The Crab Toad

I'm so glad and honored to reach the 7th place in the Helpful Bear Production's Creature Design Contest!! Around 2000 different entries from so many badass artists with stunning works! Thanks so much to Terryl Whitlatch and the whole Helpful Bear Team for this contest. You guys rocks!!

Crab Toads:
My idea was to create a creature with both amphibian and crustacean characteristics since crabs and toads are my favorite animals ever so let me guys introduce you to the weird Crab Toad.

This weird amphibian has many areas of his body covered by a solid layer which is more concentrated on the frontal area of the head in a shape of a crest. The size of the crest is way larger in males while in females it looks more like a small beak. Apart from being a sexual characteristic the crest in males is often used as a weapon for dominance disputes and as a tool to make his way across muddy waters.

The front legs of the crab toad are more amphibian-like while the back legs are larger and more crustacean-like. The ones in the middle are a combination of both of course. The membranes on the back legs are pretty useful for swimming in the swamp but also for the display of emotions. Whenever a crab toad is angry it raises the back legs and spread the membranes to intimidate other animals. Nevertheless a less aggressive use for those membranes is for mating. When the male crab toad wants to call the attention of some female crab toads he just doesn’t spread those membranes and keep them as high as he can but also makes a weird noise from his mouth! (Yes, he sings). Quite seductive for female crab toads.

So that’s it. Hope you guys like it.