Influences: Miscellaneous Pets

The 8-Bit Eyrie is dressed as a mail carrier! Specifically, the uniform appears to be based on that worn by the US Postal Service. The first version of these uniforms were put into service in 1868, with the notable red trouser stripe surviving to the present day.

The 8-Bit Kacheek's outfit is inspired by the elf-like character of Link from the Legend of Zelda video game series. The first entry from the series was released in 1986 for the Nintendo Famicom console, and is widely cited as one of the greatest video games of all time.

The 8-Bit Skeith is dressed as a stereotypical clown. The modern clown look was pioneered by Joseph Grimaldi during the 1800s in London. His white face makeup is still a staple of clown acts across the globe today.

The 8-Bit Tuskaninny is distinct from many other 8-bit pets in that it has a theme, that of a wizard from classic video games. The look was inspired by a fan-created design by the Neopets user ziporen.

Unlike many Baby Neopets that are just smaller versions of their adult selves, the Baby Buzz is a slightly different creature, resembling a grub! Much like the adult Buzz takes some inspiration from moths and butterflies, the Baby Buzz resembles the juvenile form of the lepidoptera family.

The Baby Nimmo, much like the Buzz, references a real life animal on which the species is partly based. Nimmos as a species resemble frogs, and the Baby Nimmo references the tadpole stage many amphibians start of their lives with. The Nimmo appears to be partly grown, having already developed legs, but has yet to lose its tail as most frogs do via apoptosis.

Although many Neopets are based off species that lay eggs, the Pteri is perhaps the most well known egg-layer, being based on birds. The Baby Pteri references this by being an egg itself, having yet to hatch at all. Some of the Baby Pteri's unconverted artwork suggest that the actual Pteri inside the egg has blue feathers.

The Biscuit Blumaroo is the first Biscuit pet to be released with extra elements. It comes with wearable frosting that can be removed, making it seem to be based on frosted animal crackers, given it is covered in a distinctly coloured sugar glaze with sprinkles, otherwise known as hundreds and thousands. Sprinkles themselves date back to at least 17th century French confectionary, while animal crackers were first produced in 19th century England.

The Blueberry Meerca is based on a design by the Neopets.com user, 1jediboy.

The Brown Lenny appears to be based on the markings of the red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), a bird of prey native to native to North America. The bird is frequently used in falconry across the United States of America.

The Burlap Acara is based on an existing Neopets item, the Luxury Acara Plushie, a type of Darigan Toy. This plushie also appeared in the Wizards of the Coast Trading Card Game, where it was called the Scary Abandoned Plushie.

The Burlap Cybunny appears to be based on the look of the titular character from the book The Velveteen Rabbit, written by Margery Williams, published as a book in 1922 after being featured in the magazine Harper's Bazaar the year previously. The Velveteen Rabbit was a stuffed toy with fur that became patched after years of use, much as the Burlap Cybunny's.

The Burlap Kau's design was inspired by a fan design by cowsprite. It was intended to resemble Highland cows, a long haired breed of cattle native to Scotland. Neopets would later release a wearable set that more overtly shared this inspiration.

The Burlap Mynci is based on the Sock Monkey, stuffed toys made to look like a monkey out of old socks. They were originally made in the USA and Canada, as a form of folk art in the 20th century. The Nelson Knitting Company based out of Rockford, Illinois, created a distinctive type of sock with red heels in 1932, which when used to make a Sock Monkey result in an iconic red mouth.

The Camouflage Chia is based on the tiger chameleon (Archaius tigris), which is native to the Seychelles. The species is endangered, and currently only found in the wild on four of the islands that make up the country. There are currently only around 2,000 of them left in the wild.

The Camouflage Cybunny appears to be based on the Cybunny's influence as a species: the rabbit. Specifically, this Cybunny appears based on the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), one of the most common wild rabbit species across the globe.

It is possible that the Camouflage Jetsam has taken inspiration from carpet sharks, which often have the same mixture of stripes and speckles that the Jetsam sports. We have been unable to narrow this down to a specific species, however. If you have insight, please let us know!

The Camouflage Kacheek appears to be based on the tiger (Panthera tigris), or possibly some sort of tabby cat (Felis catus), both referencing the feline nature of the Kacheek's influences.

The Camouflage Korbat appears to be based on some form of bat, but it is uncertain exactly which. It may be possible it is based on the soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), a species of bat native to Europe known to roost in the rooftops of buildings.

The Camouflage Krawk appears to have been influenced by the markings of a member of the crocodile, alligator, or caiman families, but it is unclear exactly which one specifically.

The Camouflage Lenny's distinctive look marks it as being based on the California quail (Callipepla californica). It is the state bird of California, where Neopets is primarily produced.

The Camouflage Lutari appears to have the markings of a ferret (Mustela furo), a species of domesticated polecat. Ferrets were originally bred for sport, including the hunting of rabbits. A collective group of ferrets is known as a business.

The Camouflage Nimmo is based on the poison dart frog, specifically the blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus), also known as okopipi. They are native to Suriname in South America. The distinctive blue colour is a warning to predators, as they contain a poison that can paralyze or even kill if ingested.

The Camouflage Ogrin draws on the African influences of the Ogrin species. It appears to be based on the gemsbok (Oryx gazella), otherwise known as the South African oryx. This species is native to many south African countries, and even appears on the coat of arms for Namibia, but has also been introduced to North America in New Mexico.

The Camouflage Pteri isn't based off a real bird, but it does have unique markings compared to other Camouflage Neopets. This is a reference to the Pteri's nature as a flying Neopet. The back is coloured green, so as to camouflage the Pteri if looking from above while in flight against forests below, while the front is coloured blue to camouflage the Pteri if looking from below against the blue sky.

The hair of the Candy Chia appears to be based on Mike and Ikes, a brand of chewy, fruit flavoured candy released in the USA by the company Just Born, Inc, in 1940. The hair appears to be made up of cherry, lime, orange, and lemon flavoured candies. While this in general is a reference to the Chia's ability to transform into many different types of fruit, Cherry is not an available colour for Chias. The box the Candy Chia is holding is also the same colour and design as boxes of Mike and Ikes.

The Candy Chomby appears to be a lollipop made of hard candy, but on closer inspection can be seen to contain Petpetpets trapped within the candy. This appears similar to insect lollipops made by many manufacturers which contain edible insects. This may be an additional reference in the case of the Chomby's prehistoric nature to cases of prehistoric insects becoming trapped and preserved in amber, popularised by the dinosaur film Jurassic Park in 1993.

The Candy Eyrie appears to be based on red liquorice, or licorice sweets. Despite the name, red liquorice rarely actually uses the flavours of the liquorice plant typically used in the more famous black version, instead typically featuring flavours like strawberry or cherry. The tightly woven twists of the Candy Eyrie specifically appear to be based on Red Vines or Twizzlers, two popular brands of twisted red liquorice sold in the United States. Red Vines in particular were a popular treat for former TNT staff member, Snarkie.

The Candy Gelert appears to be based on the Nerd Ropes candy, manufactured by the Willy Wonka Candy Company starting in 2001. They are a form of gummy rope (in this case, the Gelert itself) covered in Nerds, flavoured crystalised sugar. Nerds themselves were first released in 1983 in the United States, and are named in reference to a Dr. Seuss story.

Much of the Candy Gnorbu, particularly the mane, is based on candy floss, otherwise known as cotton candy. Candy floss is a form of spun sugar formed into 'clouds' in a process that was first mechanised in 1897 by the American inventor William Morrison, often with food colouring added to give the clouds different colours. It was originally marketed as fairy floss, before becoming cotton candy in the USA and candy floss in the UK. Australians continue to call it fairy floss.

The Candy Hissi is based on the popular gelatin sweet, the gummy worm. Although gummies in general have been available since the mid 1800s, gummy worms were created by the German confectionery company Trolli in 1981.

The Candy Korbat is a reference to the popular autumnal and Halloween sweets known as Candy Corn. Candy Corn is a type of sweet most common in North America, where it was invented in the 19th century and initially sold under the name Chicken Feed. The Korbat is based on a fan creation.

While the majority of Candy Neopets are based on generic hard candies with coloured stripes and swirls, the Candy Kougra has an additional reference. The Kougra's bright rainbow stripes suggested it was influenced by the colourful art style of Lisa Frank, who had a boom in popularity during the 80s and 90s after marketing bright and neon coloured animal school supplies.

The Candy Lupe's distinctive colours give it away as being based on watermelon gummy sweets. Such sweets are typically dusted with sugar to give them a frosted look which this Lupe lacks, suggesting that the Candy Lupe may in fact be some kind of hard candy.

The Candy Meerca is in fact a fusion of two different types of sweets! The Meerca's body is a gobstopper, also known as a jawbreaker, typically made from layers of hard candy that make them difficult to eat quickly (hence the name). The tail, however, appears to be a rainbow roll, a typically sour flavoured roll of gummy sweets.

The Candy Poogle is unique among Candy Neopets in that it is in fact a type of chocolate. The Poogle appears to be a mix of both white and milk chocolate, but interestingly when it was originally released, there was no Chocolate Poogle. The eventual Chocolate Poogle had a much more traditional look for Chocolate Neopets.

The Candy Quiggle is based on gummy frogs, a type of gummy sweet most commonly manufactured by Haribo, which are made in the shape of frogs with a top half of green gummy sweet, and a bottom half of white foam. Unlike the sweets, Candy Quiggles are stood upright, so this lighter layer appears on their fronts. Quiggles themselves are largely inspired by frogs, making this a perfect fit.

As with the Candy Gnorbu, the Techo is based on candy floss. The Candy Techo is based on a design by derpyunikitty4_. The sprinkles are intended to be mini marshmallows, which some vendors add to the floss, such as Sweet Treasures Cotton Candy.

As with the Candy Gnorbu, the Tonu is based on candy floss, otherwise known as cotton candy or fairy floss. Unlike the Gnorbu, only the Tonu's mane is based on candy floss, though. The Tonu's body retains the hard candy influence of many Candy Neopets.

While the body of the Candy Uni appears to be based on the standard hard candy of many other species, the Uni's mane, tail, and horn are based on the aptly named Unicorn Pops. These twisted hard candy lollipops were first sold in 1932 by Adams & Brooks. They are often brightly rainbow coloured, as with the Candy Uni.

The Candy Usul is based on decorated gingerbread biscuits, often shaped like humans and called gingerbread men. The origins of gingerbread are unclear, but it was brought to Europe over a thousand years ago, while gingerbread men themselves originated in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Candy Usul's royal icing markings have a Christmas theme, and it has peppermint candy in its hair. Gingerbread biscuits themselves became associated with Christmas in Germany, where houses constructed of gingerbread to resemble the one in the tale of Hansel and Gretel were popularised as Christmas treats. The German tradition was imported to the English speaking world when the German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

It should be noted that despite being the Candy colour, the Candy Usul being gingerbread essentially makes it a biscuit. The existing Biscuit Usul looks very different.

As with the Candy Gnorbu, the Candy Wocky is based on candy floss. The large horn sticking out of its head can perhaps be seen as the stick to hold the candy floss.

Most Christmas Neopets are based on common Christmas themes like Father Christmas, elves, and reindeer. However, the Christmas JubJub has a unique look among Christmas Neopets as it is dressed as a Christmas tree! The tradition of a Christmas tree is thought to have begun in 16th century Germany, and as German people spread across the western world during the 18th and 19th centuries, so too did the Christmas trees.

The Christmas Pteri is based on the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), otherwise known as the robin redbreast. Robins became a symbol of Christmas in 19th century Britain. This likely began as postmen in Victorian Britain wore red jackets and had the nickname 'Robins'. At Christmas, postmen, and therefore robins, were seen as delivering the Christmas cards.

The Christmas Vandagyre is based on the colours of the gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), which forms part of the inspiration for the name of the Vandagyre species. Gyrfalcons, otherwise known as gyrs, is the largest member of the falcon species, and is native to Arctic coastlands and islands.

The Christmas Varwolf appears to be based on the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), a species of large cat native to the mountain ranges of central and south Asia. The clothing the Christmas Varwolf is wearing may also be a reference to the geometric designs present in traditional Tibetan clothing, an area where snow leopards are present.

The Christmas Zafara is based on a Christian angel. Specifically, it likely references the Angel Gabriel in the Nativity story, who is typically depicted with a white and yellow colour scheme.

Most Aishas have a collar that has a single letter 'A' on it to represent their species. The Darigan Aisha, however, features a collar with a 'D' on it to reference the Darigan colour and the Citadel where Darigan Neopets originate from.

The Desert Blumaroo seems to be influenced by the ancient Egyptian god of death, Anubis. Anubis is typically depicted as having the head of a wolf (sometimes refered to as a jackal, as the animal that he appears to have been modelled off, the African golden wolf, was previously identified as a jackal).

It's possible that the Desert Grundo is based on the priesthood of ancient Egypt. Priests typically wore white, as it was viewed as a symbol of purity. However, real Egyptian priests also often wore leopard skins on top.

While many Desert Neopets wear a striped headdress known as a nemes, the Desert Hissi has a deeper meaning. The style of the nemes is likely a reference to the head of the Egyptian cobra (Naja haje). This snake has a deeper link to ancient Egyptian culture, as it is claimed that the Queen Cleopatra committed suicide by being bitten by an 'asp', which was likely to be the Egyptian cobra.

The Desert Kau's distinctive hat is a reference to the ancient Egyptian goddess Hathor, associated with motherhood and femininity. More significantly, Hathor was typically depicted as having the head of a cow, the species which inspired Kaus.

The Desert Kougra is based on the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet, who is often depicted as having the head of a lioness, making her resemble the feline Kougra. She is often shown with an uraeus on her head, being the upright form of a snake, and the Desert Kougra mirrors this. While this may seem like a tenuous link, the original artist for the Desert Kougra, shoomlah, has shown concept art for the colour where Sekhmet is confirmed as the inspiration.

The Desert Lenny is possibly a reference to the ancient Egyptian goddess, Isis, the mother goddess associated with protection and magic. Isis was often depicted with similar hair/headdress, and the standard pose Lennies share is similar to one Isis uses to signify divine protection of the King.

Like the Blumaroo, the Desert Lupe appears to be based on the ancient Egyptian god of death, Anubis. This is a dual reference, as Lupes in general are inspired by wolves like those Anubis has as a head.

The Desert Lutari is seemingly unique among Desert Neopets in that it isn't directly inspired by ancient Egyptian culture. However, it's actual inspiration is unknown. If you have any insight, please let us know.

The Desert Nimmo appears to be based on the look of the young Rameses II from the 1998 film, The Prince of Egypt. The film is largely a retelling of the biblical Book of Exodus (the tale of Moses leading the Jews from Egypt). Although Rameses II was a real historical Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, there is no conclusive evidence that he was the actual King from the tale of Moses.

TNT revealed in an editorial that the Desert Usul includes a reference to the science fiction book series Dune by Frank Herbert. TNT claimed they gave the Desert Usul blue eyes as a reference to the blue eyes of many characters in the series following exposure to a hallucinogenic substance known as Spice. However, confusingly the majority of Usul colours already have the same colour eyes, both before and after the Desert Usul was released, making it impossible to recognise this apparent reference without TNT pointing it out.

The hat of the Desert Vandagyre, known as a shuti, is a type of crown related to certain figures in ancient Egyptian mythology and history. It is commonly used in reference to the god Amun, chief of the Egyptian pantheon. It is also commonly used in reference to Nefertiti, wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten.

Like the Blumaroo and Lupe, the Desert Varwolf appears to be based on the ancient Egyptian god of death, Anubis. This is a dual reference, as Varwolves in general are inspired by wolves like those Anubis has as a head.

The Desert Zafara wears a khat, an Egyptian headdress similar to the nemes worn by other Desert Neopets, only of a simpler design.

The Dimensional Hissi has unique lightning-like lines within its body that are not present on other Dimensional Neopets. These were suggested by the user 1jediboy, along with the Hissi's colour, to reference the Darksaber from the Star Wars franchise. Hissi Day, which falls on the 4th of May, is also known as Star Wars Day due to 'May the fourth' being similar to the phrase from the franchise 'May the force be with you'. The Darksaber itself is a black bladed lightsaber, which is closely tied to the Mandalorian culture and characters from the franchise.

The skin of the Disco Xweetok appears to be based on a glitter ball, otherwise known as a disco ball. These were first used in the nightclubs of the 1920s, with the mirrored spheres reflecting light across the room. They became an iconic part of the disco era of the 1970s, which the Disco colour itself is largely based on.

The base colour of the male Elderly Lenny is based on Major Mitchell's cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri), sometimes also called Leadbeater's cockatoo or the pink cockatoo. It is a species of cockatoo native to Australia. Specifically, the colour is inspired by Cookie, a specimen at Brookfield Zoo, Chicago, in the United States. He lived to be 82 years old, which made him the most long-lived parrot in the world. The design of the base colour and its clothing were inspired by a collaborative effort between the Neopets users Jaudaran, victoriathegr8one, and parody_ham.

The outfit of the Elderlyboy Kau appears to be based on the one worn by Richard Attenborough when he played the character of John Hammond in the 1993 film, Jurassic Park. The all white clothing may have been a metaphor for the character's unshakable optimism at the start of the film, when compared with other characters.

The base colour of the female Elderly Lenny is based on the Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis), a seabird native to the North Pacific concentrated around islands in the Hawaiian chain. Specifically, it is based on Wisdom, a wild specimen first observed at Midway Atoll. Wisdom is thought to be around 70 years old, making her the oldest known wild bird in the world. The design of the base colour and its clothing were inspired by a collaborative effort between the Neopets users Jaudaran, victoriathegr8one, and parody_ham.

Although the Faerie Bori doesn't appear to be based on any specific example, the way the Bori's new wings work resemble those of beetles, particularly the part of the shell that looks similar to elytra that beetles have. These are hardened forewings, sometimes called shards, which tend to open to reveal the more membranous hindwings.

The Faerie Lenny is based on the peacock. Although commonly called peacocks, this name only refers to the male of the species, which is called the peafowl. The males carry the brightly coloured feathers, while females of the species do not. The Faerie Lenny is specifically based on the Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), known for its rich blue colours.

The Faerie Pteri is perhaps based on the phoenix, the mythological bird with red and gold feathers that erupts into fire and is then reborn from the ashes. The Phoenix was first mentioned in the writings of ancient Greece, though those same writings claimed that the beast actually originated in ancient Egypt.

The Glowing Ruki is based on the firefly, the Lampyridae family of insects otherwise known as lightning bugs or glowworms. They are well known for their ability to produce light, normally in the twilight hours, in order to attract mates. They are found across the world in temperate and tropical climates.

The Ice Bruce has a unique look among Ice Neopets, although the reason for this is less clear in the converted artwork than in the originals. The Ice Bruce is based on the Brucicle, an ice lolly sold on Terror Mountain that is shaped like a Bruce. Brucicles come in many flavors, but the Ice Bruce is specifically based on the Strawberry Brucicle. The unconverted version closely resembles the lolly nature of the Brucicle, but in the converted form the Ice Bruce is just melting.

The Ice Hissi is based on a famous Neopian character, The Snowager. The icy beast has made its home in the heart of Terror Mountain for as long as anyone can remember, being an oversized version of the Snowickle Petpet.

The Island Hissi also seems to be based on a famous Neopian character, The Deserted Tomb Monster. The ghost haunting the ruins of Geraptiku was introduced with the city's reveal almost two years before the Island Hissi was made available on the site, and the two have similar headwear.

The Island Vandagyre is based on the pueo (Asio flammeus sandwichensis), a subspecies of owl found in Hawaii commonly believed to be a form taken by ancestor spirits. The flowers the Island Vandagyre wears are based on the Tropical Flower Plant, a type of plant available for Neohomes.

The Island Varwolf references the grass skirts worn by many Island coloured Neopets by incorporating the grass into its mane. The mane and its flowers are based on the Aurora Lily, a classic Neogarden item. Aurora Lilies only open their flowers in sunlight, which means the Island Varwolf must spend much more time in the light than other Varwolves do.

The Marble Chia is likely inspired by the glassworks of the artist Dale Chihuly, a well known one eyed glass artist. The base of the Chia is reminiscent of his Ikebana series of sculptures, while the hair evokes his typical swirling style.

The Marble Draik is a black colour with gold veins, which resembles black Portoro marble. This type of Italian marble is typically found in the La Spezia province along the northwest coast of Italy. It is known as one of the most expensive types of marble available, which is perhaps why it was used as inspiration for the Draik which was once one of the most expensive Neopets on the site.

The Marble Eyrie's design appears to be based on the artform of marbling rather than the substance. In marbling, colours are floated on water, and then a surface to be painted is passed through the paint, often producing distinctive wave form striations of colours.

The Marble Grarrl has fossils of ammonites (Pleuroceras solare) inside it, an extinct type of mollusc that commonly formed fossils and are therefore useful for archaeologists seeking to date a rock layer to a point in history. The presence of the fossils is perhaps a reference to the Grarrl species being based on a dinosaur, a group of species which are also only identified by their fossils.

The markings on the Mosaic Techo appear to be based on the common agama (Agama agama), a species of African lizard. Specifically, the Techo appears to have the same markings that a dominant male specimen normally possesses.

The many headed Mutant Hissi is likely a reference to the Lernaean Hydra, a mythical beast from ancient Greece. The hydra had many heads, and later versions of the myth claimed that each head cut off would cause two to grow in its place. In the Greek myths, the hydra was eventually slain by the hero Hercules as part of his Twelve Labors.

The Mutant Ixi may be based on the modern day myths of the Chupacabra, which date back to Puerto Rico in the 1970s. The creature is purported to be a vampiric creature that sucks the blood from livestock, with its name literally meaning 'goat-sucker'. The Ixi itself has several features which resemble goats, even though the species itself is based off deer. Chupacabra sightings have since spread across the Americas and even as far as Russia.

The tentacles of the Mutant Jetsam's many tentacles are likely a reference to the octopus family. The six tentacles, along with the Jetsam's two hands, add up to the eight limbs of a typical octopus.

The Mutant Kau's distinctive look is based on the appearance of the creature Cthulhu, from the work of the author H P Lovecraft. The tentacled face is a clear giveaway, and has become a calling card of Lovecraftian horror in general. The Mutant Kau's look also later inspired the look of the Mutant Nedler, a Petpet species that has a similar tentacle face even in its unpainted form.

The Mutant Lenny's look likely takes inspiration from the vulture family. Specifically, the Lenny appears to be based on the white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis), which is native to southeast Asia.

While there are some additions like the horns, the Mutant Mynci is likely inspired by gorillas, a family of great apes typically found in the forests of Africa. The gorilla is widely known for its bulky, often hunched frame, as the Mutant Mynci displays. Myncis, of course, are inspired by primates in general.

The Mutant Pteri's look seems to be inspired by the mythical cockatrice, a dragon-like creature with a rooster's head. It was first mentioned in the Bible, but was given a more concrete form in the 14th century. It is typically said to have petrification abilities similar to the basilisk.

The Mutant Ruki is a reference to flying ants. Rukis as a species are inspired by ants, and flying ants are not a seperate species of the typical garden variety ant, just a specialisation. They are typically males or new Queens, also known as alates. They typically only appear in the hopes of starting a new colony.

The Mutant Tuskaninny takes the fact that Tuskaninnies in general are based off walruses and seals and runs with it. The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) lives in the arctic waters of the north pole, and are known for their elongated tusks. Walruses were once commonly hunted by humans for their blubber, ivory, and meat.

The Mutant Xweetok appears to be based on the common rat, though is blue coloured instead. The Xweetok keeps the distinctive rat tail and prominent teeth, however. Xweetoks as a whole appear to have influences of mice and rats, so this is a perfect fit!

As with the Oil Paint Kacheek below, the Oil Paint Aisha is likely a reference to the Scream, a painting by Edvard Munch completed in 1893. Unlike the Kacheek, the Aisha appears to incorporate more of the painting's direct composition and colouring.

The Oil Paint Bori is based on the collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh known collectively as Sunflowers. Each of the series is different, but the Bori's bold blue colours suggest it is based on the first piece in the second series, which was painted in 1888 and is currently held in a private collection.

The colour scheme of the Oil Paint Cybunny is a reference to the Starry Night, originally painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889. Following a breakdown that resulted in van Gogh cutting off his own ear, he admitted himself into an asylum at Saint-Remy-de-Provence in France. The Starry Night was painted from the view from his cell's window, though van Gogh added a village that was not actually there.

The Oil Paint Flotsam is a reference to the technique of Pointillism, whereby large images can be constructed by applying many smaller dots of colour. This was developed by the artist, Georges Seurat, who is perhaps best known for his work, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. This work, completed in 1886, shares much of the colour scheme with the Oil Paint Flotsam. It was a scene of people relaxing on the banks of the river in a park in Paris, France, and was a mirror of an earlier work of Seurat's, known as Bathers at Asnieres.

The colours of the Oil Paint Kacheek are likely a reference to the Scream, a painting by Edvard Munch completed in 1893. Munch was inspired to make the painting after witnessing a blood-red sky while out for a walk overlooking Oslo, Norway. There is still significant debate as to what may have caused the red sky he saw, from volcanic eruptions to a psychological reaction brought on by Munch's sister's recent admittance to an insane asylum. The painting has gone on to become a significant influence on popular culture, inspiring everything from the mask of the villain in the Scream movies to a monster in Doctor Who.

The Oil Paint Skeith is likely based on Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump by Jean-Michel Basquiat, painted in 1982. A johnnypump is New York slang for a fire hydrant that is open in the summer for children to play in. The Oil Paint Skeith's removable wearables resemble the bold, straight lines of Basquiat's figures, while the overall colour scheme can be see in the background of the painting.

The Oil Paint Uni may be based on the Water Lillies series of paintings by Claude Monet. Monet created many paintings of scenes of the water lillies in his garden in Giverny, France. The house and its gardens have been preserved, allowing visitors to experience the same scenes that Monet painted.

The pattern of paper on the tail and crest of the Origami Koi draw on the Japanese influences of the Koi species, as it is a form of seigaiha, a distinctive wave motif used in classical Japanese art to represent the sea. The exact formation of the waves depicted in the motif may also be a reference to Under the Wave off Kanagawa, a piece of Japanese art by Katsushika Hokusai.

The paper that makes up the wings of the Origami Lenny sports a cherry blossom motif. Otherwise known as sakura, cherry blossoms are trees that can be found across East Asia but are often cultivated in Japan, the home of origami, where they have special cultural significance.

The Pastel Buzz is based on the rosy maple moth (Dryocampa rubicunda). It is native to North America, and known for its colourful pink and yellow markings. They are commonly found laying their eggs on maple leaves in the eastern United States and Canada.

The Pastel appears to be based on the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko). It is found in Asia and some Pacific Islands, and named for the distinctive sound that males of the species typically make.

The Pink Lenny is based on the Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus), which is native to South America. Flamingos are widely observed to stand on one leg, and it is still not clearly understood why they do this, though it is thought that it may help maintain balance and reduce muscle activity.

The Polka Dot Elephante has a distinctive colouring that marks it as based on a character from the 1964 American TV film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In it, Rudolph's adventures lead him to the Island of Misfit Toys, where living, but unloved or unwanted toys reside. Among them is a spotted elephant toy with the same pink spots and blue nails as the Polka Dot Elephante.

Like the Spotted Lupe which was released earlier, the Polka Dot Kacheek appears to be based on the markings of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also known as the African painted dog, which is native to sub-Saharan Africa.

While most Polka Dots are white with multicoloured dots, the Polka Dot Ruki has a unique pattern that appears to be based on the Coccinellidae, otherwise known as the Ladybird or Ladybug. These beetles are found across the globe, and in many cultures are considered good luck.

The Purple Chia is unique in that it still has orange spots. Originally, all purple pets had orange spots on them, but they were removed on all other species at the conclusion of the Return of Dr. Sloth plot in March 2008. The orange spots would have originally been a plot point in the first version of the plot that was slated for 2004, but it was cancelled and the reimagined plot that took place in 2008 did not include them. As the reason for the spots existing was gone, they were removed, but it isn't known why the Chia's spots alone remained.

The Rainbow Lenny is likely based on the eastern rosella bird (Platycercus eximius), native to Tasmania in Australia, though it has since been introduced to the north and south islands of New Zealand as well. It may also be based on the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), one of the most distinctive types of parrot, native to South America.

The Rainbow Varwolf has a unique colour scheme for Rainbow Neopets, which involves a lot more black and white than usual. It may be a reference to the Velvet Art brand of posters, which typically include large black areas. Equally, it may also be a reference to the Scratch Art brand, which involves scratching away a black layer on top of an image to reveal the colours, often rainbow, below.

The Relic Draik, much like Draiks themselves, is based on the mythological dragon. Many myths and legends of dragons include them hoarding treasure, and particularly gold like the Draik's Neopoints, which adventurers claim upon defeat of them. Additionally, the Relic Draik holds an orb in its hands, which may be a reference to many Chinese dragons being depicted with a pearl in front of their mouths. This dates back to the legendary Marquis of Sui who was gifted a luminous pearl by a dragon he saved. Many later depictions of dragons across China then adopted this motif.

The Relic Grundo appears to be based on the character of Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. During the film, the character is encased in Carbonite, a fictional liquid which could be rapidly cooled into a solid, preserving anything contained within it, including living people.

The Relic JubJub is based on ammonites, the fossilised remains of now extinct marine life known as ammonoids from 400 million years ago which died out roughly 66 million years ago around the same time as the dinosaurs. They are recognised by their spiral shells, which make up much of the Relic JubJub's body as well as smaller fossils on its plinth. The Relic JubJub also comes with a barnacle wearable. Barnacles are a form of marine invertebrate which primarily attaches itself to rocks, ships, large creatures, or as in the case of the Relic JubJub, shells.

The Relic Kacheek's belly is in fact a geode, a crystal formation that forms within voids that can develop within rock. The exposed nature of the Kacheek's geode implies that it has been cut open. The flower blooming atop the Relic Kacheek may be a species of Ranunculus, commonly known as a buttercup. A common children's game in areas where they bloom involves holding them up to the chin of another. If the reflection is yellow, that person is said to like butter.

The Relic Korbat references a certain type of statue related to graveyards and memorials known as funery art. The angry face may mark it as a grotesque, a common feature in medieval architecture. These are often called gargoyles but technically that term only relates to carvings that serve as water drainage. If the grave the Relic Korbat is positioned above belonged to a Korbat, it may also be an example of a recumbent effigy, that is a statue of the deceased.

As with the Relic Kacheek, the Relic Lupe is covered in crystal formations known as geodes which form within the voids of solid rock. The crystals may be rubies, or they may be the Neopia specific red crystal known as red moltite.

The Relic Yurble is based on Chinese guardian lions, also known as shishi, and the related shisa and komainu in Japan. They are stone statues, typically of lions but also mythical lion-dog creatures, and often found in pairs on the thresholds of buildings and shrines to act as guardians against evil spirits. The Relic Yurble wears tassels around its neck as many similar statues do, with such collars normally signifying their tamed status as guardians.

The colour and general shape of the Robot Chia suggest it may have been inspired by the robot R2-D2, from the Star Wars franchise. R2-D2's iconic design began with concept art in 1975 by Ralph McQuarrie, and some of these early sketches have 'arms' around the droid's head in a similar way to the antennae the Robot Chia has.

The Robot Poogle also appears to have taken inspiration from the Star Wars franchise, with the face of the Robot Poogle resembling the iconic mask of Darth Vader. Interestingly, Vader himself is a cyborg, kept alive via technology and implants, rather than a robot. The iconic mask he wears, along with the distinctive breathing sound, is actually a respirator needed to keep the character breathing after injuries he suffers render him near-death. Given that the Robot Poogle would have no such need for any breathing apparatus. However, given the Robot Poogle's colour scheme, it is also possible it has been inspired by the character of Emperor Zurg from the Toy Story franchise. Zurg himself is largely a parody of Darth Vader, but appears much more robotic in nature.

The Silver Flotsam has a unique colour scheme compared to other Silver Neopets. It is likely inspired by the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the species that Flotsams in general are based on. Dolphins are well known for being an intelligent animal, showing signs of language use, mimicry, and self-recognition that few other animals manage, making them a popular area of study for human scientists.

While in general all Snow Neopets are references to the real-world practice of making human effigies out of snow, and the cultural myths that they may then come to life, the Snow Chia appears to have a more specific inspiration due to its unique look. The carrot nose, three rock buttons, and top hat, are some of the most traditional decorations for snowmen in the western world. The top hat, in particular, may be a reference to the character of Frosty the Snowman, from a popular 1950 American song that was later transformed into an iconic appearance in a 1969 animated special.

The Speckled Usul has a unique colour scheme compared to all other Speckled Neopets. It is possible it is based on the red markings many of the 'coconut men' members of the Pango tribe on Mystery Island, particularly Umma Bunga. The Speckled Usul was released during the Sacrifers site event, which heavily featured the Pango tribe.

The Spotted Gelert is based on the dalmation, a spotted breed of dog (Canis familiaris). The dalmation breed originated in Croatia in the middle ages, where it was first used as a hunting dog. However, it is probably best known as the basis of the 1956 story 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith, and the Disney films that followed.

The Spotted Hissi seems to be based on Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), a species of snake native to the southeastern United States. It is the largest known species of rattlesnake, and is also venomous. It is thought to be the most dangerous venomous snake in the United States.

The Spotted Kau is a reference to the friesian cow (Bos taurus), also known as the holstein cow in North America. The Kau as a species is largely influenced by the cow. This breed of cattle is commonly used both for meat and dairy production, and originated in the Netherlands around 100 BC.

The Spotted Koi is based on the ornamental koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus), also known as nishikigoi. They were originally bred in the 19th century in Japan. Specifically the markings of the Spotted Koi are based on those of the taisho sanshoku koi, which was first exhibited in 1914 by Gonzo Hiroi.

The Spotted Kougra is based on the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the large cat native to Africa commonly known to be the fastest land mammal on Earth. Kougras as a whole take inspiration from the large cats, but the Spotted Kougra takes the Cheetah's famous spots. The spots are unique to each cheetah, and serve to camouflage them against the grey-hued grasses they tend to inhabit.

The Spotted Lupe is based on the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), also known as the African painted dog, which is native to sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly, the African wild dog is the only living member of the Lycaon genus, making them more cousins of other animals that inspired Lupes, like dogs and wolves, rather than a closer member of the family.

The Spotted Lutari appears to be based on the Marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), which are typically found in southeastern Europe and western China. In the past, Marbled polecats were commonly killed for their fur, which is known as perwitsky fur in the fur trade.

The Spotted Tuskaninny is likely based on the harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina), otherwise known as the common seal, a type of seal found along coastlines of arctic regions. They are the most widely distributed type of seal in the world.

The Spotted Uni is based on the pinto horse (Equus ferus caballus), where pinto is an equine term for any horse that has large patches of white and another colour. Specifically the Spotted Uni's coat would be known as skewbald, as it is a white and non-black mixture of colours.

The Spotted Vandagyre is based on the spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), a species of owl native to North America. It is commonly found in old growth forests along the west coast of the continent.

The Stealthy Zafara appears to be based on the uniforms of the palace guards in South Korea. The Zafara is wearing a gat, a traditional hat made typically made from horsehair and bamboo, and a hanbok, a form of traditional Korean clothing. The blue and red colours of the Zafara's clothing were colours typically used by the traditional palace guards, and are often associated with Korea itself.

The Stealthy Xweetok has a unique look that appears to be based on samurai of feudal Japan. Many wore masks for protection and to intimidate their opponents. The Xweetok in particular is wearing a kitsune mask. Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox, and in Japanese mythology foxes are seen as messengers for the spirit Inari, and possess supernatural abilities including shapeshifting.

The Striped Meerca is based on the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), a rodent native to North America. The name Chipmunk comes from the indigenous Ojibwe name ajidamoo, which literally translates as 'one who descends trees headlong'.

The Striped Ruki is perhaps based on the markings of a grasshopper, possibly the common green grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus), commonly found throughout Europe. Male Grasshoppers are known for the songs they produce, made via rubbing their legs together in a process known as stridulation.

The Toy Bori is based on popular xylophone toys, with the Bori's typical back plates transformed into the keys of a xylophone. Specifically this appears to be based on the Toddlerz Toddlin' Tunes Puppy, produced by Fisher-Price.

The Toy Bruce is not based on a specific brand of toy, but is instead inspired by plush toys of baby penguins. Young penguins have a layer of fluff to insulate them from the cold. This design was inspired by an idea from the Neopets user draik_bianca.

Although the general design of the Toy Chia isn't unique, the front flap appears to be based on the classic Mr. Potato Head toy, which has a similar flap on the back to store spare parts in. Mr. Potato Head was first sold in 1952, and is the first toy ever to be advertised on television. It was originally sold with the body as a real vegetable, but the well known plastic body was introduced in 1964.

The Toy Gnorbu is based on a pinata, a decorated, shaped container often found at parties, containing sweet treats that are released when the it is hit with a stick. Pinatas are thought to have been invented in China, but became popularised in Spain during the 1300s as a celebration of Lent. This was eventually brought to Mexico in the 1500s, where it morphed with similar Mesoamerican traditions involving blindfolding the person holding the stick. The pinata has continued to be part of Mexican culture and has since spread around the world.

The Toy Grarrl is likely based on the character Rex from the Toy Story franchise. Rex himself is a tyrannosaurus rex (Tyrannosaurus rex) toy, the popular Dinosaur that Grarrls in general are based on. Rex was likely inspired by the Dino-Riders tyrannosaurus rex toy, which was released in 1988.

The Toy Grundo is likely another reference to the Toy Story franchise. It is likely based on the Little Green Men toys, also known as Squeeze Toy Aliens, that appear from the first film installment onwards, and are known for their devotion to the 'Claw', owing to their distribution through a claw machine. The Little Green Men are not an existing toy that Toy Story adapted, rather they were developed as a promotional mascot for the in-universe restaurant called Pizza Planet.

The Toy JubJub is based on the Koosh Ball toys, balls made from strands of rubber that are typically brightly coloured. Koosh Balls were first sold in 1989, originally by OddzOn Products Inc, before being purchased by Hasbro who still manufacture the toy today.

The Toy Kacheek is based on the Doodle Bear, originally developed by Ed Kaplan Associates and launched in 1995. The plush bears were made of machine washable fabric and included washable markers, allowing children to draw on the bears and decorate them as they wished, while allowing them to be washed and returned to normal at the end of the day.

The furry Toy Kougra appears to be based on the FurReal Friends series of animatronic animal toys manufactured by Hasbro. The series was first released in 2002, and features a range of different animals. The Toy Kougra appears to be based on the cat toy, despite a tiger toy also being available.

The Toy Meerca is based on the Weazel Ball, originally manufactured by Dah Yang Toy, a child's toy that is also frequently used to entertain cats and dogs. A small weasel is normally tied to the ball, causing it to chase the ball around when it is thrown. Although there are a lot of colour versions available, the exact colour scheme of the Meerca is used by the original.

The Toy Mynci is based on a cymbal-banging monkey toy, a mechanical toy that when wound up begins to bang the cymbals it holds together. This type of toy was first developed and sold under the name 'Jolly Chimp' by the Japanese company Daishin C.K. during the 1950s. However, this has since spawned many different versions of the toy with the monkey changing clothes, and colour. The original Jolly Chimp eventually became a character in the film Toy Story 3, making the Toy Mynci share a reference with many other Toy Neopets. The specific version of the toy that inspired the Toy Mynci is unknown, however, as the original Jolly Chimp was not purple, did not wear red clothes, and did not have a fez.

The Toy Nimmo is based on a design by the Neopets user, victoriathegr8one. It is based on the series of sand filled plush toys known as Sand Critters. These glittery toys are based on a wide variety of Earth creatures, but the Nimmo in particular is based on the green frog variant.

The Toy Peophin is based on the Dalecarlian horse toys, otherwise known as Dala horses, which are traditional Swedish wooden toys. The practice of making Dala horses dates back to at least the 17th century, but did not become more common until the 19th.

The Toy Poogle is based on the iDog series of toys designed by Sega Toys and first released in 2005. The distinctively shaped robotic dogs could connect to MP3 players, and then light up and dance in time with playing music.

The Toy Techo is based on common sticky gecko toys, designed to stick to surfaces like walls. It even comes with an elongated tail ending in a loop, much like many of the sticky geckos do.

The Toy Tonu is based on the playing pieces from the game Hungry Hungry Hippos, manufactured by Hasbro since 1978. The aim of the game is to control one of four hippopotamuses using the lever on their back to open their mouths and swallow a collection of white marbles on the board.

The Toy Uni shares the colour scheme of the character Scootaloo from the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic animated series that began in 2010. Scootaloo herself is based on the colours of an earlier My Little Pony character, Sparkleworks, from 2003. My Little Pony itself is one of the most enduring American toy lines, first developed by Hasbro in 1982. As a series of coloured horse toys with often colourful hair and manes, the My Little Pony line can perhaps also be seen as an inspiration for the Uni species itself.

The Toy Vandagyre is based on the Furby toy. The Furby was originally released in 1998 by Tiger Electronics, becoming a popular Christmas toy for children in the initial launch craze. They are known for their 'furbish' way of speaking and the ability to gradually 'learn' English over time. The colour scheme of the Vandagyre suggests it may be specifically based on the pink/purple Furby Boom Crystal edition.

Unlike many Transparent Neopets, that reveal the internal bone structure of the species, the Transparent Chia reveals there are no bones inside at all! Included inside the Chia are common components found within cells of plants, such as a large vacuole, a nucleus, chloroplasts, golgi complexes, and mitochonrions. The colour of the Transparent Chia also resembles the cell walls of a typical plant. All this is in reference to the ability of Chias to transform into a variety of different fruits and vegetables when they eat specific foods.

Many of the Tyrannian Acara's features resemble that of Ceratopsia, a group of horned dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period, the most famous of which is the Tricreatops. The most identifiable features of these dinosaurs were their facial horns and beak-like jaw.

The Tyrannian Bori may be based partly on the Ankylosaurus, a species of dinosaur known for the club at the end of its tail much like the one sported by the Bori. Additionally, Ankylosaurus had armor plating along much of its back like those of a Bori.

The Tyrannian Bruce is based on an extinct species of penguin, the Inkayacu paracasensis. This species of penguin lived around 36 million years ago, and fossils of it have been found in modern day Peru. It is currently the earliest known member of the penguin family to have feathers.

The Tyrannian Chomby is based on Ankylosaurus magniventris, a species of dinosaur known for its armored body and club-like tail. Specifically, it is based on the juvenile form of the Ankylosaurus character called Bumpy, who appears in the Camp Cretaceous animated series, part of the Jurassic Park franchise.

The Tyrannian Draik's large head frill likely references the similar frills possessed by many Dinosaur species, but most famously by the triceratops. The frills are thought to have most likely been used for courtship behaviour.

The Tyrannian Elephante is likely based on the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius), a prehistoric species related to modern day Elephants, whic the Elephante itself is inspired by. Mammoths are well known for their large size and elongated tusks, and became exinct after the end of the last ice age due to combinations of both climate change and being hunted by early humans.

The Tyrannian Kougra's long front teeth suggest it may be inspired by the Smilodon, more commonly known as the Sabre Toothed Tiger, an exinct species of mammal that lived during the Pleistocene. It is widely known for its elongated canine teeth.

The Tyrannian Krawk is likely based on the dimetrodon, an extinct species known for a spinal sail similar to that the Krawk sports. The dimetrodon is often mistaken for a dinosaur, but was already extinct 40 million years before the first dinosaurs were recorded. It is also possible that is it based on the spinosaurus, which had a similar spinal sail, and is well known from the Jurassic Park film series.

The Tyrannian Vandagyre appears to inspired by the Archaeopteryx, a family of bird-like dinosaurs sometimes known as Urvogel. Although modern discoveries have raised the possibility that many species of dinosaurs had feathers, for many years the discovery of Archaeopteryx was used as evidence for the origin of modern day birds given its clear feathers in fossil records.

The Wraith Usul has a unique look compared to other Wraith Neopets, because it is based on a famous Neopian character, namely the Shadow Usul. Wraiths are typically extra-dimensional beings kept out of Neopia by the power of the Faeries and are known for their ability to suck the life out of things, but the Shadow Usul does not exhibit this skill so it is unlikely she herself is a Wraith.