Chilopoda Dolichopterus

Over at The Wargames Website they are running a "make your own alien fauna" competition for all the sponsoring members.

 Thinking to myself, I can do that me! I decided to have a go. 

Here's my entry for the competition, sculpted in a 50/50 mix off greenstuff/milliput over a wire and beads armature.

I present you with the Chilopoda Dolichopterus

A species of mega fauna native to the basalt cliffs in the jungles of the planet of Kessel D-93.

It's many legs end in feet that look like a cross between that of a camel and the suckers of an octopus allowing it to easily scale even the sheerest cliff faces where it grazes on the algea which grow there. The downward facing mouth of the creature is optimised for scraping off not only the algea but also the topmost layer of rock which is crushed and digested in its seven stomachs.

Although they are strictly herbivorous these creatures can be dangerous as they are very territorial and care must be taken when aproaching them. While it's mouth is too over specialised be used to attack its many legs are equipped with razor sharp bone tips at the joints which can easily rip the flesh of an attacking preadator or trespasser.

The carapace of these magnificent animals is highly prised by the local tribes of Avians who also call the cliffs their homes and who use it to craft both armor and jewelry. There are rumors of  tribes that have succesfully domesticated them and even use them as warmounts but these have not yet been substantiated.

Like so many of the mega fauna on Kessel D-93 the Chilopoda Dolichopterus continues to grow for it's entire life. What makes this species unique is that, unlike all the other specimens observed so far, it not only grows bigger but also longer, growing an extra segment and a pair of leggs about every two Kesselian years( about four and a half earth years). As the young are born with four legs one can thus easily determine a specimens age by simply counting the extra pairs of legs.

And now some pictures supplied to us by that indomitable explorer and big game hunter sir Timothy.

We would like to remind our gentle readers that sir Timothy is a trained professional and we pray, that should you ever be so lucky as to take your own safari to Kessel D-93, you do not attempt to copy this feat of daring do.

As usual, should you have any more questions about these wonderous creatures, feel free to write us in the comments.

Yours truly,

Stroezie.