Have Ticks, Will Travel by Ken _Gilliland

Poser • Animals • posted on Dec 27, 2010

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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.

Description

In revising, retexturing and re-rendering some of my older Bird packages (SBRM Africa, circa 2005), I managed to have some fun despite not such a fun job. Here's my revised Red-billed Oxpeckers taking a ride on a Zebra and helping themselves to any insect passengers. The symbiotic role of oxpeckers and their mammal companions is hotly debated. What is not questioned is that Oxpeckers do hunt down and eat ticks and other insects on the host mammals. What is debated is whether the oxpeckers actually help the host mammals’ health. Oxpeckers are known to create and keep wounds open on its host to attract insects and feed on the mammals’ blood as well. There is also in question whether the Oxpecker keeps tick populations in check. In areas where the related and endangered Yellow-billed Oxpecker is found, the absence of the Yellow-billed has been correlated with more tick-based diseases amongst human populations. Rendered in Poser 2010. Model Credits: Mil Horse/Zebra (DAZ), Oxpecker/SBRM Africa (me) The revisions to SBRM Africa should be available soon