Mammals - Blog Posts

The last member of the Giraffe family and to my eyes the most beautiful! I must say that when I saw it at the zoo the first time, it didn't strike me as much as now when I draw it. Is clearly the head of a giraffe in the body of a prehistoric animal adorned with the stripes of a zebra running down its legs. If you think of it, is like coming from a fantasy book. Okapi It is a living fossil and contrary to its closest relative, the giraffe, which is mostly found in the savannas, the okapis live in the dense forests of the Congo. It is very elusive and timid making it a really hard specimen to study in the wild. Therefore little is known about it. The poster of the Giraffidae family is coming soon! ___________________________________ Photo Credits: Magda Ehlers ___________________________________

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Working on this one was challenging because there is only one picture from 1884 taken of this animal before its extinction. However, when I have to put inventive ways to create an animal as realistic as possible is when I enjoy the illustration more. 

Tarpan

Scientists have long grappled with the origins of the domestic horse, seeking to establish its ancestral roots. Initially, there were two distinct horse populations: the Prewalsky horse in Europe and the Tarpan in Asia. Regrettably, the Tarpan became extinct at the dawn of the 20th century, leaving no DNA samples behind. This absence of genetic evidence has posed a significant challenge in determining the true origins of the domestic horse. Nevertheless, studies analyzing the DNA of the Prewalski horse have provided compelling evidence of a close relationship between these horses and their domestic counterparts.

Numerous endeavors have been undertaken to revive the Tarpan breed. While the Heck Horse bears the closest resemblance in terms of appearance, their genetic makeup tells a different tale. Instagram All Tapirs of the World wallpaper __________________________________________ Credits: The Mammals of the World, Hoofed Animals. No 2 Published by Lynx _________________________________________

Thank you, guys, for your support on my last post. It received a lot of love from all of you. I truly appreciate it. Thank you as well for spreading the word. If you like the content please like and subscribe. Means a lot to me. See you next week.

"Today, the last tiger subspecies and probably my favorite one: the Sumatran Tiger. While working on this animal, I discovered that it has several notable visual differences from other subspecies of tigers. One of the most striking is the length and density of its mane, which gives it an even more majestic appearance. Additionally, the tiger's stripes are thicker, creating a more vivid contrast in its coat.

I'm excited to share with you that I'll be releasing a poster featuring all the subspecies of tigers, including the Sumatran Tiger, very soon. Stay tuned for more updates!" Sumatran Tiger The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all tiger subspecies and is currently listed as critically endangered with only about 400 individuals left in the wild. Unfortunately, the Javan and Bali tiger is now extinct. They were populations that belonged to this subspecies of tiger. To preserve the Sumatran tiger, numerous programs are being conducted in zoos that have shown promising results. _______________________________________________ Credits: Felids and Hyenas of the World: Wildcats, Panthers, Lynx, Pumas, Ocelots, Caracals, and Relatives.  Dr. José R. Castelló Photo Reference Credit: Phil Le Cren ______________________________________________ Thank you for being here. If you like the content please like and follow. Reblogged is also very welcome. Check out the new website of the project here

The South African Giraffe is the last member of the giraffe family I've been studying, and it's been quite an adventure. While I still struggle to identify some of the subspecies, I feel confident in recognizing most of them.

South African Giraffe

The South African Giraffe, also known as the Cape Giraffe, is a fascinating subspecies with a population of approximately 37,000 individuals. Interestingly, it was once extinct in some of its native areas in Southern Africa, but thanks to reintroduction efforts, its population has seen an impressive 150% increase. This is certainly good news for this subspecies, which is now a common resident in zoos, private farms, and ranches around the world.

With its distinctive coat pattern of cream-colored patches with orange-brown edges, the South African Giraffe is a unique and beautiful animal. While habitat loss, poaching, and trophy hunting continue to threaten their populations, conservation efforts are helping to protect these magnificent creatures for future generations to enjoy.

______________________________ Credits: South African Giraffe Photo Reference Credits: Sharon Verkuilen ________________________________ Thank you for being here. It will be awesome if you are here more often, so please like and subscribe, It will help me a lot. See you next week. Reblogging also qualifies as awesome.

We set out to cover the entire tapir family, but there's a debate about including the Kabomani Tapir. This newly discovered species hasn't been validated by all studies yet. Have you heard about the Kabomani Tapir? Do you think it's a distinct species or a subspecies of the Lowland Tapir? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Mountain Tapir

Family: Tapiridae Genus: Tapirus Conservation Status: Endangered Habitat: Mountain Forest Subspecies: 0 The Mountain Tapir, excluding the controversial Kabomani Tapir, is the smallest member of the tapir family. Unlike its tropical relatives, it thrives in chilly high-altitude environments within the Andes mountain range and is known for its thick, woolly coat. Unfortunately, decades of internal conflict in Colombia have both helped and hindered this species. While the instability has prevented hunting and habitat destruction in some regions, it has also made it difficult for researchers to study their habits and breeding patterns.

Despite the advantages and challenges presented by the conflict, the Mountain Tapir remains endangered. The species faces threats from hunting, habitat fragmentation, and the introduction of cattle. The current population of around 2,500 individuals may decline by 20% over the next 20 years, which is concerning given the species' already precarious situation. Protecting this unique species and their mountain habitats is crucial to ensure their survival. ________________________________ Credits: Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Book 2. Lynx Editions. Mountain Tapir ________________________________ Wild Walls Mobile & Cellphone wallpapers are available now!

Thanks for joining me on this journey of exploring the diverse animal kingdom. I've enjoyed sharing my illustrations and showcasing fascinating creatures. Now, I'm excited to introduce my new line of animal-themed wallpapers for cellphones and laptops. Brighten up your digital workspace and show your love for animals with these eye-catching designs. Check them out to support my project and stay connected with nature. Let's continue discovering the wonders of the natural world together! Click here: Wallpapers Store

Out of all the animals I've studied and illustrated, dolphins have left the strongest impression on me. Although I didn't know much about them at first, I'm now captivated by their unique shapes and vibrant colors. Learning about these creatures has been a truly delightful experience.

Long-Beaked Common Dolphin

The Long-Beaked Common Dolphin has been a topic of controversy in the past, as it was initially believed to be the same species as the Short Beaked Common Dolphin. However, they are now recognized as distinct species within the same family (Delphinidae). These dolphins are likely the most widespread species in the world.

This particular subspecies is exclusively found close to the shores of Africa and is larger and heavier than its counterparts that are found in various locations around the world.

_________________________________________ Credits: Jefferson, T.A., Webber, M.A., and Pitman, R.L. (2015). Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification. Academic Press. Perrin, W.F., Würsig, B.G., and Thewissen, J.G.M. (eds.) (2009). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press. Long-Beaked Common Dolphin __________________________________________ Thank you all for your positive response to my previous posts on animal awareness. Your support means a lot to me. If you find my content valuable, please consider sharing, liking, and subscribing. Your actions can help spread awareness and promote conservation efforts. Additionally, if you would like to support the project financially, I am preparing some products that I will share in the near future. Thank you again for your support!"

This is the last of the Lowland Tapir subspecies. It was a real joy to draw this animal, and I love the result. I actually animate this animal. If you want to see it moving, check out my Instagram by clicking here

Tapirus terrestris terrestris

Tapirs are like living fossils. They haven't changed much in years because they are well-adapted to this world. That was until we came into the picture. We, humans, move in this world at a pace that is hard to follow for many animals, and Tapirs are one of them. Their habits are just the opposite. Its reproduction is slow, making it very hard for them to recover once is decimated in some areas. They wander vast distances which means they need space and we are not providing that to them. Kill roads, fragmentation of the environment, crops in jungles, etc.

I think we need to understand that we are at the top of this world. Whatever we do is going to have repercussions on everything that surrounds us. We decide where the world is going and how it does it. That means also, that we are responsible for all living beings. Now is not like before, when animals extinguish because they couldn't adapt to the environment. Now they extinguish basically because they couldn't adapt to us. We will be gone at some point, so What are we going to leave? _______________________________________ Credits: Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Book 2. Lynx Editions. Lowland Tapir Photo Credits: vladimircech _______________________________________ Thank you, guys. Likes reblog, and follows are very much appreciated. Please spread the word. And check out my store, new items with a very different style of illustration.

As I mentioned to you before, I am planning to do a digital sticker album to collect the animals in order to sponsor my work. I am in the works on the layout but especially on the functioning and interactivity of the album. The idea is to publish different albums that will be divided by the order of mammals. It will be a little basic at the beginning (but nicely done) but once the album is running and financially viable the idea in the short run is to make an app where people can trade stickers and collect them all. Other things I want to do after the base is more solid will be a book having experts writing the texts of the animals. Let me know your thoughts.

Tapirus terrestris spegazzinii

Is the third subspecies of the Lowland Tapir. Found in the south of Brazil in Matto Grosso, Bolivia, Paraguay, and the North of Argentina, in the Chaco zone which is declared Endangered. However, as the animal also inhabits other countries, is hard to assess its status. What differentiates this one from the other subspecies s that its coat is lighter than the subspecies Tapirus terrestris colombianus (The one I showed the last time) and lighter than the Tapirus terrestris terrestris which will be covered in the next post of tapirs. Again, in English texts, this animal doesn't have subspecies and even on Wikipedia, there is no English translation from the text in Spanish. However, Spanish or Portuguese (languages that are talked about where the animal lives) have the four I mentioned. I am rather inclined to believe more in the people who have studied the animal closer and have been around it more. To be clear, I am not an expert. ____________________________________________________

Credits: Tapirus terrestris spegazzinii Avaliação do Risco de Extinção da Anta brasileira Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758, no Brasil ___________________________________________________ Thank you guys for your support! If you like the contact please like and subscribe. Reblogs, likes, and comments are also very much appreciated. Please help me spread the word! and don't forget to visit my store and the Instagram of the project. Cheers and again, the best for this new year!!

Working on this one took me forever. I’m very happy with the result though because I wanted a pose that portrays the animal with majesty and power.

Bengal Tiger

If you ever saw a tiger, 90% of the chances are that you saw a Bengal Tiger. It is the most famous and probably the one that has inspired us the most. The versatility that the tiger has to propel the imagination of humans is unmeasurable. From a cruel villain to a magnificent god, its charisma and beauty have made us dream for centuries, and are now just part of the whole human culture, regardless of nationality.

It is also the popular white tiger which is nothing but a lack of melanin, the pigment in charge of giving us color. Less popular but equally magnificent and extremely rare is the golden tiger which can be seen just in captivity. A problem! if you ask me because this means that has been humanly altered genetically to get the color. There is also the black tiger, which is not completely black. Its black stripes are thicker making the orange color less visible. However, there are some reports stating that completely black tigers have been spotted in the wild. No photographs have been taken though. 

India primordially is its homeland but now it can also be seen more often than in the wild in the backyards of United States homes. __________________________________________________ Credits: Felids and Hyenas of the World: Wildcats, Panthers, Lynx, Pumas, Ocelots, Caracals, and Relatives.  Dr. José R. Castelló Bengal Tiger __________________________________________________ Instagram Store Thank you guys for your support! If you like the contact please like and subscribe. Reblog is also very much appreciated. Any comments showing love or even hate are appreciated. Please help me spread the word! Cheers!!

Working these days has been a little difficult for me. As I mentioned, I moved to live in Canada last week and for now, I don’t have a place to live. I’m staying in the house of a friend and I have spent most of my time getting used to the weather in Vancouver and looking for a house. So far so good. I like changes and I think that being uncomfortable, sometimes just shakes the routine away and forces you to try new things. In my life, I have lived in eight different places. What do you think about moving from your comfort zone? Read you in the comments.

Lowland Tapir This species is a little bit tricky. English books just recognize one species, while Spanish and Portuguese recognize four. Since the animal is from South America and most of the biologists who studied this animal are from there, I will believe their information has more credibility. Therefore, I will present four subspecies of Lowland Tapir. Let’s begin. Tapirus terrestris aenigmaticus From what I understood and what I have seen, this one coloration is darker. This might not be a parameter to identify the subspecies, since animals of the same species can present various colorations. However, its skull presents substantial differences.

This subspecies inhabits the South East of Colombia, Ecuador, and the North of Peru. ___________________________________ Credits: Tapirus terrestris aenigmaticus Lowland Tapir Photo Credits: Ellen van Yperen ___________________________________ Store Instagram Thank you guys! If you like the contact please like and subscribe. Reblog is also very much appreciated. Please help me spread the word.

I usually don't post on Sundays but this week was crazy. I moved from my home country, Colombia to live in Canada for good last Thursday. I'm a little tired because of the move and I didn't have much time to think of anything else but packing. But here we are trying to post one animal every week. Today, one that was completely unknown to me and apparently to science too because not much is known about it. The Chilean Dolphin.

Chilean Dolphin This dolphin was previously named the black dolphin. It was named this way because of some dead specimens and some saw at the distance. When they studied live animals and got closer to them, they realized the color wasn't that dark so they changed the name to Chilean dolphin. This dolphin doesn't swim close to the boats. This is because they were hunted with harpoons up to the 80s. It is believed that the animal developed a fear of boats. (We can see why. What is strange is why the other species of dolphins haven't). By those times, hunts of this animal rise to 1500 per year. Today its status is Nearly Threatened. Store Instagram _________________________________________________

Credits: Chilean Dolphin Chilean Dolphin _________________________________________________ Thank you to all of you who liked and promoted my last post. It really helped me a lot. Again, if you like the content please like and subscribe. Reblog are also like gold for me. Hopefully, I will be able to post next week. Cheers!

Kerguelen Islands Commerson’s Dolphin

This subspecies was discovered in the 1950s. They own its name because they live close to the Kerguelen Islands south of the Indian Ocean. Actually, I just found the scientific name so I am not sure if that is the name of the animal. From what I read, they live close to the coast and prefer shallow waters. There are substantial physical differences between the two. This subspecies is larger but also its color patterns are different. The dark areas aren’t black but gray and the white area is more like light gray. Also, the demarcation between areas is more diffuse. In 2004 a vagrant individual (which is the name for an animal that is found out of its normal range) was found on the coasts of South Africa but no other sight has been notified.

_______________________________________________ Credits: Commerson's Dolphin _______________________________________________ Thank you, guys. If you like the content please like and subscribe. Reblogs are also very much appreciated because you are helping me to spread the word. Don't forget to check my Instagram account and my store. Links below. Instagram Store

I loved to do this one. I think the pose was amazing and challenging and shows the nature of this magnificent animal. Thanks so much to Zoran Milutinovic who allowed me to use one of his amazing photographs as a reference. Siberian Tiger / Amur Tiger The Siberian Tiger is my favorite. Lives in cold temperatures so its coat is denser and thicker, making it puffier. It is also one of the biggest, sharing the size with the Bengal Tiger. This combination makes, in my point of view, the most majestic and powerful tiger. Studies demonstrate that Siberian Tigers used to be bigger before the 70s. However, the reduction of its environment mixed with the lack of food that comes with it, obliged them to adapt, reducing its size. This is normal in nature. Animals have to adapt if they want to survive. The problem that I see here is that the time frame is very short (50 years) and I am not so sure if this animal or others will be able to keep the pace. Is facing many threats. poaching, diseases brought by domestic dogs such as canine distemper, habitat destruction, and genetic diversity. At some point, less than 50 tigers remained. Today, the number recovered to about 500 which is good but not enough. ________________________________________________ Credits: Felids and Hyenas of the World: Wildcats, Panthers, Lynx, Pumas, Ocelots, Caracals, and Relatives.  Dr. José R. Castelló Siberian Tiger Photo Credits: Zoran Milutinovic ________________________________________________

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I'm still having problems finding the difference between the species and subspecies of giraffes. The coat is very similar but when you look closely, the pattern is clearly different. Still, some subspecies patterns are very similar. I hope I can differentiate them after all. I must say, I am enjoying drawing them all. Is not so time-consuming as the rhino or the tiger and I am happy with the result. Kordofan Giraffe

Is a subspecies of the Northern Giraffe species. Found in Northern Cameroon, Southern Chad, and possibly Sudan. Many European zoos thought they had Nigerian Giraffes but DNA studies demonstrate that what they have is the Kordofan Giraffe.

This can be an advantage because this subspecies is critically endangered. The animal is hunted for its meat because poachers can feed on it for weeks. On the other hand, some of its body parts are also used to make luxury goods. Since is recognized as a subspecies, efforts to conserve this animal are now more important than ever. ___________________________________________________

Credits: Kordofan Giraffe Kordofan Giraffe Giraffe Subspecies Photo Credit: Klaus Rudloff

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This is a family that has captivated me since I was a kid. Its strange shape and the resemblance to a kind of a little elephant, but also the fact that could be found in my country Colombia just fascinated me. I still remember the first time I saw a tapir and was able to touch it and feed it. However, a Malayan Tapir was an animal that I just could see a long time after, in the Singapore zoo. Store Instagram Malayan Tapir Is the only species that live out of America and the one with the most particular color palette. Its pattern is supposed to be used as camouflage but I don't really know if works. It is curious though, that the Panda shares the same pattern but they both aren't even far related.

Another curious thing is that the babies are very similar in coloration to the ones in America. Brownish color with white spots that are actually good for camouflage. They have very poor sigh but are compensated with a great sense of smell and hearing. Some scientist state that there is a subspecies of the Malayan Tapir (The Tapirus indicus brevetianus, Kuiper, 1926), with the particularity of being completely black. Registered for the first time in 1924, was captured and taken to the Rotterdam zoo, where died soon after. The second one was photographed in 2000. However, taking it as a subspecies because of its coloration is inaccurate since there are no further studies that demonstrate its validity. It is actually just a case of melanism. Still, both theories are yet to be confirmed. _____________________________________________________ Credits: Malayan TapirMelanistic Tapir _____________________________________________________

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This is a family I wanted to do for a long time but for many reasons I just never started. It is not easy to find a good image for reference of marine mammals because the photographs underwater aren't that sharp and also because the majority of the images never show the full body of the animal. Nonetheless, I have to use more than one picture to complete the whole animal, which is fun. Let's begin with a very beloved family that I'm sure we will be surprised by how little we might know about them.

Commerson's Dolphin

Is one of the smallest members of the Delphinidae family with no more than 1.5m lengths. It has a very striking and particular color pattern. The genus has two subspecies. The one in the illustration, C. c .commersonii, can be found on the coasts of South Argentina. The C. c .kerguelensis, is found in the Indian Ocean.

it has been displayed in a few aquariums and this subspecies used to be killed and used as bait to catch crabs in Chile and Argentina. This method however is nowadays been curtailed.

___________________________________________________ Credits: Commerson's Dolphin Ballenas, delfines y marsopas. Guía visual de todos los cetáceos del mundo. Mark Carwardine

Photo Reference: Doug Perrine

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"Doing an animal that is so beloved is a real challenge. You want to have it right because you think people might be pickier. It was a really nice experience going further into minimal details trying not just to catch the shape of the animal but also its soul."

As I mentioned to you in my previous post (If you haven't seen it go check it out) I was going to mix things up. Instead of illustrating the whole family at once, I decided to do a couple of families and show a different member every week. I decided to go with the felines because I know how much they are loved but also how challenging they could be. It is my first feline so I struggle with things that none of the other animals I've done has.

Indochinese Tiger

Tigers are a special species. For many years it was thought that they are 9 subspecies. However, the latest studies (2017) demonstrate that they are just two subspecies and each of them is divided by populations of tigers. This is still in debate but most of the books that I checked welcomed this hypothesis. The Indochinese Tiger belongs to the genus panthera tigris tigris along with the Bengal Tiger, the Amur Tiger, and basically, all the tigers that live in Asia land. The other subspecies is the panthera tigris sondaica which are the groups that live in Indonesia. Sumatran Tiger, Bali Tiger, etc.

The Indochinese Tiger was seen in the infamous and today closed Tiger Temple, in Thailand. Where the monks used to drug the tigers, so people can gather around them without any danger. It is also said that they used to sell body parts of the tigers. I must confess that I went to the place ignoring that such horrible things were happening. What a shame. Something to think about. There are more tigers as pets in the United States than in the wild. W.T.F.! StoreInstagram

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References: Felids and Hyenas of the World. Dr. José R. Castelló

Indochinese Tiger

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Thank you guys for your support. Next week, I'll introduce another new family. Which one will be? If you like the content please like and subscribe. Rebblogs and comments are also highly appreciated.

We are moving to a very charismatic family: The giraffes. I had a little trouble trying to identify the species and subspecies of this family because has been changing throughout the years. It was thought to be one single species with nine subspecies. Today, different taxonomic divisions are recognized but probably the most accepted are four species, eight subspecies, and one ecotype (which I will explain in the future) So let's begin!

Reticulated Giraffe It is a single species with no subspecies. Along with the Rothschild's giraffe, those two are the most common giraffes in zoos and are probably the ones you have seen.

Its coat might be the easiest to recognize because its patches are very distinctive from other giraffes (sharp-edged, reddish-brown polygonal patches divided by a network of thin white lines).

Its particular shape has evolved in order to be able to eat the tallest branches of the trees avoiding all kinds of competence. Once an adult, the chances of being hunted by predators diminishes dramatically, making it a very successful animal.

It is facing a dramatical decrease in population due is the target for hunting for different purposes. Not just for trophy hunting but also various body parts are used for different things: Meat for food, the hairs of the tail served as bracelets, necklaces, threads, etc. Shields, sandals, and drums were made using the skin, and the strings of musical instruments were from the tendons, etc. Many organizations are taking care of this animal in Africa and all over the world. It will be a total shame to lose an animal like this one. Store Instagram ______________________________________________ References: Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals giraffe conservation maryland zoo Reticulated Giraffe _______________________________________________

Thank you guys for your support. I'm gonna mix things up a little in order not to bore you with one whole family of mammals at once. So next week, a whole new species that I think you gonna like.

Please like, reblog, or comment if you like the content. Cheers.

An illustrated poster with all the rhinos of the world. Is the most complete compilation because includes all the subspecies, even the ones that are extinct.

It took time to search, compile and corroborate information. Some of the extinct subspecies' quality photographs weren't good and some others didn't even have, so I had to base them on written descriptions.

Moreover, illustrating a rhino is not easy. Is a meticulous job. A rhino has a lot of textures that take time to do if you want to make it believable (an average of 10 hours per rhino). it drained me and I found myself exhausted at the end. But worthed it. I love animals, I love rhinos and I love to study them and share what I learned.

If you are interested in purchasing this poster, click on the link below: Store

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Thanks for the likes, shares, and love. Have a good week and get drunk

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Eastern Sumatran Rhinoceros.

Also known as the Bornean Sumatran Rhino. According to scientists, this animal is functionally extinct, meaning that the population will be unable to recover. About only 15 individuals exist in the wild. It is the smallest of all three subspecies, making it the smallest among all species of rhinos. Its fur is denser when young but becomes sparse and darker when grows.

The difference between this subspecies and the Western Sumatran Rhinoceros is mainly genetic.

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Reference: Eastern Sumatran Rhinoceros

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And with this rhino, I finish all the rhino family. This is my favorite animal and it was so enriching to work on this project because allowed me to know them better and be aware of how close many of them are to extinction (if not already extinct), after having survived millions of years of adaptation through evolution.

Think how sad would be that an animal who has survived the most abrupt changes on earth for thousands of centuries and has shown how strong and adaptative is, will succumb in less than two centuries because of our fault. Thanks again for your appreciation. If you like the content please follow my blog. One animal every week.

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Northern Sumatran Rhinoceros.

When I approach to illustrate an animal I usually feel that I'm not in the right direction. Just after about an hour, I begin to see its shape. I always start with the head because is the hardest to resolve and is the one that takes me the longest to do.

The Northern Rhinoceros was the most widespread of all Sumatran rhinos. It was once found in the Indochinese peninsula, eastern India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and China. It has been declared extinct multiple times and there is little hope that there is a small population surviving in Burna and the Malaysian peninsula but the chances are very low.

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References: Sumatran_rhinoceros Photo Credit: Rasmus Worsøe Havmøller _______________________________________________

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Western Sumatran Rhinoceros

The first time I knew about the existence of this animal, I was 9 years old. It wasn't a photograph but an illustration and I was completely astonished that an animal that resembles prehistoric times was still among us. I finally saw a photograph when I was about 15. There wasn't any internet at that time so access to things was entirely through books. One of my wishes in life is to see one of these ones in person but knowing its precarious situation, the hope to see one fades a little every day. The Western Sumatran Rhinoceros is the most numerous of all the three subspecies with no more than 80 individuals. This subspecies was the last one to inhabit a zoo. The Cincinnati Zoo. The animal left the zoo in 2015 to return to Indonesia in order to start a reproduction program that has brought some success but nothing significant.

However, one female calf was born this year (2022), which brings some hope to the preservation of the species. ___________________________________________ References: Sumatran_rhinoceros Photo Credit: David Ellis.

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Instagram Store Indian Javan Rhinoceros Working on this one was very nice. My reference was an old and pixelated black and white photography so I had to figure out textures and colors. Working on these animals awoke my curiosity about them. Am I ever going to see one? What would it be the sensation of it? the feeling of the air around, the smell, its movements. How would I feel around him? I probably would never know because I am almost sure I will never see a Javan Rhinoceros but drawing them somehow pulls me closer to them. I really hope this animal survives extinction, it will be a great defeat to humanity. ____________________________ This animal never did well in zoos and hasn't been in one in more than a century. The oldest one lived to be 20 years while in the wild they can live up to 40 years old. There are registers of 22 Javan Rhinos in zoos but there were probably more because it was commonly confused with the Indian Rhino. The last Javan Rhino in a zoo was in Adelaide, Australia in 1907 and was thought to be an Indian rhino. This subspecies is extinct.

______________________________ If you like the content please follow my blog. A like or reblog is very much appreciated. The last species from this family is my favorite one.

Vietnamese Javan Rhino This one was very fun to do. I had a very low-quality photograph as a reference and I had to invent all the textures and wrinkles and also the color. Very challenging but I'm happy with the result.

There was a very small population of fewer than 12 individuals living in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam. The last Vietnamese Javan Rhino (a subspecies of the Javan Rhinoceros) was shooted by poachers in 2011 in Vietnam. This animal used to live around very poor populations of villagers that were very hard to convince not to kill them, knowing that its parts could be sold for good money. Let's don't forget that those who decimates the population was mostly European trophy hunters at the beginning of the 20th century.

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Reference: Vietnamese Javan Rhino | Vietnamese Javan Rhino

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It is almost impossible to find a complete photograph of the Javan Rhinoceros. Doing this illustration was very challenging but also I had to be more creative.

Indonesian Javan Rhinoceros

The second species from the Rhinocerontidae genus is the elusive and rarest big mammal, the Javan Rhinoceros. There are about 60 individuals in the world, making this rhino the most endangered big mammal in the world.

The surprising thing is that it wasn't the case 200 years ago. It was the most common rhinoceros in the world and could be found from India to Indonesia (Nepal, Burma, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc). Sport hunting, poaching, and environmental deterioration put him on the brink of extinction today.

It was often confused with the Indian Rhino. The biggest difference will be its size, which the Javan Rhinoceros is considerably smaller, its armor is less marked, and the triangle formed at the back of the neck is less notorious in the Indian Rhino.

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--------------------------------------------- Reference: Javan Rhinoceros | Javan Rhinoceros -----------------------------------------------

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Indian Rhinoceros This one is by far the hardest illustration I have made on this blog. Pedro Jarque, a very well-known photographer, has an excellent photograph of the animal. The photograph has so many details that I didn't want to miss but it wasn't easy to translate. It took me forever to understand the skin of the rhino and because is my favorite animal, I wanted to look real nice.

Anyways, finishing up the African rhinos, we move to the Asian ones, and what better way to begin with than the Indian Rhinoceros.

It is the biggest of all the species of rhinos although some put the White rhinoceros in that place. They weren't easy to breed in captivity. The first recorded was in Kathmandu in 1826 and more than 100 years had to pass to have another born in captivity. There are zoo breeding programs in Europe and the USA that ensure the conservation of the species. Its conservation status is vulnerable and is protected in all its habitat ranges. However, poaching still occurs. Instagram Store ______________________________

References: Indian Rhinoceros Photo Reference: Pedro Jarque: Website | Instagram

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Eastern Black Rhinoceros

Black rhinos have the most subspecies among all rhinos. At some point, it was believed that it was 23 subspecies of black rhinos. This was made of poor investigations based on parts of bones, skulls, and just mere sights of the animal.

With time, better studies suggested that the subspecies consisted of just t four. There is still debate because some say there are five subspecies (which is the one I am inclined to believe) but this cannot be proven because three of the five subspecies are already extinct, and there is not even a photographic register of them. Some skulls and bones are around but it's hard to make conclusions based on just little remains of the animal. It is hard for me to believe that they were extinct without even a picture of them. It is not the case for this subspecies but its situation is critical. A little more than 700 are in the wild including a small group of them that were taken to South Africa. This is uncommon because this animal is restricted to Kenya and Tanzania. Its future is uncertain because of the poaching of the animal for their horns. If there is a market eager to buy horns, it will be some eager to risk their lives in order to feed that market as well.

References: Eastern Black Rhino Eastern Black Rhino Photo Reference: Michal Sloviak ________________________________________

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Southern Black Rhinoceros It's a subspecies of the Black Rhino that is extinct by 1850. This was due to excessive hunting. Inhabited the south of Africa and according to some skulls and some other remains of the animal, this subspecies is supposed to be the largest.

Incredibly, there was not a single photograph of the animal. Some scientists believed that this subspecies is not extinct and is considered a population that exists in the North of Namibia. New design. What do you think?

References: Southern Black Rhino Photo Reference: William Fortescue ________________________

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South-Central Black Rhinoceros(Diceros bicornis minor)

Also called south-central hook-lipped rhinoceros. The most common subspecies Black Rhinoceros. However, it is also critically endangered.

*Photo Credit: Roman *Credit: www.wikiwand.com/en/South-central_black_rhinoceros _____________________________________________ If you like the content please like and subscribe. It will help me a lot! Check out the Instagram account for different animal content or my store for nice posters. Shipping worldwide.

Western Black Rhinoceros

This subspecies of Black Rhinoceros was declared extinct in 2011. Surveys have been done since 2006 but have been fruitless. Poaching was the main cause of its extinction. Rhino sperm is conserved after the extinction of the animal and scientists have been trying to bring back to life this subspecies, using the wombs of Southern White Rhinoceros but all attempts have failed.

If this is an animal that we all love and we all have our eyes on, and still went extinct, just imagine those ones we might even don't know exist. This is one of the reasons why I decided to do this project. We cannot take care of the beings we don't know exists.

References: Western Black Rhinoceros

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