Life, Death, and Taxonomy

“…and today we’re talking about a Tom Sawyer bug. But more on that later.”  Some guys just can’t take the hint. For Moorland Hawker Dragonfly females, this can be a bit more than a simple inconvenience. When the suitors come knocking, this lady doesn’t just dodge the drama—she takes it to a whole new level. […]

“…and today we’re talking about a smooth operator. But more on that later.” In the strange underwater world of the reef, many creatures develop weapons of war to fight off enemies. But one crab has entered the ocean’s arms race with a refined approach. The smooth box crab has a pair of pinchers specialized for […]

“…and today we’re talking about a petite predator– relatively speaking. But more on that later.” Slithering through the shadows of swampy secrecy, the African dwarf crocodile is a pint-sized predator with a penchant for peculiarity. This crafty critter lurks in the murky margins of rivers and wetlands, a miniature menace shrouded in mystery. Some whisper […]

“…and today we’re talking about an active kid that grows into a lazy adult. But more on that later.” A tiny tadpole freely glides along ocean currents, going where it wills, seeking its thrills. The ocean is its oyster. But when a larva is on an adventure, it dreams of home, and when it’s home, […]

“…and today we’re talking about the original member of a group that likes to go swimming in the winter in Coney Island.” The Arctic is an unforgiving place—cold, desolate, and covered in ice as far as the eye can see. It’s a freezing wasteland where only the toughest survive, and no one does it quite […]

“… and today we’re talking about a funny little fish. But more on that later.” They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but that might mean putting up with some prickly traits to band together against a common foe. The clown fish makes an alliance that requires a thick skin. But what […]

“..and today we’re talking about something that jealousy took two of the coolest animals for its name.” If you’ve ever found yourself watching a toddler shove random objects into their mouth, you’ve witnessed a fraction of the chaos that is the tiger shark. With an appetite as indiscriminate as a black hole and the curiosity […]

“…and today we’re talking about little swimmers. And not the aquatic diaper brand.” Let’s dive right into the cool, calm, and collected world of a lizard that’s not afraid to get its scales wet. Most reptiles avoid water like it’s hot lava, but not this daredevil. Imagine a scuba diver, a magician, and a survivalist […]

“…and today we’re talking about something that’s sticky. What is it?!” Mold, grime, and disease are plagues that the human world does it’s best to keep at bay. But animals have to worry about these things too – even ants. The Red wood ant has found a true multi-purpose cleaner that they use to keep […]

“…and today we’re talking about a rodent of unusual size.” In the verdant wetlands of South America the world’s largest rodent lives a serene, communal life. The capybara’s day is spent basking in the early morning sun or submerged in cool, refreshing water, their eyes above the surface, watching for signs of predators. But these […]

“…and today we’re talking about an NBC branded fish. But more on that later.” Flat and fabulous, the peacock flounder is the Picasso of the seafloor. But beneath its cool, camouflaged exterior lies a wild anatomical twist that would make even the most seasoned contortionist wince. You thought you looked different as a kid, the […]

“…and today we’re talking about something you probably haven’t ever heard of. But more on that later.” You may think the age of exploration is over. Human beings have seen everything there is to see–at least on land right? But what if you knew there was an animal so rare that people didn’t think it […]

“…and today we’re talking about an animal that sounds more sinister than it is. Bot more on that later.” Step into the insect world where everything is weird and brutal…including courtship. Imagine a tinyl Casanova what brings the snacks to the party. If you’ve ever thought dating apps were transactional, wait until you hear about […]

Ah, the ocean. It’s full of mysteries, marvels, and creatures that look like they were designed during a fever dream directed by HR Gieger. Among them swims a gelatinous giant with flowing, fibrous tentacles that seem to stretch into infinity. Meet the lion’s mane jellyfish, a giant egg yolk that can ruin your day with […]

“…and today we’re talking about a humble stead that once had a grand rider. But more on that later.” Few animals gain widespread cultural significance in the human world. But a creature known for stubbornness, hardiness, and humility, also once shared its manger on a very important birthday. Today, it’s name is proclaimed with the […]

“…and today we’re talking about a bird that make a great gift if you can get them a-swimming. But more on that later.” Nothing makes the Lords a-leap and the Ladies dance like the regal mute swan. But royal veneration and beautiful snow white feathers doesn’t change the fact they are wild animals, ready to […]

“…and today we’re talking about how when a red belly rises it means blood has been spilled this night. But more on that later.” Description of the Red-Bellied Piranha The red-bellied piranha is a small to medium-sized fish, well-known for its striking appearance and infamous reputation. Here’s a more detailed description: Color: Their most distinctive […]

“…and today we’re talking about a pumpkin spiced tic tac toad. But more on that later.” If attacking you would be automatically deadly to your enemies, you might lead a charmed life–free from worry. Such an easy going atmosphere might make you grow complacent. Things that were once important to survival become optional. And why […]

“…and today we’re talking about another disgusting deep sea creature. But more on that later.” Deep in the dark recesses of the ocean, where the sun’s rays are only a memory, lurks a creature with an interesting talent. It’s a fish with a flash, a beast with a beacon, a predator with a peculiar penchant […]

“…and today we’re talking about a little ocean hopping spy. But more on that later.” A dolphin dipping in deep abyss must allow the sun to have its kiss When scouting schools of succulent fish a trick ensures they will not miss. What vantage a high place can be! What new things can you see? […]

“…and today we’re talking about something that I’ve sworn we’ve done before but I guess we haven’t. But more on that later.” Deep in the inky abyss where sunlight dares not shine, lurks a creature that’s equal parts nightmarish and misunderstood—like that hipster kid from high school who just listens to bands you’ve never heard […]

“…and today we’re talking about something you might have felt bad about stepping on before.” Did you know there is a vast jungle just outside your door? Though, vastness is relative to size of course. A garden is a big place for a mollusk that’s less than two inches long. The garden snail is a […]

“…and today we’re talking about a bug with a very funny name. But more on that now.” In the dead of night, amidst the hum of crickets and the flutter of wings, there’s one creature that buzzes around like a stealthy, flying ninja with a twist. It glides from flower to flower like a hummingbird […]

“…and today we’re talking about a certain cervus. But more on that later.” When you’re born into a prey animal species, it’s important to get up and running as soon as possible. But elk calves need a little time to unwind before they start bounding through the meadows. What can they do to avoid predators […]

“…and today we’re talking about a puffy stabber. But more on that later.” The pufferfish has the incredible ability to inflate itself up like a balloon as a defense mechanism. But the interesting thing about this creature is that that’s not the only thing interesting about it. If you’re a fish, the easiest thing to […]

“…and today we’re talking about a forest pig that can clear the hacienda after every meal. But more on that later.” When you’re a small pork family in the forest, staying together is the key to a happy life. But it’s easy to get separated among the thick foliage and tall trees. How can you […]

“…and today we’re talking about a frog that could have dropped into Normandy. But more on that later.” In the canopy high, where the tall trees sway, Lives a frog who glides in a daring display. With webbed fingers spread, like wings in the breeze, He leaps from the branches with elegant ease. The wind […]

“…and today we’re talking about a drill-faced fuzzy bug. But more on that later.” Foodies pride themselves on variety and quality, but what if your face was designed around finding a single food item. The acorn weevil has a face that is specially designed to find, evaluate, and consume acorns– and that’s not all they […]

“…and today we are talking about something extraordinary, but it might be just a fluke. But more on that later.” Description Galactosomum spinetum is a type of fluke, and like many flukes, It has a flattened, oval shape. The metacercaria stage is spherical. It is translucent, and slightly elongated organism. The adult fluke, which resides […]

“…and today we’re talking about a fish as long as the day is long. But more on that later.” The ocean is huge. It’s probably bigger than you think. To cover it, you’d actually need 36 United States of America, and that’s not even mentioning its depth. At that is to say that the ocean […]

“…and today we’re talking about a species that is the cornerstone of civilization. But more on that later.” It’s voting season here in the US. As humans, we get our ballots and our pens to participate in democracy, but honey bees do things a bit differently. When they want to vote on something that affects […]

“…and today we’re talking about a puffy stabber. But more on that later.” The pufferfish has the incredible ability to inflate itself up like a balloon as a defense mechanism. But the interesting thing about this creature is that that’s not to onlythin interesting about it. If you’re a fish, the easiest thing to catch […]

“…and today we’re talking about an insect that would probably shop at Hot Topic. But more on that later.” When you’re a spider wasp, you don’t have time to raise kids. They’re expensive, a liability, and they never stop asking for more spider gut snacks. So rather than deal with all that, it’s best to […]

“…and today we’re talking about a killer that offers sweet nectar to its prey. More on that later.” There is a certain dread that strikes the human heart when you learn about an insect that expands its diet to include things like frogs, birds, and–worse yet–mammals. The giant desert centipede is just giant enough to […]

“…and today we’re talking about an aerial ace, fry thief. But more on that later.” On the cliffs where oceans wail, The kelp gull tells a fishy tale. With eyes so keen and beak so bright, It spies a meal that’s quite a sight. A right whale feasts on plankton small, The kelp gull swoops, […]

“…and today we are talking about a petite pack hunter. But more on that later…” Canines are usually smaller than their prey. That’s because they’ve decided to work together as a team, and teams mean more mouths to feed. But what if you’re not the size of a wolf or even a coyote? What if […]

“…and today we’re talking about an invading hoard that isn’t even supposed to be here. But more on that later.” If you didn’t already, you should know that there are millions of ants living under your feet. With an estimated 20 quadrillion of these little guys on the planet, you’re never very far away from […]

“…and today we are talking about a tiny slimy father. But more on that later.” Doting fatherhood is often a rarity in the animal kingdom. For most species, the lack of the maternal physical connection between fathers and offspring means that dads are relegated to nest protectors or they simply move on. But the red-backed […]

“…and today we’re talking about a rising star in the sea. But more on that later.” Imagine you’re swimming a casual 4000 feet below the waves in the inky blackness of the bathypelagic zone when you come across a pair of what seems like headlights. Is it a car? Is it a plane? No, it’s […]

“…and today we’re talking about the Listerine dad fish. But more on that later.” The bright and colorful coral reefs are home to a wide variety of fish, but very few can be considered decent parents. The yellowhead jawfish is, however, an exception. Taking care of kids is never easy, but try doing it without […]

“…and today we’re talking about a bug-eyed pseudo bird. But more on that later.” Arboreal creatures are built to get around in trees, and in the rainforest, that’s an extremely helpful adaptation. But what if your so great at getting around the branches that your no good on the ground. The Colugo is in such […]

“..and today we are talking about an American mammal that you might not already know about.” If you’re a denizen of North America, you probably think you know every furry critter in these parts. You’ve got your bears, cats, wolves, and even a muskrat or two. But there is a lesser known mammalian that may […]

“…and today we’re talking about a rainforest weasel. But more on that later.” It seems that, no matter where you live, you have to deal with mosquitoes. Whether you’re in the Alaskan mountains or the jungles of Panama, biting boys are everywhere. Long ago, the white nosed coati said “enough is enough” and found an […]

“…and today we’re talking about an aquatic acrobat. But more on that later.” When you’re tiny the God hands you a different set of rules than the laws of physics humans are used to. When you hear the name water springtail, you might think of a fish or maybe a deer, but it’s actually a […]

“…and today we’re talking about an animal hacker of animals. But more on that later.” They say the best defense is a good offense. But they rarely say the opposite. Crabs are little armored warriors scuttling around on the ocean floor, but even their rigid carapace isn’t immune to a little subterfuge. Enter the crab […]

“…and today we’re talking about a sucker who will latch onto anything and go with it. But more on that later.” If you see a shark, whale, or large fish gliding through the open ocean, you may see some extra passengers stuck to its flanks. The live sharksucker is a remora, a fish that freeloads […]

“…and today we’re talking about the Big Foot of the outback. But more on that later.” When you think of bigfoot, you’re probably imagining a large hairy ape, but the big foot of the Australian billabongs is not swamp ape. Instead, it’s a small graceful bird bouncing along the lily pads with water skis for […]

“…and today we’re talking about a percussive Pisces. But more on that later.”  If you live in the suburbs of Tampa Bay, Florida. You may have heard an eerie sound in the night. As you drift off to dreamland, you not only hear a strange low rumbling, you can feel it in your chest. As […]

“…and today we’re talking about the smooth jazz of tree critters. But more on that later.” Deep in the jungles of the Amazon, an adorable ball of fluff clings to a tree branch, lapping up delicious ants. The pygmy silky anteater clearly has sloths as a role model, and it shows in their… laid back […]

“…and today we’re talking about the tiger torpedo. But more on that later.” Living life as a living torpedo has its upsides. Feeling the current on your scales as you dart toward a school of tasty fish mackerel must be second to none. However, it comes with its challenges. The striped marlin is a sword-tipped […]