Liyotes are fictional creatures that appear in the 2013 animated film The Croods, produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox. They are based on real-life hyenas, but have some notable differences, such as having striped fur, long ears, and a prehensile tail.
Background[]
Liyotes are shown to be carnivorous and aggressive predators that hunt in packs. They are attracted to fire and will chase anything that carries it. In the film, a pack of liyotes attacks the Croods family when they discover Guy's torch. The Croods manage to fend off the liyotes by using fire and weapons, but the liyotes later return to ambush them at night. The Croods escape by riding on a land whale, while the liyotes are left behind.
Liyotes are one of the many imaginative and innovative creatures that populate the prehistoric world of The Croods. They demonstrate the film's theme of adapting to new situations and overcoming fears.
The design of the liyotes was inspired by the concept art of Carter Goodrich, Shane Prigmore, and Nicolas Weis, among others. The artists wanted to create a creature that was both scary and funny, and that could contrast with the other animals in the film. They experimented with different shapes, colors, and patterns for the liyotes' fur, ears, and tail. Some of the concept art shows the liyotes with horns, spikes, or feathers, but these features were eventually removed for simplicity.
The animation of the liyotes was done by using a combination of computer-generated imagery (CGI) and traditional hand-drawn techniques. The animators studied the movements and behaviors of real hyenas and other predators to make the liyotes more realistic and expressive. They also added some comedic elements to the liyotes' actions, such as making them sneeze when they smell fire or making them run away in fear when they see a bigger animal.
The voice of the liyotes was created by using various animal sounds, such as dogs, wolves, lions, and pigs. The sound designers mixed and modified these sounds to create a unique vocalization for the liyotes that matched their appearance and personality. The sound designers also used some human voices to add some emotion and humor to the liyotes' sounds.
Liyotes are one of the most memorable and popular characters from The Croods. They have received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike for their design, animation, and sound. They have also appeared in various merchandise related to the film, such as toys, books, games, and clothing.