Meganeura Painting Final

Giants Stalking Giants - 2011

Acrylics on canvas paper - blurring in gimp

The giant dragonfly Meganeura monyi sits blissfully unaware on a branch, as the giant scorpion Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis creeps ever so slowly towards it's victim.  Fossils show the scorpion to be 70cm (2.3ft) long, and the dragonfly's wingspan surpassed 75cm (2.5ft)!  The Carboniferous provided these prehistoric insects and arachnids with an atmosphere of increased oxygen levels, which many scientists believe led to the increased size of these critters.  

Wouldn't mind one of these beauts as a pet...

Posted in ART Evolved's Carboniferous Gallery here.