cuttlesquid:

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Go check out http://exquisitebeast.tumblr.com/ because it’s amazing, seriously.

2) Draw an evolution.

3) Anyone can hop in and make an evolution. Heck, we can even have divergent evolutions from the same point in the chain.

4) Oh, and probably trim older pictures in the chain from your post if it gets long enought so you don’t have a mountain of images.

Anyway, I imagine this little guy would be nocturnal, with huge eyes to see in dim light. Thick, rough skin and scattered scales provide protection, and a beak-like mouth is used to crack open nuts that it eats. Plantigrade legs and a stubby little tail, almost sort of like a bear.

Larger, with thicker armour on hindquarters for protection against predators. Tusks and claws on fore legs adapted for digging out roots in a semi-arid environment. 

Not shaded because reasons.