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Submitted: November 7, 2012
Image Size: 175 KB
Resolution: 1050×548
Submitted with: Sta.sh

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Comments: 18
Favourites: 189 [who?]
Views: 5,362 (3 today)

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U-watsiby ~V4m2c4

Digital Art / Drawings / Sci-Fi

U-watsi

Semi aquatic herbivores, the U-watsi live in tight-nit family groups. Females carry their "exposed fetuses" up to the birthing, where they then expel, the fully capable offspring, into bodies of water. There the chicks will grow and undergo their metamorphosis to their adult form.

A symbiotic relationship is common between the U-watsi and Ka-wenu. while the U-watsi has a superb sense of smell the Ka-wenu has keen eye sight. The Ka-wenu also feeds on parasites especially those which are detrimental to the fetal growth. Ka-wenu are highly territorial of their U-watsi, especially male U-watsi, as female Ka-wenu lay their single egg within their dorsal fans.

I put a little hight comparison chart there to help everyone get a better understanding of scale.

~palaeorigamipete Feb 3, 2013 Hobbyist General Artist

I see U rollin I likin

~DOCNFOID Jan 6, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

The detail is fantastic, and the coloration is great. This creature definitely looks alien and unusual. The musculature is impressive.

But I have to ask. What is the evolutionary advantage to having exposed fetuses in (what appear to be) delicate sacs? They appear to be easily removable (maybe I'm wrong here). I don't understand what the purpose of this adaptation is.

~V4m2c4 Jan 6, 2013

thanks!
The idea behind the exposed fetuses is similar to that of amphibian eggs, except the fetus still receives some nutrients and protection of its mother. This image is later in the eggs development so they begin to loosen and sag, yet the "eggs" themselves are still durable and tough made up of a flexible skin. the mother will eventually expel the "chicks" into a pond where they live their first stage of life as solely aquatic creatures who will eventually "metamorphosize" into a semi-aquatic terrestrial adult.
so all in all its purpose allows for-
longer gestation period
protection of its mother
receives added nutrients
it allows the parent to still graze and move without being stuck to a specific area, there is no need to nest and brood.
I hope that clears things up!

~DOCNFOID Jan 6, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

That makes far more sense now. You may want to put this in your write-up. It's very interesting, thank you!

~OblivionJunkey94 Nov 9, 2012 Student Traditional Artist

Incredible

*kingofthedededes73 Nov 7, 2012

that is an incredibly freaky face for a creature! amzing work

~BabakoSen Nov 7, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

hmm, did you get the coloration of the U-Watsi from Mandrills?

~Solifugus Nov 7, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

This is awesome. I especially like the Ka-wenu, it kind of resembles a flying monkey. Does it fly? I love the external fetuses idea, it's kind of like a cross between marsupials and carrying your eggs. The only real issue I see is that the 'umbilical cord' that attaches them to their mother looks too thin; it looks like you could easily snap it off. Making it just a little bit thicker would probably fix it.

~palaeorigamipete Nov 7, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

This is absolutely amazing! What I love about your ceeatures is the coloration. You always come up with something intersting and colorful, yet the creature has a sense of integrity and plausibility and doesn't scream with color.

It's amazing!

~Rodlox Nov 7, 2012

brilliant.
shades of antelope/megafauna and the oxpecker birds...and yet more.

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