Millions of years ago, the continent that the would-be pythins (species of the character above) lived on split apart, splitting the species in half. The two populations evolved independently and became two entirely distinct animals: pythin and mahkae.

The left design is meant to demonstrate a connection to the mahkae, which is pictured below.

Drawn by Wendi or Wendigo or whatever the Fauntra dude goes by nowadays. This drawing is old as shit but it beautifully depicts a mahkae.