>[!meta-dates] >- **Created:** 2025-07-27 >- **Last updated:** 2025-08-01 >- **Author:** TJ Trewin > [!info] > **This exploration is part of my fantasy worldbuilding development! Check out my latest progress on the project here:** > **[[Overview - start here]]** > > Or get your sneak peeks before anyone else by supporting me on Ko-fi: > https://ko-fi.com/tjtrewin/tiers 🥰 This note is a continuation from my [[Thoughts on sapient species|thoughts-on-sapient-species]]. WIP thoughts, I might tidy this up later! - - - Preferable features: - >=2 tool-using limbs - >=2 limbs for movement ## Real world inspirations ### Upright posture Most of these only stand on hind legs occasionally, to reach, seem threatening, or to fight. - [Chalicotheres](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalicotheriidae), big horse-sized herbivores that used clawed forelimbs for knuckle-walking. - [Giant ground sloth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megatherium) - [Kangaroo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo) - [Pangolin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangolin) - [Bear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear) ### Prehensile features Not sure if I'll reference any of these, but fun to explore anyway: - [Silky anteater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silky_anteater) tail - [Binturong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong) tail - [Tree pangolin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_pangolin) tail - [New World porcupine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_World_porcupine) tail - [Opossum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opossum) tail - [Alligator lizard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abronia_(lizard)) - [Giraffe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giraffe), [okapi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi) tongue - [Elephant](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant) trunk - [Tapir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapir) nose/trunk - [Kelletia kelletii](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelletia_kelletii) proboscis ### Front limbs - [Tree shrew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupaiidae) - [Squirrel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squirrel) - [Rat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattus) - [Gecko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko) - [Tree frog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylidae) - [Chameleon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson%27s_chameleon) - [Parrot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrot#/media/File:Ara_chloropterus_-Bioparc_Zoo_de_Doue_la_Fontaine-8a.jpg), [woodpecker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodpecker), [roadrunners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadrunner) - [Megalancosaurus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalancosaurus) ### Hind limbs - [Mountain goat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_goat) - [Tapir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapir) vs front [comparison](https://tapirgallery.blogspot.com/2010/03/bones-of-lowland-tapirs-foot.html) ## Mythological and fictional inspirations - Owlbears - Werewolves - [Goron](https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Goron) (Zelda) - The art of [Luismi Olmedo](https://www.artstation.com/luismiolmedo/albums/7344986) - [Vortiguant](https://half-life.fandom.com/wiki/Vortigaunt) Half-Life