#lined leaf-tailed gecko

[colorsoutofearth]

Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko (Uroplatus lineatus), Madagascar

Photo by Alex Hyde

[puppetmaster13u]

So this Au still needs a name, BUT

I have figured out what Most of the pokemon evolved from! It only took uh, lemme look at a clock, a week or three!

For those not interested in clicking a link, it's a pokemon/dc crossover but pokemon is straight up just a Gotham thing. Like, the flora and fauna and everything else have become corrupted/ mutated/ adapted, etc into strange creatures with stranger abilities thanks to the chemicals, magic, death pits, curses, and everything else all mixing together.

So anyway, have a list of what each pokemon originally were before Gotham got a hold of them. Some things brought into Gotham (such as via zoos, museums, or rogues or whatever) and others always there. Do keep in mind I am (mostly) not including Legendaries because I'm still not sure if I want those in the Au yet lol.

Canines 

Vulpix Lines (Foxes) 

Growlithe Lines (Large Dog Breeds) 

Abra Line (Fox) 

Snubbul Line (Bulldog Mix Breed) 

Houndour Line (Medium Dog Breeds) 

Smeargle (Beagle Mix Breed) 

Poochyena Line (Hyena) 

Electrike Line (Maned Wolf) 

Absol (Samoyed Mix Breed) 

Riolu Line (Egyptian Wolf) 

Lillipup Line (Terrier Mix Breed) 

Zorua Lines (Wolf) 

Fennekin Line (Fox) 

Furfrou (Poodle Mix Breed) 

Rockruff Lines (Akita Mix Breed) 

Nickit Line (Red Fox) 

Yamper Line (Small Dog Breeds) 

Fidough Line (Dachshund Mix Breed) 

Greavard Line (Sheepdog Mix Breed) 

Felines 

Meowth Lines (Domestic Cats) 

Eevee Lines (Domestic Cats) 

Skitty Line (Shorthair Cat) 

Shinx Line (Lynx) 

Glameow Line (Domestic Cat) 

Purrloin Line (Domestic Cat) 

Litleo Line (Lion) 

Espurr Line (Folded-Ear Cat) 

Litten Line (Tiger) 

Sprigatito Line (Lynx) 

Rodents 

Rattata Line (Domestic Rat) 

Alolan Rattata (Wild Rat) 

Pikachu Lines (House Mouse) 

Clefairy Line (Chinchilla) 

Azurill Line (Vole) 

Plusle (Long-Eared Woodrat)

Minun (Long-Eared Woodrat) 

Bidoof Line (Beaver) 

Pachirisu (Squirrel) 

Minccino Line (Chinchilla) 

Emolga (Flying Squirrel) 

Chespin Line (Chipmunk) 

Dedenne (Gerbil) 

Togedemaru (Spiny Rat) 

Skwovet Line (Red Squirrel) 

Morpeko (Guinea Pig) 

Pawmi Line (Viscacha)

Tandemaus (Field Mouse)

Birds 

Pidgey Line (Waxwings) 

Spearow Line (Sparrow) 

Doduo Line (Kiwi Bird) 

Magby Line (Duck) 

Hoothoot Line (Horned Owl) 

Togepi Line (Chicken Eggs) 

Natu Line (Quail) 

Murkrow Line (Crows) 

Delibird (Penguin) 

Skarmory (Condor) 

Torchic Line (Chicken) 

Taillow Line (Barn Swallow) 

Wingull Line (Seagull) 

Swablu Line (Lorikeet) 

Piplup Line (Penguin) 

Starly Line (Starling) 

Chatot (Parrot) 

Pidove Line (Pigeon) 

Ducklett Line (Swan) 

Rufflet Line (Eagle) 

Vullaby Line (Vulture) 

Fletchling Line (Robin) 

Spritzee Line (Grosbeak) 

Hawlucha (Raptor Bird) 

Rowlett Line (Owl) 

Pikipek Line (Toucans) 

Oricorio(s) (Honeycreepers) 

Rookidee Line (Corvid) 

Cramorant (Cormorant)

Eiscue (Penguin) 

Quaxly Line (Duck) 

Squawkabilly (Parakeet) 

Wattrel Line (Petrel) 

Flittle Line (Ostrich) 

Bombirdier (Stork) 

Flamigo (Flamingo) 

Reptiles 

Charmander Line (Newt) 

Squirtle Line (Box Turtle) 

Ekans Line (Ringneck Snake) 

Lapras (Sea Turtle) 

Dratini Line (Sea Snake) 

Totodile Line (Alligator) 

Dunsparce Line (Snake) 

Larvitar Line (Spiny Lizard) 

Treecko Line (Leaf-Tailed Lizard) 

Aron Line (Terrapin) 

Torkoal (Snapping Turtle) 

Seviper (Viper) 

Kecleon (Chameleon) 

Turtwig Line (Box Turtle) 

Snivy Line (Vine Snake) 

Sandile Line (Crocodile) 

Scraggy Line (Lizard) 

Tirtouga Line (Sea Turtle) 

Helioptile Line (Frilled-Neck Lizard) 

Salandit Line (Skink) 

Turtonator (Sideneck Turtle) 

Jangmo-o Line (Geckos) 

Sobble Line (Basilisk Lizard) 

Chewtle Line (Snapping Turtle) 

Silicobra Line (Cobra) 

Fuecoco Line (Crocodile) 

Cyclizar Lines (Anole) 

Amphibians

Bulbasaur Line (Toad) 

Poliwag Lines (Tadpool) 

Slowpoke Lines (Salamander) 

Lickitung (Tailed Frog) 

Happiny Line (Axolotl) 

Wooper Lines (Axolotl) 

Bagon Line (Salamander) 

Croagunk Line (Frog) 

Tympole Line (Toad) 

Froakie Line (Frog) 

Toxel Line (Salamander) 

Tadbulb Line (Green Frog) 

Fish & Sealife 

Tentacool Line (Jellyfish) 

Shellder Line (Clam) 

Horse Line (Seahorses) 

Goldeen Line (Goldfish) 

Staryu Line (Starfish) 

Magikarp Line (Karp) 

Omanyte Line (Nautilus) 

Chinchou Line (Anglerfish) 

Qwilfish Lines (Pufferfish) 

Corsola Lines (Coral) 

Remoraid Line (Remoras) 

Mantine Line (Manta Ray) 

Mudkip Line (Mudskippers)

Gulpin Line (Sculpin Fish) 

Carvanha Line (Piranha) 

Wailmer Line (Whale) 

Barboach Line (Loach) 

Lileep Line (Crinoid) 

Feebas Line (Bass) 

Clamperl Line (Clam) 

Relicanth (Coelacanth) 

Luvdisc (Discus Fish) 

Gible Line (Shark) 

Finneon Line (Freshwater Butterflyfish) 

Basculin Line (Sea Bass) 

Frillish Lines (Jellyfish) 

Alomomola (Mola Mola Fish) 

Tynamo Line (Electric Eel) 

Stunfisk(s) (Stargazer Fish) 

Inkay Line (Squid) 

Binacle Line (Barnacle)

Skrelp Line (Leafy Seadragon) 

Wishiwashi (Herring/Anchovies) 

Mareanie Line (Crown of Thorns Starfish) 

Pyukumuku (Sea Cucumber) 

Bruxish (Triggerfish) 

Arrokuda Line (Barracuda) 

Clobbopus Line (Octopus) 

Hatenna Line (Jellyfish) 

Pincurchin (Urchin) 

Wiglett Line (Garden Eel) 

Finizen (Dolphin) 

Glimmet Line (Sea Anemone) 

Cetoddle Line (Whale) 

Veluza (Hake Fish) 

Dondozo (Catfish) 

Crustaceans

Krabby Line (Crab) 

Kabuto Line (Horseshoe Crab) 

Corphish Line (Crawfish) 

Dwebble Line (Hermit Crab) 

Clauncher Line (Lobster) 

Crabrawler Line (Crab) 

Klawf (Velvet Crab) 

Insects 

Caterpie Line (Butterfly) 

Weedle Line (Bee Larva) 

Paras Line (Cicada Nymph) 

Venonat Line (Swallowtail Moth) 

Scyther (Praying Mantis) 

Pinsir (Stag Beetle) 

Ledyba Line (Ladybug)

Yanma Line (Dragonfly) 

Pineco Line (Bagworm) 

Heracross (Rhino Beetle) 

Wurmple Lines (Spiked Caterpillars) 

Surskit Line (Water Skater) 

Nincada Lines (Cicada) 

Volbeat (Lightning Bug) 

Illumise (Lightning Bug) 

Trapinch Line (Antlion) 

Kricketot Line (Cricket) 

Burmy Lines (Bagworm) 

Combee Line (Honeybee) 

Sewaddle Line (Leaf Insect) 

Venipede Line (Centipede) 

Karrablast Line (Carabid Beetle) 

Pawniard Line (Beetle) 

Durant (Ant) 

Larvesta Line (Atlas Moth) 

Scatterbug Line (Butterfly) 

Grubbin Line (Stag Beetle) 

Cutiefly Line (Bee Fly) 

Fomantis Line (Orchid Mantis) 

Wimpod Line (Isopod) 

Blipbug Line (Ladybird) 

Sizzlipede Line (Centipede)

Snom Line (Jewel Caterpillar) 

Nymble Line (Grasshopper) 

Rellor Line (Scarab Beetle) 

Arachnids

Spinarak Line (Smiling Spider) 

Skorupi Line (Scorpion)

Joltik (Jumping Spider)

Dewpider (Diving Bell Spider) 

Tarountula Line (Orb Weaver) 

Gastropods

Slugma Line (Iron Snail) 

Shellos Lines (Sea Slugs)

Shelmet Line (Snail) 

Goomy Lines (Slug & Snail) 

Ungulates

Ponyta Lines (Domestic Horses) 

Drowzee Line (Tapir) 

Rhyhorn Line (Rhino) 

Tauros(es) (Large Horned Cows) 

Mareep Line (Sheep) 

Girafarig Line (Giraffe) 

Swinub Line (Mangalica Pigs) 

Phanpy Line (Elephant) 

Stantler Line (Deer) 

Miltank (Milk Cow) 

Numel Line (Camel) 

Spoink Line (Teacup Pig) 

Hippopotas Line (Hippo) 

Tepig Line (Domestic Pig) 

Blitzle Line (Zebra) 

Deerling Line (Deer) 

Bouffalant (Buffalo) 

Skiddo Line (Goat) 

Mudbray Line (Mule) 

Wooloo Line (Sheep) 

Cufant Line (Elephant) 

Lechonk Line (Pig) 

Primates

Mankey Line (Barbary Macaque) 

Aipom Line (Squirrel Monkey) 

Meditite Line (Indri) 

Chimchar Line (Chimpanzee) 

Pansage Line (Capuchin Monkey)

Pansear Line (Capuchin Monkey)

Panpour Line (Capuchin Monkey)

Darumaka Lines (Gibbon) 

Oranguru (Orangutan) 

Grookey Line (Gorilla) 

Mammal

Sandshrew Lines (Armadillo) 

Nidoran Lines (Hedgehog) 

Jigglypuff Line (Capybara) 

Zubat Line (Bat) 

Diglett Line (Mole) 

Psyduck Line (Platypus) 

Seel Line (Seals) 

Cubone Lines (Wombat) 

Kangaskhan (Kangaroo) 

Snorlax (Bear) 

Cyndaquil Lines (Echidna) 

Sentret Line (Ferret) 

Gligar Line (Scorpionfly) 

Teddiursa Line (Brown Bear) 

Sneasel Lines (Weasel) 

Zigzagoon Lines (Raccoon) 

Slakoth Line (Sloth) 

Whismur Line (Rabbit) 

Spinda (Panda) 

Zangoose (Mongoose) 

Spheal Line (Walrus) 

Buizel Line (River Otter) 

Buneary Line (Rabbit) 

Stunky Line (Skunk) 

Oshawott Lines (Sea Otter) 

Patrat Line (Meerkat) 

Woobat Line (Bat) 

Drilbur Line (Mole) 

Auduno (Pika) 

Cubchoo Line (Polar Bear) 

Mienfoo Line (Ermine) 

Heatmoor (Anteater) 

Bunnelby Line (Hare) 

Pancham Line (Panda) 

Noibat Line (Bat) 

Popplio Line (Sea Lion) 

Yungoos Line (Mongoose) 

Passimian (Lemur) 

Komola (Koala) 

Scorbunny Line (Wild Hare) 

Shroodle Line (Tenrecs) 

Living Fossils & Dinosaurs

Aerodactyl (Pterosaur) 

Anorith Line (Anomalocaris) 

Cranidos Line (Pachycephalosaurus) 

Shieldon Line (Ceratops) 

Archen Line (Archaeopteryx) 

Axew Line (Hadrosaurid) 

Tyrunt Line (Tyrannosaurus) 

Amaura Line (Amargasaurus) 

Dracozolt (Raptor-Rex) 

Arctozolt (Raptor-Plesiosaur)

Dracovish (Dunkleosteus-Rex) 

Arctovish(Dunkleosteus-Plesiosaur) 

Dreepy Line (Diplocaulus)

Great Tusk (Mammoth) 

Slither Wing (Prehistoric Lepidoptera)

Roaring Moon (Unknown Fossil/Time Travel)

Walking Wake (Dryptosaurus) 

Gouging Fire (Styracosaurus) 

Raging Bolt (Brontosaurus) 

Living Plants & Fungi 

Oddish Lines (Mandrake) 

Bellsprout Line (Pitcher Plant) 

Exeggcute Lines (Palm Seeds) 

Tangela Line (Seagrass) 

Chikorita Line (Pear) 

Hoppip Line (Dandelion) 

Sunkern Line (Sunflower) 

Shuckle (Slime Mold) 

Lotad Line (Lilypad) 

Seedot Line (Acorn) 

Shroomish Line (Mushroom) 

Budew Line (Rose) 

Cacnea Line (Cactus) 

Tropius (Banana Tree) 

Cherubi Line (Cherries) 

Carnivine (Venus Flytrap) 

Snover Line (Pine) 

Cottonee Line (Cotton Plants)

Petilil Lines (Lily Flower) 

Maractus (Flowering Cactus) 

Foongus Line (Mushrooms) 

Ferroseed Line (Durian Fruit) 

Flabebe Line (Flower) 

Pumpkaboo Line (Pumpkin) 

Morelull Line (Hallucinogenic Fungi) 

Bounsweet Line (Mangosteen) 

Comfey (Flowering Vine) 

Gossifleur Line (Cotton Plant) 

Applin Lines (Apples) 

Smoliv Line (Olive & Olive Tree) 

Bramblin Line (Thorns) 

Toadscool Line (Toadstool) 

Capsakid Line (Peppers) 

Stone & Gemstone

Geodude Lines (Rocks) 

Onix Line (Stone) 

Nosepass Line (Stone Statue) 

Sableye (Gemstones) 

Lunatone (Rock Carving) 

Solrock (Rock Carving)

Roggenrola Line (Geode) 

Druddigon (Gargoyle) 

Golett Line (Stone Statues) 

Carbink (Diamond) 

Diancie (Pink Diamond) 

Sandygast Line (Sand) 

Minior (Meteor) 

Stakataka (Stone Bricks) 

Rolycoly Line (Coal) 

Stonjourner (Stone Brick) 

Objects & Material

Magnemite Line (Magnets) 

Grimer Lines (Toxic Waste) 

Voltorb Lines (Balls) 

Porygon Line (Digital Data) 

Bonsly Line (Fake Trees) 

Wynaut Line (Doll) 

Baltoy Line (Clay Doll)

Shuppet Line (Doll) 

Duskull Line (Skull) 

Chimecho (Wind Chime) 

Drifloon Line (Balloon) 

Chingling (Bell) 

Bronzor Line (Mirror) 

Rotom (Digital Virus) 

Shaymin (Chia Pet) 

Munna Line (Pillow) 

Yamask Lines (Old Masks) 

Trubbish Line (Trash) 

Gothita Line (Dress) 

Solosis Line (Giant Cell) 

Klink Line (Gears) 

Litwick Line (Candles) 

Cryogonal (Ice) 

Honedge Line (Sword) 

Klefki (Keychains) 

Bergmite Lines (Ocean Ice) 

Stufful Line (Teddy Bear) 

Dhelmise (Ship Anchor) 

Xurkitree (Wiring) 

Meltan Line (Mercury) 

Sinistea Line (Teaset) 

Falinks (Toy) 

Duraludon Line (Skyscrapers/Bridges) 

Nacli Line (Salt) 

Charcadet Lines (Armour) 

Varoom Line (Engines) 

Foods

Vanillite Line (Ice Cream) 

Swirlix Line (Cotton Candy) 

Milcery Line (Cream) 

Tatsugiri(s) (Sushi) 

Poltchageist Line (Matcha Tea) 

‘Unknown’ Origins 

Machop Line

Gastly Line (Ghosts) 

Tyrogue Lines

Koffing Lines (Poison Gases) 

Elekid Line

Ditto 

Misdreavus Line (Ghosts) 

Unown(s) (Runes) 

Ralts Lines (Dolls) 

Makuhita Line

Mawile (Yokai) 

Castform (Paper Doll) 

Snorunt Line

Spritomb (Lazarus Pit)

Timburr

Sigilyph 

Deino Line 

Phantump (Forest Child Ghost) 

Mimikyu (Lone Ghost Children) 

Drampa

Marshadow (Shadows) 

Impidimp Line (Children) 

Indeedee 

Tinkatink Line 

Orthworm (Earth Worms) 

Altered Via Outside Influence 

Beldum Line (Alien Technology) 

Deoxys (Alien DNA & Cloning) 

Elgyem (Alien Technology) 

Genesect (Alien Tech & Cloning) 

Iron Moth (Luthor Tech & Alien Tech) 

Iron Thorns (Luthor Tech & Alien Tech) 

Iron Valiant (Wayne Collab) 

Iron Leaves (Wayne Collab)

Iron Crown (Wayne Collab)

Iron Boulder (Wayne Collab)

FURTHER MINI RAMBLES

⏵Most non-sapient plant variation has happened in things such as berries & fruits 

⏵It’s noted that many of the creatures show signs of convergent evolution to other animals & plants, especially in further mutations

⏵Several animals & other things not native to Gotham or New Jersey were brought in as experiments or for the Gotham Zoo which were affected over time

Like IRL Animals & Plants, They Can Have Mutations & Color Variations:

Normal color/Pattern [Very Common]

“Shinies” [Uncommon color variant] 

Piebaldism/Vitiligo [Patches of no melanism] 

Albinism [No melanism] 

Leucism [No melanism save for eyes] 

Melanism [Excess black] 

Erythrism [Excess red] 

Axanthism [No yellow & more blue] 

Xanthochromism [Excess yellow] 

Chimerism [2 offspring fused] 

Gynandromorphism [Split & both male/female]

[chaobunnyarts]

Tiny geckos [2/4]

9 - Gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) 10 - Texas banded gecko (Coleonyx brevis) 11 - Mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) 12 - Lined leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus lineatus) 13 - Ashy gecko (Sphaerodactylus elegans) 14 - Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) 15 - Excitable delma (Delma tincta) 16 - Florida reef gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus)

[shaarkbaitart]

unfinished oldie from 2022,, lined leaf tails have been one of my favourite geckos for so long

[home-decor-design]

Exploring the Enchanting World: Rainforest Expeditions Unveiled

Embarking on a rainforest expedition is like stepping into a living, breathing symphony of nature, where every rustle of leaves and chorus of birds tells a story of biodiversity and ecological wonders. In this blog post, we'll delve into the captivating realm of rainforest expeditions, exploring the enchanting landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and the unique flora and fauna that make these journeys unforgettable.

Enchanting Rainforest Expeditions

1. The Call of the Canopy Rainforests are renowned for their towering canopies, creating a world within a world. As you embark on an expedition, the first enchanting encounter is with the canopy itself. Whether traversing treetop walkways or zip-lining through the lush greenery, the canopy offers a mesmerizing perspective, revealing a kaleidoscope of life that thrives above the forest floor. Look out for elusive birds, primates, and vibrant orchids that call the canopy home. 2. Biodiversity Extravaganza One of the most enchanting aspects of rainforest expeditions is the incredible biodiversity that unfolds at every turn. Rainforests are hotspots of life, hosting a myriad of species from insects to mammals, and from amphibians to reptiles. Explore the forest trails with expert guides who unveil the hidden gems of biodiversity – from brilliantly colored poison dart frogs to camouflaged leaf-tailed geckos. Every step becomes a chance encounter with the wonders of evolution. 3. Symphony of Sounds Close your eyes, and let the rainforest serenade you with its symphony of sounds. The buzzing of insects, the rhythmic drumming of raindrops, and the calls of exotic birds create an immersive auditory experience. During night expeditions, the rainforest truly comes alive with the haunting calls of nocturnal creatures. Immerse yourself in the enchanting cacophony, a testament to the vitality and interconnectedness of this ecosystem. 4. Ethereal Waterways Rainforests are often crisscrossed by meandering rivers and crystal-clear streams, adding a touch of magic to your expedition. Take a gentle boat ride along these ethereal waterways, surrounded by lush vegetation and the occasional sighting of aquatic wildlife. Some rainforests offer the unique experience of kayaking through mangrove forests or paddling to hidden lagoons, providing a tranquil escape into the heart of nature. 5. Wildlife Encounters No rainforest expedition is complete without the thrill of wildlife encounters. From the elusive jaguars of the Amazon to the playful orangutans of Borneo, rainforests are home to some of the planet's most iconic and endangered species. Expert guides lead you through well-traveled paths and secret hideaways, increasing your chances of encountering fascinating creatures in their natural habitats. 6. Medicinal Marvels Rainforests are not just havens for wildlife; they are also treasure troves of medicinal plants and traditional remedies. Many indigenous communities have relied on the rainforest's pharmacy for generations. Guided expeditions often include insights into the traditional uses of plants, unveiling the secrets behind natural remedies that have the potential to transform modern medicine. 7. Cultural Immersion Rainforest expeditions offer more than just natural wonders; they provide opportunities for cultural immersion with indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with these ecosystems for centuries. Engage in cultural exchanges, learning about traditional practices, rituals, and the symbiotic relationship between these communities and the rainforest. It's a chance to appreciate the wisdom passed down through generations. 8. Treetop Accommodations For an enchanting twist to your rainforest expedition, consider staying in treetop accommodations. Suspended high above the forest floor, these eco-friendly lodges provide a unique and immersive experience. Fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the rainforest and wake up to the sunrise painting the canopy in hues of gold – an experience that blends luxury with the untamed beauty of nature. 9. Conservation in Action Many rainforest expeditions align with conservation initiatives, allowing travelers to actively contribute to the protection of these vital ecosystems. Participate in tree-planting programs, wildlife monitoring projects, or engage with local conservationists to understand the challenges and successes of preserving rainforests for future generations. 10. Responsible Tourism Practices To ensure the enchantment of rainforests endures, it's essential to embrace responsible tourism practices. Choose eco-friendly operators, follow Leave No Trace principles, and support initiatives that prioritize conservation and sustainable development. By treading lightly, you contribute to the longevity of these magical landscapes. Rainforest expeditions are invitations to explore the enchanting realms of our planet, where biodiversity, culture, and conservation converge in a harmonious dance. As you embark on these journeys, let the allure of the rainforest captivate your senses, leaving you with indelible memories and a deep appreciation for the delicate balance that sustains these extraordinary ecosystems.

Rainforest biodiversity facts

Rainforests, often referred to as the lungs of the Earth, harbor an astonishing diversity of life within their lush canopies and verdant floors. In this blog post, we'll embark on a journey to unravel the captivating world of rainforest biodiversity, exploring facts that showcase the incredible variety of species and the vital role these ecosystems play in maintaining the planet's ecological balance. 1. Biodiversity Hotspots Rainforests are biodiversity hotspots, hosting an extraordinary concentration of plant and animal species. Despite covering only about 6% of the Earth's land surface, rainforests are home to more than half of the world's plant and animal species. This makes them essential reservoirs of genetic diversity crucial for the survival of various ecosystems. 2. Overwhelming Floral Diversity The plant life in rainforests is nothing short of astounding. A single hectare of rainforest can contain hundreds of different tree species, each adapted to specific niches within the ecosystem. The intricate interplay of diverse plant life contributes to the formation of complex, multi-layered canopies that support myriad species of insects, birds, and mammals. 3. Endless Array of Insects Rainforests are insect havens, with estimates suggesting that up to 90% of the world's insect species reside within these ecosystems. From dazzling butterflies to camouflaged stick insects, the sheer variety of insect life is a testament to the intricate web of relationships that sustains the rainforest's biodiversity. 4. Avian Wonderland The avian diversity in rainforests is a birdwatcher's paradise. Tropical rainforests are home to an estimated 2,000 bird species, representing a staggering 20% of the world's total. From vibrant parrots and toucans to elusive birds of paradise, the avian residents contribute to the symphony of sounds that echoes through the dense vegetation. 5. Arboreal Marvels Rainforests are synonymous with tree-dwelling species, and the term 'arboreal' takes on a whole new meaning in these ecosystems. From primates like spider monkeys and orangutans to a variety of tree frogs and snakes, the ability to navigate the vertical landscape is a key adaptation for survival in the rainforest. 6. Mammalian Diversity While big cats like jaguars and elusive species like the ocelot may capture the spotlight, rainforests are also home to an array of smaller mammals, including various species of monkeys, anteaters, and rodents. The diversity of mammals highlights the interconnected roles these creatures play in maintaining the ecological balance of the rainforest. 7. Amphibians and Reptiles Rainforests are teeming with amphibians and reptiles, many of which display vibrant colors and unique adaptations. The poison dart frogs, with their striking hues, are a well-known example of the dazzling diversity within this group. Meanwhile, reptiles like chameleons and anacondas showcase the incredible adaptations that have evolved over millennia. 8. Below the Surface Aquatic Diversity Rivers and streams meandering through rainforests harbor a rich aquatic diversity. From colorful fish to elusive amphibians like the glass frog, the waterways contribute significantly to the overall biodiversity of these ecosystems. Aquatic life in rainforests is not limited to the surface, as underwater caves and submerged logs provide unique habitats for various species. 9. Mutualistic Relationships One of the fascinating aspects of rainforest biodiversity is the prevalence of mutualistic relationships. Orchids, for example, may rely on specific species of bees for pollination, while ants play a crucial role in protecting certain plants from herbivores. These intricate connections highlight the interdependence of species within the rainforest ecosystem. 10. Threats to Rainforest Biodiversity Despite their ecological importance, rainforests face numerous threats, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Human activities such as logging and agriculture contribute to the loss of biodiversity and disrupt the delicate balance that sustains these ecosystems. Conservation efforts and sustainable practices are essential to mitigate these threats and protect the incredible biodiversity of rainforests. The rich tapestry of life woven within rainforests is a testament to the wonders of biodiversity. From the smallest insects to the majestic big cats, each species plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and resilience of these ecosystems. As we marvel at the sheer diversity of life within rainforests, it becomes imperative to recognize our responsibility in preserving these vital habitats for future generations and for the well-being of the planet as a whole.

Guided rainforest tours

Embarking on a journey through a rainforest is like stepping into a realm of unparalleled biodiversity and natural splendor. While the allure of these ecosystems is undeniable, guided rainforest tours offer an enriching experience, providing insights, safety, and a deeper connection to the wonders that inhabit these lush landscapes. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits and highlights of guided rainforest tours, unraveling the secrets of the forest with the assistance of knowledgeable guides. 1. Expert Guidance Guided rainforest tours are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who are well-versed in the intricacies of the ecosystems they navigate. These experts possess an intimate understanding of the flora and fauna, enabling them to share valuable insights, identify unique species, and explain the complex ecological relationships that sustain the rainforest. Their expertise adds a layer of depth to the journey, turning a simple stroll into an educational adventure. 2. Enhanced Wildlife Encounters Spotting wildlife in a dense rainforest can be challenging, especially for untrained eyes. Guided tours, however, increase the likelihood of memorable wildlife encounters. Guides are adept at recognizing subtle movements, camouflaged creatures, and the calls of elusive birds. Whether it's a troop of howler monkeys or a vibrant poison dart frog, the expertise of guides transforms the rainforest into a living, breathing spectacle. 3. Safety and Navigation Rainforests can be intricate and challenging to navigate, with dense vegetation, uneven terrain, and hidden hazards. Guided tours prioritize safety, ensuring that participants navigate the terrain with confidence. Guides are familiar with the trails, river crossings, and potential risks, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the experience without worrying about getting lost or encountering unexpected challenges. 4. Interpretation of Ecology A guided rainforest tour is not just a walk through nature; it's an opportunity to understand the intricate web of ecological interactions that define these ecosystems. Guides interpret the ecology of the rainforest, explaining the roles of different species, the importance of biodiversity, and the delicate balance that sustains life. This interpretive aspect enhances the tour, fostering a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things. 5. Customized Experiences Guided rainforest tours often offer a degree of customization to cater to the interests and preferences of participants. Whether you're keen on birdwatching, studying plant life, or focusing on specific aspects of the rainforest ecology, guides can tailor the experience to align with your interests. This personalized touch ensures that each participant enjoys a unique and fulfilling exploration of the rainforest. 6. Educational Opportunities Guided rainforest tours serve as outdoor classrooms, providing a wealth of educational opportunities. Guides share information on the medicinal properties of plants, the adaptations of various species, and the cultural significance of the rainforest to indigenous communities. These educational elements add depth to the experience, transforming the tour into a holistic journey of discovery. 7. Access to Hidden Gems Rainforests conceal hidden gems that may elude unguided explorers. Guides, with their local knowledge, lead participants to secret waterfalls, secluded viewpoints, and off-the-beaten-path locations that showcase the lesser-known wonders of the rainforest. These hidden gems contribute to a sense of exclusivity, allowing participants to witness the beauty that is often overlooked. 8. Environmental Conservation Awareness Guided rainforest tours often incorporate elements of environmental conservation awareness. Guides share information about the threats facing rainforests, the importance of sustainable practices, and the role individuals can play in preserving these vital ecosystems. This educational component fosters a sense of environmental responsibility and encourages participants to become advocates for rainforest conservation. 9. Night Tours Many guided rainforest tours extend into the evening, offering night tours that unveil the mysteries of the nocturnal world. Guided by the expertise of night-savvy guides, participants have the chance to witness bioluminescent organisms, nocturnal mammals, and the enchanting symphony of night sounds. Night tours add a magical dimension to the rainforest experience. 10. Community Engagement Guided rainforest tours often involve interactions with local communities residing near these natural wonders. Guides facilitate cultural exchanges, allowing participants to learn about traditional practices, folklore, and the symbiotic relationship between indigenous communities and the rainforest. This engagement fosters cultural awareness and promotes responsible tourism practices. Guided rainforest tours are gateways to a world of discovery, education, and appreciation for the intricate wonders of nature. With expert guides leading the way, participants can delve into the heart of the rainforest, gaining a profound understanding of its ecological significance and cultural richness. These tours not only offer a unique adventure but also contribute to the conservation of these vital ecosystems, ensuring they remain treasures for generations to come.

How to experience a rainforest expedition

Embarking on a rainforest expedition is a transformative journey into one of Earth's most biodiverse and enchanting ecosystems. While the prospect of navigating dense jungles and witnessing exotic wildlife is exhilarating, a successful rainforest expedition requires careful planning and a deep appreciation for the natural world. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the essential steps on how to experience a rainforest expedition that is not only adventurous but also enriching. 1. Research Your Destination Before embarking on a rainforest expedition, it's crucial to research and choose your destination wisely. Rainforests are scattered across the globe, from the Amazon in South America to the Daintree in Australia and the Congo in Africa. Each rainforest has its unique flora, fauna, and climate. Consider factors such as accessibility, conservation efforts, and the specific biodiversity you wish to encounter. 2. Select the Right Time to Visit Rainforests often experience distinct wet and dry seasons. The timing of your expedition can significantly impact your experience. While the wet season brings lush greenery and vibrant life, it also means heavier rainfall and more challenging trekking conditions. The dry season may offer better visibility but could result in a less vibrant landscape. Consider your preferences and the activities you wish to undertake when deciding on the timing of your expedition. 3. Choose a Reputable Tour Operator Opting for a guided rainforest tour with a reputable operator is a wise decision for a safe and enriching experience. Look for operators with experienced guides, a commitment to sustainable practices, and a strong emphasis on environmental conservation. Reviews and testimonials from previous participants can provide insights into the quality of their services. 4. Pack Appropriately Packing for a rainforest expedition requires careful consideration of the climate, terrain, and potential challenges you may encounter. Essential items include lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, sturdy hiking boots, a good quality rain jacket, a hat, and sunscreen. Don't forget insect repellent, a first aid kit, and any prescription medications you may need. A reliable camera or binoculars will enhance your ability to observe and capture the wonders of the rainforest. 5. Prepare Physically Rainforest expeditions often involve trekking through challenging terrain, including uneven paths, muddy trails, and steep slopes. Prior to your journey, engage in physical activities that build strength and endurance. Read the full article

[end0skeletal-undead]

Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko by Frank Vassen Marojejy National Park, Madagascar

[ainawgsd]

Lined Leaf Tailed Gecko

Of all of the species in the genus Uroplatus, U. lineatus is by far one of the most unique of the group. They're one of the largest Uroplatus, reaching a total length of 10-11". U. lineatus primarily inhabits the tropical and bamboo forests in eastern Madagascar. 

They lack the dermal fringe most frequently seen in species belonging to the "fimbriatus" group, but many adorn themselves with spiny scales which give the appearance of "eye lashes" above their eyes. Their bodies are long and slender with smooth skin and a "snake-like" head. Patterns change from solid beige or yellowish during the day and wood grain striped at night. They very much resemble the bamboo plants they inhabit in their natural habitat. One of the more arboreal species, they generally stick to the walls and branches in their enclosure. Like all Uroplatus, they are nocturnal and sleep during the day. 

[x]

[lovepmd]

My Team HeadCannon from Explorers of the Sky

Ryan Takudo

Species: Shinx

Age: 15 Years old

Gender: Male

When Ryan was a human, he was a 15 year old university student in Nimbasa City University. Since he was a kid, he was inspired to become a Pokemon specialist when he visits to International Pokemon Convention in Hearthome City, Sinnoh. To fulfill his dream, he took the Trainer’s Exam and pass with flying colours. Obtained Tim when travelling to Hoenn with his friends when he stumbled a wild Treecko and decides to catch it. At school, his intelligence was shown as he can solve questions that was meant for higher education level. With his teacher’s approval, he finished his elementary and high school within a short time, 3 years to be exact. He took Zoologist as his major in the university, specialized in quadruped and electric type Pokemon.

One day, when he was alone at home with his and pet Pokemon, he saw something flew past by the window. He then goes out and saw an ultra-rare shiny Celebi, lying on the forest floor injured by the Darkrai. He then tried to help the Celebi but stopped by the pitch black Pokemon and knocked him out cold. After waking up, he had severe headache and being attend by his Grovyle. The Celebi had already attended by the wood gecko earlier thanks to his skills using wild berries as medicine. He realized that everything around him was stiffed, as if it the time has been stopped. Then the Time Travel Pokemon explained that his world was indeed paralyzed and must find a way to undo the situation, but not until he and the rest were running away from all sorts of Ghost-type Pokemon that hunted them down. In desperation, he and his Grovyle jumped into the Dimensional Portal created by the Celebi to redo the time but a mysterious force hit the portal and cause haywire which ultimately separated them. Unable to remember his past life, it’s up to him and his new partner to help him recover his memories and finishing his ultimate role before time runs out

Characteristics

At first, he have some trouble adapting his new body and stumbles a lot while trying to walk, but he manages to walk properly fairly quickly

Quick learner and very observant, possibly may learn a new move by simply observing and practices a lot, which some of his human traits were carried over when transformed into a Pokemon, without him realizing at all.

When in dungeons, he’s a quick thinker, critical in making quick decision when in danger, analytical in scanning the opponent’s movements in order to dodge incoming attacks. Excels in battles but not fairly well navigating through dungeons… sort of… (He’s embarrassed to admit it)

Despite being a quick learner and critical in making tactical decision, he’s quite hasty and sometimes his body work faster than his brain. He felt like being late is not an option. But luckily his partner can calm him down

A bit of geek when something interesting perk him up. Highly curious and tend to act before thinking thoroughly…(his biggest weakness which sometimes cause big troubles to the team)

He tends to smug whenever he was winning at something but almost always failed spectacularly in the process. Later, he utilizes his ‘trash talk’ ability when battling. Kinda like ‘a battle of mind before a battle of fist’ according to him, much to Mia’s disapproval.

  Ability

Ryan can summoned how much voltage does he wanted to use when using electrical attacks, like Magnemites evolution lines. He learn this ability when he first trained with Zarco, a local Electrivire when he asked for his help to master his electrical offensive moves. For example, when he wanted to use the move Spark, he will say “X VOLTS, SPARK!” where “X” is the voltage amount that he wanted to summon.

Example when he executes a move: “10,000 VOLTS, DISCHARGE!!”

Trivia

He has unusual traits as a Shinx. His eyes were blue in color instead of shiny golden color, a trait which carried over from human figure. He also have 5 pointed star shaped tail instead of four. This makes everyone scratching their heads about it, but this enable Ryan to gather 30% more electricity than any normal Shinx were and can glow 25% brighter.

He started to develop a crush on his partner when at the waterfall scene before exploring the Crystal Cave. Towards the end, he realized that he fall in love with her and affirm his love for her at the end of the story.

Mia Heather

Age: 15 years old

Species: Eevee

Gender: Female

Who doesn’t know Mia, a.k.a the “Walking Tome of Knowledge?” Her passion for adventures started when she visited the guild during the Guild’s Exhibition many years ago. Stories and tales which she heard from the guild members further fuels her interest to become an explorer in the future. One day, she found an odd looking stone with a strange engraving on her daily evening stroll at the beach, which she decides to use it as a lucky charm.

From that day, she began to study the rock, read all kinds of reading materials she could find in order to find out what stone it is. This also spark her interest in treasures and folklores. But one thing that she’s geek of is plants and berries. If Pokemon learn botany, she would be the top student in the class. With her exceptional knowledge in plants, she is a crucial asset for the team, especially when ongoing long missions which could take days to complete. She met Ryan one day after her another failed attempt to join the guild and instantly, their friendship sparked. With her new friend on her side, she finally succeeded joining the prestigious guild and her steps to become the greatest explorer became closer.

Characteristics

She always wanted to join the famous Wigglytuff’s Guild for years now, but her timid nature and lack of confidence were her biggest obstacle to overcome, which is why she doesn’t share her plethora of Pokemon and botany knowledge so often to others.

Despite that, she’s the one who never leave any teammates behind and willingly to stay, even in critical situation.

Her battling style is all about speed. She believes that speed will outcome every potential danger. Her running speed is use to its full potential but one thing she’s lacking is raw power. Usually Ryan will help her, but her timid nature sometimes get in her way, especially when she’s about to faint, hence the Run Away ability

She’s a quick adapter, meaning that she’ll fit in most of the tight situation by providing support to other teammates. Her Adaptability ability is not limited in her moveset, but her surroundings as well. Sometimes, she would lead the team, but her shyness overpowered her fairly quickly, especially meeting new Pokemon

Good sense of navigation, have sharp hearing (obviously…), exceptional memory and also second-in charge of the team. She’s also quite a neat freak as she always organized their stuffs in batches, even items in their treasure bag which she claimed for easier access… well for her and not for others actually…

Possessed exceptional knowledge in plants and berries, which allows her to differentiate good and bad berries and make special brews for emergency medicine or juices while undergo a very long missions. Also, she a good survivalist which helped the team a lot.

  Ability

She will receive a special orb which gives her ability to use a specific move pool that is associated within her evolution line. This means that she can use up to eight different type of moves within the evolution line. Her chosen moves were as follows:

Flame Charge (Flareon)

Thundershock (Jolteon)

Water Pulse (Vaporeon)

Psybeam (Espeon)

Feint Attack (Umbreon)

Icy Wind (Glaceon)

Magical Leaf (Leafeon)

Fairy Wind (Sylveon)

To activate it, she’ll have to tap the orb and summon the move she want, but up to three moves per duration. This will last up to 5 minutes before the orb glows dimly. It will be reusable once the orb glows brightly again. Once a move is summoned, it will stored in the orb as ‘memory’ and Mia can remember the moves she had summoned before.

She usually wears the orb at her neck, just like a cat wearing a neck bell. It is hidden underneath her neck fluff.

The orb have a shape like DNA structure inside it and gives out a warm rainbow glow, in which could lit up a small room. Many Pokemon mistaken for a Mega Stone. Even Ryan was surprised at this because he thought that Eeveelutions have mega evolution forms. Mia wishes that it is the true Mega Stone… but she’s grateful on what she’s given.

  Trivia

No one actually knew her origins. Heck even she doesn’t know as well. All she knows is that she lives at the Mimi the Chansey’s Town Clinic and Daycare for a good ten years before she started to live by herself at the Sharpedo Bluff.

Her features were a bit different from normal Eevees. At the end of her paws, there was a patch of white furs, kinda like she wears a socks. Her size were slightly bigger from average Eevee, but a bit smaller from a Shinx (about 40 cm in height).

Willy the Wigglytuff is actually her adoptive father figure. Stories goes by when he found a blanket at the guild’s entrance which containing a small Eevee, along with a note attached to it, stating that she came from a faraway land. Until she was 10, she was send to the Town’s Clinic and Daycare for her to live. Willy assumes her role as a father to take care of her. When she decides to join the guild, he was secretly ecstatic. Everyone in the guild doesn’t know this fact, even Charlie the Chatot.

Ryan have helped her numerous time along the way, which eventually develop a crush to the said Shinx. She actually denies whenever someone said that Ryan is her boyfriend, making her blushes madly and flustered. After took an advice from Saria the Sunflora, she firmly decides to tell him the truth in the near future, much to her amazement due to her shyness but it was too late because Ryan fades from existence. After Ryan reappears and finally confesses to her at the beach, she was overjoyed and accepted his confession. From that day, both of them became couples

Hope you’ll like my small headcannon from my team in Explorers of the Sky!

[mandarinvocabulary]

Chinese Pokemon Names

Generation III

252. Treecko = 木守宫 (tree gecko) 253. Grovyle = 森林蜥蜴 (forest lizard) 254. Sceptile = 蜥蜴王 (lizard king)

255. Torchic = 火稚鸡 (fire young chicken) 256. Combusken = 力壮鸡 (power strong chicken) 257. Blaziken = 火焰鸡 (flaming chicken)

258. Mudkip = 水跃鱼 (water jumping fish) 259. Marshtomp = 沼跃鱼 (pond jumping fish) 260. Swampert = 巨沼怪 (huge pond fish)

261. Poochyena = 土狼犬 (earth wolf dog) 262. Mightyena = 大狼犬 (big wolf dog)

263. Zigzagoon = 蛇纹熊 (snake lines bear) 264. Linoone = 直冲熊 (straight rush bear)

265. Wurmple = 刺尾虫 (stingy tail worm) 266. Silcoon = 甲壳茧 (carapace cocoon) 267. Beautifly = 狩猎凤蝶 (hunting phoenix butterfly) 268. Cascoon = 盾甲茧 (shield shell cocoon) 269. Dustox = 毒粉蛾 (poisoned powder moth)

270. Lotad = 莲叶童子 (lotus leaf boy) 271. Lombre = 连帽小童 (lotus hat small boy) 272. Ludicolo = 乐天河童 (care-free kappa/happy heaven river child)

273. Seedot = 橡实果 (acorn fruit/oak seed fruit) 274. Nuzleaf = 长鼻叶 (long nose leaf) 275. Shiftry = 狡猾天狗 (crafty sly sky dog)

276. Taillow = 傲骨燕 (lofty and unyielding swallow/proud bone swallow) 277. Swellow = 大王燕 (big king swallow)

278. Wingull = 长翅鸥 (long wings gull) 279. Pelipepper = 大嘴鸥 (big mouthed gull)

280. Ralts = 拉鲁拉丝 (la-lu-la-si) 281. Kirlia = 奇鲁莉安 (ji-lu-li-an) 282. Gardevoir = 沙奈朵 (sha-nai-duo)

283. Surskit = 溜溜糖球 (slip slip sugar ball) 284. Masquerain = 雨翅蛾 (rain wings moth)

285. Shroomish = 磨磨鼓 (mushroom drum) 286. Breloom = 斗笠菇 (conical bamboo hat mushroom)

287. Slakoth = 懒人獭 (lazy person otter) 288. Vigoroth = 过动猿 (cross moving ape) 289. Slaking = 请假王 (king of requesting a leave of absence)

290. Nincada = 土居忍土 (earth residence endure earth) 291. Ninjask = 铁面忍者 (iron mask ninja) 292. Shedinja = 脱壳忍者 (molting ninja)

293. Whismur = 咕妞妞 (toot girl girl) 294. Loudred = 吼爆弹 (howling explosion) 295. Exploud = 爆音怪 (sonic bomb monster)

296. Makuhita = 慕下力土 (admiring down power earth) 297. Hariyama = 铁掌力土 (iron palm power earth)

298. Azurill = 露力丽 (lu-li-li)

299. Nosepass = 朝北鼻 (imperial north nose)

300. Skitty = 向尾喵 (tail facing meow) 301. Delcatty = 优雅猫 (graceful cat)

302. Sableye = 勾魂眼 (soul attracting eyes)

303. Mawile = 大嘴哇 (big mouthed doll)

304. Aron = 可可多拉 (ke-ke-duo-la) 305. Lairon = 可多拉 (ke-duo-la) 306. Aggron = 波土可多拉 (bo-tu-duo-la)

307. Meditite = 玛沙那 (ma-sha-na) 308. Medicham = 恰雷姆 (exactly thunder tutor)

309. Electrike = 落雷兽 (thunder dropping beast) 310. Manetric = 雷电兽 (thunder electric beast)

311. Plusle = 正电拍拍 (positive charge pai-pai) 312. Minun = 负电拍拍 (negative charge pai-pai)

313. Volbeat = 电萤虫 (electric firefly worm) 314. Illumise = 甜甜萤 (sweet firefly)

315. Roselia = 毒蔷薇 (poisonous japanese rose)

316. Gulpin = 溶食兽 (dissolving food beast) 317. Swalot = 吞食兽 (devouring beast)

318. Carvanha = 利牙鱼 (sharp teeth fish) 319. Sharpedo = 巨牙鲨 (huge teeth shark)

320. Wailmer = 吼吼鲸 (howl howl whale) 321. Wailord = 吼鲸王 (howling whale king)

322. Numel = 呆火驼 (foolish fire camel) 323. Camerupt = 喷火驼 (shooting flames camel)

324. Torkoal = 煤炭龟 (coal turtle)

325. Spoink = 跳跳猪 (hop hop pig) 326. Grumpig = 噗噗猪 (snort snort pig)

327. Spinda = 晃晃斑 (dazzling colored patch)

328. Trapinch = 大颚蚁 (big jawed ant) 329. Vibrava = 超音波幼虫 (ultrasonic wave worm) 330. Flygon = 沙漠蜻蜓 (desert firefly)

331. Cacnea = 刺球仙人掌 (thorn ball cactus) 332. Cacturne = 梦歌仙人掌 (dream song cactus)

333. Swablu = 青绵鸟 (natures color silk floss bird) 334. Altaria = 七夕青鸟 (double seven festival bird)

335. Zangoose = 猫鼬斩 (meerkat chop)

336. Seviper = 饭匙蛇 (food spoon snake)

337. Lunatone = 月石 (moon stone)

338. Solrock = 太阳岩 (sun rock)

339. Barboach = 泥泥鳅 (mud mud fish) 340. Whiscash = 鲶鱼王 (catfish king)

341. Corphish = 龙虾小兵 (small soldier lobster) 342. Crawdaunt = 铁熬龙虾 (iron claw lobster)

343. Baltoy = 天秤偶 (libra image) 344. Claydol = 念力土偶 (telekinesis clay image)

345. Lileep = 触手百合 (tentacles lily) 346. Cradily = 摇篮百合 (cradle lily)

347. Anorith = 太古羽虫 (immemorial feathered worm) 348. Armaldo = 太古盔甲 (immemorial armor)

349. Feebas = 丑丑鱼 (smelly smelly fish) 350. Milotic = 美纳斯 (mei-na-si)

351. Castform = 漂浮泡泡 (floating bubbles)

352. Kecleon = 变隐龙 (transforming hidden dragon)

353. Shuppet = 怨影娃娃 (blaming shadow baby) 354. Banette = 诅咒娃娃 (curse baby)

355. Duskull = 夜巡灵 (night patrol spirit) 356. Dusclops = 彷徨夜灵 (pacing night spirit)

357. Tropius = 热带龙 (tropical dragon)

358. Chimecho = 风玲玲 (wind tinkling)

359. Absol = 阿勃梭鲁 (a-bo-suo-lu)

360. Wynaut = 小果热 (small fruit hot)

361. Snorunt = 雷童子 (thunder boy) 362. Glalie = 冰鬼护 (ice ghost protect)

363. Spheal = 海豹球 (seal ball) 364. Sealeo = 海魔狮 (sea magic lion) 365. Walrein = 蒂牙海狮 (emperor tooth sealion)

366. Clamperl = 珍珠贝 (pearl shell) 367. Huntail = 猎斑鱼 (hunting striped fish) 368. Gorebyss = 樱花鱼 (oriental cherry fish)

369. Relicanth = 古空棘鱼 (ancient sky thorns fish)

370. Luvdisc = 爱心鱼 (love heart fish)

371. Bagon = 宝贝龙 (treasure dragon) 372. Shelgon = 甲壳龙 (carapace dragon) 373. Salamence = 暴飞龙 (violent flying dragon)

374. Beldum = 铁哑铃 (iron dumbell) 375. Metang = 金属怪 (metal monster) 376. Metagross = 巨金怪 (huge gold monster)

377. Regirock = 雷吉洛克 (lei-ji-luo-ke)  378. Regice = 雷吉艾斯 (lei-ji-ai-si) 379. Registeel = 雷吉斯寄鲁 (lei-ji-si-ji-lu)

380. Latias = 拉蒂亚斯 (la-di-ya-si) 381. Latios = 拉蒂欧斯 (la-di-ao-si)

382. Kyogre = 盖欧卡 (gai-ou-ka)

383. Groudon = 固拉多 (gu-la-duo)

384. Rayquaza = 烈空坐 (lie-kong-zuo)

385. Jirachi = 基拉祈 (ji-la-qi)

386. Deoxys = 代欧寄希斯 (dai-ou-ji-xi-si)

[sundarsunya]

San José de Payamino, Ecuador

Last time I posted about my field trip (probably about a year ago now) I talked about the Bellavista Cloud forest. Our next stop was a day and a half’s coach, ranchero, and canoe ride away from Quito to Timburi Cocha research station on the Payamino river.

The research station is a collaborative effort between the local Kichwa community, Universidad Estatal Amazónica and Manchester Metropolitan University. It hosts researchers, field courses, and placement students, while providing income for local communities who are actively involved in running the station and making field research possible.

We spent 9 days here planning and carrying out research projects - as well as joining the Kichwa at their community centre for a friendly football match and dancing (and venti cinco...). My project was a mini version of Ferguson et al (2010); walking the trails through the surrounding rainforest and recording microclimate of herps I encountered along the way.  Detailed real world data on environment and microclimate for herptiles is pretty scarce, and I also hoped I could make a contribution to the fantastic UV Tool created by the Reptile and Amphibian Working Group of BIAZA. 

Only having 4 days of actual data collection available to me, I didn’t have many replicates for my project, but I did see some fantastic wildlife.

Blunt-headed tree snake, Imantodes cenchoa

Collared Forest Gecko, Gonatodes concinnatus

Hypsiboas alfaroi

Gladiator Tree Frog, Hypsiboas rosenbergi

South American Common Toad, Rhinella margaritifera

White Lined Leaf Frog, Phyllomedusa vaillantii

Turnip Tailed Gecko, Thecadactylus rapicauda

Black Ground Snake, Atractus elaps

Common Root Lizard, Loxopholis parietalis

False Coral Snake, Oxyrophus vandicus

Tityus sp.

I still have difficulty believing I got to actually go and see all of these things for myself. Especially when it comes to the next stage of the journey: my solo trip to Isla Santa Cruz, Galapagos. But that definitely deserves its own post.

[muxdmatauranga]

Quick facts

Flax is unique to New Zealand and is one of our most ancient plant species.

Flax bushes will often support a large community of animals, providing shelter and an abundant food resource.

Tui, bellbirds/ korimako, saddlebacks/tīeke, short tailed bats/pekapeka, geckos and several types of insects enjoy nectar from the flax flower.

Flax snails, a rare land snail living only in the Far North, often shelter under flax bushes. These snails don’t eat any part of the flax, but rather they munch on fallen leaves from native broadleaved trees.

Harakeke was the name given to this plant by Māori.

The first European traders called it ‘flax’ because its fibres were similar to that of true flax found in other parts of the world.

Although we still call it flax today, harakeke is really a lily.

Uses of flax

Flax was a valuable resource to Europeans during the nineteenth century because of its strength. It was New Zealand’s biggest export by far until wool and frozen mutton took over later in the century.

Today, flax is used in soaps, hand creams, shampoos and a range of other cosmetics. Flaxseed oil can also be found for sale. There have even been experiments to make flax into wine!

Flax was the most important fibre plant to Māori in New Zealand. Each pā or marae typically had a ‘pā harakeke’, or flax plantation. Different varieties were specially grown for their strength, softness, colour and fibre content.

The uses of the flax fibre were numerous and varied. Clothing, mats, plates, baskets, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets were all made from flax leaves. Floats or rafts were made out of bundles of dried flower stalks. The abundant nectar from flax flowers was used to sweeten food and beverages.

Flax also had many medicinal uses. The sticky sap or gum that flax produces was applied to boils and wounds and used for toothache. Flax leaves were used in binding broken bones and matted leaves were used as dressings. Flax root juice was routinely applied to wounds as a disinfectant.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/harakeke-flax/

Overview

Harakeke (New Zealand flax, or Phormium tenax) is the plant at the heart of Māori weaving. Read an overview of its cultivation, symbolism, and harvesting.

Cultivating harakeke

Māori cherished harakeke and cultivated plants in special plantations, called pā harakeke.

They grew many varieties for specific purposes – to produce clothing, fishing nets, bindings, baskets, and mats, and also to use in medicine.

To make kākaku (cloaks), weavers extracted and processed the inner fibre of harakeke, called muka. They used this to weave the base. They also used strips of the whole leaf – to create the thatch-like protective surface of pākē (rain capes) and to adorn other styles of cloak.

Symbolism – the harakeke family

For Māori, the fan-shaped harakeke plant represents a whānau (family). This symbolism reflects the importance of the plant in Māori life.

The rito, or inner shoot, is likened to a child and is never removed. A family must protect its offspring if it is to survive.

The awhi rito, or protectors of the rito, stand on each side. They are seen as mātua (parents). Like the rito, they are never harvested.

Only the outer leaves, likened to extended family members, are harvested.

Harvesting harakeke

Māori maintained many tikanga (protocols) to nurture harakeke. The protocols differed by iwi (tribe), but some, like those below, were commonly followed.

Weavers say a karakia (prayer) before cutting the first blade of harakeke.

They always cut on the diagonal, away from the plant’s heart and from top to bottom. This helps rainwater drain away and prevents the heart from being flooded and dying.

Harvesting is not permitted at night or in rain.

No food can be taken into the pā harakeke.

Customarily, pregnant or menstruating women do not harvest or weave, as they are in a tapu (sacred) state.

Flax trade

Māori not only used harakeke themselves, they also traded it with early European explorers, who valued it for making ship rigging in particular. The Europeans named the plant flax because they thought it resembled the Linum plant. But harakeke is actually a type of lily, from the Hemerocallis family.

From the 1820s and into the 1900s, European settlers exported large amounts to rope-makers overseas.

https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/topic/3623

Whāriki (Mats) 

Many of these objects were produced by a plaiting technique called whāriki. Unlike weaving, in which the warp and weft threads cross at right angles, in whāriki and related techniques the strands cross diagonally.

Types of whāriki

The term ‘whāriki’ refers both to the plaiting technique and the mats made from it. Floor mats were of great importance before European arrival, when even the largest and most distinguished carved houses had dirt floors. Several types of whāriki were made, each with a special purpose. Coarse mats called whāriki and tūwhara were the basic floor covering. Finer sleeping mats called takapau and tīenga were spread over these. A particularly fine takapau might be woven for a high-born woman to give birth on. Coarse tāpaki mats were placed over food in a hāngi (earth oven), then covered with earth to retain the steam and heat. The same mat-weaving technique was once used to make the sails of seagoing canoes, but these, and the art of making them, disappeared once ocean transport ended several centuries ago.

Whāriki are still produced in the 2000s, especially for use in wharenui (meeting houses). They are frequently placed beneath a coffin during a tangihanga (funeral) as a mark of respect to the deceased.

[end0skeletal-undead]

Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko, Madagascar by Frank Vassen

[digital-dragoon]

okay here's one: if your non-human characters had daemons, what would they be?

!!! oh boy!! this is gonna be fun

Fiver

imagine a creature capable of camouflage in the foliage, one that blends in as much as fiver sticks out from the rest of his rabbit kind… the leaf-tailed gecko is that creature. secretive, rare and mixed up with the latin name: phantasticus meaning ‘imaginary’. it is a creature holding a fair amount of mystery about it. they are vulnerable creatures - much like how fiver himself seems - but hardy in their madagascar-based environment. dark in colour as to be almost black, with amber-red eyes, she goes by hellebore - a beautiful if deadly poisonous flower

Raptor Red

in a world where only the strongest survive, red must have a daemon befitting adaptability and resilience both. female - like red herself - she doesn’t have a name as such, but a memory of senses attached to her, fluffy sensations that caused red to sneeze before she’d even opened her eyes, a smell of her and comfort, of shapes that always seemed to change… raptor red simply refers to her as flicker. now, flicker used to be a being that switched quickly between forms during her hatchling days, but, once red had been old enough to make her first kill, flicker settled as a majestic harpy eagle. she often rested upon her friend’s back, taking to the air to agilely take down targets to make red and her partner’s work easier during the days when they still hunted together as a pack

Spyro

sluggishly switching between forms, it seems the day when spyro’s daemon is to settle is drawing ever nearer. in the past, she became swamp-based creatures: turtles, snakes and birds… but as time ticked by, she began to become more focused on staying in the forms of various species of dragonflies and butterflies, owls and mustelids. small and winged creatures that could fly alongside spyro or remind them both of home. spiritous is her name, meaning spirit and breathing in latin, it signifies the powers that spyro will soon gain but also their spirit to continue on, even in the face of danger

Sunpaw

still ever-shifting as sunpaw’s daemon would be, they aren’t too sure what he’ll end up as but they do know that he feels more comfortable in insectoid forms - from dragonflies to butterflies. things small and easily hidden, beings that flutter above and around sunpaw’s head without ever having to concern the other about brief touches. he is called dart, though once sunpaw has earned his warrior name, he will be referred to as dartlight

Tigerstar

the creature that lumbers like a menacing shadow after the large tabby cat. the living, breathing soul that is his daemon. a komodo dragon with scars around her ribs and legs, she is just as intimidating a creature as tigerstar is himself. nightstrike is her name and intimidating others by her silent stature alone is her game

&

Clearsight

(i’m still in the middle of writing up her app but uH i really wanted to include her on this list so….)

spider’s wave a web of their own lives, letting the vibrations tell them of sustenance that keep their lives flowing on. and a spider is what gossamer became. the actual specification of the species is as of yet unknown but the mythical ties to the insect are based around control of your life along the lines of a web, something that clearsight had to eventually face as her future continued to unravel before her eyes

[ainawgsd]

i am very sorry if you have gotten this message already but the post about the leaf tailed gecko, the second image is a crested gecko

Oh no! Sorry about that, I’m not a herp expert by any means so I’m left mostly to trust the Google machine. Now that you point it out, I can see that it is definitely not stripey enough to be a lined leaf tailed gecko! Thanks for the heads up.

[geckos-tango]

Lined Leaf-tail Gecko

[lycomorpha]

Drawing to rules - 01

This post is about how I use rules in my drawing, and why I’ve recently come back to making rule-based art. The images in this post are hand-drawn generative art made by me, unless otherwise specified.

[Image description; a row of three patterns, each made from concentric layers of ink dots and/or dashes. There is a layer of green marks connected by black lines that forms the start of each piece, and layers of light & dark blue, sepia, gold, and olive green dots/dashes are arranged around/inside.]

 Background

The last time I made rule-based formal artwork was 2015; I made a series of 1.5m square ink drawings for my ‘Connecting Narratives’ residency in a brain tumour research centre…

Each was based on a biological concept pertaining to brain tumours, and drawn to rules based on cellular behaviours. The drawings were displayed under Perspex sheets at an exhibition, where visitors could interact with them by drawing onto the Perspex with dry wipe markers.  However, drawings so large are unwieldy and take up a lot of studio space, so I only produce ink patterns like this when I’m being paid for it, e.g. as part of a residency. That meant I’d had a break from rule-based ink drawing for a while.

[Image description; a panel of four views of a very large abstract ink pattern, made from a mass of pink and purple teardrop-shaped brush strokes that completely cover a 1.5msq sheet of paper. The first shows the artist in front of the piece making it, the next three show the artwork at increasing distance.]

[Image description; a photo of the ink pattern from the previous image description, mounted on a white gallery wall behind a sheet of perspex. There is a person with short brown hair in a white shirt and black trousers drawing on the perspex sheet with a purple pen.]

Emergent crypsis

[Image description; three paintings of animals (a canyon tree frog, a leaf-tailed gecko, and a moth) painted over black and white patterns. The patterns are generative art, made using an algorithm developed by an artist, which produces an image that I’ve then then printed & painted on.]

My art right now revolves around crypsis – the ways animals and plants avoid being seen using camouflage, mimicry, and other evolutionary strategies. I’m fascinated by imagining how new species might evolve to hide on human-made materials; buildings, litter, even art. In 2016, I made whole deck of cards based on crypsis in moths. I’m currently working on a collaboration with generative artist Anders Hoff (@inconvergent) called ‘emergent crypsis’. Anders creates algorithms that when executed generate images, and I’m painting on that art, using it as a substrate for imaginary creatures to evolve and hide in. This has also given us the chance to compare how a human (me) interprets rules designed for computer execution. I wondered if I could use rules from an algorithm to create the pattern of animal skin/scales/feathers, to match Ander’s art more closely. Or perhaps I could paint an animal before I’d seen an image, and then examine how well it matched the computer-generated images. To draw from rules, I need to be in the right frame of mind, so I decided to practice before tackling Anders’ rules.

Dot/dash games

[Image description; a roughly S-shaped pattern, made from concentric layers of ink dots and/or dashes. There is a group of black squiggle-shapes that forms the start of the piece, and layers of blue, brown, light and dark greens, and red dots/dashes are arranged around.]

To get myself in the right headspace for working to sets of unfamiliar rules, I picked up a rule-based drawing game I used to play when I can’t sleep (which, after more than 20 years of insomnia, happens often.) It had never occurred to me that this game was any relation to generative art, until now. Here’s the method for playing;

Pick 4-6 coloured pens

Make up 4-6 rules

Draw the rules in layers of dots and dashes for n=3

The act of repeatedly drawing dots and dashes is very calming, meditative even. The dots and dashes are reminiscent of Morse code – although so far, I’ve resisted encoding anything in them. My dot/dash game has (until now) remained a nocturnal habit belonging to the hours when everyone else is asleep. However, when I played it as practice before drawing to Anders’ rules, I found the results surprisingly pleasing. The process of devising rules is very engaging, and rule-based drawing has wormed its way back into my regular drawing practice.

Here is an example of a set of rules from a dot/dash game, and the n=3 drawings from them

Pick 5 coloured pens to base the rules on [in this case sepia, light blue, twilight blue, olive green, and gold ochre]

Draw some marks in my favourite colour out of the 5 [olive green]

Connect the marks with black pen lines

There must be an equal number of dot and/or dash layers inside and outside the black-line-connected marks

In layers with sepia dashes, the number of dashes must equal the number of black connecting lines in the nucleating layer

Twilight blue dots can only occur in a layer that also contains sepia dashes

[Image description; a row of three patterns, each made from concentric layers of ink dots and/or dashes. There is a layer of green marks connected by black lines that forms the start of the piece, and layers of light & dark blue, sepia, gold, and green dots/dashes are arranged around/inside it according to a set of rules which will be described in this post. The first is kidney bean shaped, the second is figure-eight shaped, & the last one is more like an irregular blob.]

[Image description; a roughly kidney/bean-shaped pattern, the second one of the set of three described in the previous image description.]  

For some reason, there is an unwritten rule in my brain that all my rule sets nucleate the patterns they produce with black markings. I didn’t consciously set it myself, but art has a habit of evolving along its own trajectory, and it’s a convenient underlying rule to experiment with for now.

These rules were made up on the fly, and are quite flexible. They lend themselves to multiple interpretations, although I quickly became aware that I think about interpretation as I devise new rules. 

Here is another set of rules and images;

Pick 5 coloured pens to base the rules on [in this case sandstone, turquoise, forest green, pear green, and berry red]

There must always be an odd number of black shapes

Black shapes must have an even number of layers surrounding them

Each black shape must be enclosed by at least one forest green and one olive green layer

Each turquoise-containing layer must be next to a berry red-containing layer

Only sandstone layers can be made entirely from dashes

[Image description; 3 abstract patterns, made from concentric layers of ink dots and/or dashes. surrounding black markings. In the first 2 images, the black markings are circles, in the 3rd they are squiggle-shaped. Layers of blue, light and dark greens, brown, and red dots/dashes are arranged around them.]

[Image description; a roughly sausage-shaped pattern made with turquoise, olive, green, brown, and red dots and dashes, forming layers around black splodges. It’s the second one from the images in the previous description.]

While writing these rules I found myself instantly thinking about the quickest way to ensure each rule was met, even as I wrote it. That annoys me slightly. I want to try and find ways of removing some of my subjective control over the output of dot/dash drawing rules. In my collaboration with Anders, I notice the rules he sent me contain steps that use randomly generated numbers - not surprising when you think about introducing an element of chance into a process. However, I am not a computer… And as an uncomputer, each iteration through a loop in a set of rules with multiple randomly generated variables can take a long time. Therefore, in my own rules, I’m experimenting with introducing chance by using a list of randomly generated numbers printed ahead of time, or via simple actions like coin tossing, card-picking, or dice-rolling. Maybe I’ll write about that soon. Below is an example of one of the images from the first of these experiments. Constructing drawing rules is getting a lot more interesting…

[Image description; 3 abstract patterns, made from concentric layers of ink dots and/or dashes in many different shades of blue, surrounding black markings. In the first image, the black markings are circles, in the 2nd irregular blobs, in the 3rd they are squiggle-shaped.]

[Image description; A round-ish irregular pattern, made from concentric layers of ink dots and/or dashes in various shades of blue, from light powder blue all the way through to navy blue. There are black irregular blobs interspersed between the layers, & one in the centre. It’s the second pattern in the previous image description.]