The Great Dying

A melanistic Inostrancevia travels along the increasingly arid Permian Russia when his journey is suddenly interrupted by a cloud of dust and sulfur raised by an earthquake. Disoriented, the predator tries to flee; but there is no safe place to go now. He finally sees a flash of light in the horizon, followed by a thundering sound that shakes the earth once again. This would be one of many volcanic eruptions to take place in the Siberian Traps, signaling that the reign of the gorgonopsids is near the end.

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I promised you guys some Permian fauna, didn't I? Here's my interpretation of Inostrancevia alexandri, the biggest gorgonopsid found to date. I took into consideration the opinion of those who commented on my last journal entry regarding external ears, and opted for a very subtle, reptilian earhole.
The general colouration was inspired by tasmanian devils and black panthers; I'm afraid it ended up looking too mammalian.. well, that's what you get for bringing me out of my comfort zone!
Also, sorry for the lame little story up there. I think I've been reading too much epic literature *coughgameofthronescough*

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