Creature Parade #8

Another Creature Parade has arrived!!  This first creature I call Equis Arcona.  It's a mix of bird and horse along with a few rat-like characteristics.  I originally meant for the feet to be more along the lines of prehistoric horses (toes), but I settled on hooves instead.  I suppose I was afraid if I used toes that I would simply come across as a griffon.  I haven't decided if the creatures are bird or horse in size.  But I like the idea of tiny bird horses running around and leaping through tall grasses catching locust and other small insects.

This second creature I named the Nether Worm.  It spends most of it's life underground; digging through the earth and feeding off organic matter.  It has a curious ability to wind itself up using specialized muscle groupings that resemble a spring or accordion bellow.  Once wound, the creature can spin at great speed and "drill" into the earth using its spiny front.  This allows them to dig down further than other worms. 

This next creature comes mostly from my fascination with the birds of paradise.  If you've never seen footage of the birds of paradise, check them out.  They are among the most colorful, strange, and flamboyant of avian animals.  I think only the males in each species are decorated in this way to help them attract the attention of a mate.  I might call some of the species artistic because they will perform elaborate dances to attract a mate.  They also diligently clean and maintain the area where they come to dance.  And they have to impress when they perform because the females are very picky.  This "bird of paradise" I've name the Exquisite Palomar Eropa. 

Next we have a creature that dwells in the ocean.  But more specifically in areas where coral is abundant.  For now I'm simply calling it the Coral Shrimp.  This species spends a majority of its life hiding among the coral.  It can perch itself upon large bodies of coral, upon surrounding rocks, or hide in holes with its head sticking out.  It's flexible mouth parts gather small organisms and ocean detritus that float by.  As a defensive measure the animals furry tail contains a toxic stinger.

Finally we have a creature that shares both avian and reptilian qualities.  I recently re-read a short essay about disputes over whether Archaeopteryx evolved as a tree bound reptile, or a reptile that ran on the ground and used its arms to help it gain speed.  My interest here isn't so much about the dispute, but rather about the Archaeopteryx itself and it's importance to paleontology and biology.  It is one, if not thee, holy grail of species evolution.  I have created here a distant cousin to Archaeopteryx, yet one that had more talent for hopping that for flight.  It also wears a brilliant crown of feathers.  I call it Arcyopteryx Tripudio in honor of the curious creature Archaeopteryx.