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Description
I have been away for a good while from DeviantArt but life happens. Regardless, here is a new artwork titled the March of the Salt Striders.

Lore: Garmiwala is an odd planet; it is the sole example of its kind to harbor complex life despite liquid water comprising a fraction of its surface. Little larger than Mars, its low gravity may explain its current state of aridity, having lost most of its moisture to space over the eons. Nevertheless, life still thrives on this hot, arid planet and its low gravity has allowed for the evolution of true giants.
The salt strider is among the largest fauna found on the planet and curiously subsists on among the smallest living organisms here. When it rains, the vast salt flats transform into a surreal expanse of crystal clear lakes that give an illusion of a giant natural mirror. It is also when various plankton-like organisms hatch from their cysts and proliferate rapidly. In the brief period lasting some 3-4 months, the salt striders would filter-feed on these critters before digging themselves into the mud to hibernate in the 10 or so Earth months the planet enters its dry summer period. The long front ‘limb’ is actually the creature’s specialized proboscis which it used to suck in prey.
The salt striders are a relatively intelligent animal; some researchers speculate them to be as smart as earth’s elephants and are equally as curious. They live in large clans that can number up to 200 individuals.
Also shown in the picture as the flying Neel seeds. In contrast to earth trees, Garmiwala tree-analogs have a mobile larva stage which also serves similar niches occupied by birds and insects on Earth.

This is part of my community-driven world-building project Infinity Horizon.

Website: infinityhorizon.wiki/

Discord: discord.gg/sEgyyXEYDN

Would love it if you can join too!

Description
I have been away for a good while from DeviantArt but life happens. Regardless, here is a new artwork titled the March of the Salt Striders.

Lore: Garmiwala is an odd planet; it is the sole example of its kind to harbor complex life despite liquid water comprising a fraction of its surface. Little larger than Mars, its low gravity may explain its current state of aridity, having lost most of its moisture to space over the eons. Nevertheless, life still thrives on this hot, arid planet and its low gravity has allowed for the evolution of true giants.
The salt strider is among the largest fauna found on the planet and curiously subsists on among the smallest living organisms here. When it rains, the vast salt flats transform into a surreal expanse of crystal clear lakes that give an illusion of a giant natural mirror. It is also when various plankton-like organisms hatch from their cysts and proliferate rapidly. In the brief period lasting some 3-4 months, the salt striders would filter-feed on these critters before digging themselves into the mud to hibernate in the 10 or so Earth months the planet enters its dry summer period. The long front ‘limb’ is actually the creature’s specialized proboscis which it used to suck in prey.
The salt striders are a relatively intelligent animal; some researchers speculate them to be as smart as earth’s elephants and are equally as curious. They live in large clans that can number up to 200 individuals.
Also shown in the picture as the flying Neel seeds. In contrast to earth trees, Garmiwala tree-analogs have a mobile larva stage which also serves similar niches occupied by birds and insects on Earth.

This is part of my community-driven world-building project Infinity Horizon.

Website: infinityhorizon.wiki/

Discord: discord.gg/sEgyyXEYDN

Would love it if you can join too!