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Description
Species Aegis-157, commonly referred to as the 'Aegis moose', is a mid-sized quadruped (averaging 4.3 metres at the peak of the cranium, and approximately 3000 kg in mass) so named for its vague resemblance to the long-extinct terrestrial mammal. A browser by nature, it adapted to feed on the smaller flora that find purchase in the massive Skyscraper Forests. A single pair of tentacles emerge from its thorax, each tipped with a rugose pad, pull foliage to the mouthparts, where they may be held in place a set of pedipalps (again in a singular pair). The most striking feature of species 157 is the robust pair of respiratory vents, which have developed into twin-pronged masses of bone and cartilage, each almost a metre in length; these are used by the males to both establish territory and fight for dominance during mating periods. The 'horns' remain parallel with the ground as the animal lowers its thorax, and in this position a male will interlock the appendages with a rival and attempt to force them into submission. When in combat, the lateral sets of eyes will retract, protecting them from lashes by a rival's tentacles, while a small rostral pair remain open. Such bouts last only minutes, and end when a male is too exhausted or cowed to continue. More violent clashes have resulted in males received significant compromises to their carapace, damaged shoulder girdles, and even trampling.

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This is a speculative alien herbivore belonging to a fictional world I call Aegis-113d. Inspired by the works of Wayne Barlowe and C.M. Kosemen, I've wanted to do something like this for a long time, and last night I decided to just go through with it. I'll hopefully be able to display the specifics of the creature's anatomy in a later image.

I should note that this was, obviously, NOT made with Muro. I cleaned up the background there, but that's about it.

Description
Species Aegis-157, commonly referred to as the 'Aegis moose', is a mid-sized quadruped (averaging 4.3 metres at the peak of the cranium, and approximately 3000 kg in mass) so named for its vague resemblance to the long-extinct terrestrial mammal. A browser by nature, it adapted to feed on the smaller flora that find purchase in the massive Skyscraper Forests. A single pair of tentacles emerge from its thorax, each tipped with a rugose pad, pull foliage to the mouthparts, where they may be held in place a set of pedipalps (again in a singular pair). The most striking feature of species 157 is the robust pair of respiratory vents, which have developed into twin-pronged masses of bone and cartilage, each almost a metre in length; these are used by the males to both establish territory and fight for dominance during mating periods. The 'horns' remain parallel with the ground as the animal lowers its thorax, and in this position a male will interlock the appendages with a rival and attempt to force them into submission. When in combat, the lateral sets of eyes will retract, protecting them from lashes by a rival's tentacles, while a small rostral pair remain open. Such bouts last only minutes, and end when a male is too exhausted or cowed to continue. More violent clashes have resulted in males received significant compromises to their carapace, damaged shoulder girdles, and even trampling.

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This is a speculative alien herbivore belonging to a fictional world I call Aegis-113d. Inspired by the works of Wayne Barlowe and C.M. Kosemen, I've wanted to do something like this for a long time, and last night I decided to just go through with it. I'll hopefully be able to display the specifics of the creature's anatomy in a later image.

I should note that this was, obviously, NOT made with Muro. I cleaned up the background there, but that's about it.