PDC 40: Ninetales Dimorphism

Note: Tried a different shading and background technique.

For the #pokedorks contest 40: Pokeman, Pokewoman. The aim was to recreate a pokemon evolution line with a gender dynamic (make male and female version of the pokemon) I, of course, chose the Vulpix line.

"Ninetales and Vulpix are chased out of their birth territory when they become sexually mature although males are commonly allowed back into the territory after a month or two. After leaving the birth territory, females will seak out their own patch of small territory. Males, on the otherhand, become nomadic, passing through, and hunting in, any territory they please.

Females (built for territorial displays and relies on brute force for survival):
- Brighter fur tone with no streaks or flecks
- Ninetales are larger
- Vulpix tails and bangs are curled
- Ninetales tails are long and full
- Ninetales mane is long

Males (built for survival and is more likely to flee):
- Darker and mostly duller fur tone and is commonly flecked with a darker fur tone to allow better camouflage
- Ninetales has a slighter, more agile build
- Vulpix tails and bangs aren't curled and are shorter
- Ninetales tails are shorter and slimmer
- Ninetales mane is shorter
- Not as strong as female
- Generally smaller than female

I would imagine that this evolution line would have territorial females and nomad males because of gender ratio with one in every four being male. The gender ratio isn't the only reason. I decided that the overly ornamental appearance would be another factor in the gender roles. Ninetales are rather flashy with large tails, not something a hunter would normally appear like. To me, this appearance would help females to ward of potential rivals as fighting would be a last resort. Females can't waste energy on fighting when they will need it for birthing, rearing and hunting. Males, on the other hand, could be better built for hunting and travelling. With the low population of males, any female would welcome a male when they are in season and have very little use for a showy appearance.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on what would happen if the Vulpix line had a gender dimorphism.

Pokemon (c) Nintendo
Artwork (c) =pandemoniumfire