WIP- Reptile Pokemon evolution

PART 2 (lizards and snakes)
www.deviantart.com/weirda-s-m-…
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This is inspired by evolution tree I've seen in my most favourite book about evolution and history of the life on Earth.
I do not love it. I adore the way it was made and the amount of information included there.
I also love to share my finds and knowledge about prehistory thanks to redesigning Pokemon.

I'll try to work on this huge description in next updates to shorten each one, but still put some explanation on my real prehistoric animals choices.

Important!
I have two probably controversal theories for those who also like to think about Pokemon science, evolution of species to be exact.
First, still not nailed and beta-theory: Since very different Pokemon species can breed and give prolific offspring (unlike in real life,
where for example hybrids like mule, hinny cannot breed) I SAY: THIS AFFECTS EVOLUTION TOO.
It's Pokemon World. It's way more complicated than ours. As for now there's nothing here about this, but Nidoqueen and Noivern will have this concept.

Second theory: Almost none of Pokemon lively evolution(I mean: the methamorphosis evolution like Cynaquil->Qulava->Typhlosion)
Was fullfilled since the species appeared; I included when the particular species started to exist.
It also means, it have went into weird way! Like for example the first stage, then third and THEN second!
However, mostly final stages existed first and weaker, smaller evolution stages existed in methamorphosis evolution chain later.
Why?
For example, Nidoking species: it was dominating before and at the beggining of dinosaur era, but later the lack of access to Moon stone
and competition with more advanced reptiles depleted their population. Luckily, it survived the extintion around 65 milion years ago,
but compettion with mammals caused that there was not enough of food for them. They also weren't enough reproductive.
Nidorans are warm-blooded, they need less food to survive AND after reaching maturity at this stage they can breed faster.

We tend to think that the first stage is like a child, second like teenager and final stage is the maturity one.
WRONG.
The first stage can breed and reach maturity, but it needs just more time.
It's better for Pokemon to evolve and reach maturity in way faster time, but at some conditions its better to just wait and breed
at the first or second stage.

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List of my inspirations and real animal refernces~!
(Better don't try to read it all at once, it's horribly long)

Pseudosuchia

Avalugg: Aetosauria members: Aetosaurus, Stagonolepsis.
If you haven't seen my deviation "Avalugg is NOT a turtle", see here~
weirda208.deviantart.com/art/A…

Sandile: It's not modern crocodile, but a crocodylomorph that was had posture more of a dinosaur or rather, like a Postosuchus.
Araripesuchus wegeneri to be exact.
Just look, a wild Sandile appeared !
i53.photobucket.com/albums/g62…
img.xooimage.com/files27/c/9/3…

Krokorok: Oooo this. I've found the only one PERFECT picture of Turfanosuchus which is shown bipedally with erected posture! Ideal reference
The head is based on Gavialosuchus AND Sarcosuchus. Krokorok "nose" reminds me of Sarcosuchus skull.
I can see that at cretaceous period there was subspecies, one form of Krokorok that managed to grow into Sarcosuchus size,
but somehow it haven't became its next stage and because of such large size it became extinct. Modern Krokorok
is about 5 metres long, it can grow maximally to 9 metres, but to become much larger it has to change into Krookodile, which is different species.

All in all, Krokorok and Krookodile are not modern crocodiles, but more ancient bipedal reptiles which common ancestor was shared with dinosaurs.

Krokorok imperator is counterpart of Sarcosuchus imperator which was the biggest known crocodile in the history!
Anyway, I have a concept it was had a bit different head(more like Sarcosuchus), it was much stronger and durable,
but slower on land, mostly walking on all four legs, because at this size Krokorok anatomy while attacking/hunting
was troublesome. It was also less agile because of that. Remember it's land crocodile, not like we imaginate them hunting
in the water. Krokorok imperator hunted mostly on...Aggrons! Additionaly on Bastiodon when they were migrating.
So much like crocodiles hunt on antalopes when those pass through the river when migrating.

Krookodile: Well, I am too lazy to write it now, I also prefer to just show it. I need to draw reference sheet of Gustav,
Professor Tipsy's starter Pokemon, so please give me a time. One thing is sure: it's crocodile, or more seriously,
crocodylomorph which gained traits much like dinosaurs was had, but in convergence evolution.
Krookodile's outgrowths on its nose has same "role" like those on gharial: to attract opposide gender.
It's not only for males, but females has them shape more like original Krookodile has (males have more fancy in look outgrowths
because I love them personally)

Totodile line mention: we all know they're just crocodiles so that's why they are waters starters. But do you know about crocodiles
that adapted to live in the ocean and reminded of Ichtyosaurs? YES. Metriorynchus was na example.
Since Totodile line has big red scales in the middle, like fish fins to estabilish them while swimming, I think that they were able to have
short tail that would have give them enough of power to push the body to swim, if it would has a fin. Not a scale, but a fin.

Croconaw: When thinking about crocodile, we imagine long jaw full of teeth. I admitt, I do too, but I know in prehistory crododyles
specialized more and they were way different than today. Still, there's no known "bulldog croc" yet. Yep. 'yet'.
I believe one day paleontologist will discover a crocodylomorph that will have so short jaw with crunching bite.
As for now, I based the head on Mahajangasuchus and Yacarerani.
Seriously, there were herbivore crocodiles!

TURTLES
Aww crap. My apologises it's messy in look, I need to sit and think which one was first, second, third etc...

Carracosta: based on Odontochelys, unlike the other earliest turtle which is only 10 milion years younger, Proterochersis which looks just like we know turtles.

Genetic analyzis places turtles closest to...Archosaurs! You know, this is like placing something from marsupilans to modern mammals or something!
From anapsida to diapsida.
So, so much confusing.
But I've read some newest discoveries, mainly about Pappochelys
and they place turtles nearbly sauropterygia(marine reptiles like plesiosaurs...)
...
...
I KNEW I PLACED LAPRAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE TWO YEARS AGO WOOO~! x3

Now for fun: I just found this funny qoute while researching about turtles taxonomy

So where does that leave us with turtles?

Well if you ask me, the answer to turtle ancestry is obvious.

They’re aliens. Why else would they be saucer shaped?

I admitt.

P.S: My Carracosta is a mix of Odolochelys and Archelon. Both haven't had full shell.
The trouble is, archelon existed in cretaceous period...sigh.

Torterra-WE ALL WANNA SAY: ANKYLOSAURUS!
...
yeah...me too. Even if, I would say: Nodosaurus. First, Ankylosauria has a club on their tail and their head is wide,
while Nodosauria was had the tail without nothing special and their head was definitely triangle shaped.
But look: Torterra had a shell. It't based on eastern myths(not only chinese and japanese) and its legs are too massive.
You don't know turtles also were had spikes on the head, long tail and look especially at my reference, Meiolania.
animal.memozee.com/ArchOLD-6/1…
AND Ninjemys, REAL TORTERRA SKULL OMG! Evolution, you wanna tell us, Pokemon CAN BE REAL?!
emilievanbr.wordpress.com/2010…

The spikes on its back are more like alligator snapping turtle, but covered by ceratin, much like horns are.

Grotle: Research,research,research... Since not today I'm looking for animal references, also because I love biology.
So I found Sternotherus, which has interesting shape of shell that will be definitely in my opinion a look of shell
of Grotle close to evolution into Torterra.
AND thrivia: in polish anguage it's called as redolent/odoriferous turtle. "wonny" in polish has rather neutral meaning.
but I would got with aroma from plants Grotle has I am crazy...nothing new.

The head is based on Eutonosaurus with more of turtle look.
I know it looks awkward, but it's my first try, a concept, beta version

Lapras: Well...following the madness of turtle relation, where some scientist place them with sauropterygia...and Lapras has a shell...
Why not?

You don't know that there was Pistosaurus- a plesiosaur with stiffen vertebral column. I can see that Lapras gained shell starting
from this odd feathure. It has also shell on belly, so that allows it to stay one the land and not die because of trouble from the weight
that would prevent it from breathing.

Lapras can be very various in apperance: from more like Plesiosaurus, to the Plesiosaurus with flat body and head of Placodus,
to even almost like long-necked turtle. It all depends on the breed and what subspecies it represents, since Lapras adapted
to different environments and food source to survive. They also gained high intelligence, because they started to live in herds
and became as social and intelligent as dolphins.

Here I drew the one that is total mix of Placodus/Plesiosaurus and long neck turtle. An average shape of this species.
I have even a secret twist on one feathure and relation with one dragon Pokemon...because Lapras "horns" and movepool.
Inspired by few, but creative fanarts I saw lately.

DINOSARIA

Haxorus(OLD TEXT, THE CONCEPT MIGHT CHANGE): I've always seen it as prosauropomorpha member.
AND REMEMBER: Prosauropoda are related to sauropods, but they're not their straight-line ancestors.
Sometimes I wondered if Haxorus is not a Beipiaosaurus or Falcarius, both being Saurischia strange therizinosauroids.
It's because of big red claws and that might it's closely related with theropoda. I still wonder if it would be therozinosauroid,really,
however because of some feathures it rather can't be as for my final decision.

Thrivia: there was dinosaur(omorph) with teeth AND small beak:
POLAND archosaurus, Silesaurus.
www.paleofile.com/imges/Dinosa…

So, a beak in upper jaw? Totally normal thing to my eyes

Bayleef: I am so happy this cool Pokemon got such important place. Second stage evolution gets forgotten since we all know Pokemon exist.
Bayleef is awesome and even more interesting in design than Meganium.
I haven't seen it here before doing this Poke-science work, but I know why: I've never been thinking over it and I've forgotten
it has more of a beak than a round shaped mouth like Meganium.
Now I understand why Arvalis is not the only one dude who interpretated it as a turtle.
Altrough the idea of long necked turtle is cool and creative, I admitt.

My weird interpretation of its head feathures?

Shunosaurus teeth inspired me to make these as Bayleef's and at the front teeth are covered by beak.

Since Haxorus got "helmet" with single outgrowth, Bayleef thin bone on which nostrills are constructed got odd mutation
to form a little horn that is a base for the leaf. The leaf can fall down like leafs do in autumn season.
Why?
Thanks to this mutation it can use Razor leaf on longer distance and if it will get attacked it can cut out the leaf
and quick helpless situation or when enemy has advantage.

The "gap" is actually not because something eat it.
Why the heck every speciment would get it in the same place?
It's not like Spinda's spots.
Or even no gender difference(and ya know IV gen made some on previous gen)

I decided to make it as transparent part. Bayleef is (probably) one of the first plant symbiosis  type Archosaur and it's really
specific one, probably it's environment caused such way of evolution. Tropius species came in jurassic, which was really favourable period of time.

Meganium: Since I saw it I knew the most accurate animal for it is Camarasaurus: the head shape, shorter neck and smaller size.
Albeit it's body with bigger front legs fits more with Brachiosaurus, but Camarasaurus at last for sure unlike most of saurupods
wasn't had smaller front legs.
Also some primitive sauropods has shorter skull like Euhelopus.
WAIT!
There's Europasaurus which fits completely, even if not being primitive, because it was Brachiosaurid.
Because it lived on islands, it became small.
Conclusion?
Two subspecies of Meganium- one more primitive, the second one is the common breed nowadays.
AND it's ancestor of Aurorus.

Even if Aurorus lost ability to phothosynthesis, Tropius as Diplodocus cannot be its ancestor in my eyes.
Not only that, also some feathures from Meganium and Bayleef species makes me think Aurorus came from them.

Aurorus at first was placed at ice ages, because it's obvious, but after thinking I decided to boringly place it
in the time when Titanosauria familiy came to the scene. I see Aurorus as Titanosaurus, yes, i have some anatomical reasons.

Anyway, why Aurorus would fit there as well as in ice ages?

Around 65 milion years ago, because of drastic global climat changes Meganium species became almost extinct if not that Bayleef
stage doesn't need such amount of sunlight and both with Tropius species stayed in forests since they existed.
Maybe their environment got reduced almost totally, but they managed to survive.
Unlike most of rock-type Pokemon that coexisted with them, Bayleef, Meganium and Tropius were able to resist water floods
or search for food between islands(higher level of ocean). In such hard conditions, many species evolve or gain new evolution stage.

Meganium doesn't feel well in colder temperature, lack of sunlight and it doesn't travell on flat, hard ground.
Aurorus species has more durable skeleton, especially the spine, the flower petals became the "sails" on its neck.
I know this Pokemon is definitely based on Amargasaurus, but look how its always animated. It cannot be stiffen structure.
Furthermore, IT HAS FUNCTION THANKS TO THIS.
Described in Aurorus part.

Aurorus: Original Pokemon is inspired by Amargasaurus, that's for sure. I think not only, or at last, I see it as a Saltasaurus
with its defensive focus and icy shards on the body. It also would make sense making it one of the biggest land Pokemon that got exinct
like other huge Pokemon species. I base the head on Europasaurus, because it was Brachosaurid that live in Europa and got the size
of original Aurorus! Not to mention, TipsyRa1d3n's OC for Pokemon fandom, Professor Tipsy has Aurorus named Europa.
OHHH THE FUNART.

Also, Aurorus is more than amargasaurus inspired. In China, few interesting sauropods were discovered: with a club on their tail tip!
Yeah, people doesn't know that. Aurorus tail tip is inspired by Omeisaurus and Shunosaurus, especially the second one because of its skull too.
(I know Shunosaurus is so primitive, but now lets say: that would be Meganium-Aurorus proof )

Now, little thrivia about Aurorus "sails". They are characteristic feathure among this species which came because of some reasons.
not from ONE reason. That would be DUMB.
First, for a show. like birds of paradise evolution.
Kalos and evolution for beauty. YESSS~
These "sails" also reflects the light, so it can blind the enemy or at last, it makes Aurorus looking even more bigger!
Lastly,  they work like elephant ears to cool the body.
I'm so proud of the last idea weeeeee~

Tropius: Ahh Tropius.
"No pain no gain"- I was wondering A LOT about how its wings are made, how it can fly etc.
I was starting my realistic Pokemon concept adventure, so I was sometimes stuck and forgetting about some obvious things.
Like, really. I always knew about air holes among sauropoda, that many grass type Pokemon has animal-like veins fused with those
in leaves,so...
Why I've got my Tropius concept after like 2-3 years?!

Well, probably that after I've got exhausted and bored of trying to solve it, I just left it in wings of oblivion

Anyway, I am also too observative to details as you noticed in my commentary.
Might I'm doing an overdo, but I'm trying not to.

Sceptile: Dilophosaurus, one of my favourite dinosaurs since I just saw it and the gorgeous idea that Sceptile represents
Might I spended too much time on it, but it was worth it definitely!
It's not only Dilophosaurus, but it has spine of Acrocanthosaurus.
I have some explanation thrivia about it, but I will include it in my "Favourite Pokemon of each type challenge" with grass types.
I just need to think over some things that are running too fast throught my head and not to mention, I am scatter brained or side-tracked often.

Cranidos and Rampardos: These two are obvious: Pachycephalosauria. Since Marginocephalia includes them AND Ceratopsians, I decided
to mark a bit that Cranidos evolved from Shieldon species by mention about the first Cranidos which I based on Stegoceras.
Common one has head based on Pachycephalosaurus while Rampardos is based on Stygimoloch.

Shieldon: A little trouble with this little dinosaur: grey "half-rings" on its head and that it has definitely bulged head; that's why
I seriously see Cranidos and Shieldon related. This ceratopsian is more like Pachycephalosauria with its head.
The head "frill" is based on Cerasinops and the "nose" on Protoceratops.
Since Shieldon beak is not triangle, in my take it's even more primitive than Cranidos and Aron, having a mouth like Pachycephalosauria.
If I'll draw my take on Shieldon one day, you'll see it's weird Pokemon that does not look like any real dinosar!

Bastiodon: It's just...a ceratopsian, like if you haven't seen yet- my fun over Bastiodon subspecies~
weirda208.deviantart.com/#/art…

Aron and Lairon: Aron is more advanced than Shieldon, but Lairon is closely related to Bastiodon. Aron has potential of standing on two legs, because it evolved from Shieldon which also evolved into bipedal Cranidos and Rampardos.

Aggron: Terryfying head that even though scary you want to see, let me guess, huh?. I have a concept in my head how it would look,
but glad I decided to make only shadow figures of each Pokemon here. I need some time to make out of Einosaurus head the head of Aggron
with such a "helmet". As for now I can tel, it will be similar with Shieldon a bit with having hard ceratin layer on the forehead and its frill.

One thing is sure: while Ceratopsian were had cheeks, Aggron doesn't has them and what more! It became a carnivore!
eww...a carnivore Ceratopsian with armoured body and spear-like horns.
RUN FOR LIFE!

As for its rings on the tail...I don't have clear idea yet, but Aggron's back has armour plates like crocodile has and they're
base for steel armour, also on the tail.
Like Krokorok and Krookodile has genes for separate outstanding scales and black rings, it probably has to do something here.
Crocodiles and dinosaur were had same ancestor. Also, Aggron tail is unlike dinosaurs: it's long but not stiffen, it's like
coming back to roots with this feathure.

I admitt, long time ago when I started my fun with redesigning Pokemon, I saw Aggron as T-rex with Triceratops skull like a hat
YES, you can see it here, my old drawing from 2011 year:
weirda208.deviantart.com/art/A…
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this image belongs to me, Marta Kłeczek
All Pokemon included here belong to Game Freak