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SpiderMilkshake — C for Compsognathus

#coelurosaur #coloredpencils #compsognathus #compy #dinosaur #theropod #tonedpaper #realisticdinosaur #restorationdrawing #dinosaurrestoration #basalcoelurosaur
Published: 2015-10-25 21:56:47 +0000 UTC; Views: 847; Favourites: 26; Downloads: 0
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Description Far behind now on these... though not too far once I submit these few drawings. My DA bugged out for a few days too and so I couldn't submit these the day they were finished. XP

Compsognathus, for the letter C! Contrary to their popular image, Compys were probably much like any other coelurosaur dinosaur--covered in a light coating of protofeathers and simple feathers. In nature, animals with small mass usually have heavier integument structures(stuff on the skin--hair, feathers, protruding scale coatings) in order to conserve their bodily heat and therefore their energy. As a very spread-out animal as far as body shape goes, Compsognathus would have had the usual, but nothing extreme like a polar or specially adapted animal. But no tail-fans or compound feather structures just yet--though some Megaraptorans at this time period had likely evolved the compound wind feathers and maaaaaybe some of the ornithopods about the size of Compys. All other feathering would be simple stuff. 

Also contrary to their popular image, a pack of Compys would probably be the least dangerous type of predator in all of the Mesozoic. Compsognathus was barely heftier than a barnyard chicken and probably would have occupied the trophic level of a very small, intermediate predator, similar to a fox, jackal, or even maybe an ibis. Only creatures about half as small as itself (and smaller) would have been at risk--certainly not a 7-year-old girl, even with a pack/family group present. A bite would be nasty, but the likelihood that a six-pound lightweight avian would try to hunt down a 60-pound omnivorous hominid is slim to none. Though it's still not a good idea to let your kids pet strange dinosaurs. XD

Color is very very speculative. Going for a mixed dull sparrowy look with flashes of disorienting iridescence to confuse predators, break up the outline, and show off to con-specifics. :3 
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Comments: 2

FnrrfYgmSchnish [2015-10-26 01:02:00 +0000 UTC]

Alternate titles: "C for Cute."  Or maybe "Chickenoid." XD

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Ren-ou [2015-10-26 00:00:56 +0000 UTC]

Very informative!  Also I like your pencil work!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0