Animals that would live in mountainous areas

While researching animals that live in different environments I found these useful websites which have many reference images and descriptions of the traits s of many animals:

http://a-z-animals.com/
http://www.mountainprofessor.com/mountain-animals.html

I've also researched anatomy reference that i will use in my creature designs and sculpting.

Volcanic study - I've tried to build upon the reference library that Darren Hoey has created and take it in my own direction.
How would an animal adapt to the environment?

On eruption a volcanic eruption may release gases, volcanic debris and lava into atmosphere.
Lava:
-Large amounts of lava and heat from the volcano will increase the temperature.
-After cooling the volcanic materials will help the environment to regrowth, this is because lava is actually rich in minerals from the earths core.
-Volcanic debris may be thrown in the air and land, injuring plants and animals
Gases:
Gases will poison the air and may make it hard to breath
 -If gas particles are big then they let sunlight in but don’t let heat radiated from the Earth’s surface out.
-If the particles are smaller they block some of the incoming energy from the Sun and the Earth cools off.

Reference:
Here are some articles that discuss how volcanoes may effect the environment:
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/feb/09/volcanoes-climate 

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/how-do-volcanoes-affect-atmosphere-and-climate

It was recommended that I have a look at an previous students honors project, Darren Hoey. In his project he has created a library that shows a variety of animals in there respective environments, and he explains traits that they have depending on there environment.

Link to the Blog of Darren Hoey:
http://darrenhoeyhonours.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/adaption-to-unique-environments.html

Darren took this research in a more realistic approach to his creature designs. I will research more unusual environments, such as volcanic, and combine the realistic approach with more fantasy/extreme environments.

Zbrush Basics

One of the areas I want to explore in this project is Zbrush, i have used Mudbox in a previous project and would like to improve my 3D sculpting in a more advanced program.

Here is a basic tutorial I have followed for an introduction

http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?vid=29282&autoplay=1

I am most experienced in Maya so will be trying to apply my workflow into Zbrush, This tutorial will be useful to be learn the Maya to Zbrush workflow.

http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?vid=13902&autoplay=1

So far there is a few creative directions i would like to follow:

1.Characters influenced by how humans adapt to there environment. Considering, culture, clothing, tools.

2.Creatures influenced how animals adapt to there environment. Considering, fur, shape, claws etc

I have decided to follow the creature route, because it is an area I have not researched before.