Phrynosoma http://phrynosoma.org/ Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:17:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://phrynosoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/profile-150x150.png Phrynosoma http://phrynosoma.org/ 32 32 How Mortal Kombat’s 3D-era Reptile Redesign Is Easily The Series’ Most Hated https://phrynosoma.org/how-mortal-kombats-3d-era-reptile-redesign-is-easily-the-series-most-hated/ Sun, 28 Aug 2022 19:58:29 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/how-mortal-kombats-3d-era-reptile-redesign-is-easily-the-series-most-hated/ As a fan of the Mortal Kombat series from the start, Reptile is one of my favorite characters from the series. However, it should be noted that I’m only a fan of Reptile when he dons his humanoid ninja guise (including […]]]>










As a fan of the Mortal Kombat series from the start, Reptile is one of my favorite characters from the series. However, it should be noted that I’m only a fan of Reptile when he dons his humanoid ninja guise (including what Reptile looks like in Mortal Kombat 9 and Mortal Kombat X).





Like most other fans, though, I thought the Mortal Kombat 4 and Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance redesigns were… excruciatingly bad. Needless to say, I remembered these horrible reptile drawings recently thanks to TrueUnderDawgGamingvideo of which reviews Reptile’s revamp in Deadly Alliance.









In Deadly Alliance, Reptile was effectively transformed into Aeon Calcos – the Lizardman – from the Soul Calibur series. It’s not like I hated Soul Calibur’s Lizardman, but it wasn’t the Reptile I enjoyed playing in 2D Mortal Kombat titles.


Oddly enough, Reptile in Deadly Alliance was actually a very strong character. However, it wasn’t due to the way his promotions worked. In fact, his only returning special was the Acid Spit, while he also gained some sort of rolling move that never returned in Mortal Kombat 9 or Mortal Kombat X.


What made Reptile so strong was apparently his silly crab stance. This effectively unlocked ridiculous confusions and sting options for Reptile.


Check out TrueUnderDawgGaming’s video on the subject below:









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A 225-million-year-old tiny reptile was the ancestor of the flying giants: Research https://phrynosoma.org/a-225-million-year-old-tiny-reptile-was-the-ancestor-of-the-flying-giants-research/ Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:07:26 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/a-225-million-year-old-tiny-reptile-was-the-ancestor-of-the-flying-giants-research/ A tiny 225 million year old reptile unearthed in Brazil gave birth to the largest creatures that have ever flown, according to new research. The lizard-like species measured just 15 inches from nose to tail. It is a “missing link” in the evolution of pterosaurs which reached the size of airplanes. Appointed maehary bonaparteit will […]]]>

A tiny 225 million year old reptile unearthed in Brazil gave birth to the largest creatures that have ever flown, according to new research.

The lizard-like species measured just 15 inches from nose to tail. It is a “missing link” in the evolution of pterosaurs which reached the size of airplanes. Appointed maehary bonaparteit will shed new light on how giant predators got their wings.

“We hope so. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles even before birds. But the earliest origins of wings are still poorly understood,” said paleontologist Rodrigo Muller of the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil.

An interpretation of what the Maehary Bonapartei looked like, shown in an undated photo illustration. The 225-million-year-old reptile recently unearthed in Brazil gave birth to the largest creatures that have ever flown, according to new research.
Marcio L. Castro, SWNS/Zenger

Pterosaurs ruled the skies for 150 million years. They were close cousins ​​of dinosaurs that evolved on a separate branch of the reptile family tree.

“Maehary is the most basal in the line of greatest flying animals that ever lived,” Muller said.

He belonged to a group of two-legged, wingless ancestors called lagerpetids that trotted around the supercontinent Pangea. The primitive animal fills a vital gap in the fossil record. It was placed at the root of the pterosaur family tree.

A skull, jawbone, shoulder blade and teeth have been unearthed at a prehistoric animal cemetery in Rio Grande do Sol, southern Brazil. Remains, including vertebrae, of another even smaller reptile called Faxinalipterus minimus were excavated at the same time. The remarkably preserved bones were buried in rocks from the Upper Triassic, a period of evolution hotly debated by paleontologists due to a meager fossil record.

“They lived about 8 million years after the ‘rise of the dinosaurs’ – living side by side with them. Fossil records of carnivores from strata 225 million years old are scarce. We believe they were hunted by fast and agile theropods – early ancestors of T Rex. Primitive crocodiles would also have eaten them – if they could catch them. Similarly, fossils of such animals are rare,” Muller said.

Skull of a Bonapartei Maehary
Skull of a Maehary bonapartei, depicted in an undated photo. The 225-million-year-old reptile recently unearthed in Brazil gave birth to the largest creatures that have ever flown, according to new research.
Marcio L. Castro, SWNS/Zenger

“The skull of Faxinalipterus is unknown, so its diet is uncertain. Conversely, Maehary’s teeth appear to be related to an insectivorous diet. They lived in an environment dominated by crested lizard-like reptiles called Tuataras and de tiny mammalian ancestors called cynodonts. The first of the long-necked dinosaurs that grew over 12 feet tall appeared in these ecosystems,” Muller added.

CT scans showed both species to be wingless. The dentition pattern and the close spacing between the cavities were not compatible with pterosaurs.

“However, we are familiar with the pterosaur wing formed from the elongation of the fourth finger of the forelimb. It is basically a giant, elongated finger. As the hand bones of the pterosaur arms have evolved to fly, they got longer – and the equivalent of our ring fingers became extraordinarily long,” Muller said.

Pterosaurs were among nature’s most successful animals. They ate fish and small animals. Many had hooked claws and sharp teeth which they used to grab their prey. Quetzalcoatlus was the most massive. As big as a giraffe, it had thin, hollow bones, a terrifying beak and a wingspan of 40 feet.

It was killed 66 million years ago, along with other pterosaurs and the non-avian dinosaurs, when a city-sized asteroid crashed into Earth, creating the Chicxulub crater on the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Using an anatomical database, the Brazilian team established that Faxinalipterus was closely related to lagerpetids, including Maehary, which are “sisters” of pterosaurs. Together they all form a larger group called Pterosauromorpha, of which Maehary is the most primitive.

Skull of a Bonapartei Maehary
Skull of a Maehary bonapartei, depicted in an undated photo. The 225-million-year-old reptile recently unearthed in Brazil gave birth to the largest creatures that have ever flown, according to new research.
Marcio L. Castro, SWNS/Zenger

“That is, Faxinalipterus and Maehary are not pterosaurs, but are related to them. Maehary is uniquely set up as a key element in elucidating how anatomical features evolved along the lineage to ‘to the pterosaurs themselves – fully adapted for flight. These species, with an estimated length of 30 centimeters (12 inches) for Faxinalipterus and 40 centimeters (15 inches) for Maehary, demonstrate the importance of continuing to collect fossils in this region,” Muller explained.

The genus name of the new species comes from Ma’ehary, an expression of the indigenous Guarani-Kaiowa people of southern Brazil and Paraguay. It means “who gazes at the sky”, escaping its position in the evolutionary line of pterosaurs.

Muller and his colleagues are now looking for new discoveries to understand how the first vertebrates to evolve flapping flight came to be. The first were miniature compared to their gigantic descendants, with a wingspan of less than 3 feet. Only a handful of lagerpetid fossils exist due to their fragile bones. Brain characteristics suggest increased agility, which they passed on to pterosaurs.

Produced in collaboration with SWNS.

This story was provided to Newsweek by Zenger News.

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Fossils of Thalassotitan, a “terrifying” giant marine reptile, discovered in Morocco https://phrynosoma.org/fossils-of-thalassotitan-a-terrifying-giant-marine-reptile-discovered-in-morocco/ Thu, 25 Aug 2022 13:16:12 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/fossils-of-thalassotitan-a-terrifying-giant-marine-reptile-discovered-in-morocco/ R Researchers have discovered fossils of a giant predator that has been described as “a Komodo dragon crossed with a great white shark crossed with a T. Rex crossed with a killer whale.” The atrox Thalassotitan was a mosasaur, which were giant sea lizards. It had “massive jaws and teeth” which enabled it to “seize […]]]>
R

Researchers have discovered fossils of a giant predator that has been described as “a Komodo dragon crossed with a great white shark crossed with a T. Rex crossed with a killer whale.”

The atrox Thalassotitan was a mosasaur, which were giant sea lizards. It had “massive jaws and teeth” which enabled it to “seize and tear apart huge prey”.

The mosasaurs are not dinosaurs, but lived in the last million years of the age of the dinosaurs, which means that the atrox Thalassotitan lived on Earth at the same time as the T. Rex and the Triceratops.

The researchers also found fossils of Thalassotitan’s potential prey, which include at least three different species of mosasaurs and a plesiosaur, which is another type of marine reptile.

Fossils show that Thalassotitan had injuries that would suggest it fought violently with other mosasaurs over feeding grounds or mates.

Thalassotitan’s teeth are broken and worn, suggesting that the animal attacked other marine reptiles and broke its teeth by biting into their bones.

Thalassotitan was an apex predator

/ University of Bath

“Thalassotitan was an amazing and terrifying animal,” said Dr. Nick Longrich, who led the study.

“Imagine a Komodo sragon crossed with a great white shark crossed with a T. rex crossed with a killer whale.”

Fossils of the atrox Thalassotitan have been discovered in Morocco, near Casablanca, which was flooded by the Atlantic Ocean during the late Cretaceous.

Professor Nour-Eddine Jalil, co-author of the article from the Paris Natural History Museum, said: “Phosphate fossils from Morocco provide an unprecedented window into paleobiodiversity at the end of the Cretaceous.

“They tell us how rich and diverse life was just before the end of the ‘age of the dinosaurs’, when animals had to specialize to have a place in their ecosystems. Thalassotitan completes the picture by taking on the role of the mega predator at the top of the food chain.

“There is so much more to do,” Longrich added. “Morocco has one of the richest and most diverse marine fauna known from the Cretaceous. We are just beginning to understand the diversity and biology of mosasaurs.

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Each new animal arriving in Sumeru https://phrynosoma.org/each-new-animal-arriving-in-sumeru/ Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:24:00 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/each-new-animal-arriving-in-sumeru/ Genshin ImpactThe long-awaited 3.0 update has arrived, bringing with it the new Dendro region of Sumeru, which will be home to many new animals never before seen in the world of Teyvat. Thanks to the 3.0 beta test, many details about Sumeru and his upcoming playable characters in Dendro have been revealed, which further builds […]]]>

Genshin ImpactThe long-awaited 3.0 update has arrived, bringing with it the new Dendro region of Sumeru, which will be home to many new animals never before seen in the world of Teyvat. Thanks to the 3.0 beta test, many details about Sumeru and his upcoming playable characters in Dendro have been revealed, which further builds excitement for the upcoming release.

Genshin Impact has grown exponentially since launch, introducing new regions for players to explore with every major update. Version 3.0 arrived on August 24 and features Sumeru, the lush rainforest-filled land of the Dendro element. Currently there are no playable characters in Dendro in Genshin Impactmaking 3.0 one of the most anticipated updates of Genshin Impact‘s story.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Related: Every New Artifact In Genshin Impact 3.0

Thanks to the eminent Genshin Impact leak, Genshin Sectorit has been revealed that at least seven new animals will arrive in Sumeru, Genshin Impactis the largest region to date. Sumeru will also add a new insect, the Dendro-tuned Crystalfly, which can be collected to farm Crystal Cores, a useful crafting material in Genshin Impact.

Genshin Impact 3.0 adds Shroomboar to Sumeru

The first new animal to come to Sumeru is the Shroomboar, a forest-dwelling boar with a Shroom-kin mushroom on its back. Shroomboar resembles the existing boar in Genshin Impact and, like their counterpart, will be available through Omni-Ubiquity Net.

Genshin Impact 3.0: The Forest Tree Frog arrives with Sumeru

Sumeru adds a new frog to Genshin Impact, the forest tree frog. Like the other frogs of Genshin Impact, Forest tree frogs can be found in wetlands, which are abundant in the rainforests of Sumeru. A unique characteristic of tree frogs is that they are able to hover. If a player catches a tree frog in their omni-ubiquity net and places it in their pot of serenity, they will be able to encourage the frog to slip by placing holds that it can slip between.

Genshin Impact Sumeru’s Animals: Red-tailed Lizard

Sumeru will also add a new type of lizard to Genshin Impact, the red-tailed lizard, not to be confused with the extant red-horned lizard. Unlike the red-horned lizard, the new red-tailed lizard has a black, not red body with a red-orange horn, markings, and tail. Like other lizards in the game, their tails can be collected and used to create recipes in Genshin Impact.

Genshin Impact adds Shaggy Sumpter Beast to Sumeru

The Shaggy Sumpter Beast is another new boar-like animal added to Genshin Impact in the 3.0 update. Bigger than a regular boar Genshin Impactthese friendly and majestic beasts are used to transport goods and supplies in Sumeru.

Genshin Impact 3.0 New Animals: Rishboland Tiger

King of Sumeru’s lush jungle, the Rishboland tiger is an apex predator that fiercely guards its territory, attacking Genshin Impact players who get too close. Genshin Impact Rishboland tiger lore says it is a descendant of a much larger tiger that roamed the forests of Sumeru. Perhaps a giant tiger enemy, similar to the giant wolf of Mondstadt Boss Andrius, will arrive in Genshin Impact in the future.

Genshin Impact adds a crocodile-like Spinokrok to Sumeru

The next animal arriving in Genshin Impact with Sumeru is the terrifying reptilian creature, the Spinokrok. Somewhere between a spiny dinosaur and a crocodile, the Spinokrok lurks in the swampy areas of Sumeru. Like a crocodile, the Spinokrok hides in water and attacks players underwater.

Genshin Impact 3.0: Sumeru Introduces the Twilight Bird

The last new animal arrived in Genshin ImpactUpdate 3.0 is the Dusk Bird, a brightly colored parrot-like bird that lives in the Avidya Forest. The dusk bird is easier to spot than other dusk birds. Genshin Impactthanks to its bright yellow and blue body and bright red beak.

Source: Genshin Sector

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These biologically miniature animal figurines by Fanni Sandor are all you need to see today https://phrynosoma.org/these-biologically-miniature-animal-figurines-by-fanni-sandor-are-all-you-need-to-see-today/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 07:55:12 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/these-biologically-miniature-animal-figurines-by-fanni-sandor-are-all-you-need-to-see-today/ Everything is miniature, which is how Fanni Sandor, creator of unique biologically miniature animal sculptures, likes to do it. As small as a fingernail, Fanni Sandor has magical artistic skills that have lifted her to the top of the miniature industry. No doubt about it. The art of creating miniature animals by Fanni Sandor Using […]]]>

Everything is miniature, which is how Fanni Sandor, creator of unique biologically miniature animal sculptures, likes to do it. As small as a fingernail, Fanni Sandor has magical artistic skills that have lifted her to the top of the miniature industry. No doubt about it.

The art of creating miniature animals by Fanni Sandor

Using polymer clay, feathers, fur and other materials, Fanni Sandor can be called the queen of creating ultra-miniature animal sculptures. And when we say ultra-miniature, we really mean it. The size of a human fingernail is how miniature these adorable animal figurines are.

What animals does Fanni Sandor sculpt?

You name the animal and she transforms it into a biologically miniature animal. Fanni Sandor sculpts 1:12 scale miniature animals, and many of his recent pieces include newborn and adolescent animals.

From several fascinating species of birds immersing unique colors on their feathers to adorable turtles, hummingbirds, chameleons, lizards and ducklings, Fanni Sandor is truly and one hundred percent a genius in miniature sculpting.

His love for miniature objects started in his childhood

Fanni Sandor recalls discovering an immediate fascination with miniatures when she was a little girl. She began to refine and explore this art form by constructing her first sculpture from toothpicks, candle wax, paper and glue when she was six years old.

Fanni Sandor creates miniature birds using polymer clay on Thursday

In Fanni’s country, Hungary, there is no tradition of making 1:12 scale miniatures, which gives him yet another reason to develop his innate passion for miniature animals around it. Fanni Sandor, the miniature animal designer, was already in her twenties when she came across the work of the first professional miniaturist on the internet, and recalls being completely fascinated by the work.

How long does it take Fanni Sandor to create miniature animals?

The skilled artist shares that she typically spends two days to two weeks on a single piece, given the amount of precision and detail required for each miniature animal.

Thumbnail-sized Miniature Hummingbird by Fanni Sandor on Thursday

Its process is multi-faceted and begins with collecting photographs of the species before sketching out the official design prototype. Forgoing molds, Fanni Sandor uses embossing and pinning tools to sculpt the animal figures from polymer clay and wire. After cooking, she chisels out a few more details, paints and attaches fur and feathers if necessary.

Follow his miniature work

Yes, Fanni Sandor is the queen of miniature animal sculpture. If you want to discover his entire collection of miniature animals, visit his Instagram account.

Miniature Colorful Frogs by Fanni Sandor on Thursdays
All photos by Fanni Sandor

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Epic animal encounters await your family at this Minocqua zoo! https://phrynosoma.org/epic-animal-encounters-await-your-family-at-this-minocqua-zoo/ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:32:29 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/epic-animal-encounters-await-your-family-at-this-minocqua-zoo/ Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari in Minocqua is home to over 1,700 animals and 229 species and is the second largest zoo in Wisconsin, just after the Milwaukee County Zoo. The animals are healthy and the grounds are immaculate at this hidden gem in Northwoods, Wisconsin that appeals to all ages. With the variety […]]]>

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari in Minocqua is home to over 1,700 animals and 229 species and is the second largest zoo in Wisconsin, just after the Milwaukee County Zoo.

The animals are healthy and the grounds are immaculate at this hidden gem in Northwoods, Wisconsin that appeals to all ages. With the variety of animals, from Wisconsin natives to endangered species from around the world, there is something for everyone.

The fun begins when you walk through the main entrance as the petting zoo’s friendly goats greet you! There is also a space to cuddle the bunnies! It is also nice to get up close and feed the deer. The paths meander to see small and large mammals, birds, reptiles, etc. We recommend that you take a map and plan your time – the average time for a visit is around 3 hours.

Minocqua Zoo

  • Free parking
  • Picnic areas
  • Wagon rentals are available at the gift shop
  • Suitable for pushchairs
  • Flat, easy-to-navigate walking paths
  • Informative signage
  • Outdoor learning amphitheater with daily programs and presentations
  • Unique animal experiences and encounters
  • Indoor educational center with bees, artifacts, microscopes, snakes, lizards and insect exhibits.
  • Souvenir shop

Animal experiences (additional cost for each)

There are so many fun optional activities for your animal lovers. Some of these activities can be purchased with your admission ticket when you arrive, and some are done at the meet. We recommend having cash available for these fun add-ons (an ATM is also available).

  • creature food
    • You can feed animals in areas where food is on sale at the zoo, but only and exclusively with food provided by the zoo. Animals include goats, sheep, deer, camels, and aoudads.
      • Critter Food: 1 bag for $5 or 2 bags for $8
      • Petting Food Pellets (machines around the park): $0.50 for a handful of food
  • Parakeets (meeting with parakeets): Visit of the parakeets in the aviary. Buy a food stick for $3, cash only.
  • Giraffe diet: Approach a giraffe to give it carrots in your hand! The cost is $5 for a cup of carrots purchased with cash before entering.
  • Koi carp and trout pond: Buy food from the feeding machines to throw into the pond. It is also a nice place to take a seated break.
  • Safari tram: 30-minute ride pulled by a tractor in an area only visible from the tour. Animals include Kudu, Nyala, Beisa Oryx, Scimitar Oryx, Wildebeest, Eland, and more.
    • Cost: $10 per person (children under 2 are free)

Other attractions include a paddle steamer ride, a children’s train ride, and a merry-go-round (additional cost).

Minocqua Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo Safari

Dino Dig Playground

The perfect place to run! The dinosaur play area includes park equipment with slides, climbing, tubes, dinosaur statues, benches and plenty of sand to play and dig for fossils.

Minocqua Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo Safari

Food and snacks

No outside food or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the zoo. Food options range from snacks and light meals to ice cream and drinks.

  • Jambo Hut: pizza, hot dogs, brats, chicken nuggets, fried cheese curds, and more
  • Wild bananas: quick snacks, hot dogs, brats, chips and freshly popped popcorn
  • Hungry Bear Ice Cream & Sweet Shoppe: hand dipped ice cream cones and fancy candies
Minocqua Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo Safari Ice Cream Shack

Entrance and timetables

Open 7 days a week, including all holidays in the season. Open rain or shine.

2022 season: From Saturday 7 May 2022 to 9 October 2022

  • Adults (12 and over): $24.99 plus tax
  • Children (2 to 11 years old): $16.99 plus tax
  • Children (under 2 years old): FREE
  • Parking: FREE

The 2022 times are different for summer, spring and fall. Check their website before visiting for current hours.

Do you feel inspired? Start planning your next road trip! Find more summer adventures!

Minocqua Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo Safari Monkey

To note: Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo and Safari is a private zoo and part of The Zoological Association of America (ZAA), a non-profit, membership-based accrediting organization dedicated to responsible wildlife management, conservation and education. ZAA upholds the highest level of professional standards for animal welfare, safety and ethics.

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Every D&D 5e playable race based on a real animal https://phrynosoma.org/every-dd-5e-playable-race-based-on-a-real-animal/ Mon, 15 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/every-dd-5e-playable-race-based-on-a-real-animal/ The Dungeons & Dragons The 5e ruleset features a host of playable breeds for players to choose from, many of which are based on real-world animals. It is not difficult for J&D characters to turn into animals, as that is the purpose of the Druid’s Wild Shape ability, and there are various spells that allow […]]]>

The Dungeons & Dragons The 5e ruleset features a host of playable breeds for players to choose from, many of which are based on real-world animals. It is not difficult for J&D characters to turn into animals, as that is the purpose of the Druid’s Wild Shape ability, and there are various spells that allow the player to shapeshift, but there are many options for playing an animal all the time. It just depends on whether they want to spend the whole game playing like a rabbit or a cat with a sword.

VIDEO OF THE DAY

A major change in J&D 5th that has happened over time is how playable races work. The fact that Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything removing racial stat bonuses meant there was much less pressure to play specific builds, making it easier for players to create the characters they wanted to play. Many monstrous races have also been updated, making them more viable as character options. This means that any race/class build is now viable, including animal races.

Related: D&D: Low Effort Character Builds That Let You Focus On Roleplaying

There are many playable races in J&D which are based on real world animals. The following list will not include anything Unearthed Arcana (this includes the hippo inspired Giff, like Spelljammer: Adventures in Space hasn’t been released yet), shape-shifters or creatures inspired by Greek mythology like satyrs and minotaurs, which are bizarre animal/human hybrids that don’t quite fit the theme. There are still plenty of animal breeds for players to choose from, should they wish to walk on the wild side with their character.


D&D Tabaxi are felines, Harengons are hares/rabbits, lizards are reptiles

In J&D, the human and humanoid races have many gods of their own, some of which govern ordinary animals. Some animals have their own protective deities, and all felines fall under the banner of the Lord of Cats. The Lord of the Cats is said to have created a race called the tabaxi, which are humanoid cats that generally resemble jaguars, though they can look like any type of feline. The most recent version of tabaxi appeared in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiversewhere his climbing speed is the same as his walking speed, he has natural claw weapons, can see in the dark with darkvision, and can perform bursts of speed.


The Feywild is home to all manner of whimsical beings, for that is where they originated, and the elves of the J&D the multiverse originally originated there. The campaign called Nature beyond the witch’s light introduces herringons, which are humanoid rabbits and hares. Herringbones were also printed in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse, where they can leap without provoking attacks of opportunity, gain proficiency with initiative rolls (known as Hare-Trigger), and add 1d4 to Dexterity saving throws, in order to demonstrate their great agility and abilities of perception.

Related: D&D’s Spelljammer Set Includes 16 Ships


There are races in J&D who are descended from dragons, such as dragonborn and kobolds, while some were created to have serpent-like elements through magical rituals, such as yuan-ti purebloods. Lizards are neither, as they are modeled after real-world reptiles, and they are one of the oldest races in the material foreground. They are found hanging out in swamps or jungles all over the campaign worlds, where they generally keep to themselves and do not interfere with the lives of warm-blooded humanoids. The most recent version of the lizard people appeared in appeared in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiversewhere they are skilled swimmers, possess a deadly bite, can hold their breath for fifteen minutes, and have scaly skin that acts like armor.


The Magic: The Gathering D&D Races introduced owls, elephants, and lions to the game

J&D and Magic: The Gathering both belong to Wizards of the Coast, but it took years for the two to intersect in any meaningful way. There are now several Magic: The Gathering source books for J&D which bring concepts from the card game into the tabletop game. The first of these manuals was Ravnica Guild Masters Guidewho introduced the loxodon into J&D. Loxodons are humanoid elephants with an incredible talent for carving stone. In Ravnica Guild Masters Guidethe loxodon can carry weight as if it were one size class larger than itself, have advantage on saving throws against charm or fear, have a natural AC 12, and can use its trunk to perform simple tasks , including doing an unarmed hit against an enemy.

In Strixhaven: A Program of Chaosa breed called the owl was introduced J&D. In J&D tradition, owls are descended from giant owls that resided on the Feywild, and they were transformed into humanoids by the chaotic magic of that realm. The version of owlin in Strixhaven: A Program of Chaos have flight speed equal to walking speed (but only with light armor or no armor), proficiency in the Stealth skill, and darkvision of 120 feet.

Mythical Odysseys of Theros details an airplane inspired by the myths of ancient Greece. It is here that the leonins are found in the lands of Oreskos, where they guard the immense lands of pride of their house. Leonins are humanoid lions, which differ from tabaxi in several ways. A few leonins leave their homeland and become adventurers, after which they can be used as playable characters. The version of leonin in Mythical Odysseys of Theros have a walking speed of 35 feet, 60 feet of darkvision, a natural claw weapon, and a powerful roar attack that can inflict fear on enemies.

D&D Aarakocra are eagles/parrots, tortoises are tortoises, Kenku are crows

Aarakocra are native to the Elemental Plane of Air, though they can be found in the wild in many J&D campaign settings, such as the jungle of Chult in the Forgotten Realms. These are birds that most often resemble eagles or parrots, although they can look like any bird. The recent version of aarakocra in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse gave them flight speed equal to their walking speed, natural talon weapons, and the ability to throw Gale at level 3.

Related: D&D’s Complete Free Spelljammer Campaign Is Now Available

Continuing with the bird theme, there are also the kenku, which are humanoid crows. Kenku do not have the ability to fly, and although they are often known as expert tricksters and thieves, thanks to their incredible talent for mimicry, many have different professions. The recent version of the kenku in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse have mastered the art of duplicating handwriting, imitating sounds and remembering information.

People who want to create a teenage ninja, but have trouble thinking of a playable race for the character can’t go wrong with a turtle. Turtles are a race of humanoid turtles, with a huge protective shell on their backs, which (oddly) doesn’t slow them down. The recent version of the turtle in Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse has a natural claw weapon, the ability to hold its breath for one hour, a natural AC of 17, and they can hide in their shells for an additional +4 bonus to AC. This makes it an ideal choice for a Dungeons & Dragons caster, as they never have to worry about wearing armor.


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10 Most Powerful Animal-Themed Spider-Man Villains https://phrynosoma.org/10-most-powerful-animal-themed-spider-man-villains/ Thu, 11 Aug 2022 12:21:00 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/10-most-powerful-animal-themed-spider-man-villains/ Spider-Man: Year One was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, and fans can’t wait to see Spider-Man take on some of his iconic supervillains like Speed ​​Demon and Tombstone. He will also fight some of his animal-based villains, such as Rhino, Scorpion, and Doctor Octopus in this new anime series. Throughout Spider-Man’s crime-fighting career, he’s […]]]>

Spider-Man: Year One was announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, and fans can’t wait to see Spider-Man take on some of his iconic supervillains like Speed ​​Demon and Tombstone. He will also fight some of his animal-based villains, such as Rhino, Scorpion, and Doctor Octopus in this new anime series.



Throughout Spider-Man’s crime-fighting career, he’s actually amassed a large gallery of rogue villains who have based themselves on animals. Many of these villains are considered his strongest adversaries and have even come close to killing Peter on different occasions.

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ten Black cat

Black Cat is a professional cat burglar and has developed a small fortune from all the items she has stolen. She started out as an enemy of Spider-Man, but the two would eventually develop feelings for each other and start an on-again-off-again relationship. Although considered an anti-hero, Black Cat sometimes acted as a dangerous villain.

Related: Ranking Every Villain In The MCU’s Spider-Man Movies

Through intense training and practice, Black Cat has become a skilled acrobat with near-perfect reflexes and stamina. She is adept in many forms of martial arts and has gained enough physical strength to take on multiple armed attackers and endure strong physical attacks. She even has retractable claws in her suit that are capable of cutting through many durable substances.

9 Vulture

The Vulture, played by Michael Keaton, was not only the first Spider-Man villain to appear in the MCU, but he’s also one of the first villains to fight Spider-Man in the comics. He was a scientist who created his flight suit and used it in his first crime to steal money from his corrupt former business partner. Doing this got the Vulture so excited that he decided to be a full-time criminal.

As one of Spider-Man’s first villains, the Vulture has plenty of experience battling him and has been a member of nearly every Sinister Six. He can fly at high speed for a long period of time and can reach heights as high as skyscrapers. His electromagnetic wings also grant him super strength, being able to lift hundreds of pounds.

8 Puma

Through mystical ceremonies and genetic engineering, Thomas Fireheart was granted the ability to transform into a human-puma hybrid. He considers it his duty to protect his Native American tribesmen, but he also works as a mercenary and professional assassin for hire.

In her Puma form, Fireheart has incredible strength, speed, and reflexes. Coupled with his martial arts training in Japan, he is a mortal enemy to Spider-Man and many of his targets. Its claws and fangs are easily able to cut through bone and some metals. When he wants to quickly kill his target, Puma even dips his claws in poison. His vision, hearing, and sense of smell are also enhanced, and he can detect enemies from afar.

seven Stegron

Dr. Vincent Stegron worked as an assistant to Dr. Curtis Connors and became obsessed with his Lizard formula. He then stole and drank the formula after combining it with Stegosaurus DNA. This turned him into a human-Stegosaurus hybrid.

Related: 10 Spider-Man Villains Who Should Get A Solo Movie

Stegron has super strength, speed, and skin durable enough to deflect bullets. It also has razor-sharp claws and a powerful pointed tail. What makes him particularly dangerous is his ability to mind control any dinosaur that comes near him. He even used it to lead a herd of attacking dinosaurs in New York. He also has the ability to drain a person’s life force just by touching them.

6 Jackal

Although the Jackal has yet to appear in the MCU, he remains a fearsome Spider-Man villain who has caused the hero great pain. He is an expert in biochemistry and was once Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy’s college professor. He fell in love with Gwen and was filled with grief after her death. He blames Spider-Man for his death and has sworn to kill him for it.

This villain deliberately introduced jackal DNA into his system and gained superhuman strength, speed, and agility. He is also a skilled gymnast and martial artist. What makes him particularly dangerous is his knowledge and ability to create super-powered clones to do whatever he wants. Since he’s cloned Spider-Man so many times, he knows him better than most people in his life.

5 Beetle

Abner Jenkins was an aircraft parts mechanic who was an expert in his field. Although he worked there for years, he was looked down upon and his flight suit designs were constantly rejected. He created his own costume and took the name The Beetle. He decided to use his costume to defeat superheroes in battle to gain instant fame.

The Beetle’s first suit allowed him to fly, increasing his strength, and protecting him from most physical attacks. Since then, he has created many different upgraded versions of his suit. Its most recent are equipped with machine guns and rocket launchers. The suit also alerts him if an enemy gets too close, making it difficult for Spider-Man or any other hero to catch him.

4 Lizard

The lizard was created by accident when Dr. Curt Connors took a serum that mutated him into a human-sized lizard. He did this because he hoped the lizard DNA would regenerate his missing arm. As a lizard, a new character takes over, one who wants to turn all humans into lizards like him.

The Lizard has superhuman strength, speed, and agility. Its scaly skin is much tougher than a human’s and can withstand many physical attacks. If the lizard injures itself or loses a limb, it has a lizard’s natural ability to regenerate its body. He also has sharp teeth, fangs and a powerful tail. The Lizard on his own is a huge threat to Spider-Man, but his added ability to control any reptile, including alligators, makes him an even bigger threat.

3 Rhinoceros

The Rhino is arguably the physically strongest villain in Spider-Man’s rogues gallery. He was once an ordinary thug but gained unfathomable power after agreeing to undertake chemical and radiological treatment, including gamma rays, to increase his strength. It was also tied to an almost indestructible rhino costume.

Related: 5 Spider-Man Villains Who Are Dangers To The World (& 5 Who Are Street-Level Threats)

Gamma rays alone made him stronger than most Marvel characters. He even stood up to the Hulk. His combination heat and acid resistant also gives him an extra layer of protection. He can even charge enemies at high speed, which becomes extremely deadly when paired with the horns on his head. Spider-Man has no chance of defeating him with physical strength, instead he must rely on creative tactics to bring him down.

2 Scorpio

Mac Gargan was once a private detective paid by J. Jonah Jameson to participate in an experiment combining his DNA with that of a scorpion. He was given all the abilities of a scorpion, along with exceptional strength, speed, and durability. He was also given a combat suit, equipped with powerful armor and a tail with a deadly metal spike.

What makes Scorpion so deadly to Spider-Man is that he was specifically created to beat him in battle. Scorpions are natural predators of spiders, and Gargan’s scorpion strength has proven to be stronger than Spider-Man’s. Scorpion even lost his mind during his transformation and acquired a violent temper. This makes it difficult for Spider-Man to reason with him. Scorpion has become so well-known that some people want to see him take on Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man.

1 Doctor Octopus

Otto Octavius ​​is a brilliant scientist who created his four metal arms to aid in his research. However, an unfortunate accident fused the arms to his body and gave him greater control over them. This new power increased his ego, he convinced himself that he was the smartest man on the planet, and his arms made him a superior being.

Doc Ock arguably got Spider-Man more trouble than all of his other villains. He nearly killed Spider-Man many times before with his extremely strong and durable arms and was the one who formed and led the Sinister Six. He was also smart enough to switch minds with Spider-Man and killed him while they were in each other’s bodies. This makes him one of the few villains who managed to get rid of the crawler (until he came back to life).

Next: 10 Best Villains In The Spider-Man Universe, According To Ranker

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‘Meraxes gigas’: a new species of giant dinosaur discovered in Argentina | science and technology https://phrynosoma.org/meraxes-gigas-a-new-species-of-giant-dinosaur-discovered-in-argentina-science-and-technology/ Sat, 09 Jul 2022 00:47:00 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/meraxes-gigas-a-new-species-of-giant-dinosaur-discovered-in-argentina-science-and-technology/ Argentinian, American and Canadian paleontologists have just announced a new species of giant carnivorous dinosaur – Meraxes gigas – first discovered in 2012 in Neuquén, a province in Argentina’s Patagonia region. The first comprehensive scientific study of this species has just been published in Current biologya journal that publishes original research in all areas of […]]]>

Argentinian, American and Canadian paleontologists have just announced a new species of giant carnivorous dinosaur – Meraxes gigas – first discovered in 2012 in Neuquén, a province in Argentina’s Patagonia region. The first comprehensive scientific study of this species has just been published in Current biologya journal that publishes original research in all areas of biology.

The species is a carcharondontosaurid theropod dinosaur, the largest predator of the Cretaceous period (90 to 100 million years ago). Like all theropods, they were bipeds with short arms and light bones. Members of this particular family of dinosaurs were the longest of theropods, measuring about 40 feet (12-13 meters) from snout to tail. One of its most distinctive features was its sharply serrated, curved teeth that resembled four-inch pruning saws (Carcharodontosaurus means shark-toothed lizard in Greek). Weighing more than four tons, “the great dinosaur eater”, as the National University of Río Negro press release dubbed it, was once one of the largest carnivorous lizards in South America.

Palaeontologist Juan Ignacio Canale, a researcher at the Argentine National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET) and the National University of Río Negro, is the main author of the Current biology article. In a Winter Patagonia video interview, Canale said it reminded her of a particular dragon. “I found this name because I like A song of ice and fire, the epic fantasy novel series that inspired the hit game of thrones TV series. “I love the names George RR Martin chose for his dragons, and this one [Meraxes] fit perfectly as both are very large reptiles with giant skulls. We also needed a new name to distinguish Meraxes of two other giant carcharodontosaurs found in Neuquén: Giganotosaurus carolinii – the “villain” of the last jurassic world movie – and Mapusaurus. It is the third of its kind, like the three dragons of A song of ice and fire“, said Canale.

Ten years of research funded by the municipality of El Chocón (the fossil-rich town of Neuquén), National geographic, and the Field Museum in Chicago (USA) preceded this dramatic announcement. Unearthing the dinosaur was quick by comparison. On the first day of fieldwork, they spotted an exposed spinal vertebra. “We started digging and more and more bones appeared. We were shocked,” Canale said. “We found a skull without a mandible, but with an intact maxilla and some teeth.” They were actually nascent teeth because unlike humans, dinosaurs and crocodiles produce several generations of teeth throughout their lives. The Neuquen Meraxes was 45 years old when it perished, making it one of the oldest carnivorous dinosaurs to have been discovered.

Almost all of the arm and leg bones were found intact, “which is very unusual because in general not much remains of the legs and arms of the largest carcharodontosaurs discovered from the mid to late Cretaceous,” said Channel. This allowed the research team to identify a new distinguishing feature of this species – a powerful claw on the inner toe that is much larger and sharper than the other two.

Meraxes giga had a skull 1.27 meters long and it is possible that it had ornaments in the snout area and around the eyes, like many other carcharodontosaurids.JORGE GONZALEZ

The hips are also distinctive. The spines on the dinosaur’s back project upward above the waist and resemble the hump on the Concavenator, discovered in 2015 in Cuenca (Spain). In another nod to the literary inspiration of the dinosaur’s name, the press release describes this part of the dinosaur as “Queen Rhaenys Targaryen’s saddle,” after the dragon ridden by the fictional queen.

The skull is another excellent specimen. As well as being huge, it is the most complete example found to date and features complex bones with protrusions, ridges and grooves. It has provided researchers with valuable information not only about Meraxes, but on all species of the family, including the famous gigantosaurus.

“It provided a lot of information about their anatomy,” Canale said. “We observed that the arms were very short, something we previously suspected, but can now say for sure since we have actual measurements.” The analysis concluded that, like other known groups of carnivores such as Tyrannosaurus and Abelisaurus, the arms shortened over time until they were only 40% the size of the femur. . Then they stopped shrinking and no one knows why. “The question is why did they reach this limit? Why didn’t the arms keep shrinking? The proportion of arms to femur is similar in all of these species,” Canale said. Like many scientific endeavours, some answers simply raise more questions.

The research team tested various hypotheses. “We observed that the pectoral girdle, where the arm, shoulder blade and other bones are inserted, is not small where the arm inserts. It is a very large and well-developed bone that encapsulates a much of the musculature that extends to the extremities. Since this musculature has to fit in somewhere, this may be the reason why the arms did not shrink further. All the musculature that came from the scapula had to be inserted somewhere. The usefulness of such short limbs is still controversial. Some believe that they were used for support during copulation, to tear prey or simply to avoid hitting the ground. But the size arms doesn’t seem so important when you have a huge skull. Meraxes gigas was just over four feet (1.27 meters) long. Other Carcharodontosaurus also had big heads, like the tyrannosaurus rex (4.6 feet or 1.40 meters) and the Giganotosaurus carolinii (5.3 feet or 1.63 meters). “What other carnivorous hunters did with their arms, these dinosaurs could do with their heads – grabbing and handling prey, pinning it down and killing it,” Canale said. Therefore, the arms would not have been very useful for eating, especially when trying to devour other giants like the argentinosaurus, one of the largest herbivores in the history of the planet. “It is certainly no coincidence that carnivores and large herbivores co-existed. There is probably a relationship with the food chain. It’s like an arms race: prey grows bigger as a defense mechanism, and their predators also grow bigger to be able to hunt them,” said the paleontologist.

Argentinian, American and Canadian scientists discovered the fossils in 2012.
Argentinian, American and Canadian scientists discovered the fossils in 2012.AKIKO SHINYA

By looking at other co-existing species, scientists can theorize about the evolutionary end of carcharodontosaurus family of dinosaurs. Specimens of two other species – Mapusaurus and Taurovenator – from the same geological period (93-96 million years ago) were discovered. “This leads us to postulate that before disappearing, they reached a maximum level of diversification. This is a group that diversified a lot just before its extinction. This is when they became extinct and were no longer the top land predators of their time in South America. Later, they will be succeeded by abelisaurids and megaraptors, but that’s another story.

The team of scientists includes Sebastián Apesteguía, Pablo Gallina, Alejandro Haluza and Federico Gianechini from Argentina; Jonathan Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Akiko Shinya and Peter Macovicky from the United States; and Thomas Cullen from Canada. The team plans to continue their research using more sophisticated techniques such as CT scans and detailed reconstructions, as they seek more answers about the bones, muscles and general anatomy of the “Ice and Fire” dragon.

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Dalton Animal Care opens fully renovated clinic | Local News https://phrynosoma.org/dalton-animal-care-opens-fully-renovated-clinic-local-news/ Sat, 30 Apr 2022 21:00:00 +0000 https://phrynosoma.org/dalton-animal-care-opens-fully-renovated-clinic-local-news/ Dalton Animal Care is where many Dalton residents have chosen to take their pets for health care for 45 years. Recently, the Dalton Animal Care team unveiled major changes to the facility at 1022 S. Hamilton St. “We gutted the building, leaving only the perimeter wall, the brick wall,” said Dr Christopher Stearns. “We started […]]]>

Dalton Animal Care is where many Dalton residents have chosen to take their pets for health care for 45 years. Recently, the Dalton Animal Care team unveiled major changes to the facility at 1022 S. Hamilton St.

“We gutted the building, leaving only the perimeter wall, the brick wall,” said Dr Christopher Stearns. “We started from scratch, removing everything inside and building a new interior. We only had four exam rooms before. Now we have seven. We completely changed the floor plan to make it more modern.”

He gestured towards the hall.

“We opened it up,” he said. “There is a lot of light here.”

Stearns and his partner, Dr. Jules Crawford, recently partnered with Mission Veterinary Partners, a veterinary group based in Southfield, Michigan.

“Together we all work in this new building,” he said. “I’m still active and still practicing, practicing two days a week and looking forward to practicing for many more years.”

Dalton Animal Care offers a wide range of pet health care services.

“We do the basic things that a vet clinic does, like vaccinations and checkups,” he said. “But we also have advanced things. We offer cold laser therapy for rehabilitation.”

Cold laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation therapy, reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation caused by injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions such as arthritis. Sessions typically last three to seven minutes.

On a recent visit, a pup named Maverick was receiving cold laser therapy after being neutered. Maverick seemed to find the process very calming. He entered the room squirming and trying to play with the therapists, but as soon as the laser started he calmed down.

Therapist Hannah DeFoor said she has yet to restrain any animals to administer the laser therapy.

“We’ve done it on cats and different breeds of dogs, and they’ve been fine,” she said.

Laser therapy is just one type of advanced treatment offered at Dalton Animal Care.

“We do dental surgeries here,” Stearns said. “We also have a physical therapist. We do lab work here. not just any big animal job Mobile vets treat chickens and cows and things like that.

The clinic also has walk-in tubs for bathing pets.

“You don’t have to pick it up,” Stearns said. “He comes in and you close him.”

The treatment room has three anesthesia machines and hydraulic surgical tables that move up and down.

“It’s brand new equipment that we brought in,” he said.

Dalton Animal Care is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We have a vet here every day, usually more than one,” Stearns said. “We have five vets on our team.”

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