Custom jasman carnotaurus

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

I like it... although the tummy isn't finished.

[tomhet]

The figure is actually good

Good job

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

Dec 13, 2008 3:32:26 GMT @tomhet said:

The figure is actually good

It is! the original yellow shiny plastic was rather bad though.

[Tyrannax]

That figures looks awesome.

Love the paint job too.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

I need to invest in a better camera...

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Yeah, I like it too. You said the tummy isn't finished yet. I'd maybe make it a lighter color. What do ya think?

[tetonbabydoll]

I do most of my bellies lighter, but that is just a personal choice. There is no real reason to believe it was so, really. I think he should just do what feels right for him. He'll find he has certain preferences and will learn to recognize them in time.

Looks good.

[crazycrowman]

Nice looking figure. I like the paint job, and as I have seen it with "normal paint" and yours is a 1,000 times improved!

"There is no real reason to believe it was so, really."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countershading
Most modern animals display counter shading, (Thayer’s Law and all) so its likely that the prehistoric species did as well. Granted there are some "normal environment" animals that don't display this completely - like the European (not so) Common Hamster is a good example with its all black underparts.



The Bobolink is reverse countershaded as well, and he utilizes his striking reverse pattern as a display.

(*deep sea fish and other things who do not need camo based on light/shadow are also often not counter shaded - some animals like the upside down catfish are reverse counter shaded like the hamster and songbird above*)

[tetonbabydoll]

Well, how about large land mammals such as elephants, rhinos and hippos?

I would have to check, but what about komodo dragons? I know gaters and crocs have counter shading.

I prefer it myself. That is obvious from my customs.

[crazycrowman]

"Well, how about large land mammals such as elephants, rhinos and hippos?"

Generally countershaded yes. I would say though if a species was going to show something other then counter shading, for display purposes, it would be the mega animals would could get away with it. In part because size was a defense over color/pattern/camo. A large predator I would expect to be counter shaded because most rely on stealth.

"I prefer it myself. That is obvious from my customs."

Same here. Every now and then I don't follow it, in part because of the species today who have enhanced display patters instead of counter shading.

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Hmmm, very interesting find, crazycrowman!

My main reason for thinking that hairless and featherless animals would have a lighter underside would be the tanning from sun exposure more on top and less underneath. In other words, more pigment from light and less pigment from shade.

[tetonbabydoll]

I do find myself thinking more croc and gatoe for theapods especially, as opposed to birds. It is really sweet on the invicta t-rex, which has TONS of scaly texture. ( As, hopefully. you will see when I post pics tomorrow )

I am not sure if scales follow that sort of tanning theory Meso, Does a croc's coloration deepen with exposure to sun? Now, albino animals would seem to be lacking in pigment, do they sunburn?
Really, do they?

I would never presume to argue animals with you CrazyCrowMan. ;D

[crazycrowman]

Dec 13, 2008 7:50:48 GMT @tetonbabydoll said:

I do find myself thinking more croc and gatoe for theapods especially, as opposed to birds. It is really sweet on the invicta t-rex, which has TONS of scaly texture. ( As, hopefully. you will see when I post pics tomorrow )

I am not sure if scales follow that sort of tanning theory Meso, Does a croc's coloration deepen with exposure to sun? Now, albino animals would seem to be lacking in pigment, do they sunburn?
Really, do they?

I would never presume to argue animals with you CrazyCrowMan. ;D

Looking forward to those pictures Crocodilians in general are one of those animals that as they age they tend to fade on pattern. (many reptiles do this) They also often get obscured by algae and things growing on their hides. Here is a very cool page on crocodilians, via Adam Britton, a man who really loves these animals and has devoted his life to their study. It has a species list, so maybe there are some patterns/colors that could inspire you :)http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/brittoncrocs/csl.html

Counter shading has some to do with protecting the animal from sun exposure as well as camo, but not as much as the camo reasons. There are many uniformly colored creatures out there who do not have counter shaded bodies and do not suffer from sun exposure. Generally animals like us with exposed "fragile" skin get tanned, - aka produce melanin - the body's way of protecting skin from burning. We also get counter shaded by this process.

Some crocodilians (and other reptiles) do get "darker" from exposure to the sun, but they don't generally "stay" darker. Some crocs, like Spectacled Caimans can change shades, from light to dark depending on anxiety levels, and temperatures. Our male goes from pitch black to a grey blue in color, and then when nice and warm he fades to a light brown with black stripes. The female does not seem to change color as much as he does, and our alligator does not change color at all.

In reptiles capable of color change, cold reptiles are generally darker then warm ones, so that they absorb heat faster. A black caiman absorbs heat better then a light brown one. That is also thought to be why snakes further north (ratsnakes are a good example) are black, with white bellies, while those same animals in the south have evolved to be lighter in color - like the Yellow and Grey ratsnakes.

Albino animals do indeed suffer sun related problems because they lack melanin. I know that albino mammals have all kinds of problems with sunburns. Interestingly I have been told that albino iguanas do not seem to get sunburn, but do seem to end up with vision based problems from sun exposure due likely to their more fragile eyes.

I have heard that albino crocodilians get sun burn and have problems with the sun, and must be kept indoors, away from the suns rays. I was told by one keeper that if the albino alligators/tortoises are left out in the sun they will bask thinking its perfectly normal, not realize its harming them and then get severe blisters from the sun, and can die from related complications/infections.

I do not know if there are any studies to back albino reptiles having problems with the sun and UVB rays though. It seems a cruel twist that animals like crocodilians and chelonians who rely so much on sun to stay healthy would not be able to bask in it.

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Wow! I bow to the master!! That was great! I am learning so much on this forum and in such a short time. Thanks!

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

Dec 13, 2008 7:50:48 GMT @tetonbabydoll said:

I do find myself thinking more croc and gatoe for theapods especially, as opposed to birds. It is really sweet on the invicta t-rex, which has TONS of scaly texture. ( As, hopefully. you will see when I post pics tomorrow )

I am not sure if scales follow that sort of tanning theory Meso, Does a croc's coloration deepen with exposure to sun? Now, albino animals would seem to be lacking in pigment, do they sunburn?
Really, do they?

I would never presume to argue animals with you CrazyCrowMan. ;D

well, scallopped hammerheads are "scaled" (they are actually more like teeth than scales though) and they do get darker when they are exposed to sun.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

And I'm glad you guys like it. I was going to make the tummy a light brown. Almost a tan.