Armadark Species Ref

First of all HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!

Second of all--DOWNLOAD FOR FULL VIEW <3

Aaaaaand... here’s a few random facts about this species:

Random Fact #1--If you focus on only their heads, they’re really cute <3
Random Fact #2--My Daddy came up with the name, and it’s Father’s Day, so I kept it (even though I don’t think I added any Aardvark?)
Random Fact #3--Drew this during a break from writing Thank You Notes for the folks who sent me money for graduation
Random Fact #4--I LOVE MIXING RANDOM CREATURES (this one’s a Mole/Armadillo/Dragon/Rat creature <3 lol)
Random Fact #5--I was originally going to call these guys “Armadiggers.” Which do you like better? Armadarks or Armadiggers? lol

Now onto the real facts...

Species Name: Armadark (plural--Armadarks)
Latin Name: Scalopus Xenarthra
Lifespan: 150--200 years (for females, childbearing years are from age 30 to age 100)
Size: Males--7’ to 9‘ Females--6’
Weight: Males--450 to 500 lbs Females--300 to 350 lbs.
Common Colors: Mostly browns and grays, though they can come in any natural color and any natural pattern. All have pink skin, which is easily burned by the sun. Eyes can be any color, but never have a pupil.
Physical Characteristics: Large, bat-like ears that hear extremely well; large, blind eyes; sensitive whiskers that help them feel their surroundings; flexible but strong armor plating on back, face, neck, tail, and fronts of legs; giant, mole-like front paws with three blunt-clawed toes and a dewclaw on the inside of each (front) leg; long fur on throat and belly; slender back legs and small, four-toed paws; skinny tail
General Personality: Though it is different for each Armadark, most are shy of any creature other than other Armadarks. They will leave you alone so long as you don’t threaten them or their young. When angered, they are a force to be reckoned with, as they are larger than most things and very muscular, with powerful forelegs. Quiet and efficient, at one with the earth around them. Friendly with others of their kind. Gentle with young and elders. Respectful of each other. (can’t think of any more XD)
Habitat: Underground, caves, generally anywhere they can burrow and stay out of the sunlight--it hurts their sensitive skin and eyes.
Eyesight: None--they’re blind
Sense of Smell: Very good--able to smell a worm or grub (their prey) from about a mile away
Hearing: Extremely good--can hear vibrations, sound waves, and different pitches and frequencies from several miles away
Weapons/Abilities: Small but sharp teeth, powerful, muscular forelegs with blunt but deadly claws, sharp back claws, powerful tail. Can roll into a ball to defend itself, and use a spinning attack (kinda like Donphan off of Pokemon XD lol) where it rolls into its defensive ball and rolls forward at a very fast speed, taking out anything in its way. Is a very good burrower and digger.
Family Ties: Armadarks form family groups made up of elders, adults, and young. They are generally all connected by blood, though there are a few instances of loners banding together to form a “family” group. Food is brought by the adults to those who can’t catch their own (such as the elders and the young). The young are taught by the elders, and the elders are cared for by the young in return. If one of the females in the family group finds a mate in a different group, she generally goes to join his group, though in rare occasions (like if the female’s group is lacking a leader) the male joins the female’s group. Once they have found a mate, they generally stay with that family group until they die. Sometimes, family groups will carve out their own burrows and stake territory for themselves. Other times, they will continuously travel around, making homes where they can and always searching for food. Armadarks mate for life, and can have up to 35 litters in their lifespan (one litter every two years) and can have up to 7 baby Armadarks in each litter. Not all make it to adulthood.
Natural Predators: Dragons will kill and eat them if they come above ground. Otherwise, they have no real predators.
Prey: They mostly eat bugs--grubs and worms, with the occasional cricket and grasshopper. They will eat berries and roots to fill out their diet, and sometimes fish. Only rarely do they eat meat.

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WHEW! That took a lot of effort... and I still don’t think I’m done. I will continue to add stuff as I come up with it XD lol

Did the main pic traditionally with my Prismacolor markers <3 the rest I did in Photoshop Elements 8.0 <3

I’m actually doing this for *AlieTheKitsune’s contest [link] but if it doesn’t win, I’m making this my species XD even if it does win, I’m still making one for myself <3 I already have a plan in my mind for her (yes, it will be a her) so it oughta be fun to draw her <3 you’ll probly see a pic of her soon.

It was kinda funny... my parents kept up a running commentary as I was doing this... my dad is into sci-fi fantasy stuff, so this was right up his alley <3 and my mom just likes to look at anything I draw, lol XD she was like, “Huh... it’s kinda cute. In a weird way.” And when I said I couldn’t decide what to name it (at that point, I had Armadiggers, Armamoles, and Moledillos down as possible names), my dad was all, “Name them Armadarks.” And even though i don’t remember putting anything about an Aardvark in there, I liked how the names sounded, and it’s FATHER’S DAY, so I kept the name <3 my Daddy’s so weird.

Time it took: About 2 hours, give or take a bit <3

If you read all of this, you get a cookie

Species (c) to
Art by me <3