Sunday 28 June 2015

Rainbow Nudibranch

Image: Ed Bierman
Dendronotus iris
Is this what passes for a rainbow...

In HELL?!

Friday 26 June 2015

Sternaspid Worm

Image: Kelly Sendall, Sergio I. Salazar-Vallejo
Ah...

These would be one of the less worm-like worms!

Wednesday 24 June 2015

Red-lipped Batfish

Ogcocephalus darwini
Give your auntie Ena a kiss, why don't you?

Sunday 21 June 2015

REAL monstrosa

Image: Jakob Fahr
Everyone knows beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what about monstrousness? Surely monstrousness is far more substantial and objective than the wispy, nebulous beauty that exists nowhere but our own minds? It's all about the bulging body parts and too many legs. Even scientists can see that.

Thus we have monstrosa, Latin for monster.

So let's check out some scientifically confirmed (with real science and white lab coats) monsters. By their name we shall know them. Or their face.

Friday 19 June 2015

Maze Coral

Image: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Meandrina meandrites
Some corals just want you to GET LOST!

Wednesday 17 June 2015

Black Lava Lizard

Image: Arthur Chapman
Tropidurus melanopleurus
Isn't this how it usually works in computer games?

The Black Lava Lizard is small and throws stones at you. The Yellow Lava Lizard looks identical but it's slightly bigger and sets the stones on fire before throwing them at you. And the Red Lava Lizard is even bigger but it breathes fire.

Sunday 14 June 2015

Batwing Sea Slug

Image: Patrick Randall
Batwing, the world's most unlikely superhero, wraps his mighty parapodia about him as he casts his protective eye over the citizens of Sponge City. His pointy head stands to attention as his dark and violent thoughts are interrupted by a shriek of terror far below.

He sets his gory daydreams aside and sighs as he dons his most disarming smile and swoops down to give a wayward youth a good, avuncular talking to.

Just another day in the life of your friendly, neighbourhood, customer focused crime cessation officer.

Friday 12 June 2015

Nereiphylla paretti

Image: National Museums Northern Ireland
Check out this beauty!

Nereiphylla paretti is a 30 cm (foot) long worm from European waters like the North Sea, English Channel and Mediterranean. They're active predators who scour the shallows in search of prey.

Nereiphylla paretti is an annelid, or segmented worm, so-called because its body is divided into segments.

More precisely it's a polychaete, also known as a bristle worm, because each segment bears a collection of tough bristles sprouting out of the sides.

Even more precisely it's a Phyllodocid, or paddle worm, because some of those bristles have turned into large, flattened paddles.

I don't know what these paddles are for but man, when each one is edged with yellow it sure looks pretty!

Wednesday 10 June 2015

Leaf Scorpionfish

Image: _Bunn_
Taenianotus triacanthus
It's what the agricultural world has been crying out for: pink, carnivorous leaves. We'll never need pesticides again!

Sunday 7 June 2015

Snakefly

Image: Malcolm Storey
Horror of all horrors! Quetzalcoatl, feathered serpent of Venus, has finally grown weary of the enraging lack of human sacrifice. Watch as the lord of storm descends upon us. His mighty wings block the sun. We are engulfed in darkness as the sky is torn asunder and the rains of flood and winds of tempest strike at the pitiable earth.

Woe to us all! Who among us will be the first sacrifice? For the plumed snake hungers for human flesh.

Friday 5 June 2015

Monkey Cacao

Image: Andreas Kay
Monkey Cacao? Isn't there rather more of the squid about this one?

Wednesday 3 June 2015

Secret Toadhead Agama

Image: Antoshin Konstantin
Phrynocephalus mystaceus
Ew!

You should've kept that a secret!