Life, Death, and Taxonomy

“…and today we’re talking about a bug that looks like a deep fried praying mantis. But more on that later.” The forest is a dangerous place for an egg. They are packed with proteins and fats in order to grow the new creature inside, but those qualities also make them tasty morsels for foragers. Moms […]

“…and today we’re talking about the plume in the room. But more on that later.” At the bottom of the deepest oceanic trench, you’ll find an animal that’s worth writing home about. The sea pen is a feathery friend with multiple personalities and penchant for puffing itself up when the coast is clear. But when […]

“And today we’re talking about one of the fastest ungulates west of the Mississippi. But more on that later.” North America has a few big animals, but it’s mostly dominated by smaller fauna that have learned to thrive in the amber waves of grain. However, America was once a continent like Africa, home to great […]

“…and today we’re talking about an insect that’s part ant and part dump truck. But more on that later.” For most animals, storing food for later is for jive squares. It’s all about getting as much food as you can stomach right now and letting tomorrow take care of itself. For the more prudent, however, […]

“…and today we’re talking about a spike-covered tush that lives out in the bush. But more on that later.”  The subterranean lifestyle has it’s benefits and many small animals make their beds below the earth. From the sleeping cicada to the idle fox, the shelter of a sand and soil roof provides protection from predatory […]

“…and today we’re talking about a fish that enjoys working at the carwash. More on that later.” When you run a lucrative maritime cleaning service, you gotta protect your turf. The dominant bluestreak cleaner wrasse defends its territory, its business, and its family on a daily basis. But when the don disappears, it’s up to […]

“…and today we’re talking about the mountain lamb that the Lord provided. Literally, because it’s just a wild sheep.” If you’re in America’s western snow capped regions and you hear a sudden crack that echoes through mountains, it might not be thunder. If that cracking continues at periodic intervals for close to an hour, you […]

“…and today we’re talking about Yennefer of Vengerbird, the black and white songbird downunder. But more on that later.”  If you’re out for a stroll in the wilds of Australia, Europe, or North America, you might stumble upon a peculiar and gruesome sight: the impaled victims of the butcherbird. Setting its sights on larger prey […]

“…and today we’re talking about the biggest and the strongest primate in the world.” The largest primate in the world is also the strongest. In fact, the eastern lowland gorilla is among the strongest animals pound for pound. Their size and strength has led to their depiction as classic monsters that Superman and Godzilla need […]

“…and today we’re talking about something that looks just like an iguana but it’s apparently not a lizard at all.” Scattered along the northern coast of New Zealand’s north island is a living fossil that was thought to be extinct: the tuatara. A laid-back lizard with a lazy lifestyle, the tuatara spends most of its […]

“…and today we’re talking about a mongoose most foul. But more on that later.”  The savannah is a brutal place for the animals that call it home. Between lions, leopards, and hyenas, many of the mammals that populate Africa’s jungles and plains are built with sharp claws and powerful jaws. But when it comes to […]

“…and today we’re talking about the longest boy in the ocean. But more on that later.” Earthquakes are some of the most destructive events on this planet, snuffing out lives by the thousands and destroying entire cities. The worst part is, we can’t really predict them in advance-or can we? The elusive oarfish is often […]

“…and today we’re talking about the ghost of the forest. But more on that later.” A hare grazes in a clearing surrounded by the forest edge. An uneasy feeling comes over him, like he’s being watched. He makes for the tree line, seeking safety among the trees and shrubs. But it does him no good. […]

“…and today we’re talking about an animal that sounds like a delicious Caribbean dish but looks like it inspired the Witcher’s endrega monsters. But more on that later.” Scattered across the islands of the south Pacific is a population of crabs that are great in a pinch. The coconut crab is the largest land crab […]

“…and today we’re talking about a modern day dinosaur with a name to match. But more on that later.” Lizards sometimes retain primordial qualities. To look at them, you may see the scaly faces of ages long gone. The sailfin dragon lizard has a look that matches it’s fantastical name. But the dinosaur-esque nature of […]

“…and today we’re talking about a poo poo paladin that rolls with the punches and makes the most out of a smelly situation. But more on that later.”  One animal’s waste is another animal’s treasure. The dung beetle was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians for its apparent fecal-oriented immortality, but modern discoveries have found new […]

“…and today we’re talking about a deadly insect that’s carried on the winds of change. But more on that later.” Many animals have amazing abilities that make them especially ferocious and formidable. But few are so terrible and mighty that they can be classified as a natural disaster. No we’re not talking about a giant […]

“…and today we’re talking about the devil down under and his horrifying night time death screams.” Far from the reckless, neckless monstrosity that Warner Brothers uses to move their cartoon plots along, the real Tasmanian Devil is a semi-cute mongoose pig that will eat anything that comes across its path. From its brutal and competitive […]

“…and today we’re talking about a coveted animal crossing catch. But not much more on that later.” The sponge life is a simple one. With nowhere to go and no way to get there, a sponge needs to make the most of its surroundings. To protect against the current, sponges form skeletons out of whatever’s […]

“…and today we’re talking about an animal that I could have sworn we did before but I can’t find it in our list!” Avoiding becoming someone else’s meal is typically priority number one for most animals. While there are many different ways to live another day in the “eat or be eaten” kingdom of Animalia, […]

“…and today we’re talking about a bug with a prickly personality. But more on that later.”  The tropics are teaming with life. That means there’s an abundance of resources for you and your brood to enjoy. It also means that there’s plenty of competition looking to eat your food or eat you. Protecting yourself can […]

“…and today we’re talking about a waterlogged football with eyes and a taste for shrimp. But more on that later.” The blobfish might be the subject of cruel internet memes for many a year, but that digital ridicule may be unduly bestowed upon our deep-sea friend. He may look goofy, but that’s just because he’s […]

“…and today we’re talking about a frog with a secret underground life. But more on that later.” The forests of India’s Western Ghats, are teaming with life. Many amphibian species live there, and many have only been discovered in the last few decades. As frogs hop from log to log and branch to branch, one […]

“…And today we’re talking about Marco Polo’s thick unicorn! But more on that later.” Grazing along the African savannah, the white rhino keeps his ears peeled for the danger bird – despite not having many predators to worry about. When opportunity squawks, the rhino definitely listens. But the classic symbiotic relationship between the rhino the […]

“…Today we’re talking about a prickly bush pig, though it’s not a pig at all. But more on that later.” The cutest and most mild mannered animals often find themselves in the pet trade. But in the wild world of woodland creatures, cute doesn’t get you very far. For those creatures that tread the line […]