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Description

Sleek: Sleeks are large, totally marine Ichthyosaurs, having developed the ability to extract oxygen and free radiation directly from the water via baleen-like plates along their upper jaws. This, along with copious amounts of plankton, forms their primary sustenance along the deeper seawalls of Skull Island. They reproduce infrequently, and migrate into shallower waters, even the coastal swamps and rivers of the island, to do so. Here, the numerous pups play temporary roles in the freshwater and estuarine ecosystems as swift hunters of smaller fish. Those that survive eventually outgrow such environments and move into the deeper waters as their metabolisms mature beyond the need for atmospheric oxygen. Length: 40 to 60 feet.

Zambolar: The Cloud Plateau of Skull Island is a relatively isolated region along the central mountain range. Its surface is harshly volcanic, encouraging the development of hardy biolithic organisms. Among the top predators of this ecosystem are a range of large reptilian creatures, dubiously called “Slurpasaurs”, in reference to the large and muscular tongues many species possess. Slurpasaurs are not likely a monophyletic group, and may represent numerous convergently-evolved kaijufied diapsid reptiles. There is however, some evidence of significant cross-breeding between species, so that Slurpasaurs may in fact be a conglomerate of morphological types of a few species. The radiation-dense environment may or may not be a factor of this process. The Zambolar is one of the largest predatory types of Slurpasaur, with an armored hide of crystalized magma they replenish with occasional lava-soaks. Their appetites are erratic, possibly due to the Plateau’s radioactive fluctuations, ranging from a near 100% dependence on geothermal energy, to bouts of hypervory during which they devour anything in their sight. Length: 65 to 110 feet.

Mega Moa: These large avians are frequently seen among the jungles and forests in which they play important roles. As adults, they browse the understories relentlessly, swallowing tons of plant matter whole due to their inability to chew. In doing so, they spread many trees’ seeds and spores through their droppings, which also distribute fertilizer across new areas of the forest. Some spores and seeds may even germinate within their bodies and grow to support their host’s grow symbiotically. Older individuals may be over half plant-matter. Their eggs are also passed along with their droppings indiscriminately, leaving the precocial chicks to fend for themselves. Length: 85 to 120 feet.

Whip Sloth: While slow and passive most of the time, Whip Sloths are nonetheless not to be taken lightly. Their green and brown fur, ingrown with symbiotic vines, blends in seamlessly among the dense underbrush. They spend much time asleep, relying on their photosynthetic fur for energy. They will also browse low vegetation and fungi, as well as scavenge occasionally. The vines that sprout from the dorsal surface continue in a network below their skin, forming a dense yet flexible protective suit of subdermal armor. If threatened, Whip Sloths can become very violent, wielding their immense claws dangerously. The vines are also able to move swiftly, slashing and strangling opponents, as well as absorbing others’ blood for extra nourishment. Length: 35 to 50 feet.

Thunderdome: Hardy creatures found mainly in the mountainous regions, Thunderdomes are biolithic pachycephalosaurs. With age, their armor and epidermis become forged primarily with marble and granite. They are highly territorial usually, but they travel to the Cloud Plateau to mate. Here, their headbutting contests can be heard across the cliffs. Their vertebrae are highly specialized, and seem able to not only absorb significant shock, but can store and redirect kinetic energy. Males will charge themselves via their jointed spinal processes, which strum together to build up energy for impact. Length: 12 to 15 feet.

Dinolepus: Rabbits are among the most persevering of small mammalian herbivores, so it seems not too surprising that they’ve managed to find a way on Skull Island. The native variants, though, are quite distinct from their less-derived brethren elsewhere. The genus Dinolepus is a common sight over much of the island. Their exoskeletal heads offer protection and reinforcement in consuming harder plant material, while their fur and tail is inlaid with numerous urticating hairs that irritate predators’ senses. Dinolepus are also social creatures that also have guards posted while foraging above ground. Sometimes, when their favorite vegetable meals are scarce, they will take to hunting down Leaf Wings, smaller creatures, and carrion, sometimes even picking at the plant growths of other florafauna. While their coloration is mostly cryptic greens and browns, they are able to flush their ears with bright patterns similar to moth wings to intimidate rivals. Dominant individuals can attain much larger sizes, often ganging up to face predators aggressively in defense of their smaller warren members, many of which may be offspring. Length: 2.5 to 8 feet.

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Creature Inspirations:
Sleek: Ichthyosaurs of Joe Devito’s Kong: King of Skull Island novel 2005.
Zambolar: Creature of Ultraman 1966, and mutated lizard of Godzilla: The Series 1998.
Mega Moa: Creature of The World of Kong artbook 2005.
Whip Sloth: Retro depictions of monstrous ground sloths, and creature of Unknown Island 1948.
Thunderdome: …Um, the only major pachycephalosaur appearances I can think of in films are the ones in The Lost World: Jurassic Park 1997, and those jerks in the original The Land Before Time 1988.
Dinolepus: Monster rabbits in Night of the Lepus 1972, and Beaster Day 2014.
Inspiration with help by Lediblock2. Thanks again as always. 😊

Description

Sleek: Sleeks are large, totally marine Ichthyosaurs, having developed the ability to extract oxygen and free radiation directly from the water via baleen-like plates along their upper jaws. This, along with copious amounts of plankton, forms their primary sustenance along the deeper seawalls of Skull Island. They reproduce infrequently, and migrate into shallower waters, even the coastal swamps and rivers of the island, to do so. Here, the numerous pups play temporary roles in the freshwater and estuarine ecosystems as swift hunters of smaller fish. Those that survive eventually outgrow such environments and move into the deeper waters as their metabolisms mature beyond the need for atmospheric oxygen. Length: 40 to 60 feet.

Zambolar: The Cloud Plateau of Skull Island is a relatively isolated region along the central mountain range. Its surface is harshly volcanic, encouraging the development of hardy biolithic organisms. Among the top predators of this ecosystem are a range of large reptilian creatures, dubiously called “Slurpasaurs”, in reference to the large and muscular tongues many species possess. Slurpasaurs are not likely a monophyletic group, and may represent numerous convergently-evolved kaijufied diapsid reptiles. There is however, some evidence of significant cross-breeding between species, so that Slurpasaurs may in fact be a conglomerate of morphological types of a few species. The radiation-dense environment may or may not be a factor of this process. The Zambolar is one of the largest predatory types of Slurpasaur, with an armored hide of crystalized magma they replenish with occasional lava-soaks. Their appetites are erratic, possibly due to the Plateau’s radioactive fluctuations, ranging from a near 100% dependence on geothermal energy, to bouts of hypervory during which they devour anything in their sight. Length: 65 to 110 feet.

Mega Moa: These large avians are frequently seen among the jungles and forests in which they play important roles. As adults, they browse the understories relentlessly, swallowing tons of plant matter whole due to their inability to chew. In doing so, they spread many trees’ seeds and spores through their droppings, which also distribute fertilizer across new areas of the forest. Some spores and seeds may even germinate within their bodies and grow to support their host’s grow symbiotically. Older individuals may be over half plant-matter. Their eggs are also passed along with their droppings indiscriminately, leaving the precocial chicks to fend for themselves. Length: 85 to 120 feet.

Whip Sloth: While slow and passive most of the time, Whip Sloths are nonetheless not to be taken lightly. Their green and brown fur, ingrown with symbiotic vines, blends in seamlessly among the dense underbrush. They spend much time asleep, relying on their photosynthetic fur for energy. They will also browse low vegetation and fungi, as well as scavenge occasionally. The vines that sprout from the dorsal surface continue in a network below their skin, forming a dense yet flexible protective suit of subdermal armor. If threatened, Whip Sloths can become very violent, wielding their immense claws dangerously. The vines are also able to move swiftly, slashing and strangling opponents, as well as absorbing others’ blood for extra nourishment. Length: 35 to 50 feet.

Thunderdome: Hardy creatures found mainly in the mountainous regions, Thunderdomes are biolithic pachycephalosaurs. With age, their armor and epidermis become forged primarily with marble and granite. They are highly territorial usually, but they travel to the Cloud Plateau to mate. Here, their headbutting contests can be heard across the cliffs. Their vertebrae are highly specialized, and seem able to not only absorb significant shock, but can store and redirect kinetic energy. Males will charge themselves via their jointed spinal processes, which strum together to build up energy for impact. Length: 12 to 15 feet.

Dinolepus: Rabbits are among the most persevering of small mammalian herbivores, so it seems not too surprising that they’ve managed to find a way on Skull Island. The native variants, though, are quite distinct from their less-derived brethren elsewhere. The genus Dinolepus is a common sight over much of the island. Their exoskeletal heads offer protection and reinforcement in consuming harder plant material, while their fur and tail is inlaid with numerous urticating hairs that irritate predators’ senses. Dinolepus are also social creatures that also have guards posted while foraging above ground. Sometimes, when their favorite vegetable meals are scarce, they will take to hunting down Leaf Wings, smaller creatures, and carrion, sometimes even picking at the plant growths of other florafauna. While their coloration is mostly cryptic greens and browns, they are able to flush their ears with bright patterns similar to moth wings to intimidate rivals. Dominant individuals can attain much larger sizes, often ganging up to face predators aggressively in defense of their smaller warren members, many of which may be offspring. Length: 2.5 to 8 feet.

-----------------------

Creature Inspirations:
Sleek: Ichthyosaurs of Joe Devito’s Kong: King of Skull Island novel 2005.
Zambolar: Creature of Ultraman 1966, and mutated lizard of Godzilla: The Series 1998.
Mega Moa: Creature of The World of Kong artbook 2005.
Whip Sloth: Retro depictions of monstrous ground sloths, and creature of Unknown Island 1948.
Thunderdome: …Um, the only major pachycephalosaur appearances I can think of in films are the ones in The Lost World: Jurassic Park 1997, and those jerks in the original The Land Before Time 1988.
Dinolepus: Monster rabbits in Night of the Lepus 1972, and Beaster Day 2014.
Inspiration with help by Lediblock2. Thanks again as always. 😊