Collection: Weird but Enchanting

WEIRD BUT ENCHANTING

Some animals look unusual among their relatives for their features. However, these weird features are actually evolutionary adaptations which help these animals to survive in their environment, either to predators, climate change or lifestyle. 

Weird but Enchanting, acrylic on canvas, 2020. Set of 9, each piece 8" X 8" 

Axolotl

Youthful Trio, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a species of salamander which is also called the "walking fish". This amphibian reaches maturity without changing any part of its body, including its gills, and also has the ability to grow back lost body parts. Axolotls come in a variety of colors; the normal coloration is actually brown with gold speckles (on the lower right of the painting). The popular light pink coloration (shown at the top center) is actually caused by a mutation.

Colugo

Malayan Colugo, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The Malayan colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) belongs to a unique family of gliding mammals which are distinct from other gliding mammals such as flying squirrels (which are rodents) and sugar gliders (which are marsupials). This colugo lives on the trees in the forests of Southeast Asia and has a gliding membrane (also known as a patagium) which connects from the neck and extends along the limbs to the tips of the fingers and toes, which it uses to glide across the tree tops. It is a herbivore that feeds mainly on leaves.

Mata-Mata

Mata-Mata, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The mata-mata (Chelus fimbriata) is a freshwater turtle which lives in the wetlands of northern South America. It had a flat, triangular head and a long, tubular snout. It feeds by sucking in its prey using its mouth which can open very wide. Its shell makes the turtle look like a piece of wood which enables it to blend into its surroundings while hunting or escaping from predators. Pictured with the turtle on the lower right in this painting is the southern zigzag salamander (Plethodon ventralis), a species of lungless salamander from North America.

Naked Mole-Rat

Naked Molerats, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a species of rodent from eastern Africa. It lives underground in social colonies which are led by a queen, similar to ants and bees. To allow itself to survive in the hot and dry environment of its native range, the naked mole-rat is cold-blooded, has a very low metabolic rate and is resistant to cancer. It is also one of the longest-living rodents, with a lifespan of up to 30 years.

Star-Nosed Mole

Mole Among Mushrooms, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) is easily recognizable for its unique, star-shaped nose, which is extremely sensitive and has more than 25,000 tiny sensory receptors. The mole uses its nose to feel its way around its environment, as it has a poor sense of sight. However, this also enables the mole to look for prey even in complete darkness as it burrows underground. The other small mammal in the painting is a Russian desman (Desmana moschata), a semi-aquatic close cousin of the mole which had a long nose that functions as a snorkel while swimming. The brightly-colored mushrooms surrounding these mammals in the painting are called toadstools.

Proboscis Monkey

Primates of Borneo, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) lives in the mangrove forests of the island of Borneo. One of the largest monkey species in Asia, proboscis monkeys can be identified from their oversized noses which is believed to function as an amplifier when calling during mating season. It is a herbivore which eats fruit and leaves, and their large stomachs are chambered. It lives alongside the Bornean orangutan (also in painting).

Mudskipper

Mudskippers, acrylic on canvas, 2020

Mudskippers are a family of fish that have a special ability to survive both in and out of water. There are 32 species of mudskipper, and two are depicted in the painting: the blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris) and the giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri, climbing the mangrove root). Mudskippers are able to survive outside water because they breathe through their skin and have enlarged gill chambers to contain air. 

Pangolin

Pangolin, acrylic on canvas, 2020

Pangolins are a group of mammals with scales which are made of keratin, the same material which makes up mammalian hair and fingernails. They are also known as scaly anteaters because of their diet, which consists of ants and termites, as well as their feeding habit that employs a long tongue. Pangolins defend themselves from predators by curling up tight and using their hard scales as extra defense. Their range spans from Africa to India and Southeast Asia.

Platypus

Platypus Pair, acrylic on canvas, 2020

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is one very unique mammal from Australia which combines several weird features which no other mammal has. It resembles a cross between an otter with a beaver's tail and a duck's head. The platypus belongs to a group of primitive mammals which reproduces by laying eggs instead of bearing live birth as in other mammals. Another weird feature is male platypuses possess a pair of poisonous spurs on their hind legs which are only used during courtship.