#zelda animals

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The cats and dogs of Hyrule Castle Town

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Worst bird, the actual most terrifying thing in Kakariko Village

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Friendly reminder that Tingle has a dog named Barkle

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An illustration of Ganondorf that I commissioned from the brilliant @inversionstudios​ (@inverts on Twitter) at Otakon 2018. As much as this grumpy jerk hates people, I like to imagine that he has a soft spot for animals.

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Breath of the Wild Master Works, Page 159

Background: Animals

The creatures that inhabit the land of Hyrule have many different relationships with humans. Some coexist with people, some are hostile and prone to aggression, and some serve as ingredients in food and potions. For humans, who communicate with each other through conversation, it can be difficult to grasp what animals are thinking. By observing animals in their natural habitats, however, the player can understand how their communities operate. For instance, wolves howl to summon their companions to aid them in battle, while deer maintain surveillance over their surroundings as a herd. The lively exchanges between animals are how they share the wisdom that allows them to survive in Hyrule’s hostile environment.  

Animals that Coexist with Humans

The horses that facilitate travel and the donkeys that transport goods are vital to life in Hyrule. Horses are especially useful in that they serve not only as a mode of transportation but can also be used to combat Bokoblins. One of the defining characteristics of Hyrule is that many elements of its society, such as its stables, are centered around horses. A few brave adventures also ride wild animals, including deer and bears.

The Morphology of Animals that Have Adapted to their Surroundings

The coloring and markings of some species differ according to their environment. Hyrule has a wide range of climate zones. In a relatively small area, there are volcanoes, snow-covered mountains, deserts, and oceans, and Hyrule’s wildlife has adapted to these environments accordingly. Some species are endemic to certain regions, and ecological studies of these animal habitats are currently ongoing.

Aquatic Animals

Fish and shellfish that inhabit lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. Perhaps because they’ve adapted to Hyrule’s clear water, various species possess brilliantly colored bodies. Different fish are partial to their own favored types of bait. 

Insects and Other Small Creatures

Myriad small creatures inhabit the earth, trees, and air of every region of Hyrule. Even lizards have adapted to various climates, with different species inhabiting a range of environments.

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Breath of the Wild Master Works, Page 158

Birds

Just as herons and sparrows frequently alight on the open plains, different species thrive in different habitats. Groups of ducks can be spotted on the banks of ponds and rivers, while flocks of seagulls are often seen near the ocean. The plumage color of several species varies according to the climate.

[Bird names from top to bottom]

Islander Hawk Sparrows Pigeons Herons Bright-Chested Duck Seagull

Cucco Concept Drafts [Notes counterclockwise from top left] 

Cucco HD It has a long tail Even if it’s short it should still be big and fluffy It should have thick legs so that they can be seen – and so Link can grab onto them It should look like this when it spreads its wings, like it’s capable of gliding Its face should be a little reptilian, maybe – it’s a fantasy creature, so it should look different than a regular chicken Its cockscomb is big and round

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Breath of the Wild Master Works, Page 157

Animals

The player will have many encounters with wild animals when they venture a short distance away from villages. The habitats of these animals can be found in all regions, and various species exist in profusion within designated territories. Some animals flee when they see humans, but others, such as wild boars and bears, are aggressive and dangerous. Dogs are quite tame, and they are happy to be given food.

[Animal labels from left to right, starting with the top row]

Hateno Cow Water Buffalo

Hylian Retriever Maraudo Wolf Bushy-Tailed Squirrel

Honeyvore Bear Mountain Buck / Mountain Doe Mountain Goat

Tabantha Moose Highland Sheep

Red-Tusked Boar Great-Horned Rhinoceros Grassland Fox