Drawing Animals - Blog Posts

Moving up to the giants of the kingdom and favorite of many: The Whales. It is a numerous family in which my knowledge is limited. However, that is why this blog is for, so we all know a little better the beings that surround us. Get to illustrate them wasn't so easy since there is no picture of the whole body of the whale, so I had to combine different illustrations and read about the descriptions of the animal to get the most accurate perspective of the animal.

Bowhead Whale This one is famous because of its particular jaw that has been portrayed in many antique illustrations of sea monsters. Far from the reputation those illustrations can bring, this animal is not aggressive and there is not a single attack registered on humans. Probably with any whale. The most noticeable particularity of this whale is its head which has the biggest mouth proportions in the animal kingdom. Its baleen is used to strain tiny prey from the water and is the biggest of any other whale. It is usually a solitary giant but can be seen in small groups of a maximum of six individuals. Slow swimmer and can be underwater for up to one hour. Believed to be an average diver, still can reach 150 meters deep. I thought was in danger but the reality is that its numbers are steady and growing. However, climate change can affect its numbers since is an animal that inhabits the waters of the North pole.

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The pygmy hippo is a very hard animal to study in the wild. It is very elusive and lives in inhospitable areas. There are possibly two subspecies of Pygmy hippo, however, one of them, the Nigerian Pygmy Hippo is still not recognizable as a full subspecies. The problem is that it is believed now extinct and the only remains are a couple of skulls collected in the 1800′s. What this means is that we will probably never know if it was a subspecies or not. 

The Pygmy hippo is hunting for what is called bush meat. It is said that its meat quality is as good as wild boars and unlike its giant cousins, its teeth has no value. It is an endangered species that thrive much better in zoos but still the offspring mortality rate arise up to 30%. 

I think is sad when a species vanishes form earth and we still didn’t know much about it. At some point, I found extinction to be part of the game of who can survive to natural changes. The problem is that humans taking over, we are making the game of survival way harder for many species. I’m not so optimistic that a change in perspective will come any time soon but I still have hope we can change the way we see the world.

Dwarf Hippos in Madagascar? There are proof of Dwarf Hippos (known as Malagasy hippopotamus or Malagasy pygmy hippopotamus) that inhabited the island of Madagascar less that 1000 years ago. Resembles more to a Hippopotamus that to its smaller relative the Pygmy Hippo. I decided not to put it on this catalogue because it’s extinction appears not to be related to humans. 

What is exciting is that explorers from Discovery Channel recently discovered skulls from what appears to be a recent dead of a Malagasy Hippo. This might prove the existence of the animal but I feel more investigation needs to be done. The tv program is called “Extinct or Alive”. Leave you the link: here

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The poster of the Camelidae family. What I like from this work is that I can see the improvement of my illustration. From the time that I began to now, I have put more attention to detail an accuracy keeping in mind that subspecies differences are often very small. I love what I am doing and I love to share it with all of you.

If you want to have this nice piece hanging in your wall, just follow the link below. They come in different sizes, prices and mediums. It will help me a lot. Also a like would be nice. Thank you all for your support. PD. On my instagram I will post the animals but as well part of the illustration process.

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Vicuña The last species of the family and the smallest too. And like many small things it is also the most precious treasure. The wool of the vicuña is among the most expensive textiles worldwide. A meter square can reach an impressive $3000 US. being mostly exclusive for the most prestigious high couture brands in the world. 

In a move that I found very smart from the governments where the animal can be found, is that the exportation of these animals is strictly prohibited making these countries the only ones who can manage the vicuña’s wool business. Good for them!

Once widespread in millions, it was vastly hunted when the conquerors discovered America (A repeated story), until 1950 where its numbers plumped to mere 10.000. Today is heavily protected and its situation is stable. However,  Scientist state that its stable population depends of the different laws of protection. If those laws would be lifted, the animal will be at the brick of extinction in just five years.

The next family is a very grumpy cute looking giant. 

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I’ve been improving the illustrations of the animals making it more realistic in order for the information to be clearer. Can you tell the difference of these ones compare to the previous ones?

Thanks again for your support, likes, reblog and follows, means a lot to me. Don’t forget that if you want to buy some of the posters of the previous families of animals you can find them here: Poster of Species   On my Instagram account, I’m planning to post part of the illustration process. Don’t miss it:  Species of the World See you next time.

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The Guanaco is a smaller member of the camelidae family also inhabits the andes in South America. 

The information found about this animal is a little bit confusing. While some pages put the animal in an endangered status, some others put it in a Least Concern status. However looking at the numbers of some of the subspecies, I came to the conclusion that it might be a endangered species.

Another issue was that some pages state that it is composed by four subspecies, some other just recognized two ( Guanaco and Guanaco Norteño) saying that the differences are not yet proved and the distribution is unclear.

This just proves how much is still to be done in the animal kingdom and how easy can become a topic of controversy among biologist. Time will give the reason to either of the two theories while some other questions surely arise. Fascinating!

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Alpaca The beginnings of the Alpaca is more related to the Vicuña but it has been recently breed with Llamas. It’s domestication is been happening for thousand years and contrary to the Llama who was domesticated as a working animal and wool provider, the Alpaca is been domesticated exclusively for its wool, which can be used extensively.

As common as it is now, the Alpaca was at the brick of the extinction in the 1500′s when the Spanish discovered America. They decimated the species at the point that it was believed extinct. However, the animal move to higher altitudes, where later, in the XIX century was rediscovered. As a domestic animal, today can be seen everywhere in the world. It’s domestication and maintenance is not difficult.

The differences between the two breeds are remarkably visible.

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Unlike the horses, this time is different. If Asia has camels as war machines, South America has its equivalent: The Llama.

I don’t think there is any other animal that involves cultural symbolism, evolution of a civilization and an inexhaustible source as the Lama for the Inca culture. This animal was vital in the bloomed of Inca’s civilization.

Its wool made them capable to conquer highs that were unthinkable in any other way, not just because its endurance but because its wool that protect Incas from the freezing temperatures. 

Regarded also as a noble symbol, Incas were often buried with llamas and one of it’s Gods, Urcuchillay, was depicted as a Llama. 

Probably it’s only enemy are the pumas, making this animal, as the camel, an infalible machine against nature. Studying this family made think of how hard can be for life to thrive in certain conditions. It makes feel as is nature is really testing its inhabitants in a fearfully battle for survival, where the loser, the one that cannot adapt will be invariably, extinct.

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Let me introduce you to one of the strongest family, the Camelidus.  I still remember vividly the first time I saw a camel in my life. I was no more than ten years old and I couldn’t believe my eyes how massive this animals are. Somehow I got amazed. How awkward it feels by its long extremities that seem they don’t have full control. Or the unmanageable long neck that is crowned for a head that I’m sure was the idea for many monsters of Star Wars. At first glance, it look like if many mistakes came together to create this animal. 

However, how wrong I was. If there is an animal that defy nature in its extremes conditions, it will be the camel and its relatives. They can live literally everywhere. From the coldest to the hottest, and can flourish even when abundance is limited. Excellent distance devourers and the best administrating water. Their sight is exceptional and can run at a formidable speed. Their bodies are made to take the best from the worst the environment can provide. 

If the horse was crucial in human evolution, the taming of the camel I’d like to think was rather smart. A living tank where locomotive transportation wasn’t even a coarse sketch, that provides more than the indispensable to survive in the worst conditions. ___

Wild Bactrian Camels where thought to be just feral Camels that escaped to the wild. However, further genetic studies proved that is a different species that diverged from the Bactrian Camel more than a million years ago. 

It is critically endangered and is recognized as the eighth most endangered large mammal in the world, remaining no more than 1400 specimens in the wild. Illegal hunting, habitat destruction, hybridization with domestic camels, and the competence for resources with domestic stock are some of the main threats for this animal.

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Kiang:

This is a complete new one for me, I never heard of this animal before. It is the largest of the wild asses and it used to be counted as a subspecies of the Onager. However, further studies demonstrated that is a different species. It can be also named as Tibetan Wild Ass, Khyang, or Gorkhar.

There is a different approach to the association of this animal compared to the other asses and is the way that is seen by the people who coexists with them. Never been tamed, this ass is not seen as a stupid animal like other in cultures tend to portray asses. Instead, it is seen as an imposing and graceful animal more likely as a horse, that pasturing gracefully on the Tibetan Plateau. Some travelers even say that the Kiang served as an inspiration for the mythical unicorn.

It can be crossbreed with horses, other asses, donkeys and even zebras, but its offspring will be sterile as mules.

They move in small herds and males are usually solitaries. Sometimes they can group in herds of a several hundreds individuals. This herds don’t last longer and are basically consisting in young males, females and theirs calfs. The only enemy, besides humans, might be the Himalayan Wolf who dare to attack Kiangs if are found alone.

Eastern Kiang: It is the largest of the three subspecies. Inhabits in Qinghai, southeastern Xinjiang,

Southern Kiang: It is the smallest

Western Kiang: It has a darker coat and is slightly smaller than the Eastern Kiang.

There is still missing information to validate the existence of the three subspecies.

PD. My next family will be the camelidae, so if you know about this family or have good pictures of them, you are very welcome to help me with this investigation.

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Onager is the ass of Asia. However, the biggest difference from the African Wild Ass is that the Asian Ass could never be tamed. They are considerable bigger that its African cousins at about 290 kilos in weight. They are also among the fastest mammals on planet, being able to reach up to 70 Km/h.

The two species, (African and Asian Ass) shared the same ancestor: The Kiang, which will be described later, and which was considered a subspecies of the Onager. Nonetheless, further studies acknowledge as a distinct species.

Five subspecies are recognized. Two of them are close to extinction, other two are threatened and one, unfortunately, is extinct. There is the possibility of another subspecies, The Gobi Khulan but there is still debate on it.

Mongolian Wild Ass: It is the most widespread from all subspecies but has lost about %50 of its former distribution range in just 70 years. It’s main threat is poaching and competition for grassland with livestock.

Turkmenian Kulan: Also called Transcaspian Wild Ass or simply Kulan, the animal has slowly decline in former distribution ranges but its population has increase where it’s been re-introduced such as in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine where they used to inhabit. Also in Israel where th subspecies is making hybrids with Persian wild Onagers.

Persian Onager: Also called the Persian Zebra or Gur, The Persian Onager has been close to extinction. It is highly protected and hunting it is strictly forbidden. Breeding programs in different zoos associations in Europe and North America are keeping hope on this animal. That various spring born in captivity has been returned to its natural environment. Some other new borns in Khar Turan National Park, in Iran (it’s native environment) has been reported.

Indian Wild Ass: Also called Ghudkhur, Khur or Indian Onager. Form barely 300 animals in 1960, strong seizures of protection and adding better resources to its environment such as water holes, by 2004 its population increased to almost 4000. The most recent census in 2015 stated that its population is close to 5000. When you want you can.

Syrian Wild Ass: Known also as Hemippe, Achdari or the Mesopotamian Onager, he couldn’t make it to today. Huge herds used to be seen in the 15th and 16th centuries but its number began to drop precipitously during the next centuries due to overhunting by Europeans. Its existence became uncertain during the World War I (Nothing god from wars) and its last specimen was fatally shot in 1927 near Azraq Oasis in Jordan. The last specimen died the same year, in Vienna.

I had a nice discussion a few day back about subspecies. My friend was arguing that subspecies is silly because some of the differences are just molecular, dental, and barely hard to see. Me, on the other hand, I think subspecies is the first step for a new species to come. The subspecies of one species are found in environments that usually has small variables in between but somehow force the animal to change in order to survive.

These adaptations are what make the animal a subspecies, small changes. However, we all know that the environment is not still and it will eventually change, probably a lot. And if the animal wants to survive that environment, it also has to change, a lot as well. To the point that it might become a new species. So I think subspecies is something very subtle but can be the beginning of a new animal. Interesting isn’t it? Anyway, is just my thoughts from the little I know about the subject. If someone have another approach I’d love to hear it.

PD. My next family will be the camelidae, so if you know about this family or have good pictures of them, you are very welcome to help me with this investigation. 

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Now it’s the time for the less glamorous horse’s cousins, the Ass. An animal that shockingly is doing way worst than horses in terms of conservation and yet this really have had to do the dirty job. While the horse is exhibit proudly as a man companion and sometimes an extension of human’s soul, the Ass, on the other hand is like the one that is better not to be shown and the one in charge of the hardest and dirtiest jobs. Incredibly this obvious disparagement is reflected as well in its quantity due that from the four subspecies that exist, one is extinct and the other two are close to suffer the same fate.

Nonetheless, ass as regarded as stupid animals and are usually portrayed as such, nonetheless is an animal that is close in intelligence to the horse, if not the same. Besides, they are excellent mothers and can defend their offspring furiously. An animal to keep an eye on, to care and value as another really important animal that was crucial in the evolution of humanity. More love for this misunderstood animals, please.

Nubian Wild Ass: Believed extinct in the wild, some estudies of DNA were done to a feral population living in the Caribbean island of Bonaire (Keep in mind that this animal is from Africa) The DNA results were positive as a nearly pure DNA of the believed extinct Actual Nubian Wild Ass. Although further studies need to be done, give a little of hope to the survival of this animal. Somali Wild Ass: The fate of this animal was saved by a project in the Zoo of Basel in Switzerland, that has been able to keep the captive animals in a robust number.

Atlas Wild Ass: Extinct in 300 AD, this animal was used in the roman circus and hunting. It is estrange that many animals with the name “Atlas” on it, has been extinct as we will see further.

Donkey: A new friend to take care of and be grateful.

PD. My next family will be the camelidae, so if you know about this family or have good pictures of them, you are very welcome to help me with this investigation. Thanks! Also, happy new year, more posters in my store: Here 
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Przewalski's Horse:

The Przewalski Horse is the only truly wild horse that remains. Extinct at some point for more than 30 years, it was the zoos who actually brought them back. By 1940′s its number began to decline rapidly and by 1969 after a fruitless search, only one individual was spotted in the wild. Only a handful of this animals were surviving in some of the zoos of Europe.

A breeding program began in the Netherlands by 1977. By 1979 the program was able to maximize the genetic diversity from the almost 400 individuals spread in 16th different facilities. By early 1900s, the number of horses increased by over 1500. The horse is now reintroduced to its natural habitat and today it’s numbers remain stable. 

Zoos are controversial but I personally think they are crucial at the conservation of the species (I’m talking about zoos that are actually working on precede the life of many species, not the ones that are created just for our own selfish enjoyment). There is of course room for improvement but a zoo is not what it used to be 40 years ago. There is a better understanding of the behavior of the animals today and this allow us to make better enclosures that are a more friendly space for the animals inside. 

On the other hand, we are making the world an uncertain place. Many of the habitats are being vanished from earth and many species have seen their numbers drastically reduced because of this. Maybe the zoos are the new futuristic Noah’s Arc. A place for recovery, where endanger animals can survive in this uncertain times. Then, we can have more time to learn how to live on earth without destroying it and put them back where they belong once everything is safe again.

If is not for zoos, the Przewalski Horse would have vanished from earth many years ago.

PD. I change a little the layout. What do you think?

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Tarpan: Many reasons collided that resulted in the extinction of this wild horse. It was an important source of meat for many cultures and while humans were flourishing in the Eurasian continent, the Tarpan’s populations began to decrease. The Tarpan horses also were persecuted because of the damage they caused to hay storages. Breeding domestic horses with Tarpans also was a problem because the offspring were impossible to tame. Tarpans survived the longest in the southern parts of the Russian Steppe. By 1880 most Tarpans were hybrids, and pure breeds became extremely rare. In 1879 the last scientifically confirmed Tarpan in the wild was killed accidentally while being capture. The last captive Tarpan died in 1909 in a Russian zoo. 

Domestic Horse Countless of breeds of domestic horses that are divided in three categories: the Hot Blood, the Cold Blood and the Warm Blood. The horse has been crucial in to the evolution of the humans. It was one of the first animals domesticated and thanks to them we hav been able to conquer the world shorting distances, carrying or agriculture. We won’t be what we are now if is not because of the taming of the horse.

The three categories are divided like this: The Hot Blood of spirited horses are used for speed and its endurance. The Cold horse have the ponies and dwarf horses but also the biggest ones and are mostly used to heavy work and the warm blood which is a mixing of both is focusing in creating for specific riding purposes, mostly in Europe.

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Now is the turn of the Equidae Family. Not a huge fan of this family but I most say that it was very interesting to study them. Some of the members of this family are sadly extinct, while many others are on the brink of extinction. This animal has a beauty that is hard to express with words. I guess that is why appear in so many paintings through history.

Feral Horse: The feral horse is a free animal that was once domesticated. Somehow, escaped and become feral. The most famous ones might be the mustangs in North America. However the biggest population is found in Australia with more that 400.000 individuals. In Australia they are called Brumby. They can be found mostly everywhere and it’s name change depending on where is found and what type of breed used to be. Life always will find its way to survive.

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A poster with all the Tayassuidae species and subspecies along with the conservation status of each of them.


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I am selling the poster of the Tapirus (Tapir) family along with the Rhinotermitidae (Rhinoceros). Soon I will put this poster on sale but I want to make some posters for some of the genus of this family.


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White Lipped Peccary 

This peccary has five different subspecies. Oddly, I could not find it’s common names. Just the latin ones. Very little information about each of them and more as a general information of the species. 

The two main threats to their survival are deforestation and hunting. Natural predators include the jaguar and puma and of course, us. They can be very aggressive when cornered and maintain contact with the herd by making a low moaning sound.

The herds can be immense with up to two hundred individuals, which can be beneficial to avoid attacks from predators, specially the jaguar. 

Tayassu pecari pecari: Can be found in Colombia (west), Venezuela, Guayanas y Brasil (north of the Amazon river).

Tayassu pecari aequatore: Colombia (south east) and Ecuador.

Tayassu pecari albirostre: Brasil (South of the Amazon), Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and north of Argentina.

Tayassu pecari spiradens: From the north of Colombia to Costa Rica.

Tayassu pecari ringens: From Nicaragua to the south of México.

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A poster with all the Suidae family, a big one. All the species and subspecies and the conservation status of each of them.


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I am selling the poster of the Tapirus family along with the Rhinotermitidae. Soon I will put this poster on sale but I want to make some posters for some of the genus of this family. 


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Babyrousa – deer-pigs

The last one of this big family, the weirdo of the weirdos and one of the most valuable for me, the Babirusa. Since I was a kid I was amazed by this strange animal that tusk can grow so curve that can break its skin and sometimes the skull. 

There are many subspecies still to confirm. So far, three are accepted.

Moluccan Babirusa: This species is poorly known because many of the studies done to this species, where actually done to another subspecies, the North Sulawesi Babirusa.

Togian babirusa: As usual the main threat of this species is the destruction of this habitat. It is also tracked if the animal eats the crops of the villagers. However, the animal is not eaten by the people because the population is mostly muslim therefore, refuse to eat pork.

North Sulawesi Babirusa: In 2006, a male North Sulawesi Babirusa and a female domestic pig were accidentally allowed to interbreed in the Copenhagen Zoo. The offspring were 5 hybrid piglets with teeth most resembling the North Sulawesi Babirusa, while their color was highly variable.

I’ve been having trouble with Tumblr. My post simply don’t appear in the search no matter how strange are my tags. Tumbler didn’t give me any solution so I decided to move to Instagram. I already open an account so if you want to follow me, just click on the link:  Species of the World I will keep posting here until I updated my instagram account. Thanks for the support.

Next, some nice posters of all the boar family and the peccary family.

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Suidae Family

This is a big family!! The big Suidae family proves how well pigs are adapted to live in this world. With almost 20 extant species alive and about 50 subspecies, being the hog the most spread pig from all the family. Still, its closest relatives, the peccaries don’t belong to the Suidae family. 

I found them amazing. They are not the most glamorous but they have their own charm.

Palawan Bearded Pig

Until recently, it was considered a subspecies of the Bornean bearded pig (Sus barbatus), but at least under the phylogenetic species concept, it must be classified as a separate species. For its treatment under other (and more widely used) species concepts, more study is required, but the presently available information seems to argue for full species status in any case.

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Kabonabi Tapir

This Tapir is relatively new discovered. Although The ex-president Roosevelt shoot one in 1914 and named as a new species, the scientific Marc G. M. Van Roosmalen discredited in 2000, Until it was named as a new species in 2013.

However, the aboriginals that inhabit the Amazon knew that they coexisted with two different species of Tapirs, the Amazon Tapir and the Kabonabi Tapir. This was principally due to the difference in coloration and size. In Brazil, the Kabonabi’s tapir is called danta pretinho, which means Little Black Tapir.

Its status is unknown but is believed to be vulnerable.

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A poster with all the rhinocerontidae family. All the species and subspecies and the conservation status of each of them.

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Babyrousa babyrussa

The skull of the Babirussa along with the important teeth of the lower jaw in order to be compare with its relative found by Clement Van Burden, also in the Jungles of Vietnam. The Sus Cofra Satanae or Satanic Boar as Clement decided to named after studied its destructive behavior. 

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