"Predators and prey animals of the post apoc" Topic

In your preferred version or type of post apocalyptic setting.

I would think that there are two distinct groups of potentials here;

with or without mutants

By mutant it is understood I am not talking about a hairless cat or dog but rather the mutations of extreme possibility or right over the hump into science fantasy (which is perfectly fine :)

And if you are including mutant animals/creatures/monsters please include a rating of 1-10 with 1 being barely mutated and 10 being way out to lunch so that we can all follow along with your vision.

Pics would be great also, if you can find them…miniature examples even better!

I like an overgrown world where the cities of old are being claimed by a green carpet, trees erupt through streets, and for the most part the remains of man's day in the sun is fading…so a fair amount of time could have passed to allow this to set in or a science fantasy touch like a Genesis Experiment gets away from the makers.

I am a fan of mutations but I do like to layer the impossible with a taste of science…so a land living barnacle that filters the air is right on track but a dog with a crab arm and three octopus tentacles replacing the tail is not so much.

*****(rating of 3-4)

Kraw…named for the horrid rasping call this alpha predator makes when on the track of prey…they hunt in small packs of 3-7 with a potential clutch of up to a dozen younglings…they are intelligent though not at a human standard…faster than a man, stronger than a man, and they are always hungry…meat is meat.

There is a rumor that there is a clan of nomads that raise chicks from the egg and actually ride them…it is also rumored that these clansmen are pygmies and cannibals.

And yes, if the opportunity provides itself they do taste like chicken.

Erraco (rating 2-3)…massive pig with extensive facial, head, chest, and shoulder bone armor hidden under flesh, fur, and fat…aggressive, territorial, and constantly on the move for new food…they will eat anything organic and will even crew up inorganic materials if in the way of a meal…while mostly nocturnal some do hunt during dusk/dawn and even the light of day depending on hunger level.

There are rumors of these great beasts being used as trained animals/mounts by a tribe to the East in the deep forests.

You might want to look into the theory of island biogeography. The basic thing that happens there is that certain biological niches will be filled. In isolated areas (surrounded by a "hot zone", for instance), you will see gigantism and dwarfism amongst limited species. In an isolated area, say the island of Manhattan, you have a limited number of species. I'd expect housecats, dogs, rats, squirrels, and a diverse population of birds, with an emphasis on cliff-dwelling seabirds. Herds of herbivorous rats the size of capybaras could graze in Central Park, stalked by enormous terriers or prides of large feral cats (like a 50-75 lb Maine Coon). Meanwhile, carnivorous squirrels leap between skyscrapers to raid the seabird nests. And then there's the nocturnal pygmies that live in the sewers…

There's also behavioral evolution. Certain creatures could start behaving differently than before – mountain lions hunting in prides, Raccoons forming primate-style troupes and starting to use tools, feral cattle forming enormous herds on the plains like the american bison before them. And what the seagulls are up to is just plain weird…

Great thoughts RST!

I would happily game in that setting.

Seagulls…seagulls need to die…die…die…

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Just some very real sources . . .

Everything that can make it out of every zoo and private collection in the country will try to survive once freed. When Hurricane Andrew destroyed zoos and private homes in 1992, it created an entirely new fauna mix for the Florida Everglades.

There are more large cats in private collections and zoos in the US than in most of the wild reserves. Also, Jaguars are making a comeback into Texas.

Huge bands of Baboons live in large fenced South Texas ranches. Primarily Primates is in Central Texas.

All of those critters could make life very interesting.

Dan

SKAGS!!!

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And other Canine/Hyena like critters…

Mini Maws from Hasslefree. link

Humans, both predators and prey, mostly prey.

feral hogs… definitely opportunistic predators.

Horses, cattle, and beefaloes/buffaloes, all prey.

There are a LOT of big cats in private hands, including zoos. I still remember the 600+lb Siberian tigers getting loose at the Boise Zoo. They are *really* mellow cats, found passed out in the park after gorging on geese. Or the time someone left their cage unlocked during a fundraiser. The cats smelled barbeque, and came to investigate… the rich folks were not amused.

Skags, Maws, and Mini-maws are fun. Maybe the privateer press line could offer miniatures to fit the skags?

The mouth is wrong I know.

*****

Lion I am struggling with my aging brain to remember a science fiction story of forced evolution with a colony ship loaded with humans crashes down on a planet without any macro life and over the vastness of imagination the humans fit the roles of all the various niches…predator and prey…seal types, antelope types, tree climbers, rock hoppers, etc.

I know that is not what you meant but your comment made me think of it anyway :)

*****

How about common cats gaining a bit of size and taking on the roles of lions or wolves, hunting in packs? Add in a touch of near human intelligence and problems will quickly evolve.

Maybe even creepier is if the common cat develop/gain an intelligence and/or a common connection (minor telepathic) and work together in groups of hundreds to thousands…working through areas like army ants clearing out anything they can bring down.

"yes…we are talking to you…human…you are looking mighty tasty…run and make it worth our efforts…a bit of fun"

Depending on type of apocalypse, buffalo could come back. Boa constrictors have developed viable populations in Florida. Changes in weather could cause shifts in population ranges. Alligators in New York. Wolves returning to South…

Indeed the reason for the apocalypse, shifting weather, limited human population, and more would allow the more realistic post apoc aspects to create some interesting predator and prey fodder.

Hybrids would seemingly have a chance for a foothold among the bovine types if they can survive the initial fall.

There are tons of big snakes that have made the glades their home, but any cold snap causes mass die outs so their claim is a fragile one.

American crocodiles have made a serious comeback especially in certain areas…nuclear power plants. The Turkey Point power plant cooling water returns are baffled with acres and acre of sand berms that allow the water to cool and act as a filter before returning the water to the sea

There is a strict no pass policy that held for years, so no people ever went out there…then during a flyover the crocs were sighted and now the fish/wildlife people make routine checks on the population. Turkey Point has been credited with single handedly providing the prefect situation for the crocs to save themselves from the endangered list.

The sandy berms, allowing each mother to have a clear section with fighting, loads of fish, no people, etc.

Such perfect situations could happen for other species to be sure, some unexpectedly.

Wolves coming back into areas in the North with reduced presence of man in North America is a sure bet.

Dogs and cats breeding to the point of critical environmental collapse is also possible. And with that in mind I suspect that cat and dog would be a staple on most dinner tables if chicken, fish, etc. is not.

A wave of any particular animal can cause significant change…cane toads and rabbits in Oz is a current example.

Then there is your various enlarged crawly bits. Spiders and Scorpions and the like. Mega Minis make hords packs that come in handy.

GW rats make good giant rats, some of the older mutant rats are great. Good luck finding them.

For 15mm

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The Familers
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That is just a quick pass through the Reaper site…

These guys are funny, I like the idea of a small humanoid race that is only dog intelligent.

Man those guys will make "Deep" ruins critters..

I name them…Wallys.

Toiling away on some odd task like collecting cans, bottles, or keys. Which can make finding a Wally cashe a real boon if you can make it past the hundreds to thousands of those little freaks…all bitey, grabby, and smelling of wet hot garbage.

They would be bound into clans based upon what they collect…rocks, tires, bottle caps, etc.

Wallys they are! I like that. Consider that idea stolen.

Pendraken's Dungeon Monsters are a loverly selection of critters as well.

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