Transformers with Animal/Monster-based Alt Modes

[Blitzwing]

Decepticon Headmasters:
Scorponok
Mindwipe
Skullcruncher
Weirdwolf
Snaptrap
Apeface

Pretender Beasts:
Catilla
Chainclaw
Carnivac
Snarler

Some Pretenders who's inner shells also had Beast Modes:
Octopunch
Pincher
Stranglehold

Monster Pretenders:
Icepick
Bristleback
Scowl
Slog
Wildfly
Birdbrain

[Barpharanges]

You realize the only reason the Maximals and Predicons assumed animal(beast) alt modes on energon infested Earth was to give themselves an alternative biological method of functioning. Their Original Cybertronian systems could only tolerate the extra raw energon for short periods of time, so Robot mode was limited on earth.
Both Maximals and Predicons were assumed to have vehicle modes on Cybertron (As I recall, prime was a monster truck, and Megatron was a mobile weapons platform)
The only difference between Maximals and Autobots (and Predicons versus Decipticons) is scale. The newer Maximals are much smaller than Autobots, almost human scale. The smaller size allows greater fuel economy...

[GMfan]

This whole conversion from autobots to maximal story was kinda done in the old Botcon comics with Rodimus, Arcee turning into a spider, Primal Prime, Apelinq, the BW mutants, the new dinobots, and a slew of other characters.

Originally Posted by Barpharanges

The newer Maximals are much smaller than Autobots, almost human scale. The smaller size allows greater fuel economy...

Essentially they all became micromasters...or even mini-cons (course I call those micromasters since the -con suffix indicates they're Decepticons)

[Magnimus]

Originally Posted by GMfan101

This whole conversion from autobots to maximal story was kinda done in the old Botcon comics with Rodimus, Arcee turning into a spider, Primal Prime, Apelinq, the BW mutants, the new dinobots, and a slew of other characters.

I know, but I have a different take on it. I'm working more with the toon continuities and then cherry picking and reinventing items from the rest of canon.

Originally Posted by Barpharanges

You realize the only reason the Maximals and Predicons assumed animal(beast) alt modes on energon infested Earth was to give themselves an alternative biological method of functioning.

Yes, that is one way of looking at it, but the technology must have existed on Cybertron before they landed on prehistoric earth. I have detailed ideas for explaining the origin of that technology and how and why they came about creating the option to take organic modes. I hope to also set up events that take place between the series end and the beginning of Beast Wars that also will help make later events like Megatron's turn between Beast Wars and Beast Machines make more sense.

[JLvatron]

Originally Posted by Aernaroth

What, noone's going to say ravage, ratbat, or buzzsaw?

No, because they were on the show.

[Protoman]

Can't forgot the actionmaster partners that were animal based. Also Scorpia, the G1 Transformers transforming watch (that is also MAYBE female)

[JLvatron]

There's a lot of good answers here, I've used to compile a list. Of the US G1 toys, besides Cartoon beasts and Pretenders,

The Seacons:
Snaptrap, Seawing, Skalor, Overbite, Tentakil, Nautilator

Monster Pretenders:
Icepick
Bristleback
Scowl
Slog
Wildfly
Birdbrain

Beastbox, Squalktalk
Quickswitch
Doubledealer and his Powermaster Skar,

S5 HEADMASTERS:
Squeezeplay, Horri-bull, Fangry
Firecons:
Flamefeather, Sparkstalker, Cindersaur

also in the realm of immoral Actionmasters, some of their partner guns had beast modes:
Jackpot's gun Sights (eagle)
Rad's gun Lionizer (lion)
Skyfall's gun Top-Heavy (rhino)
Snarl's gun Tyrranatron (T-rex)
Banzai-tron's gun Razor-sharp (crab)
Devastator's gun Scorpulator (scorpion)
Krok's gun Gatoraider (alligator)
Soundwave's gun Wingthing (bat)
Treadshot's gun Catgut (panther)

[Protoman]

Originally Posted by JLvatron

Soundwave's gun ? (it was a bird)

Wingthing, he was a bat.

[Protoman]

Originally Posted by GMfan101

Essentially they all became micromasters...or even mini-cons (course I call those micromasters since the -con suffix indicates they're Decepticons)

Actually the more correct term, is the japanese name MiCRON. Since they were created by Unicron.

[JLvatron]

Originally Posted by Protoman

Wingthing, he was a bat.

Thanks. Updated the list.