The Featured Creature

The Fiery and Furry Sycamore Moth Caterpillar

2012-01-27T15:38:00.000-08:00

image source: storahult.com

image source: http://www.meloidae.com/en/pictures/24003/

image souce: schmetterling-raupe.de

Habitat: most of Europe, from central England south to Morocco. To the east it is found from the Near East and Middle East to West Asia

Status: No Conservation Concerns

Here's another caterpillar that undergoes an intense transformation. This is the Sycamore Moth (Acronicta aceris) and its baby form is a beautiful hairy yellow caterpillar highlighted with tufts of fiery red. Then there are those distinctive white spots running along its back -- quite a sight, wouldn't you agree?

Unfortunately, yet again, these guys have to lose their beauty as they age. Going from sunny and bright, to gray and white. The caterpillars feed on the Common Horse-chestnut, Large-leaved Lime, Mulberry and Pedunculate Oak.

The B.P. Oil Beetle

2012-01-26T19:10:00.000-08:00

Habitat: Australia

Status: Not Evaluated

This spectacular little beetle (it's only around 5-6 mm in length) is a species of Darkling Beetle (Amarygmus sp) that has a very beautiful sheen to it. Reminds me of a puddle saturated with oil. Don't ya think?

James K explains how colors like this come to be in insects:

Iridescence is the third way to produce color from reflected light, the first two being conjugated double bonds (eg. pigments, dyes) and metal ions (minerals, gems). Iridescence in insects are largely caused by their shell structure that reflect light in ways such that the reflected light rays interfere constructively or destructively (or some combination in between) with each other. As different wavelengths experience different degrees of amplification or cancellation, different colors result, eg. if the blue wavelengths experience cancellation while red wavelengths experience amplification, red will result. There are apparently various ways this can be achieved, such as multilayer reflectors (eg. very thin layers of chitin) and photonic crystals.

Creeper Cat Is Watching You

2012-01-26T16:35:00.001-08:00

Peek-a-boo... I see you...

The Calm Before the Bullfinch

2012-01-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

Habitat: across Europe and in temperate Asia

Status: Least Concern

The Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is a pretty little bird that nests in bushes, scrub, or trees (really anything that stands over 4 meters tall and is wide will do) where it lays around 4-7 eggs during breeding season.

Nothing really fancy going on with this bird; it's simply very nice to look at. For some reason it gives me a calming feeling whenever I see photos of it. Might have something to do with that warm and comforting pinkish-orange breast. Lovely!

Once a Dalmatian, Now a Frog

2012-01-25T13:12:00.000-08:00

image source: biotabrasil.com.br

Habitat: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuel

Status: Least Concern

Well, I guess this Map Tree Frog (Hypsiboas geographicus) was always actually a frog, but it certainly doesn't look like one in its juvenile form. When these frogs are young they definitely take on the resemblance of a dalmatian with those spots.

I wish they kept them into adulthood, but I guess it makes them more special knowing that these are some fleeting moments of spotted life that we're seeing in those photos.

New Week Nudi: Glossodoris cruenta

2012-01-24T11:54:00.000-08:00

image source: native-sea.umiushi.info

image source: www4.ocn.ne.jp

Habitat: the tropical Western Pacific Ocean.

Status: No Conservation Concerns

Here's a very happily-colored nudibranch to brighten up your week. Glossodoris cruenta has a pale lemon-colored body that is dotted with red spots. That's where it gets its name - it's derived from the feminine form of the Latin word cruentus, which means "stained with blood."

I guess that's not very happy but the curly edges and bright colors allow me to overlook that minor detail.

'Lovely Owl' Will Melt Your Heart

2012-01-23T14:49:00.000-08:00

LOOK AT IT! AWWWW!!

Mud Lobsters Display "Volcanic" Behavior

2012-01-23T14:25:00.000-08:00

image source: panzerwelten.de

image source: wystawyprzyrodnicze.pl

image source: biogang.net

image source: levantnotes.blogspot.com

image source: tidechaser.blogspot.com

Habitat: the mangrove swamps of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean

Status: No conservation concerns

This peculiar crustacean is the Mud Lobster (Thalassina anomala). It calls the mangrove swamps of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean its home which, apparently, is in constant need of redecorating. At night, the Mud Lobster is extremely busy mulling about its 6.6 ft deep burrow, moving dirt and mud from here to there and everywhere in between. Its burrowing behavior provides an important source of recycling in the mangroves, since it brings fresh organic matter up from deep sediments to the surface.

The resulting volcano-like output mound it creates can be as high as 10 ft! Many people consider this creature to be a pest, as its burrowing can weaken the supporting walls that surround local prawn farms or fish farms. I think it's pretty cool - like a crustacean form of a terminte!

an example mound of the Mud Lobster

Wait... that actually doesn't sound that cool anymore...

A Dead Ringer For a Dead Leaf

2012-01-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

Habitat: Borneo , Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Java

Status: Not listed

So while I was perusing the internetz for some super cool moths I came across this guy: Xanthanomis xanthina. Not only does this moth have an incredibly bad ass name, it can also do a mean impression of a dead leaf. Seriously, would you ever suspect that to be a moth if you came across it in the forest?

Pretty impressive if you ask me!

Meet Lil' Drac - the Baby Fruit Bat!

2012-01-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

Meet Lil' Drac - a long-tailed fruit bat that was rescued after its mother abandoned him. He's now being lovingly cared for at Bat World Sanctuary.

Prepare to fall in love with the bat that likes to rock himself to sleep!

'Extinct' Monkey Rediscoverd in Bornean Forests

2012-01-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

image source: mirror.co.uk

image source: dailymail.co.uk

Habitat: endemic to the island of Borneo, including Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia), and East Malaysia

Status: definitely not extinct!

Miller's Grizzled Langur (Presbytis hosei canicrus) was first described in 1985 in Kutai National Park and Sangkulirang Peninsula, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is a subspecies of Hose's Langur (Presbytis hosei) that is extremely rare. In 2004, scientists stated that they believed the creature was now extinct. Guess not!

Thanks to a team of international scientists, Miller's Grizzled Langur has been rediscovered deep within the forests of the eastern tip of Borneo - a location that the monkey had never been historically documented as inhabiting before! The langur has a distinctive dark face and a white, Dracula-esque 'collar' of fur. These are some of the only photographs of the monkey ever taken - most were snapped by camera traps. The expedition leader, a PHD student from Simon Fraser University, Brent Loken, said, 'It was a challenge to confirm our finding as there are so few pictures of this monkey available for study. The only descriptions came from museum specimens from the 1940s and '50s,' said Loken.

The Butterfly of the Sea: Red Gurnard

2012-01-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

image source: suityu-sukima.sakura.ne.jp

image source: fishindex.blogspot.com

Habitat: Northwest Pacific: southern Hokkaido, Japan southward to the South China Sea

Status: Not Evaluted

The Red Gurnard (Chelidonichthys spinosus)is one of 100 different species of Sea Robins, or Gurnards. These fantastic fish are normally found on the sea floor at depths of around 660 ft. They have a special set of 'wings,' which are actually just beautiful pectoral fins, that allow them to "fly" through the water. They also possess six spiny feet that allow them to walk across the ocean floor in search of food.

Growing to around 30cm in length, I'd have to say this is one of the most bizarre and beautiful species of fish I've seen in a while... and that's saying something!

I'm Smiling Because I Eat Skin: Ringed Caecilian

2012-01-17T19:26:00.001-08:00

image source: livt.net

Baby!

image source: grupoc2d.blogspot.com

Habitat: originally discovered in Argentina, and has been reported to exist in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela

Status: Least Concern

You might thing this looks like some kind of mutant worm or slimy snake, but in reality it's simply a caecilian - an amphibian that superficially does resemble those creatures but is actually entirely different from them.

This particular species is the Ringed Caecilian (Siphonops annulatus) and like other caecilians it spends most of its time burrowing around underground. Ok now for the totally crazy part: when momma caecilians have their nestlings with them their favorite food just so happens to be... skin. Momma caecilian skin. That's right, when the babies are hungry they start feasting on their mother's outer layer of skin for a full seven minutes then they take a break for three days while she regrows the layer (girl's gotta have skin, right)? This phenomenon is known as maternal dermatophagy.

Interesting creature, huh? I love it's super weird grin in the first pic!

From Grundge to Glam - Red Underwing Moth

2012-01-17T13:55:00.001-08:00

image source: wwb.co.uk

image source: english-country-garden.com

Habitat: across Europe

Status: No conservation concerns

It's amazing how a little pop of color can really change your appearance. This Red Underwing Moth (Catocala nupta) is a great example of just that. At rest, the moth's bright red, orange, or pink underwings are hidden in an attempt to conceal it from predators. However, once it takes flight, the dazzling colors become visible.

Scientists believe that the sudden flash of color may confuse hungry predators, especially when it lands and immediately closes its wings, thereby quickly "turning off" the color. Another theory suggests that the symmetrical orange/red/pink sections form the illusion of a small butterfly, so a predator might be more apt to go after that 'creature' and avoid the vulnerable moth body instead.

Whatever the purpose, it certainly takes this moth from drab to fab!

Go Team Blue Slugs!

2012-01-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Habitat: endemic to the Carpathian Mountains in Eastern Europe

Status: Not Evaluated

Fact: blue slugs are better than other slugs. It's true! Not only are these Carpathian blue slugs (Bielzia coerulans) magnificently colored, but they're also super big, reaching lengths of 100-140 mm in length. That's large for slug standards.

You can find these guys sliding their way across coniferous or deciduous forest leaf litter - typically under dead logs. Obviously, that's the best place for a slug to be.

This and the banana slug are probably my two favorite land mollusks that I've posted on so far.... although, the semi-slug and painted snails are pretty freaking cool too.

Attend the Wildlife Learning Center Fundraiser For Some Family Fun!

2012-01-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

Click on the flier to view a bigger size

On January 28th from 2:00PM to 5:00PM the Wildlife Learning Center is having a fundraiser that should be a whole mess of fun. I know I'm excited, since I'm going to be volunteering there! Woohoo!

You'll get to meet some of the incredible rescued critters that call this place their home and do fun projects. So, if you're in the Sylmar, CA area do stop by!

Pufferfish Playtime

2012-01-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

Who's Up For a Rousing Game of Domino Beetles?!

2012-01-13T15:23:00.000-08:00

image source: jonathansjungleroadshow.co.uk

image source: petrade.hk

Habitat: South Asia

Status: No conservation concerns

I never did learn how to play dominos as a kid. I remember my grandma tried to teach me once, but apparently that didn't work out so well. However, I do know a thing or two about domino beetles! Oh, grandma would be so proud.

The Domino Beetle (Anthia sexguttata) that sports six white dots on its black exoskeleton. They may look like a barrel of fun, but these bugs are far from it! Adults have the ability to squirt an irritating acidic liquid when its feeling defensive. If you were to get caught in the sizzling stream, you'd feel a gradual burning pain start to build on the part of the body that got sprayed. Numbness in the limb attached to the affected area can sometimes occur as well. Hooray!

If you do ever cross paths with a Domino Beetle make sure to wash off the liquid right away. Unless of course you're into feeling burning pain. This guy is apparently one of those such people:

The Last of the Luristan Newts

2012-01-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

image source: boxrep.exblog.jp

Habitat: southern Zagros Mountains in Iran

Status: Critically Endangered

With only fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild, the Luristan Newt which is sometimes referred to as the Emperor Spotted Newt (Neurergus kaiseri), is truly an incredible species.

These beautifully colored newts only inhabit an area of less than 10 km² in highland streams that are surrounded by arid scrubland but can sometimes be discovered in tiny pools or ponds. Because water is scarce for most of the year, the newt as been known to estivate, or go into a sort of animal dormancy characterized by little activity and a lowered metabolic rate.

This creature is extremely threatened since it is only found in such a small area which is in danger of habitat destruction and because they are illegally captured and sold for the pet trade. So... if you ever see one of these newts - DON'T BUY THEM! You would be contributing to their downfall. :(

Baby Sloth Bath Time

2012-01-11T20:59:00.001-08:00

Oh.My.God.

Edit: Yes, these are the adorable sloths from the sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica. Check out their website to learn more about the organization here.

Inspired by Conan O'Brien's Ginger Beard: Prince Bernhard's Titi

2012-01-11T12:39:00.000-08:00

image source: www2.ljworld.com

Habitat: Brazil

Status: Least Concern

When I first laid eyes on Prince Bernhard's Titi Monkey (Callicebus bernhardi) I knew I had found a Conan O'brien beard mimicker. Formally described in 2002, Marc van Roosmalen and Russell Mittermeier, the creature was tracked down after locals were shown a photograph of the monkey and then asked if they knew of its whereabouts - it was referred to by them as a "Zog-zog."

Obviously that beard was hard to forget, as the researchers were led right to the animal's location. In this case, those men were probably very thankful for such a bright and conspicuous feature. Will Ferrell, on the other hand, was not as impressed with Conan's beard. He decided to come on the comedian's show and shave that thing off once and for all - live on air.

Check it out below!

Pigeon Project: Gaditano Pouter

2012-01-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

image source: cichlidlovers.com

image source: pigeon-kingdom.blogspot.com

Country of Origin: Spain

Here's the next addition to my pigeon project: the Gaditano Pouter. Produced through many years of selective breeding, this pigeon is characterized by its distinctive "globe" or rounded throat with feathers.

I'm not exactly sure why someone would want to breed a pigeon that looks like it has a huge tumor growing out of its neck.... but to each his own I guess!

Make sure to check out previous pigeons including:

The Nun

Berlin Short-faced

Someone Give This Guy a Tissue: the Bloody-nosed Beetle

2012-01-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

image source: www.entomart.be

Habitat: found in southern and central Europe, and is common in Britain and Ireland

Status: No Conservation Concerns

This large flightless leaf beetle known as the Bloody-nosed beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa) has a peculiar defense mechanism that is entirely cringe worthy.

I'm sure you could guess by its name, but to ward off predators the Bloody-nosed beetle is able to secrete a foul-tasting [and smelling] blood red fluid from its mouth that no predator (except maybe a vampire?) would want to mess with.

Here's a video showing the beetle's bloody good skill:

Real Life Inspiration For the Movie 'Predator': the Sarcastic Fringhead

2012-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

image source: eversostrange.com

image source: ivewatchedit.com

Habitat: found in the Pacific, off the coast of North America, from San Francisco, California, to central Baja California

Status: No conservation concerns

Now here's a fish with the epitome of a 'big mouth.' Meet the Sarcastic Fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi) - an aggressive and bizarre fish that defends its territory by battling rivals with their terrifyingly large open mouths. The Sarcastic Fringeheads will press their mouths together, as if they were kissing, to determine who has the biggest mouth, and therefore the overall bigger fish. No one is safe from the Sarcastic Fringehead's wrath, as even divers have been attacked when crossing into the fish's territory unknowingly.

Growing up to 12 inches in length with virtually no scales, the fringeheads appear almost eel-like. Though, to me they resemble the Predators that always seem to fight with those pesky Aliens.

Alien vs. Predator (or Sarcastic Fringhead)?

Now check out this video from BBC's Life, narrated by my boy David Attenborough, on the Sarcastic Fringehead. Fast forward to 2:12 to see that infamous gaping mouth!

New Week Nudi: Stiliger ornatus

2012-01-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

image source: endlessblue.jp

image source: native-sea.umiushi.info

Habitat: Tropical Indo-West Pacific

Status: Not Listed

The nudibranch for this week is Stiliger ornatus, a pretty little nudibranch with golden-and-blue-tipped cerata that make it look quite regal, if I do say so myself.

Forgive me for not doing a complicated post today, it's my birthday and I'm going to be out celebrating the big 22! :)