Velociraptor was always good.

[tatiilange]

I present to you the Başak, one of the many creatures of my Bestiarium Project!

Ideally im thinking on making the entire thing into a book, with the first tome being focused on a desertic environment. Its been fun using some of the knowledge from my biology studies ( tho i did marine bio, so not completely applicable haha)

This little creature is meant to fill the niche of a fossorial mustelid, like a mongoose.

Other critters:

Kandze

Iskra

[lilwildsucc-blog]

If you don’t love him a lot, please leave me alone.

He is the Yellow Desert Mongoose — sometimes called the Red Meerkat. He is smöl, weighing in at only 1lb averagely, so you must be kind to him.

When threatened by predators, he screams and then farts. Yes, really. But, sometimes it really do be like that.

While comfortable at home in the burrows — where flatulence is no longer necessary, and actually quite rude — he often cohabitates with Cape Ground Squirells or Suricates. Everyone needs a best friend.

But the most important observation of the Yellow Desert Mongoose... is that he’s a hopeless romantic. Their colonies revolve around a mating pair, like a Renee Zellweiger Hallmark special, and succeed in a hierarchy of age from there on.

Let this lil’ bean remind you to keep your friends close, and your loved ones always as important as your survival.

[artbytaralynn]

desert lizard design.

[lekyrin]

Working on a new beastie

[jenfoundabug]

Yet again, it’s that special time of year - tarantula mating season in California 🎉! Tarantulas are normally nocturnal, but in autumn, males emerge during the day to look for a mate. It’s not uncommon to see them crossing the trail while hiking.

Despite their large size and appearance, tarantulas are actually very docile and would rather flee than attack. They’re also fragile, so picking them up is not recommended (except that one time I rescued one from the road and then it climbed up my arm lol…). You sometimes can get them to walk across your hand, which is a much safer option for the tarantula.

Pro tip if you’re in the Bay Area: a recent rainstorm and cool weather seem to vastly increase the chance of finding one. Grassy foothills with sparse trees and not a lot of people are the best.

Desert tarantula (Aphonopelma iodius)

Northern California, US

[jenfoundabug]

Unknown beetle found near Deming, New Mexico.

Possibly genus Disonycha, a type of flea beetle.