An Amazingly Hairy Velvet Mite

Image: ~Squil~ via Flickr

Whoa! Who invited Robinson Crusoe to the party? This Velvet Mite isn't velvet at all! It's more like one of those shaggy, wool rugs. Looks really difficult to keep clean, too.

It was pictured in south east Australia and that's the sum total of what I know about it. Aside from the fact that I still want to snuggle and wuggle.

A Yellow Polka Dot Velvet Mite

Image: teejaybee via Flickr

It's a yellow polka dot Velvet Mite! And it has unusually chunky legs. I know absolutely nothing else about it!

I can only assume it's part of some kind of travelling circus, setting up tent with performing fleas and the Amazing Bearded Ant to bring delight and wonder among watching arthropods. You know when crickets chirp at night? It's a round of applause! Clearly.

Giant Red Velvet Mite

Image: Ted McCrae

Awwww! Look at the cuddly-wuddly little teddy bear! Don't you just want to get in there and snuggle and wuggle? I know I do!

Sand Mason Worm

Image: Dan Marsh

They construct their own homes! Always nice to see a worm who's good with his... hands?

Terrible Hairy Fly

Male. Hairy, because he's too nasty looking to be fluffy.

This little abomination is not something you'd want to see frantically trying to crawl out of your bath. Thankfully they live in a tiny habitat more terrible than even the most terrible of teenage bedrooms. I think so, anyway. Even though the Guinness Book of Records has a lot of weird stuff, it turns out they don't have a 'terrible teenage bedroom' record. So I can't be completely sure.

Pygmy Seahorse

Image: Stephen Childs via Flickr
Bargibanti's Pygmy Seahorse

Pygmy Seahorses! Not only are they tiny, they are a blessing in expert disguise.