#grampus

[platycryptus]

Very cool find from last spring- a Florida vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus floridanus) that was hiding inside a rotting log.

despite her impressive size, this rarely encountered Florida endemic is actually the smallest of the 3 vinegaroons in the US, and some of the Mastigoproctus species from Mexico and southwards get even larger.

and yes they’re called vinegaroons (among other fun names) because they squirt concentrated vinegar from their butt as a chemical defense

(Florida, 4/17/23)

[snototter]

A Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) breaches in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California, USA

by James Maughn

[namu-the-orca]

Gramps

Work continues on the SECAC commission, and the end is in sight with just 2 more illustrations to go! I've just finished grandpa Grampus. Because after the "standard" Risso's dolphin (below, finished in 2022) SECAC also wanted an old male.

Risso's are very interesting in terms of colouration because they change so much throughout their life. They are born rather dark, and bear a colouration pattern akin to many other dolphins, with light grey undersides and a dark cape. Like pilot whales they have a white "anchor" marking on their chest, connected to a white patch on the belly. But as they age this colouration is snowed under by countless rake marks: scars brought on by the teeth of conspecifics. In many dolphin species these scratches quickly regain the same colour as the skin. In Risso's they stay white, likely acting as a sort of score bord for males to broadcast their fitness and fighting prowess.

Still, there's a lot of cool variation. Very old males can turn almost completely white (my illustration is quite conservative) with the underlying colouration also bleaching. Females usually have less scars but there's a broad range going from almost clean to being quite pale indeed with many rakes. Some animals develop white faces (with or without stark black markings surrounding the lips). And in some populations the animals just remain quite dark and seem to gather far less, or smaller rakes overall.

[pombomb]

[danskjavlarna]

Source details and larger version.

[the-starfleet]

Grampus when he's spitting water

okay so there's two ways this can work:

in the context of the main au, he carries around a water gun instead of spitting water in people's faces.

but the idea was funny sooooooo

[escapism-sailor]

Happy TUGS 34th Anniversary! (sorry for being late)

Grampus in star fleet colors. Indeed sounds like good idea! Also, please watch retrospective if you haven't https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoKZmBClElc&t=8114s

Also, alternative design

[pleistocene-pride]

Warning Bugs: Mastigoproctus giganteus, more commonly known as the giant whip scorpion, the giant vinegaroon, or the grampus, is a species of whip scorpion in the family Thelyphonidae. Which is endemic to Mexico and the Southern United States from as far west as the Baha peninsula to as far east as florida and from Oklahoma in the north down to central mexico. Inhabiting deserts, scrublands, dry forests, grasslands, and arid mountain ranges, they are a primarily solitary and nocturnal species which spends its days inside of burrows, hollow logs, or rock crevices and emerging at night to feed upon various insects, worms, millapeads, scorpions, slugs, and small frogs/ toads. Giant vinegaroons are themselves preyed on by large toads, raccoons, coatis, armadillos, skunks, bears, hogs and peccaries, ground birds such as roadrunners, lizards, and tarantulas. Reaching around 1.5 -2.5 inches (40- 60mm) in length not including there tail, giant vinegaroons sport eight eyes. They have six legs used for movement, two long antenniform front legs that they use to feel around and detect vibrations, and two large pedipalps modified into claws. Additionally they sport a long, thin, whip-like tail, the origin of the common name whipscorpion. From the base of this tail they can spray a substance composed of 85% acetic acid in order to defend themselves. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar, so the spray smells strongly of vinegar, leading to the common name "vinegaroon". The mating season occurs in fall, during which time females will actively seak out males. After mating, females carry the fertilized eggs internally for a few months, before laying some 30 to 40 eggs in a fluid filled sac which she then carries on her abdomen for another 2 months until hatching. The mother will then carry and protect her babies for another month until there first molt. Under ideal conditions a giant vinegaroon will reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age and may live upwards of 7.