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.