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Retroviscera by Laarc

Retroviscera

Laarc

(Copypasting this from my old deviantART because I'm a lazy bum)

This is a monster concept I came up with after discussing "backwards" anatomy with a few pals.

This arthropod-esque monster is called a retroviscera; the name makes sense once their anatomy is explained in detail. Retroviscera walk upon four spindly legs whose joints appear to be constructed in reverse when compared to many other creatures. Rather than being used to walk, the two smaller legs positioned above the forelimbs are used to communicate with other individuals through various motions. Along the "neck" are dozens of eyes, while the two white antennae sprouting from the hindlimbs detect smell and movement.

At first glance, a retroviscera's mouth are presumably located at the monster's front, while the "mouth" at the end of the tail isn't a true mouth. However, the exact opposite is true! A retroviscera's actual mouth is the large and disfigured one located behind the torso, at the start of the "tail," while the opening at the top of the "neck" is best described as the hindgut. The monster's digestive system runs in reverse through the interior of the body, starting at the tail and ending at the head. This bizarre anatomy benefits the retroviscera in that it downright confuses prey and predator both.

Finally, the retroviscera's internal anatomy is unique in another aspect: its body uses the ammonia (a nitrogen source) produced as a waste product of normal protein metabolism together with several naturally biosynthesized compounds to synthesize potent toxins. These toxins vary in how they attack other creatures - some attack the nervous system, others are simply corrosive - but all of them are secreted from the hindgut opening on the head. Predators attempting to go for the retroviscera's head instead are met with a cocktail of toxins!

I'm fairly pleased with how this guy came out, despite the simplistic coloring method. I hope others like them!

Submission Information

Views:
357
Comments:
6
Favorites:
4
Rating:
General
Category:
Visual / Digital

Comments

  • Link

    That is a fantastically vile design♥
    I can absolutely see Nyx oohing and cooing all over herself about the bio-engineering on this lovely, *laughs*

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      Aye thank you! ♥ I have a big thing for biologically bizarre monsters, haha.

      • Link

        Aye, I do too - It's an absolute favourite theme for me~!
        If I can ever manage to make lines look less like I'm holding a crayon in my teeth, *laughs* I'll have to share some of mine~♥

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          Yessss I'm a biologist myself so I love applying what I know toward making wild things. C: I'd love to see your critters, too!

  • Link

    The fact that this is so alien-like makes it stand out and I just love the ammount of details you've put here. This is great!

    • Link

      I love creating alien creatures like this, it's very fun! Thank you ^^