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.

Sea Sapphire

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

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.

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.

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?

Blind Snake

Image: Jonathan Hakim
Desert Blind Snake (Leptotyphlops humilis cahuilae)

There are two kinds of snake in the world: Blind Snakes and "other".

Hot Lips

Psychotria elata

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

Red River Hog

Image: hjhipster
Potamochoerus porcus

The best dressed hog in the forest!

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.

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.

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!

Electric Eel

Image: Josh More

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