#neotenic

[herpsandbirds]

Tennessee Cave Salamander (Gyrinophilus palleucus), family Plethodontidae, found in caves systems in the Cumberland Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains, Eastern U.S.

Vulnerable.

Paedomorphic (neotenic) salamander, retaining its larval aquatic traits (like gills).

photograph by Yinan Li

[sonicjustbecause]

Neotenic characters with huge head when they lie on teir back.

When standing the round shape of their head goes far back, is quite difficult to not make them look awkward when supine (not true only for Sonic characters)...

in 2D it can... somewhat work, in 3D however is harder... to not forget sonic and his friends also have large foot.

you can ignore that quills are stiff and make behave them like hair when necessary, still cheating with the cranium is tricky. Even those who don't know how to draw know wery well the consistence of the cranium and if you make it soft, everybody would think something is off.

Something to consider (and this is the reason why my characters tend to have smaller heads... even children).

[screwyouandrew]

Ambystoma andersoni by Henk Wallays

[typhlonectes]

23 Nuns Fight For the Survival of an Endangered Mexican Salamander

This is the Lake Pátzcuaro salamander. It is a critically endangered species. Overhunting, habitat destruction, and invasive exotic fish have brought the salamander to the brink of extinction. Recent studies revealed that fewer than 100 are left in the wild.

But a group of 23 nuns in Mexico teamed up with other International experts to try and save the species. The nuns live in a convent nearby and have used the salamanders to make cough syrup for more than 150 years. Now they’re breeding them not only to keep their tradition alive, but also to save the amphibians from extinction.

Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico is the only place in the world these salamanders can be found. Experts say the nuns will play a pivotal role in the survival of the species.

Read more in "Nuns Resurrect Endangered Salamanders in First-of-its-Kind Conservation Effort" 

[herpsandbirds]

Plateau Tiger Salamander or Mexican Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma velasci), neotenic adult, family Ambystomatidae, endemic to Mexico

Some populations or individulas are paedomorphic, or neotenic, retaining larval traits (aquatic with gills) into adulthood.

photographs by APRN Lago Tláhuac-Xico

[herpsandbirds]

Barton Springs Salamander (Eurycea sosorum), family Plethodontidae, found in cave systems in central Texas, USA

ENDANGERED.

Neotenic (paedomorphic), retaining larval aquatic traits, such as the feathery pink external gills.

photographs by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS

[herpsandbirds]

Olm (Proteus anguinus), family Proteidae, far NW Italy

This aquatic salamander is neotenic/paedomorphic (retaining juvenile traits - ie. gills and other aquatic adaptations)

Found only in karst rock cave systems with ample water in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Hercegovina, and far NW Italy.

Also called the "human fish", proteus, and white cave salamander.

Olms are blind, but have excellent sense of smell and hearing (for a salamander).

photograph by Matteo Di Nicola

[herpsandbirds]

Georgia Blind Salamander (Eurycea wallacei), family Plethodontidae, Jackson County, FL, USA

ENDANGERED.

Neotenic (paedomorphic), retaining larval traits for an aquatic lifestyle.

Found in caves and other subterranean habitats.

photograph by Pierson Hill