Oh as a side note - Ariel isn't the only redhead randomly phased out in favour of a black actor. No real point with this other than to point out it's not just one character.
Tbh if we're looking at it logically they'd likely be a bit plump, and part of me thinks they'd be a grey color since most of the other large sea mammals seem to be in the blue/grey range (orcas and belugas being an exception, but generally living very far north)
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Or from the other side of things she's either Greek (via Poseidon) or iirc Scandinavian (via her actual author origin). Make of that what you will
Yeah true, they would have blabber and stuff wouldn't they? I like to think their hair isn't actually hair, that way it wouldn't get all salty and gross. Maybe it's like... idk anemone stuff? I don't really get the casting but idc as much as everyone else seems to.
Well the ocean is generally not a warm place, especially if you're warm-blooded. But there are animals like sea-otters that spend a good amount of time in the water and their fur comes out fine. Anemone is an interesting idea, too.
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Considering it's quite likely mermaids were inspired by manatees and dugongs I imagine they probably wouldn't be quite as cut and paste mimics of humans as most myths and depictions tend to dictate. If humans were there prey it would make sense if they had some features used for luring them, but that clashes with actual survival underwater. I imagine their nostrils would need to be able to seal somewhat or such and they'd likely need a clear eyelid to protect their eyes (or whatever dolphins and whales have I suppose)I
Haha when I was younger I used to draw things. Mermaids among them, and it got me thinking about how illogical their features actually were. Plus got in a debate/discussion at some point with someone over whether they'd actually be able to exist. So I had given it some thought, mostly their blubber, gills, and things like teeth/fingers etc. This just kind of resparked that train of thought haha
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I do think it's interesting actually figuring out what would have to happen/change to make fantasy beast/creatures actually function in reality
Over-Analysis no one asked for:
Unless they weren't actually mammalian, they could just have a very fine type of scales that mimicked the appearance of skin. But that very readily guarantees they'd have no use for breasts... and definitely not nipples.
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There's also the issue of them breathing. they'd have to be at least somewhat amphibious to be able to breathe above the water well enough to sing... (although the original mermaid myth doesn't involve them singing I don't think. They got blended and became synonymous with sirens, which were actually freaky amalgamations of women and birds)
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Or from the other side of things she's either Greek (via Poseidon) or iirc Scandinavian (via her actual author origin). Make of that what you will
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Considering it's quite likely mermaids were inspired by manatees and dugongs I imagine they probably wouldn't be quite as cut and paste mimics of humans as most myths and depictions tend to dictate. If humans were there prey it would make sense if they had some features used for luring them, but that clashes with actual survival underwater. I imagine their nostrils would need to be able to seal somewhat or such and they'd likely need a clear eyelid to protect their eyes (or whatever dolphins and whales have I suppose)I
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I do think it's interesting actually figuring out what would have to happen/change to make fantasy beast/creatures actually function in reality
Unless they weren't actually mammalian, they could just have a very fine type of scales that mimicked the appearance of skin. But that very readily guarantees they'd have no use for breasts... and definitely not nipples.
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There's also the issue of them breathing. they'd have to be at least somewhat amphibious to be able to breathe above the water well enough to sing... (although the original mermaid myth doesn't involve them singing I don't think. They got blended and became synonymous with sirens, which were actually freaky amalgamations of women and birds)