This is a Flutterfly. A species of insectoid that is reminiscent of a cross between a butterfly and a bird. A designer species altered genetically from their original format for the exotic pet trade, and entertainment industry.



If you interested in learning more, read on...otherwise just enjoy the picture!


*************




Commonly kept as exotic pets, they have a short lifespan, are expensive to own and have a few unique skills that make them highly sought after. Because of this owning one is a mark of prestige, and having enough money to constantly own one....or even a 'terrarium' of them is something special.

Their wings are luminescent...glowing faintly during the daytime, and quite bright at night. The colors are constant and come in a wide range of (usually bright) colors, these colors do brighten or dim in hue depending on emotional state and health. They absorb sun or moonlight in their membranes and fur. If kept constantly in the dark or with only faint light...a Flutterfly would loose their glow and the colors would dim. They would probably also die within a matter of weeks.

They can crossbreed but this is rare for four reasons. First: their short life span often makes it hard for them to carry to term any offspring from species requiring a longer gestation...as the gestation varies according to the male's species specifics. Two: They are rather delicate, so it would take a tougher than usual Flutterfly to survive charring the offspring...or even mating depending on what their partner was. One in every hundred or so are born a lot tougher than the others, but they are obviously very rare. And three: All pure bred Flutterfly's are female. Also only a very few fertile Flutterfly are produced by their 'company'. After all, if everyone could breed them, cost would go down.

Half breeds are female or herm (Historically two males were born in the past, but proved infertile). When you get to the third generation out (1/4 Flutterfly) males appear. If the part-Futterfly offspring is female, they tend to take on the Flutterfly's dominate traits (wings, colors and luminescence).

Herms tend to have an even mix of traits. And males will often show some bright coloration of faint glowing. All halfbreed offspring would have about half the normal lifespan of the male parent. The good news is that if the male is very long lived...the offspring would end up with a more normal life span.

I might add more info on the Flutterfly's later, if there proves to be interest. :)