Biospace

The Cranoceros is a large quadrupedal species inhabiting the marshy plains and humid forests of the planet Lopotamiar.

A huge thank to @halann-dee for this commission, which brings a beautiful representation of this species from my universe and makes it feel even more real.

Biospace Entry PLM : [Planet Lopotamiar Megafauna] :

Its anatomy combines a slender skeletal structure with soft, glossy external tissues, traversed by fine translucent veins. The back is dominated by a thick spiral mineralized structure, a true multifunctional dorsal organ. This hollow, shell-like mass stores absorbed water, concentrates liquid nutrient reserves, and feeds a network of secretory glands producing a dense mucus that protects the skin against dehydration and microorganisms. The body surface often displays diffuse pigmentation in soft, luminous tones, varying according to diet and the mineral composition of the environment.

The head is extended by two large branched outgrowths, known as “antlers,” made of a composite organo-mineral material that also forms the shell structure. Each branch indicates the individual’s age, ranging from 20–30 years in the wild to 50–60 years in captivity; the current record is 71 years. Their growth depends directly on the individual’s physiological status and accumulated resources. These structures serve as weapons during seasonal confrontations, but also as tools for moving loose soil or clearing dense vegetation.

At the front of the mouth, two flexible prehensile appendages allow the animal to grasp and tear the leaves it feeds on. Feeding relies on a double-opposed radula-like oral apparatus: two opposing denticulated scraping surfaces operate in inverse rotational motion, breaking down plant matter before slow digestion through internal fermentation.

The species exhibits a sequential hermaphroditic reproductive system dependent on seasonal hierarchy. Outside the breeding period, all individuals possess a neutral reproductive potential. As the wet season approaches, individuals developing the largest and most robust antlers enter a dominant hormonal phase and become functionally male. The others, after a fighting insemination, temporarily adopt a female role. Ritual combat consists of horizontal head thrusts directed toward the opponent’s sexual organ, located at the end of the jaw. After fertilization, the eggs migrate to a semi-transparent cervical membrane along the neck, forming an external incubatory pouch where embryos are visible through the skin. When development reaches an advanced stage, the individual digs a deep burrow using its antlers and forelimbs. The eggs are deposited in a moist chamber lined with protective mucus that maintains constant hydration until hatching.