Site Header

Shop
DreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
JoinLog In
Upgrade to Core

50% off for a limited time!

Get Core
Theme
Help Center
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
DeviantArt - Homepage
DeviantArt FacebookDeviantArt XDeviantArt Instagram
AboutContactCore MembershipSell Your Art
DevelopersAdvertiseCareersHelp Center
Terms of ServiceCopyright PolicyPrivacy PolicyEtiquette
Watch Team and join our Community Group for the latest updates and activities.
Join Community
©2026 DeviantArt
All rights reserved
Carnivores of Doudin's PlainMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Carnivores-of-Doudin-s-Plain-898648613MarvellousMemento

Deviation Actions

MarvellousMemento's avatar

Carnivores of Doudin's Plain

By
MarvellousMemento
Published: Nov 22, 2021
37.4K Views
creaturedesigndragonfantasyfantasycreatureworldbuildingspeculativeevolution

Description

Join Patreon for one week earlier publishing!

It's on Patreon!!! by TheJuras

The vast Doudin’s Plain was such a bountiful and iconic ecosystem with the beneficial arcane energy of the wild god Doudin supporting its root. The food plants were so packed in nutrients that they could maintain huge varieties of herbivores that roamed the land in massive numbers and diversities like no other places could compare. It was not a big surprise that with so many prey, predators would be found thriving in this paradise as well.

The predators of Doudin’s Plain came in many shapes and forms. They too took advantage of the nutrients that passed from the plant through the meat of their prey. Many used this opportunity to increase in numbers, becoming a common sight within their habitat. Others chose to increase their size and became one of the most frightening creatures the world had ever seen since the days of the dinosaurs.

Here are some examples of the iconic carnivores of Doudin’s Plain.

- Ironbill (Ferraetus stymphalae)

The Ironbill (Ferraetus stymphalae) is a species of terratorn, a type of large bird that are related to the condors and new world vulture, being the only representation of its clade within the Old World in which their ancestors had migrated to from the New World. Ironbill is well adapted to the freezing grassland of Doudin’s Plain winter, scouring the land and sky using its well developed legs and wings for carcasses, as well as mobbing and stealing food from predators of smaller or similar size. In summer however, they could be found stalking on the ground and hunting small prey such as rodents and ground birds in the same manner of caracaras of the New World. Ironbills’ population suffered from the loss of Doudin’s Plain, however they managed to survive living near the coast west of Pensivir where they nowadays can be found sustaining themselves on sea lions and lemming colonies.

- Dire wolf (✝Aenocyon dirus)

The Dire wolf (✝Aenocyon dirus) was once a commonly found predator of Doudin’s Plain. Like the ironbill, they first evolved and migrated from the New World. This large canid looked and behaved similarly to Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) of the Old World, despite not being related to one another. They lived in a large family pack in which they utilized their numbers to bring down larger and more powerful prey. The dire wolf’s population in Doudin’s Plain live in a much larger pack than their New World’s brethrens did, with each containing up to 40 members regularly and were able to hunt large and powerful prey such as unicorns and spearhorns. They outcompeted the grey wolves, limiting the smaller canid to the dense forest area. The dire wolf vanished to extinction once Doudin’s Plain was gone, unable to cope with the diminished prey and nutrients they highly depended on.

- Scimitar cat (✝Homotherium latidens)

The Scimitar Cat (✝Homotherium latidens) was a species of Machairodontine commonly found in Doudin's Plain during the last ice age. The scimitar cats were a quite lanky sabre-tooth cat with proportionally long legs, allowing them to adapt for more cursorial lifestyle in the open plain, where they hunted large grazing herbivores like bison, horses and occasionally young proboscideans that they took down in loose, unrelated pack. The scimitar cats were one of the few megafauna that survived after the degradation of Doudin's Plain, likely in the southern land of Eropan where they solely survived on the last population of Steppe Bison (Bison priscus). The cats eventually succumbed to the competition with other more adaptable predators like lions and the growing population of humans that hunted them for sport.

- Greater cave lion (✝Panthera spelaea grandis)

Cave lion (✝Panthera spelaea)
was one of the most iconic predators of the ice age. They ranged from southern regions like Eropan up to the north most of Wild North, the most widespread big cats of its time. They are much larger than any lions or tigers of the present days, with a male could easily reach 400 kg in weight, however one subspecies could grow even further, the Greater cave lion (✝Panthera spelaea grandis) of Pensivir could reach up to 600 kg. A powerful predator, cave lions lived alone or in a small brother or sister coalition, stalking the plain for prey such as horses, bison and camels which they could easily overpower. They would also drive off smaller predators such as scimitar cat, brown bear and tiger from their kill. Like most of the large predators of Doudin’s Plain, cave lions were among those that went extinct once their preferred open habitat was gone. In their absence however had given rise to another big cat, the Dire tiger (Panthera tigris maximus) which had grown significantly and become the top predator of the wood and taiga forest of the north where it was once the plain that cave lions prowled.

- Coastal kelpie (Kelpia marinus)

Northern cousin of the Common Kelpie (Kelpia hippocampos), the coastal kelpie is the only known sea serpent species to inhabit subpolar regions, capable of thriving in extremely cold water thanks to the combination of its thick blubber and special antifreeze substance in their blood. The coastal kelpie is also the largest of all the kelpie species, growing as much as 6 metres long, although larger individuals may have also existed. Large rivers and lakes can be found stretching through the northern Eurus’s landscape. In these waters that the coastal kelpie had called home since the days of Doudin’s Plain. The kelpies roam the rivers and lakes, preying on any animals that wandered into their realm, dragging them into the watery grave before tearing chuck of meat with their powerful neck muscles. It’s said that during the ice age, coastal kelpie used to be very abundant, sustaining their population on the bountiful megafauna. Once Doudin’s Plain was gone however, the kelpies were reduced in numbers and are more likely to be found near estuaries where they may venture out into the sea to hunt seals and sea lions in the place of their long lost food source.

- Eurusian steppe drake (✝Dracodynastes antiquus)

No predators of Doudin’s Plain could stand in the way of the Eurusian steppe drake (✝Dracodynastes antiquus), the absolute apex predator of this ancient ecosystem. This titanic dragon is the largest dragon species ever lived and  could grow up to be 9 metres in length and weigh up to 4 tonnes, so large that adults become flightless once they are fully grown. They were well adapted to live on the ground, with long, powerful limbs and semi-digitigrade hind feet, a feature unknown to any other Quaternary true dragon taxa. Even the volant juvenile and subadult still spent most of their time on the ground. The steppe drake is a powerful and endurance runner, capable of covering large areas in search of prey, which they run down with surprising bursts of speed in short distance. Even against much faster prey such as ungulates, the dragon could typically keep pace with the traveling herd and pick off weaklings that weren’t able to keep up. However, the steppe drake was best known for being the main predator of Doudin’s Plain’s various cast of proboscideans. They possessed meat-hook like claws on the front limbs that could hook into the toughest hide and pull the struggling prey such as young mammoths and spearhorn down with ease. With the extinction of their large preys and the vanishing of open plain, the eurusian steppe drake succumbed to the change, leaving the Black Drake (Pachydraco nigra) to become the biggest dragon in its place.


Terra Alterna: Old World by TheJuras   Reign of The Earth Wanderer by TheJuras  Megaherbivores of Doudin's Plain by TheJuras 
Image size
4252x1155px 5.8 MB
© 2021 - 2026 MarvellousMemento
Comments19
anonymous's avatar
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
meisking01's avatar
meisking01
May 21, 2024

Fantastic work! I like every animal here honestly, though the Steppe Drake obviously steals the show. I like the design, but I wish the coloration was a little more vibrant. I'd love to see them with a blue color scheme for example.

More by MarvellousMemento
The Fauna of Wild North: The Great TaigaMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/The-Fauna-of-Wild-North-The-Great-Taiga-925147482MarvellousMemento
The Fauna of Wild North: Eastern AlpineMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/The-Fauna-of-Wild-North-Eastern-Alpine-932519464MarvellousMemento
Shapeshifter: TransformationMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Shapeshifter-Transformation-1276750056MarvellousMemento
Megaherbivores of Doudin's PlainMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Megaherbivores-of-Doudin-s-Plain-891372530MarvellousMemento
Sacred Beasts of The WorldMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Sacred-Beasts-of-The-World-996095546MarvellousMemento
Baena Refugees : Discovery of Marvellous ValleyMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Baena-Refugees-Discovery-of-Marvellous-Valley-777220690MarvellousMemento
Land Wyvern II: RunnersMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Land-Wyvern-II-Runners-1226131730MarvellousMemento
The Fauna of Wild North: Mulkan BasinMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/The-Fauna-of-Wild-North-Mulkan-Basin-947236871MarvellousMemento
New World Wyverns: The Strays Across The SeaMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/New-World-Wyverns-The-Strays-Across-The-Sea-1265944144MarvellousMemento
Promoted Deviations
Realistic dragon anatomyNeakisSilver on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/neakissilver/art/Realistic-dragon-anatomy-1288394726NeakisSilver
My little friendD0esh on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/d0esh/art/My-little-friend-1284050433D0esh
Chromeornis funkyiSkywings1996 on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/skywings1996/art/Chromeornis-funkyi-1273406863Skywings1996
Suggested Deviants
IllustratedMenagerie
Highland Predator CastIllustratedMenagerie on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/illustratedmenagerie/art/Highland-Predator-Cast-1138004147IllustratedMenagerie
Angry Birds of AugustIllustratedMenagerie on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/illustratedmenagerie/art/Angry-Birds-of-August-1091618587IllustratedMenagerie
Major Clades of KaimereIllustratedMenagerie on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/illustratedmenagerie/art/Major-Clades-of-Kaimere-877112772IllustratedMenagerie
VikasRao
Draconology: True dragons pt 1VikasRao on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/vikasrao/art/Draconology-True-dragons-pt-1-896674286VikasRao
Draconology: The DraconimorphaVikasRao on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/vikasrao/art/Draconology-The-Draconimorpha-852700794VikasRao
Draconology: The water peopleVikasRao on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/vikasrao/art/Draconology-The-water-people-931384916VikasRao
Hyrotrioskjan
British dragonsHyrotrioskjan on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/hyrotrioskjan/art/British-dragons-182028543Hyrotrioskjan
Two legendsHyrotrioskjan on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/hyrotrioskjan/art/Two-legends-293176151Hyrotrioskjan
The journey has just begunHyrotrioskjan on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/hyrotrioskjan/art/The-journey-has-just-begun-298869042Hyrotrioskjan
Monster for Sale - Zarchus - $10
Monster for Sale - Zarchus - $10
JafanAdis
$10
800
Buy Exclusive
Suggested Collections
Dragons-Wyverns
Violet PlainsTir-Goldeness on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/tir-goldeness/art/Violet-Plains-677025879Tir-Goldeness
Dragon's Ruinssandara on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/sandara/art/Dragon-s-Ruins-870708007sandara
Carnivores of Doudin's PlainMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Carnivores-of-Doudin-s-Plain-898648613MarvellousMemento
Fictional Biology
5 Mill hence, American Desertsarmundy on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/armundy/art/5-Mill-hence-American-Deserts-845595335armundy
Fantasy Animals VOL IIIRoojoeus on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/roojoeus/art/Fantasy-Animals-VOL-III-849217862Roojoeus
Oceanic Sea Serpent II: Wave RidersMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/Oceanic-Sea-Serpent-II-Wave-Riders-915778790MarvellousMemento
speculative evolution
The King and The BanditsMarvellousMemento on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/marvellousmemento/art/The-King-and-The-Bandits-907216798MarvellousMemento
Lynx of KaimereIllustratedMenagerie on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/illustratedmenagerie/art/Lynx-of-Kaimere-918562412IllustratedMenagerie
The Pelagans' StruggleSheather888 on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/sheather888/art/The-Pelagans-Struggle-902289369Sheather888
More Like This
Highland Predator CastIllustratedMenagerie on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/illustratedmenagerie/art/Highland-Predator-Cast-1138004147IllustratedMenagerie
The Dragons of Rulers and Roamers (Volume 1)MisterTriangleWorld on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/mistertriangleworld/art/The-Dragons-of-Rulers-and-Roamers-Volume-1-915400063MisterTriangleWorld
Common Elmerran ungulatesAlmyriganHero on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/almyriganhero/art/Common-Elmerran-ungulates-863588725AlmyriganHero
Draconology: True dragons pt 1VikasRao on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/vikasrao/art/Draconology-True-dragons-pt-1-896674286VikasRao
AM: ARF - Tundras and Polar Regions (Pt. 2)SpecJects on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/specjects/art/AM-ARF-Tundras-and-Polar-Regions-Pt-2-1228286240SpecJects
British dragonsHyrotrioskjan on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/hyrotrioskjan/art/British-dragons-182028543Hyrotrioskjan
Dragons in the Trail of CryptidsLuxudus on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/luxudus/art/Dragons-in-the-Trail-of-Cryptids-1026301295Luxudus
WildlifeDinoHunter2 on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/dinohunter2/art/Wildlife-868288979DinoHunter2
No spinning Earth: The cynodonts, North regionDragonthunders on DeviantArthttps://www.deviantart.com/dragonthunders/art/No-spinning-Earth-The-cynodonts-North-region-669406542Dragonthunders
Featured in Groups
Creature-Creations
DragonsWiki