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Showing results for tags 'pleistocene'.
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INTRODUCTION Prehistoric canines have been a favorite topic of mine for years now, and I’ve always hoped for any of the different species to be added to ARK as a competitor against the direwolf. Their history is incredible and their different structures and anatomy are even more impressive; with the Xenocyon lycanoides having caught my eye the most as it looks like some sort of mix between a borophagus, a gray wolf, and an African wild dog. There are loads of opportunities with this creature, and I hope to explore all of them in-depth in this creature submission. NATURAL HISTORY Xenocyon lycanoides was a hypercarnivore that lived in Africa and Eurasia throughout the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene. It’s the ancestor of the modern dhole and the African wild dog, though Xenocyon itself was much larger than its descendants. It was once even a competitor against the direwolf, with larger size, bulkier strength, and being even more hypercarnivorous— though its small numbers couldn’t win over Pleistocene North America, and the North American population dwindled and eventually died out. DOSSIER WILD “A dangerous pack hunter, Xenocyon lycanoides is known to use its sharp teeth to inflict intense bleeding in its prey. With high stamina and long legs, this canine can run and run for miles. Its howl alone is enough to terrify smaller critters, and their packs have incredible familial loyalty.” DOMESTICATED ”The adults are far too aggressive to tame, so in order to get your own Xenocyon, you must passively care for the pups. However, once tamed and raised to adulthood, your canine companion will assist you in caves, hunting, and even taming other creatures with its unique abilities.” UTILITY The Xenocyon is an efficient and incredibly useful utility mount through and through. Its abilities consist of: - BONE-BREAKER: Right-click attack causes a bleed/bone breaking effect, which slows down the opponent and causes them to lose health over time. This effect stacks. - PACK BONUS: In groups of 3 or more, the Xenocyon gains a damage and defense buff. It is also able to locate other tamed Xenocyon in its pack by pressing X and highlighting their outlines with a resounding cackle. - FEAR HOWL: By pressing C, the Xenocyon can let loose an intimidating howl that scares away most smaller creatures, such as raptors, pegomastax, icthyornis, and even humans. - “SADDLEBAG”: Though it can be ridden, the Xenocyon does not have a saddle; instead, it has a “saddlebag,” a pack that acts similarly to a preserving bin while reducing resource weight and still providing armor. - INSULATION: The Xenocyon provides a small insulation buff to protect its rider against the elements. This works particularly well in heat, while not particularly functioning as well in colder environments. - SNEAK: “Sneak mode” can be toggled by pressing R, allowing both the Xenocyon and its rider to gain increased stealth. The stealth equivalent is of ghillie, and can prove to be useful for taming skittish creatures or skirting around dangerous animals without risk of being noticed. - LAY DOWN: Tamed Xenocyon can be toggled to lay down, which allows their health gain to be slightly boosted. However, while laying down, it cannot be toggled to attack and is vulnerable to getting killed by aggressive creatures and players with no means to defend itself. - STAMINA: Long legs and an affinity for long-winded hunts gives this creature immense stamina, allowing it to pursue prey for miles. - TRACKER: With left control, the Xenocyon can sniff and lead you in the direction of whatever animal you’re searching for. However, this ability can be risky to use, as the Xenocyon will get excited and run towards the smell whether it has a rider or not, although it stops outside the selected creature’s aggro range. Using this with the Sneak ability provides an excellent method for finding and taming creatures. - RIVALRY: When around direwolves, the Xenocyon gains the rivalry buff, granting it extra damage and defense. SPAWN LOCATIONS AND TAMING The Xenocyon is known to spawn in warmer, more open climates, such as vast plains, deserts, and oases. They spawn in packs of 3 - 5, with pups tagging along with them. In order to tame a Xenocyon, you must imprint on one of the pups, but be warned: adult Xenocyon are very protective of their young and won’t hesitate to eliminate any other threats. EXTRA NOTES - Its eyes glow similarly to a Troodon in the dark, as they’re highly reflective. - It has three idle animations: a basic one where it stands and breathes like any other creature, a slightly more complex one that consists of it pawing at its face, and one that can only be toggled by being near other tamed Xenocyon. This animation is where the tamed Xenocyon checks up on its packmembers, sniffing them to ensure that they’re okay. - It growls when around a direwolf (whether tamed or wild), and will only stop when away from the wolf. SOURCES/REFERENCES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenocyon https://prehistoric-fauna.com/Xenocyon-lycaonoides BONUS CONTENT Speedpaint: *Art made by me (ikrannn on YouTube & DA) in Procreate. (By the way, if this seems familiar to anyone, it's because I originally submitted Xenocyon back in January for a different creature vote! I'm bringing him back for this one so that he can get another chance :D)
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Tetrameryx is an extinct genus of the North American artiodactyl family Antilocapridae, known from Mexico, the western United States, and Saskatchewan. The name means "four [horned] ruminant", referring to the division of each horn near its base into two prongs; in T. shuleri, the rear prong is much longer.Our ancestors hunted these animals very often and were great for their meat, hides, and horns. Some benefits to this animal are a super fast mount for early to mid game for getting across the deserts fast or getting up steep cliffs to escape the threats hidden in the sands. Another good thing this animal could be used for is it's horns. They could allow the player a substitute for the cantine or water skin. They could also be hollowed out to make war horns.As this animal is a relative of animals such as antelope and pronghorns, Tetrameryx would be able to turn on a dime and allow it to escape anything chasing it. Being able to out run gigas, carnos, and raptors, this beast would make for an excellent mount for across Scorched Earth, Lost Island, and even Fjordur. Tetrameryx are more often than not found in herds of up to six individuals with a large male looking over the rest. This is the beast you want as he is more likely to have higher stats than the rest. His horns would be fully formed and hardened to make even the boldest of carnivores think twice about messing with his herd. Attacks:Kick (Torpor inducing)Gore (Using horns as well as a charge to gore enemies)bite (Ungulates tend to bite a lot)Passive Abilities:Fast runner that can sprint for a good whileCliff climberHarvests fiber because why notHarvest Food:FiberSweet Vegetable CakeHoneyBerriesLongrassPossible Drops:HideTetrameryx HornSpotted Hide (Cosmetic for leather armor)Taming Method:Knockout tame (Less effective)-Just knocking it out with Tranq arrowsBreaking (Most effective)-Get on it's back and stay on to win the mount
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From the album: Dossiers
Common Name: Direwolf Species: Canis Maxdirus Time: Pleistocene Diet: Carnivore Temperament: Aggressive Wild: The best adjective to describe Canis Maxdirus is "scary". This pack-hunter is a cunning and brutal predator, capable of taking down prey of nearly any size. In addition to being a vicious hunter, it is the size of a small horse, meaning even the largest predators aren't necessarily safe from the packs. The species has an incredible affinity for teamwork. Unlike most creatures on the island, Canis is a dedicated pack hunter, and rarely hunts alone. In fact, Canis is naturally as effective with its packmates as most creatures are when their mate is in danger—when in a pack, they are naturally spurred to fight for their lives. Furthermore, when in a pack, the most experienced Canis will be designated "Alpha" and gain an even stronger enhancement. Domesticated: Obviously, Canis is an amazing battle mount. It is fairly fast, very strong, and agile. It can jump almost as well as the Island's battle cats. Riding a supercharged "Alpha" Canis into battle at the head of a bloodthirsty pack is a thrill for which most warriors would gladly proclaim: "Today is a good day to die!" -
From the album: Dossiers
Common Name: Gigantopithecus Species: Gigantopithecus fibrarator Time: Pleistocene Diet: Herbivore Temperament: Territorial Wild: Gigantopithecus fibrarator is a strange creature. It is usually quite passive, but it has a very short temper when it comes to its personal space. Once another creature gets close, this gentle giant quickly becomes a rampaging beast. Best to give them a wide berth. Gigantopithecus seems most happy to lazily lay about, picking berries from plants. Many Gigantopithecus spend much of their day in one small area unless they are provoked. Domesticated: In addition to being at home picking berries a tamed Gigantopithecus can be taught to harvest the fibers found on many island plants as well. It appears to be entirely content to pick at plants all day, eat the berries, and hold the fibers for its tribe. Playful once tamed, Gigantopithecus seems to enjoy throwing its shoulder-mounted rider into the air. It probably feels this is a game, but clever brigands can use this "game" to vault over walls and small cliffs.-
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