Got inspired to create this alien after reading about a potential new classification of habitable worlds called "Hycean planets". Â They're described as hot, water-covered worlds with hydrogen-rich atmospheres that are in the size range of super-earths and mini-Neptunes. Â The most promising of these hypothetical type planets is K2-18b. Â I'll probably make a landscape piece depicting this planet at some point but first this is a sapient that I designed for it (working on a name for it). Â It has bladder-like mantle on it's back that it can inflate with hydrogen gas for mobility above water and deflate when below it with a pair of wing-like flippers for mobility in both environments. Â It's head extend from the front of the body with eyes resembling those of a mantis shrimp mounted on stalks and it's beaked mouth at the base. Â It has eight limbs; two pairs of forelimbs ending in suction cup lined fingers for manipulating objects and tow pairs of hind limbs for locomotion on dry surfaces (I'll explore this in a future piece). Â Its neurology is similar to that of an octopus, having the main brain in the head with neural cords running down each limb. Â If this species was ever able to leave their planet, they would need to wear pressurized suits to survive, hence the bottom right sketch.
As always comments and critiques are welcome.














