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Leaf-backed hog beetle

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Entry for Vixenkiba's contest Contest: Design a Species! $100 in prizesEdit 2: How awesome, I just received the 20th entry, meaning the third prize on both categories has been reached! Keep those entries coming, the deadline is only the 1st of June <3 You guys are amazing!
Edit 1: I reached 10 entries already, wow you guys are fast! This means that the second prize on both categories has definitely been reached <3 Keep those entries coming! :D 
I also added a F.A.Q. because a lot of questions were asked in the comments, I placed it in the bottom of the journal!
It's already been a year since my last contest (Create a Mount), and I'm actually really excited about this new contest, all in the theme of designing new creatures/species for my world, TerrApocalypse! I learned quite a lot from the previous contest, especially in do's and don'ts, and will apply everything I learned in this new contest. For example, I will provide you guys with more information than I gave you for the Mount Contest, because I noticed people simply didn't
:D

A large (human for scale) mutated insectoid. Their backs have a subtle iridescence the colour of which varies between populations, from different shades of green to blue. While they have wings, they are too big to fly, and mostly use them to intimidate predators. Females are smaller than males and have much smaller "tusks." The orange hairs growing from between the segments of their abdomens cause a burning sensation and serve to protect their most vulnerable parts from predators.
Life cycle: As per usual for beetles, they spend most of their lifes in the larval stages. Hatching both from eggs and pupae occurs in early summer. The larva lives for about twelve years and the pupa remains in the earth for another year (sometimes two, if the first was rather cold.) Male adults rarely survive their first winter, and females rarely survive the second.
Males will fight each other on sight, using their "tusks," to clear the area of rivals. Mating most commonly occurs in autumn, when the strongest males have secured their territory and proven their value. Eggs are laid early in spring.
Females hibernate hidden in caves (or abandoned buildings - or, if they live in human care, specially built cellars.)
Diet: The grubs are dangerously omnivorous - it is not advisable to leave equipment out where they occur, or indeed fall asleep without precautions.
Adults are herbivorous. Their "lower jaw" structure is often used to dig up roots.
Relationship with humans: Being docile and rather strong for their size, they are often used as beasts of burden. When they are not hungry, they will willingly follow gentle tugs of a leash just to save themselves some trouble. When they are hungry, good luck getting them anywhere other than the nearest source of food.
Carrying baskets are commonly glued to their smooth backs, as they don't hinder them, while getting straps around the wings would be a hassle for both animal and handler.
Females are more sought after than males, because of the latter's tendency to start fighting when they encounter each other.
They also serve as a source of food, especially the grubs.
Image size
1500x725px 1.48 MB
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Comments8
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Vixenkiba's avatar
Oh my, what a fun species, and they look incredibly handy as well! I see you had fun creating these :love: Do you think they could survive more winters if they were kept in stables or special ranches? 

Thanks a lot for your entry! :heart: