Friday 28 February 2014

Myxozoa

Image: Ivan Fiala
Some jellyfish just don't know their place. They're meant to be out there, free in the open ocean. Not nestled in other people's flesh and skeleton, waiting for the emancipatory event of someone else's death.

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Sea Sapphire


From sea to shining sea... but they didn't expect it to shine like this!

Sunday 23 February 2014

Jumping Bristletail

Image: Shipher (士緯) Wu (吳)
Flight? What's flight? This insect never got on board with that newfangled "wings" fad all the youngsters were talking about. Fast-forward some 350 million years and they've never been on Facebook, never taken a #selfie and have slaughtered only the tiniest handful of aliens, zombies and terrorists in their gaming career.

Friday 21 February 2014

Widehand Hermit Crab

Image: Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory
Elassochirus tenuimanus
It's the wondrous and intriguing world of surnames! You learn a lot about life in the olden days from surnames.

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Call of the Belly Monster

Image: Thomas et al
Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis in mid call
How can you resist the lilting song of the Indian Purple Frog as it emanates from the very ground beneath your feet? Hither, my darling. Hither. Who knew overweight, underground trolls could have such a beautiful singing voice?

Sunday 16 February 2014

Blind Snake

Image: Jonathan Hakim
Desert Blind Snake (Leptotyphlops humilis cahuilae)
There are two kinds of snake in the world: Blind Snakes and "other".

Friday 14 February 2014

Hot Lips

Psychotria elata
It's Valentine's Day! Big, sloppy kisses for everyone!

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Red River Hog

Image: hjhipster
Potamochoerus porcus
The best dressed hog in the forest!

Sunday 9 February 2014

Spongillafly

Image: Gilles San Martin
It's time to delve yet again into that beguiling order of insects known as Neuroptera, the Net-winged Insects.

This time we're looking at Spongillaflies, also known as Spongeflies. They have not only secured for themselves an exceedingly unique source of food, but their larvae are also real crafters.

Friday 7 February 2014

Not-quite-swimming Snail


I love to see ambition in a snail! Let's face it, when you spend AGES slowly sliming your way around on a giant, sticky foot, you've got room for new ideas.

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Staghorn Hermit Crab

Image: Sanchez, Carlos
VOODOO! What could anyone ever do to deserve this? His body, rigid and turned upside down. His head, a crab.

Points for originality, though. There's so much more you can do with your voodoo doll instead of sticking yet more pins into it. Use your imagination!

Sunday 2 February 2014

Electric Eel

Image: Josh More
It's Electrophorus electricus, a sober and serious scientific name which means "OMG! It's ELECTRIC, you guys!"