Delintu Animated

This started as a simple entry for 's Create a Creature Contest [link] and turned into a whole new thing.. and I have no complaints. c:

Quick Facts-
-Species Name: Delintu
-Habitat: Coniferous forest (near water)
-Diet: Various species of fish and other aquatic creatures.
-Height: 6-12 feet tall
-Lifespan: Up to 150 years
-Young: 1 or 2 eggs yearly
-Gender and age specific names: Names are the same as those given to deer. (Buck, Doe, Fawn)

Detailed species information-

<sup>The Delintu is an unusual species found living in coniferous forests near the shores of lakes and rivers where fishing is plentiful. A full grown Delintu is about 6 feet tall, 12 feet tall with it's neck extended upwards. The head is unlike many creatures in that the skull contains 3 eyes that are all centered into a middle row. Pupils in the eyes appear cat-like in nature, but are stretched from one side to the other. Known eye colours have been metallic shades of violet, blue and green. The Delintu is found to have average eyesight on land and decent eyesight under water. The Delintu's large fox-like external ears suggest a strong reliance on sensitive hearing. Studies show the Delintu to be cathemeral.

Living in a frequently shadowed environment has allowed the Delintu's skin pigments develop particularly into cool shades such as blues, greens and purples. The patterning on Delintus is found only on their leathery skin in either mottled or paint patterns. Feathers that grow in on the neck and tail use the same colour pigment as the the skin splotches. The bottom half of a Delintu's leg is commonly a greyed down colour. The webbed bird feet are the same colour as the lower leg. Each foot has three large toes facing forward and a fourth small unused toe above ground level to the rear of the foot

Delintu are intelligent creatures capable of communication among their own species in a primitive language. Most live solitary lives until a suitable mate is found. Once mated, the pair is inseparable even in death. Delintu only ever take one mate in their lifetime. Young are laid in eggs on ground nests either one or two at a time and remain with their parents for 5 years after hatching before being sent away. These creatures only reach sexual maturity at the age of ten years and may only find the right mate by the age of 15. The horns that grow on a Delintu's head are usually larger in males and serve a purpose in both mate attraction and grooming. A Delintu's mouth is well designed for aquatic food. The solid beak allows for easy shell and bone crunching and the prehensile tongue helps grab at various foods. The nostril slits near the eyes are capable of sealing themselves to keep water out.

The Delintu species defensive system is an interesting one. If feeling threatened or frightened, the Delintu often poof up their body feathers in order to appear more intimidating while giving off a slight hiss. In a case where the threat refuses to back down, the Delintu shoots it's head forward, opens it's beak wide and let's loose a screech that can cause deafness or a concussion at mid range and death at close range for most animals. Delintu are capable runners and have deadly reflexes that have perfected over time in catching water prey. Their smallest form of defence does little more than aid the great beasts in remaining clean and healthy. Deep withing the feathers on a Delintu are small green beetles known only as Feather Friends that share a symbiotic relationship with the Delintu. These insects eat the grime and bacteria off of the feathers and leave behind a beneficial oil that makes makes the feathers water resistant.

Delintu are fascinating species believed to be evolved from reptiles and have a wide variety of colour and pattern possibilities as mentioned above. It is rare for a Delintu to form a bond with a Hominid. This is likely only to occur with a Delintu whose mate has passed away.</sup>

( Sorry for all of that text.. xD )

Delintu are (c) to me
and are an open species for character creation.

Animated using Gimp - 34 frames
Wip here: [link]