Sketchbook Biology

Treehoppers are tiny bugs with some of the funkiest exoskeletons! Recent research suggests that in some species, the extravagant ornamentation on their shell can actually help sense the tiny electric fields given off by their predators and friendlier bugs. This episode covers the wonderful research of  Music: "Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Att...

Meet the colugo, nature’s attempt at making a squirrel, a bat, and a blanket all at once. It doesn’t actually fly, it just commits to falling with style. By day, it clings to trees, snoozing away the daylight. By night, it launches itself from tree to tree, munching on leaves with their very very special chompers. Music: Kalimba Relaxation Music Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creat...

If you ask me, the giraffe assassin bug gets a little too cozy with spiders for comfort. But then again, when you’re a tiny predator with a towering neck and a dagger for a mouth—living in Australia, no less—you’re probably not losing sleep over a few creepy crawlies If you would like a more visual experience with me speaking over my sketches, please visit Sketchbook Biology on YouTube. Here's...

Meet the Texas horned lizard—a tiny, spiky pancake. Despite its fierce name, this little lizard mostly just lounges in the sun, munches ants like they're popcorn, and tries its best to blend in with the dirt. And if you just won't leave this desert diva alone, it might just squirt you with blood from its eyes. This was my very first attempt at sketching these guys! it was not the smoothest...