I was bored at work the other day so I designed me an alien jungle critter! Feel free to correct my layman's stab at Latin.
Reveley's Brachiator (Brachiatus revelii) shows the following adaptations to rainforest life:
Long, flexible jointed hindlimbs enable the creature to brachiate freely from branch to branch. Its forelimbs are reduced and used solely for feeding.
It feeds exclusively on the blooms of ramiflorous trees, and can travel great distances to find a tree whose branches are in flower.
Its eyes are prominent, with cross-shaped pupils that give it excellent motion-sensing in both the horizontal and vertical plane for detecting predators.
Bioluminescent photophores on its ventral surface for communication in the dim undercanopy.
A waxy cuticle protects it from the high humidity of the forest, while its green colouring and leaf-like body shape allows it to hide in plain sight. Its dorsal surface is slightly flared and veined and patterned like the surface of a leaf. Brachiators at rest tend to huddle together on a chosen branch like a spray of leaves. (Top left of the picture shows a group of brachiators at rest.)
It possesses a 'drip-tip' pseudotail to quickly shed rainwater during downpours.
Its brachiating limbs terminate in biramous graspers with sticky pads similar to the toes of a gecko; they can grip any climbing surface, even the slick trunks of glass trees.
About the size of a chinchilla, brachiators are inquisitive and peaceful creatures. They make surprisingly good pets, despite their slightly insectile appearance.
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
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