#wintery petpet

[neopianbiologyproject]

Abominable Snowball (poll at bottom)

sorry about the delay in getting this blog up n' postin', I realized after getting setup going that I don't actually know how I want to order this stuff. anyway, let's start by going roughly alphabetical

this is an Abominable Snowball!

Abominable Snowball A great friend... for as long as the weather stays cold.

Item Category: Wintery Petpet

Available From: Restocks in Wintery Petpets (Terror Mountain), but also available from the Ice Arena of the Battledome (Terror Mountain) and The Snowager (Terror Mountain)

the other places the Abominable Snowball occurs use rarity-based systems of item generation (i.e. they can give any item of a certain rarity regardless of origin, e.g Esophagor in Haunted Woods, The Wishing Well in Neopia Central, Kiko Pop in Kiko Lake).

therefore it's pretty easy to determine that the Abominable Snowball's natural territory is Terror Mountain, primarily Happy Valley and the Ice Caves.

Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forests

here's the rub: Abominable Snowballs may not be naturally occurring

How to Build an Abominable Snowball Its quite easy once you look up how.

Abominable Snowballs can be built! this doesn't preclude them occurring naturally, but it is possible to roll some snow together, decorate it, and bring forth new life

note: it is not actually mechanically possible within the game of Neopets to build an Abominable Snowball, but that does not mean it doesn't happen outside of player influence.

(there is the question of whether Abominable Snowballs are even sentient, but it's the opinion of this blog that all Petpets are alive, or at least self-mobile, even Rocks, because all Petpets can enter and exit the Symol Hole independently)

this puts the Abominable Snowball's kingdom as either Elementa or Constructa, depending on whether they occur without Neopet influence.

i couldn't find any other items that lead me to believe one way or another, except that it's probably a common pastime to build Abominable Snowballs as one would a snowman:

Abominable Snowball Fights Those poor Abominable Snowballs...

Abominable Snowball Usuki Set This Usuki set comes with a carrot, mittens and buttons to dress up your Usukis Abominable Snowball.

the Abominable Snowball Acara Muffler and Abominable Snowball Acara Wig even equate the Abominable Snowball to a snowman:

Abominable Snowball Acara Muffler A muffler for the added effect of a snowman.

Abominable Snowball Acara Wig A pretty brown wig with a snowman hat for your Acara!

that said, building a regular snowman doesn't require instructions, as building an Abominable Snowball apparently does

also of note, Abominable Snowballs melt in heat and hot weather:

Desert Abominable Snowball Maybe this was a bad idea...

(note that this is also the only Abominable Snowball color that has a unique description)

Abominable Snowball Plushie Unlike the original, this ones an all-weather friend.

Abominable Snowball Borovan Oh no! Who dropped that poor Abominable Snowball in the mug?

however, there is something to be said for the fact that the Desert Abominable Snowball retains the intelligence of a white Abominable Snowball, and can be converted back into an Abominable Snowball of any color by repainting it -- there is some quality of its aliveness that is carried across all colors, even if it appears to have melted, and despite the apparent ease with which one can put together their own.

due to the magical properties of Paint Brushes, though, this only goes for melting or other conversion through painting; that one in the borovan is gone forever.

there is also something to be said for the fact that all Abominable Snowballs of one color share identical accessories in identical configurations. one requires a green and red hat with a pompom to make an Abominable Snowball; no other hat will suffice. likewise it is possible in theory to make a small snowman that is almost but not quite identical to an Abominable Snowball, but that does not come alive as a true Abominable Snowball would. maybe this indicates the platonic nature of an Elemental, but one that can be replicated by Neopians? or perhaps one that is intangible in its natural state and, through creation of a suitable host, brought forth to inhabit a body?

finally, there is no indication that an Abominable Snowball can be made in any of its other colors, only its default color of White. that is, it may be the case that one can build a white Abominable Snowball, but must repaint it to achieve other colors. (which raises questions about the Robot color and others, but we don't need to worry about them thank god).

note that if it may occur as an Elemental, it should be considered an Elemental, even if it could also occur as a Construct

you can also make an argument in the replies or in my ask, etc!

all of the items examined in making this post have been added to this wishlist on Jellyneo, including some that were not discussed here but had some other tidbits about the nature of Abominable Snowballs.

[editorbit]

Got a fourth pet from the pound and she’s like a year younger than me😭 I think I’m gonna save up for a toy paint brush and dress her wintery to keep the petpet she came with

[tournament-for-best-neopet]

It's so good to handmake dinner! :)

Snowbunny or Wherfy

Feepit or Yullie

Abominable Snowball or Bika

Snowickle or Raindorf

I had to wake up early today for my job, but somehow I ended up COMPLETELY missing the end of last round??? Ugh. Well, early shift means I can get home sooner to cook dinner!!! :D No interesting Neopets news today, so all I can tell you about is the fact that I got to experience my favorite hobby again. :) Have fun with this round, and tomorrow is the last day for Wintery Petpets!!! :D

[blueskeith]

All Wintery Petpets

[oldwebrelics]

Wintery petpets.

[utility-fish]

The last time I tried this restocking thing iirc was after the server transition when the site was ridiculously laggy (weird time to pick up an activity that involves refreshing over and over but my interest in neo has been known to come and go at inopportune moments) but there must not have been very many other people trying to buy things from shops because after a few days of “restocking” (read:  scrolling through tumblr, occasionally remembering i’m supposed to be restocking and refreshing a shop once or twice) with little success, I opened up the Wintery Petpets shop page and there was a snowickle just kind of sitting there and I felt such an immense sense of accomplishment upon expertly nabbing that one unbuyable that I decided that was Enough of That for the next few years apparently

[neopianbiologyproject]

Snicklebeast

Primary specimen: Snicklebeast (DBID 1100)

So much cuter than the Snow Beast, obviously no relation :) This was a prize given out by the advent calendar in year 6.

Rarity: r180 (Retired) Category: Wintery Petpet Primary origin: None currently. Advent Calendar prize in Y6 (2005)

Determination: Qualifying species!

Kingdom: Animalia Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forest

Gallery specimen: Snicklebeast (~75,000 NP) Other notable specimens: Other Snicklebeast colors, with the exception of the Woodland Snicklebeast, which is unpaintable and exclusive to Trudy's Surprise.

Notes:

As noted by the description, similar but unrelated to the infamous Snow Beast.

I'm normally hesitant to put species as Terror Mountain-native just based on their Advent Calendar origins, but I feel it is apparent that the Snicklebeast originates there in other ways as well - in part due to its similarity to the Snow Beast, which surely does.

[neopianbiologyproject]

Yullie

Primary specimen: Yullie

This funny looking fellow is very shy and loves hiding in small places.

Rarity: r78 (Uncommon) Category: Wintery Petpet Primary origin: Wintery Petpets in Happy Valley, Terror Mountain

Determination: Qualifying species!

Kingdom: Animalia Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forests

Gallery specimen: Yullie (~5,000 NP) Other notable specimens: Other Yullie colors, with the exception of the unpaintable Island Yullie, exclusive to Trudy's Surprise

Notes:

I appreciate the TCG packs that address biological concerns of Petpets living in the wild, like the need for camouflage:

I wonder if Yullie really have any predators to worry about or if a typical Yullie isn't much concerned with it. But I'd also like to imagine a Yullie family building a beaver lodge–like structure in a snow bank and foraging or hibernating through the winter.tr

[neopianbiologyproject]

Tasu

Primary specimen: Tasu

These smart Petpets can be trained to do all kinds of cool tricks with a little patience.

Rarity: r80 (Uncommon) Category: Wintery Petpet Primary origin: Wintery Petpets in Happy Valley, Terror Mountain

Determination: Qualifying species!

Kingdom: Animalia Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forests

Gallery specimen: Tasu Other notable specimens: Other Tasu colors, with the exception of the unpaintable Disco and Sketch Tasu, available from Trudy's Surprise. Also the Tasu Stamp, part of the Snowy Valley set, further cementing this Petpet's connection to Terror Mountain.

Notes:

None.

[tournament-for-best-neopet]

Aaand, that's time! Congratulations to Snowbunny and Snowickle for making their way to the peak of Wintery Petpets! Of course, that means we're going to be leaving behind these snowy trails for a bit... For some Petpets from the high seas!

That's right, we're talking about PIRATE PETPETS! Found exclusively on Krawk Island, which rather famously ONLY takes Dubloons - no Neopoints allowed! There's quite a few Petpets you'd expect a pirate to take on board, plus a few that are, admittedly, a little strange and perhaps terrible (but CERTAINLY not unwelcome :D )!

Fun fact, after this round, there are EIGHT other groups! One's very small, and four are VERY large - so I think I'll go with a middle-sized group first before showing the very small one. I think there's some interesting ones there you might like. :)

And, of course - let's have fun until the matches go up! I'm thinking... This Saturday, at 2 PM NST, as always! See you all then! :)

[tournament-for-best-neopet]

Let's goooo!!! Last bit for Wintery Petpets!!!

Snowbunny or Feepit

Bika or Snowickle

Oh wow... Some INTENSE choices this time around! How to choose... Well, no other news, so please have a lot of fun as you determine who can go forward to the finals! (It's difficult, but you COULD tie this like you did a couple others... I doubt you will, though.)

[tournament-for-best-neopet]

Hey, everyone!! It's time for Wintery Petpets!!!! I got a scratch card from the Snowager, so let's have some fun!!!

Fir or Gabar

Wherfy or Felf

Snuffly or Ona

Polarchuck or Feepit

Cougi or Yullie

Jinjah or Gwalla

Tasu or Garooda

Candychan or Snicklebeast

Raindorf or Wreathy

Oh wow! Check this out!

I don't have any other news!!! Let's just have a fun! :D

[tournament-for-best-neopet]

Oh wow, congrats on Antwerph and Quetzal for being our Geraptiku picks!!!! This is genuinely really fun... So let's show off our next round! I hope you're not too used to the tropical heat, because we have...

Wintery Petpets!!! Cute little snow and yuletide-themed critters!!! I figure, with this summer heat, we could escape to the Happy Valley and this has nothing to do with my failing to sneak past the Snowager this morning!

Tomorrow, at 2 PM NST like always, we'll be seeing these little guys on this blog! So kick back with a nice Neocola Slushie, play a scratchcard or two, and get ready for some wintertime fun! :D

[neopianbiologyproject]

Dofrey

Primary specimen: Dofrey

The Dofrey can fly and run very fast, but they are not terribly bright.These mischievious little critters like nothing better than playing tricks on their owners and other Petpets.

Rarity: r89 (Rare) Category: Wintery Petpets Primary origin: Wintery Petpets in Happy Valley, Terror Mountain

Determination: Qualifying species!

Kingdom: Animalia Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forest

Gallery specimen: Dofrey Other notable specimens: Other Dofrey colors, with the exception of the Fire Dofrey, available only from Trudy's Surprise, and the Chocolate Dofrey, available only from the Petpet Lab Ray.

Notes:

I just love this guy.

[neopianbiologyproject]

Snowbunny

Primary specimen: Snowbunny

An adorable little bunny that just loves hopping through the snow. This was an Advent Calendar prize in year 4.

Rarity: r180 (Retired) Category: Wintery Petpet Primary origin: Does not restock; only available from the Advent Calendar on the 10th of the Month of Celebrating, Y4 (December 10th, 2002).

Determination: Qualifying species

Kingdom: Animalia Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forests

Gallery specimen: Snowbunny Other notable specimens: Other Snowbunny colors, excluding the Cloud Snowbunny, King Skarl's Snowbunny, and the Spring Snowbunny, which are all unpaintable.

Notes:

See also:

The Snowbunny Burrows Into Spring! Read about the adventures of this Snowbunny resurfacing in the springtime!

From this and a few other items, we know Snowbunnies experience harsh winters and burrow for the duration of the harshest weather. It was pretty clear Snowbunnies are closely associated with Terror Mountain (to the point of being featured in the Happy Valley stamp set) and these items help confirm that they originate there.

Snowbunny Infested Snowman So thats where those carrots keep going! This was given out by the Advent Calendar in Y23.

Outside of petpet items, Snowbunnies also appear in this wearable.

It's interesting that the Snowbunny is so closely associated with Terror Mountain yet impossible to actually obtain in its basic wild-type form except through an event over 20 years ago. Yet the listed price on Jellyneo is only 1mil NP, which indicates an unknown source of white Snowbunnies; items that genuinely have not spawned since Y4 can be hundreds of millions of NP — 1mil is expensive, but means there's a relatively steady stream of base Snowbunnies spawning in Neopia.

Jellyneo itself doesn't have much indication of what this source could be. My guess is that a Snowbunny of another color that is much easier to obtain is being repainted and resold for profit, maybe the Faerie or Christmas Snowbunny which were both available from events in Y24 (2023).

I was originally going to list the Snowbunny as at danger for extinction in the wild but from a deeper look, it seems to me that the Snowbunny is actually abundant in the wild; it is only in captivity that it is rare.

[neopianbiologyproject]

Bika

Primary specimen: Bika

Bikas are remarkably strong despite their small stature and often help their owners carry things around.

Rarity: r86 (Rare) Category: Wintery Petpet Primary origin: Wintery Petpets in Happy Valley, Terror Mountain

Determination: Qualifying species!

Kingdom: Animalia Habitat: Terrorpolar Alpine Forests

Gallery specimen: Bika Other notable specimens: Other Bika colors, with the exception of the unpaintable Clay Bika, available from Trudy's Surprise

Notes:

None.