All Questions
70
questions
28
votes
7
answers
7k
views
Could life form in outer space?
All life we know of to date (presumably) formed on a rocky planet (more precisely: earth). Fiction has been written about life in more exotic locations. Though as far as I know, these lifeforms were ...
- 5,575
3
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Could my Wyverns exist?
A long time ago, Yi Qi diverged into three main groups: Cockatrices, Drakes, and Wyverns. Some characteristics of Wyverns include:
They are tetrapods/quadrupeds
They are covered with feathers
The ...
- 6,895
36
votes
5
answers
39k
views
Is it possible to genetically modify a being after birth?
In many stories we hear about people whose genetic structure is modified after they're born (Spider-man, The Fantastic 4 and practically any other superhero you care to mention). However current ...
- 18.7k
13
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What evolutionary pressures would lead to Goblins?
A long time ago homo floresiensis split off into two main groups Goblins and Halflings. Now Goblins are an odd little bunch (here's a rough mock up of what a goblin might look like) and I was ...
- 6,895
28
votes
10
answers
2k
views
How can I make a net beneficial genetic trait occur only in a small fraction of the population, sustained?
For a species I am working on, there is a specific genetic trait that I want to introduce into the population. The exact nature of either is not important for the purposes of this question, but the ...
- 29k
23
votes
10
answers
4k
views
A Human Hunter with Sonic Powers?
As part of Fortnightly topic challenge #3: Creature Design
I am looking for a realistic way to create a particularly nasty creature.
What I would like:
A creature that is capable of emitting a ...
- 32.9k
8
votes
3
answers
719
views
Can insects evolve their basic anatomy to grow in size?
In my fantasy world, there are several species - both sapient and non-sapient. They all originally evolved from a group of insects that, after millions of years of isolation and no competition, have ...
- 4,971
55
votes
25
answers
8k
views
Lifeform - resistant to gunfire but vulnerable to melee
Is there a plausible makeup for a lifeform which is highly resistant to even very advanced firearms (or any ranged weaponry for that matter), but can be injured more readily (albeit still a major feat)...
user6415
36
votes
9
answers
9k
views
How would tattoos fare on reptilian scales?
In a world with humanized (or at least tool using) reptiles, how long would a tattoo be able to last on the scales? Would the tools need to be much different than what we use today?
Would it be ...
- 872
28
votes
15
answers
12k
views
How do I explain the long life spans of Elves?
Elves in fantasy are commonly depicted as having long life spans and that applies to my story as well with Elves on average living between 250 and 270 years. The question is how would this work and ...
- 6,895
12
votes
5
answers
920
views
How could a biological loudspeaker work and naturally evolve?
In this Answer I suggested that an animal could have a tampani acting as a loudspeaker, as in Vernor Vinge’s The Blabber, later featured as the race called Tines in A Fire Upon the Deep. In the ...
- 69.6k
28
votes
8
answers
84k
views
What would happen to a human body subjected to extreme water pressure?
First of all, I tried to look if this wasn't answered before. Found this and this but neither is exactly what I need.
Some Context
There's this race of humanoid fish people. They live in cities ...
- 4,654
19
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Are hydrocarbons viable foods for larger organisms?
There are some oil consuming bacteria which can break down hydrocarbons in the ocean. Since these tend to store a lot of energy, I was wondering whether it's possible for larger organisms to take ...
- 2,546
16
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Is a condition leading to a cold-blooded human possible?
Well, today I have a fairly simple question. Is it possible for a human to have some sort of birth defect, mutation, disease or something that causes the human body to be unable to produce body heat?
- 6,247
12
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Could a Neptune like Gas Giant support life?
I was trying to put together an idea for a Gas Giant like planet that could possibly support some kind of fairly complex life, and I hit upon a few ideas:
-Located in a habitable zone roughly similar ...
- 766