On this page is mermaid sub-species, tail examples, and mermaid anatomy. Enjoy!
Mermaid Sub-Species
Let's be realistic here for a minute. If you live in Greenland, have no way of travelling, do not intend on leaving your homeland, and have no idea what warm waters look like, DON'T FRIGGING CHOOSE TO BECOME A TROPICAL MERMAID!!! If you live in Florida, don't be an idiot and become an arctic mermaid, please. JUST BE WISE. Going on.
Arctic Mermaids are some of the most secluded for the obvious reasons of them being in polar regions. Greenland up and the tip of South America down is where most of them dwell, in partially-underwater caves near icecaps. They normally have a diet of strictly raw fish, due to the fact no plants can grow near them because of the cold. Almost all of them have white or light blonde hair and a thick layer of fat to go with their transparent skin. It protects them from the cold. Their tails are usually white with a medium fluke. They have sharp claws and teeth for hunting, with a threat from their biggest opponents, the polar bears, which mistake them for their normal prey. They can also be known as Cold Water Mermaids. No countershading.
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Arctic Mermaids |
Deep Sea mermaids are the most vicious of the whole race, cutting themselves off from others, going solo, and declining to help anyone and anything (from what I've gathered). They have eyes adjusted for the advanced darkness of being so deep underwater no sunlight can reach them. They have large flukes for long-distance and fast swimming, with dark shades of purple, blue and black for their tails. They have thick insulated skin to withstand the freezing temperatures of the deep. Very few mermaids have wandered into their territory and came out to tell the tale. They say that some Deep Sea Mermaids don't have hair and have replaced it with seaweed or tentacles from their prey. This is NOT TRUE. Their diet consists mostly of raw fish and a few different underwater plants. No one knows where Deep Sea Mermaids prefer to dwell, but I would guess a cave or under an outcropping for shelter from bigger fish.
If you wish to become a Deep Sea, you must have terrific hunting skills and vision. No countershading. |
Deep Sea Mermaids |
There's no way to tell, but since there's so much coast and a lot of mermaids lived there before they shifted, it is the popular belief that there is the most Open-Ocean mermaids of all the sub-species. They almost always travel and hunt in pods of 30-50, and their diet varies depending on their habitat. Most open ocean mermaids live in the upper Atlantic in the summer, where it's warm and there's a lot of fish and plants. Then for the winter they migrate south, sometimes far enough to integrate with tropical mermaids. They have large flukes for swimming very far distances, and a long tail of blue, green, or light purple to blend in. Their tails have countershading, where the backside is darker so predators looking down won't see them, and lighter fronts so predators looking up don't seem them. These mermaids vary in personality, most are friendly but anxious and secretive around humans. They have many Ancient languages. They are also known as Traveler Mermaids because they migrate.
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Open Ocean Mermaids |
These mermaids don't really have a special name like 'Open Ocean' because it's pretty simple- they live in lakes, sometimes also in ponds, streams, and rivers, but mostly lakes. They mostly live in pods of 30-50, and there are rumors that Freshwater mermaids have more complex society than saltwater mermaids. They are also more friendly than most saltwaters. They have a greenish tint to their skin to blend in with the mucky water. These mermaids sometimes have large flukes, sometimes they don't. It depends on which body of water they are dwelling in- Lake Michigan mermaids have large flukes, but a mermaid that is dwelling in a small lake in Kansas, small fluke. Almost every mermaid has a green tail the shade of seaweed to blend in, but a few have blue tails. Freshwater mermaids are the most sociable and most likely to approach and befriend humans. Depending on how murky or how clear the water is, they may or may not have countershading. They have a mixed diet, and the choice to become a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore.
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Freshwater Mermaids |
Against popular belief, Sirens ARE NOT EVIL. Sure, there a few who have turned bad, but every one of the sub-species has a few of those too. A lot is confused about these creatures, so let me explain: They originated in early Greek mythology, as personnel of Persephone, and when she went missing, Demeter(Persephone's Mother, the agriculture goddess) sent them to look for her by calling to her with their beautiful voices. They were portrayed as evil, which is what stuck up to present date. But they aren't. I have a friend named Isabel who is trying to become a Siren, and she's super nice. But anyway. Sirens are half human, half bird. I don't know how they are included in this specific marine family and not an avian one, but oh well. They don't have tails, but they are very beautiful and have great singing voices. They dwell on rocky islands and sea caves most of the time, and are great swimmers. Most are helpful but also secluded. Their diets- that depends on where they live. They might have the chance to become a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore. Since they might not have tails yet still dwell in sea caves, their voices are used as protection from prying eyes, treacherous sailors, evil sirens and mermaids (there isn't very many of them but still) and humans trying to take their land. If you don't want to be half fish, I would recommend Siren. *Sirens are solitary. We have no evidence of them traveling in pods because they do not travel.
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Sirens |
All you goodie-goodies and people who just feel the need to help everyone you can, the Sirena Chilota is right for you. Most have golden blonde hair and golden colored scales, making her human side look like a very beautiful teenager. She was commissioned by her deity, and she has the task of caring for all of the fish. (You can guess that Sirenas are herbivores because of their purpose and beliefs). Sometimes the Sirena's deity will bless her so she will never be hunted by man or animal. She also helps her siblings and/or friends to carry the bodies of drowned sailors. She does this so they can be revived and is a very happy mermaid. They have very large flukes and strong tails so they can swim long distances while carrying victims of tragedies. It is said that a Sirena Chilota's tears are very delicate and, if used in a spell, is very powerful. May have countershading.
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Sirena Chilota |
Merrows are from Irish folklore, so the best shifting into merrows will take place in that general area near Ireland, but it will work normally and be successful anywhere. They are said to have long green hair and a red cap. The red cap is what makes them a mermaid. If they lose this cap, they are human until they find it, and when they do, they will return to the sea, sometimes leaving entire families behind. There isn't a specific culture or stereotype for merrows, because they are so widespread and have a lot of options in a lot of categories. They could choose to be in a pod or solitary, where they want to live, what tail color (reasonably) they want, what their diet will be, the choices are almost endless. A lot of the merrows do stay near Europe, though. May have countershading.
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Merrows |
The Aicaya are a special kind of mermaid who live in the Caribbean. It's unknown how the first one of them came to be, but the Aicaya are young men and women who are disowned by their native communities and went to live by the sea. Aicaya will seek out these individuals and turn them in one of their own so they won't have to feel rejected or alone again. The amazing and unique thing about the Aicaya is that they are all different but all accepted, so they aren't all the exact same.
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Aicaya |
Ah, yes. Tropical mermaids. Most of you will originally want to be tropicals, because people say they have the most fun. That is not true. They are just the most fun-loving and easy-going, as a whole, out of them all. They have smaller flukes because they don't travel a lot and mostly stay in one place. Since they spend a lot of time near or living by coral reefs and brightly-colored plants, their tails are more brightly-colored than others. Usually a red, pink, orange, or blue tail. They don't have the layer of fat some other mermaids do because they live tropical waters will it stays mostly warm all year. They are friendly but tend to stay away from humans. They always travel in pods. A few close themselves off, but most can't stand to be alone and have really bubbly personalities. They are usually found a little off the coast in places like Florida and California- somewhere warm.
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Tropical Mermaids |
Cecealia, I'm not going to lie, in fact i will be very blunt, are basically Ursula. They have the tentacles of an octopus or a squid instead of a tail. They usually live in swamps, but some live in the ocean. They make weapons and are NOT friendly. It is extremely rare to find a male Cecealia. They are solitary, basically one per body of water, (except oceans), and dislike both the mermaid race and the others in their race. They are very hostile towards humans for taking their land. Cecealia are deadly in a fight- their tentacles are good for strangling, they are fast as a bullet, I believe possess the inking ability, suction from tentacles, and great at defending their land. They have a diet mainly of fish, but sometimes they eat plants or semi-aquatics like ducks.
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Cecealia |
Mermaid Tail Examples
All of the following tails are just examples you can model your tail after. Remember, these are just examples.
This tail I would recommend for an open ocean/traveler mermaid. It's blue with countershading for diving deeper underwater, and a large fluke for long distance swimming.
I personally like this one. It's suited for a tropical mermaid mostly, but if you're willing to risk it, I guess it would work for Open Ocean too. It has the extra fin down the middle, with coral colors to help a tropical mermaid camouflage. The only downside about this picture is that it also features a bikini top, which isn't something you'll get when you shift. Otherwise, it has a large fluke, which is good for Open Ocean mermaids.
The colors of this tail clearly only let it be for one category- DEEP SEA! Just kidding, tropical. It has countershading and a camouflage-pro color to evade predators, and it, um, looks pretty? This would be a good choice if you don't plan on travelling and are planning on becoming a tropical mermaid.
Also a tropical mermaid tail, if you want to stand out a little, pick orange, because although you will blend into reefs still, most of your pod will have either a pink, purple or blue tail.
This type of tail would work best for a Siren or an Open-Ocean mermaid. Big fluke, countershading, blends in.
Although displayed in shallow water, it is a deep blue, so I would say Deep Sea mermaid. It has a big fluke for long distance swimming and catching pray.
This is what i would call the perfect Arctic Mermaid Tail. It's white and has a large fluke.
This one is a simple blue and goes with a lot of the options. It's fluke is a medium-ish size.
This is what a Sirena Chilota's tail should look like. It has a large fluke, it's golden (maybe a little orange) to match the hair, and has countershading.
*When you shift, it will not include a bra/bikini like in the picture.* Otherwise, what a freshwater mermaid realistically should have. It's greenish blueish to match the murky water or clear water, because it matches both. Large fluke for swimming large distances.
That's it for examples! Remember these are just basics for you to model yours after. If you didn't like any, just Google 'silicone mermaid tails' for more options. On to Mermaid anatomy!
Mermaid Anatomy
What's the point in shifting if you're going to be useless??? You need to know the functions of a mermaid and what to model your mermaid self after, because what's the point in having a tail unless you know how to survive under the water???
Human Parts
epicranius- The center of the brain where thoughts start
pectoralis maj.- a thick, fan-shaped muscle, situated at the chest (anterior) of the body. It makes up the bulk of the chest muscles in the male and lies under the breast in the female.
deltoid- a deltiod muscle
biceps brachii- a muscle having two points of attachment at one end, in particular. The large muscle in the upper arm that turns the hand to face palm uppermost and flexes the arm and forearm.
rectus femoris- The rectus femoris is the only muscle that can flex the hip. Injury to the rectus femoris muscle may be attributed to muscle overuse in kicking or sprinting. Inflammation of the muscle causes pain in the groin during physical exercises that use this muscle.
trapezius- either of a pair of large triangular muscles extending over the back of the neck and shoulders and moving the head and shoulder blade.
triceps brachii- any of several muscles having three points of attachment at one end, particularly also triceps brachii ˈbrākēˌī-kēˌē the large muscle at the back of the upper arm.
gluteus maximus- any of three muscles in each buttock that move the thigh, the largest of which is the gluteus maximus.
gastrocnemius- the chief muscle of the calf of the leg, which flexes the knee and foot. It runs to the Achilles tendon from two heads attached to the femur.
Merfolk Parts
Hair:
Made popular by "Mermaids: The Body Found" (Animal Planet) it is now believed that mermaids don't have hair. This is not true. Mermaids do have hair, and it actually serves many functions for the mer.
Hair is like the aquatic form of whiskers, it serves a purpose of spacial detection, and balance while swimming. It is said that if a mermaid's hair is cut shorter than 4 inches, they become virtually handicapped.
Also, mermaids with babies cannot hold onto their babies while swimming, that would leave for some very funny looking mermaid swimming, so the babies cling to their mothers hair while she swims.
Made popular by "Mermaids: The Body Found" (Animal Planet) it is now believed that mermaids don't have hair. This is not true. Mermaids do have hair, and it actually serves many functions for the mer.
Hair is like the aquatic form of whiskers, it serves a purpose of spacial detection, and balance while swimming. It is said that if a mermaid's hair is cut shorter than 4 inches, they become virtually handicapped.
Also, mermaids with babies cannot hold onto their babies while swimming, that would leave for some very funny looking mermaid swimming, so the babies cling to their mothers hair while she swims.
Gills and Lungs:
Mermaids do have gills. One set rests behind the ears, and one set is inside of the nose. The ones located behind the ears are used for regulating pressure on the eardrums in deep water and similar situations. The ones situated at the nose filter oxygen so you may breathe.
Mermaids, along with their gills, also have very large lungs, similar to a dolphins'. They have a wider ribcage, but be slimmer. Their lungs have more canals so that they won't collapse under pressure. Like a dolphin, they would be able to suck up large quantities at a time, and be able to hold their breath for up to 15 minutes. If you plan on being a mermaid who won't dive deep into the ocean, this would be an ideal for you.
Mermaids do have gills. One set rests behind the ears, and one set is inside of the nose. The ones located behind the ears are used for regulating pressure on the eardrums in deep water and similar situations. The ones situated at the nose filter oxygen so you may breathe.
Mermaids, along with their gills, also have very large lungs, similar to a dolphins'. They have a wider ribcage, but be slimmer. Their lungs have more canals so that they won't collapse under pressure. Like a dolphin, they would be able to suck up large quantities at a time, and be able to hold their breath for up to 15 minutes. If you plan on being a mermaid who won't dive deep into the ocean, this would be an ideal for you.
Reproductive System:
*KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO READ THIS PARAGRAPH!!!! PENIS AND VAGINA STUFF!!!!*
Mermen: Similar to the dolphin, the penis is internal. It emerges from a slit in the tail when aroused, and this is the reason why you won't see little penises hanging around.
Mermaids: The vagina, much like the penis and the rectal opening, is covered by large, flexible scales that are connected to your tail. This prevents water from flowing inside and causing infection. The flexible scales can be moved out of the way during sex, and the penis is inserted through a little slit. The womb is located in the same place as a humans'.
*KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO READ THIS PARAGRAPH!!!! PENIS AND VAGINA STUFF!!!!*
Mermen: Similar to the dolphin, the penis is internal. It emerges from a slit in the tail when aroused, and this is the reason why you won't see little penises hanging around.
Mermaids: The vagina, much like the penis and the rectal opening, is covered by large, flexible scales that are connected to your tail. This prevents water from flowing inside and causing infection. The flexible scales can be moved out of the way during sex, and the penis is inserted through a little slit. The womb is located in the same place as a humans'.
Hands:
Most mermaids tend to have webbed fingers because it improves swimming. some mermaids also have pointed or hardened fingernails to improve hunting.
Most mermaids tend to have webbed fingers because it improves swimming. some mermaids also have pointed or hardened fingernails to improve hunting.
Ears:
this last one is a little complicated. Do you know what an elf's ears look like? Mermaids sort of have that, but more like a 'Marine Elf Ear,' which is an ear that is webbed out similarly to a fin on a tail. this improves aerodynamics in the water. They are mobile and able to move around for better use.
this last one is a little complicated. Do you know what an elf's ears look like? Mermaids sort of have that, but more like a 'Marine Elf Ear,' which is an ear that is webbed out similarly to a fin on a tail. this improves aerodynamics in the water. They are mobile and able to move around for better use.