Creatures with sci-fi potential

Hydrothermal worm

This tiny hydrothermal worm lives in the deep sea; the image on the left has been zoomed in 525 times! It is one of the smallest living creatures on Earth.

Image: FEI and Philippe Crassous

Ref: Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/hydrothermal-worm-electron-microscope_n_901833.html

CREATURES WITH SCI-FI POTENTIAL

An extended version of Katerina's tweet corner on creatures with sci-fi potetial; expanded and supersized

Bumblebee Bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai)

Also known as Kitti's hog-nosed bat, the Bumblebee Bat is the smallest known species of bat (~31mm in length). It can be found in western Thailand and south-east Myanmar (Burma), where it lives in limestone caves within areas of dry evergreen or deciduous forests near rivers.. Sadly, this charming creature has been distubed by curious tourists and collectors. It is also threatened by people burning the forests near to the limestone caves where it lives.

Image: Source required

Ref: Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=49

Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas)

The largest moths in the world. They live in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia; wing surface area is around 400 cm2.

Image: The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/picturesoftheday/7777199/Pictures-of-the-day-28-May-2010.html?image=17

Refs: Holloway, J.D. 1987. The Moths of Borneo, part 3: Lasiocampidae, Eupteroptidae, Bombycidae, Brahmaeidae, Saturniidae, Sphingidae. Kuala Lumpur: Southdene Sdn. Bhd.

Watson, A. & Whalley, P.E.S. 1983. The Dictionary of Butterflies and Moths in colour. London: Peerage Books.

Fangtooth Fish (Anoplogastridae)

The term 'Fangtooth Fish' refers to two species of deep sea fish in the Anoplogastridae family: Anoplogaster brachycera and Anoplogaster cornuta. A. cornuta is the larger of the two species, measuring around 18cm. The maximum length of A. brachycera is a rather cutesy 6cm. These fascinating creatures usually live at depths of between 500 to 2000 meters. A. brachycera lives in the tropical waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. A. cornuta can be found worldwide in tropical to temperate seas.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (attribution: © Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0)

Ref: FishBase. Anoplogaster.

http://www.fishbase.org/identification/SpeciesList.php?genus=Anoplogaster

Giraffe Weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa)

This little chap is endemic to Madagascar. Madagascar has been an island landmass for around 88 million years (after it split off from India), allowing its plants and animals to evolve in relative isolation. This is why the creatures of Madagascar are of such interest to scientists. Like many creatures, the Giraffe Weevil is sexually dimorphic, which means there's a size difference between the male and female of the speices. In this case, the neck of the males is approximately double the length of the females'.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Axel Strauß)

Ref: Flannery, T. 2004. Diversity with a difference. Nature 428, 605.

Hairy Frogfish (Antennarius striatus)

Found at depths of around 40 meters, the Hairy Frogfish is known to inflate itself in a similar way to puffer fish.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Silke Baron)

Ref: Pietsch, T.W., Grobecker, D.B. 1987 Frogfishes of the world. Systematics, zoogeography, and behavioral ecology. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.

Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)

A medium-sized Arctic whale. Its long 'tusk' is actually an elongated upper left canine tooth. Its name derives from the old Norse word 'nár', which means 'corpse', a reference to the animal's mottled pigmentation, like that of a drowned sailor.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Glenn Williams)

Refs: Heide-Jørgensen, M. P., Laidre, K. L. 2006. Greenland’s Winter Whales: The beluga, the narwhal and the bowhead whale. Nuuk, Greenland: Ilinniusiorfik Undervisningsmiddelforlag.

Laidre, K. L., Stirling, I., Lowry, L., Wiig, Ø., Heide-Jørgensen, M. P., Ferguson, S. 2008. Quantifying the sensitivity of arctic marine mammals to climate-induced habitat change. Ecological Applications 18(2), 97–125.

Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques)

A marine fish endemic to the southern and western coasts of Australia ('endemic' means 'prevalent' in a given area). Our understanding of the Leafy Seadragon's basic ecology and abundance is fairly poor. Indeed, the World Conservation Union has included the Leafy Seadragon in the 'data deficient' section of its 'Threatened Species Red List'.

Ref: Connolly, R.M., Melville, A.J., Keesing, J.K. 2002. Abundance, movement and individual identification of leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques (Pisces: Syngnathidae). Marine and Freshwater Research 53(4), 777-780

Bobbit Worm (Eunice aphroditois)

The Bobbit Worm lives on the sea floor at depths of between 10 to 40 meters. It uses its five antennae to sense prey, which includes smaller worms and fish. Bobbit Worms usually grow to one meter in length, but specimens from the Iberian Peninsula, Australia and Japan have measured up to three meters!

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: JennyHuang)

Ref: Crew, B. 2012. Eunice aphroditois is rainbow, terrifying. Scientific American. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/running-ponies/2012/10/22/eunice-aphroditois-is-rainbow-terrifying/

Giant Isopod (Bathynomus giganteus)

There are nearly 20 species of giant isopod, but here we are specifically looking at Bathynomus giganteus. It is found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea down to the state of Ceara, Brazil, and in the north-western Indian Ocean.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Refs: Briones-Fourzán, P., Lozano-Alvarez, E. 1991. Aspects of the Biology of the Giant Isopod Bathynomus giganteus A. Milne Edwards, 1879 (Flabellifera: Cirolanidae), off the Yucatan Peninsula. Journal of Crustacean Biology 11(3), 375-385.

Flat-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)

The Flat-Tailed Gecko (also known as the Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko) is endemic to Madagascar. It is nocturnal and feeds on insects. Their incredible camoflauge helps to conceal them from predators, but in addition, they can flatten their body against the substrate to reduce the body's shadow.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Alfeus Liman - Firereptiles at en.wikipedia)

Refs: Encyclopedia of Life. http://eol.org/pages/1055106/overview

Blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus)

A temperate species of fish that is endemic to the southwest Pacific ocean. They live at depths of between 600 to 1200 meters.

Image: Source required

Ref: Fishbase. Psychrolutes marcidus. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/14347

Blue Sea Slug (Glaucus atlanticus)

This sea slug, which can grow to 3cm in length, is found in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world's oceans. A particularly interesting feature of its diet, is that it preys on the venomous Portuguese Man o' War. The Blue Sea Slug eats the tentacles, which includes the unfired stinging cells (nematocysts), and it stores these stings in special pouches in its cerata (a growth on the upper surface of the body) which they can then use for defence.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Imtorn)

Ref: Natural History Museum. Nature Online. Glaucus atlanticus. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/species-of-the-day/collections/our-collections/glaucus-atlanticus/

Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata)

These beetles can vary in colour, but are often a gold metalic colour; they are sometimes called 'Goldbugs'. Their expanded margins are not pigmented, appearing nearly transparent. They are fairly small, measuring between 5 to 7mm in length.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Ilona Loser)

Ref: University of Florida. Featured Creatures. Golden Tortoise Beetle. http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/potato/golden_tortoise_beetle.htm

Corpse Flower (Rafflesia arnoldii)

In terms of weight, this plant produces the largest single flower of any flowering plant(up to three feet wide). (Amorphophallus titanum has the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world) Rafflesia arnoldii is endemic to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. It earned the the nickname of 'Corpse Flower' because it gives off a smell like a decomposing buffalo (so, fairly similar to the stench created by a pair of Lister's socks). The Corpse Flower grows as a parasite on the grape vine, Tetrastigma.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Raphaelhui [talk])

Refs: Western Michigan University. Rafflesia Life History. http://homepages.wmich.edu/~tbarkman/rafflesia/Rafflesia.html

Nembrotha cristata (no official common name)

A colourful sea slug found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Ocean.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Jenny [JennyHuang] from Taipei).

Ref: Pola, M.J., Cervera, L., Gosliner, T.M. 2008. Revision of the Indo-Pacific genus Nembrotha (Nudibranchia: Dorididae: Polyceridae), with a description of two new species. Scientia Marina 72(1), 15-183.

Bleeding Tooth Fungus (Hydnellum peckii)

This inedible fungus can grow to a height of 10.5cm. Young, moist specimens are known to 'bleed' a red juice-like substance that contains a pigment with anticoagulant properties similar to heparin. An 'anticoagulant' is a substance that prevents blood from clotting.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Bernypisa)

Refs: Hall, D., Stuntz, D.E. 1972. Pileate Hydnaceae of the Puget Sound area III. Brown-spored genus: Hydnellum. Mycologia 64(3), 560–90.

Khanna, J.M., Malone, M.H., Euler, K.L., Brady, L.R. 1965. Atromentin – anticoagulant from Hydnellum diabolus. Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 54(7), 1016–20.

Barreleye (Macropinna microstoma)

Barreleye is the name given to several species of deep sea fish in the family Opisthoproctidae. They are most widely known for their barrel-shaped eyes which are positioned looking upwards for available prey. They can be found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

Ref: Fishbase. Family Opisthoproctidae. http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.php?Family=Opisthoproctidae

Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica)

This antelope, which once had a wide distribution across Europe and into western Asia, is now critically endangered and found only in restricted parts of Russia, Kazakhstan and western Mongolia. They stand about 2 feet, 7 inches tall.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (user: Maksim)

Ref: Saiga (Saiga tatarica). Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. The Zoological Society of London. http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=62

Granrojo jellyfish (Tiburonia granrojo)

The Granrojo Jellyfish was discovered relatively recently; in 2003. It lives at depths of up to ~4900ft and can grow up to one metre in diameter. Instead of having the long tentacles that we commonly associate with jellyfish, this species has thick, fleshy 'arms'.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: NOAA/Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)

Ref: Matsumoto, G.I., Raskoff, R.A., Lindsay, D.J. 2003. Tiburonia granrojo n. sp., a mesopelagic scyphomedusa from the Pacific Ocean representing the type of a new subfamily (class Scyphozoa: order Semaeostomeae: family Ulmaridae: subfamily Tiburoniinae subfam. nov.). Marine Biology 143, 73–77.

Doll's Eyes (Actaea pachypoda)

This herbaceous perennial plant can grow to around two feet in height and around three feet in width. It is native to eastern North America.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Robert E. Wright)

Ref: Legasy, K., LaBelle-Beadman, S., Chambers, B. 1995. Forest Plants of Northeastern Ontario. Ontario: Lone Pine Publishing.

Glasswinged Butterfly (Greta oto)

The Glasswinged Butterfly has a wing span that averages between 5.6cm to 6.1cm. It can be found from Mexico to Panama. The Glasswinged lacks the tiny scales on it's wings, that give other butterflies and moths their colours.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: David Tiller)

Refs: Lamas, G. (Ed.). 2004. Checklist: Part 4A. Hesperioidea - Papilionoidea. In: Heppner, J.B. (Ed.). Atlas of Neotropical Lepidoptera. Volume 5A. Gainesville: Association for Tropical Lepidoptera.

Strieter, A. Anywhere Costa Rica: http://www.anywherecostarica.com/flora-fauna/invertebrates/glasswing-butterfly

Giant African Land Snail (Achatina fulica)

A large species of land snail that is native to East Africa. However, humans have introduced it to other parts of the world (such as for pets, food and by accidental transport). Because of this, the creature is now listed in the top 100 invasive species in the world (peculiar how human beings don't make it onto that list ay!).

Image: Source required

Refs: Global invasive species database: http://www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?st=100ss

Skelley, P.E., Dixon, W.N., Hodges, G. 2011. Giant African land snail and giant South American snails: field recognition. Florida: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)

Comparatively little is know about this distinctive looking deep sea shark, which grows to an average of 13 feet in length (although they can grow larger). Its long snout is covered in electroreceptors which enable it to sense very small electriclal fields produced by prey. It inhabits upper continental slopes, submarine canyons, and seamounts around the world, but always at a depth of around 330 feet.

Image: Source required

Refs: Parsons, G.R., Ingram, G.W., Havard, R. 2002. First record of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni, Jordan (family Mitsukurinidae) in the Gulf of Mexico. Southeastern Naturalist 1 (2), 189–192.

Compagno, L.J.V. 2002. Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date (Volume 2). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. pp. 68–71.

Harp Sponge (Chondrocladia lyra)

A carnivorous deep-sea sponge that was only recently discovered. 'Carnivorous' in this case, means that it eats bacteria and microscopic organisms, but is also partial to some crustaceans. It was found off the California coast living at depths of 10,800–11,500 feet, by researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).

Image: MBARI 2012 http://www.mbari.org/news/homepage/2012/harp-sponge/harp-sponge.html

Ref: Lee, W.L., Reiswig, H.M., Austin, W.C., Lundsten, L. 2012. An extraordinary new carnivorous sponge, Chondrocladia lyra, in the new subgenus Symmetrocladia (Demospongiae, Cladorhizidae), from off of northern California, USA. Invertebrate Biology 131 (4), 259–284.

Common Purple Snail (Janthina janthina)

This is a sea snail that floats at the surface of tropical and temperate seas. It can be found worldwide. In the picture on the left here, you can see the 'bubble raft' that helps it to float.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Rez242)

Refs: Gofas, S., Vandepitte, L. 2009. Janthina janthina (Linnaeus, 1758). In: Bouchet, P., Gofas, S., Rosenberg, G. 2009. World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140155

Morrison S., Storrie A. 1999. Wonders of Western Waters. The Marine Life of South-Western Australia. Australia: Department of Conservation and Land Management.

Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber)

A burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa (predominantly Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia). They average around 4 inches in length. They are extremely well adapted to living underground, being agile diggers...they can move as quickly backwards as they can forwards, and can also use their prominent front teeth to dig.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Roman Klementschitz, Wien)

Refs: Sherman, P.W., Jarvis, J., Alexander, R. 1991. The Biology of the naked mole-rat. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Woods, C.A., Kilpatrick, C.W. 2005. "nfraorder Hystricognathi. In Wilson, D.E., Reeder, D.M. (eds) Mammal Species of the World (third edition). Johns Hopkins University Press.

Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)

This is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. It is found predominantly in the southeastern United States.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Gary M. Stolz/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Ref: Conant, R., Collins, J.T. 1991. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians: eastern and Central North America (third ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Dumbo Octopus (Grimpoteuthis)

This charming octopus gets its name from the paired fins on its head that look a little like elephant ears. They live at extreme depths of between 3000 to 4000 meters.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Mike Vecchione, NOAA)

Ref: Collins, M.A., R. Villaneuva. 2006. Taxonomy, ecology and behaviour of the cirrate octopods. In: Gibson, R.N., R.J.A. Atkinson & J.D.M. Gordon (eds.) Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. Volume 44. London: Taylor and Francis. pp.277–322.

Guineafowl Puffer (Arothron meleagris)

A fish which lives in coral-rich areas of clear lagoon and seaward reefs in the Indo-Pacific, and Eastern Pacific. It grows to a maximum length of ~50cm.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: NPS photo - Bill Eichenlaub)

Ref: Torres, A.G., Valdestamon, R.R. Fishbase. Arothron meleagris. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Arothron-meleagris.html

Star Nosed Mole (Condylura cristata)

A small, functionally blind mole found in wet low areas of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Adults grow to around 20cm in length. The snout is surrounded by 22 pink, fleshy appendages, which are covered in minute touch receptors (called 'Eimer's organs'). These receptors help the mole to find its way around and may even help it detect the movement of prey.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Refs: Feldhamer, G.A., Thompson, B.C., Chapman, J.A. (eds). 2003. Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management and Conservation (second edition.). Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Catania, K.C. 1999. A nose that looks like a hand and acts like an eye: the unusual mechanosensory system of the star-nosed mole. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 185(4), 367–372.

Sea Pig (Scotoplanes globosa)

There are around 1500 species referred to as Sea Pigs (or Sea Cucumbers), but here we are specifically looking at the species Scotoplanes globosa. They live in the deep sea, usually at depths over 1000 meters. Sea Pigs are of great importance in the overall ecology of the deep sea because as they move along the sea floor, feeding on sediments, they introduce oxygen into the sediments, making them habitable by a range of small creatures.

Refs: Encyclopedia of Life. Scotoplanes globosa. http://eol.org/pages/599675/overview

Llano, G. 1967. Biology of the Antarctic Seas III, Volume 11 of Antarctic research series. Biology of the Antarctic seas: Volume 3, Issue 1579. United States: National Research Council, American Geophysical Union. p.57.

Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta)

This is the only species of Eucalyptus tree found naturally in the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike trees such as oaks, the Rainbow Eucalyptus lacks a thick, corky outer layer of bark. Instead, the bark is smooth and as the tree grows, it sheds thin layers. The distinctive multi-coloured appearance occurs because different patches of outer bark are shed at different times of year. When bark is shed it reveals a bright green inner bark which gradually changes to a darker green, then to blue, then to purple, then pink-orange, and finally it turns to a brown-maroon colour just before exfoliation.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: *amelia* - Amelia Leubscher)

Refs: Lee, D.W. 2007. Nature's palette: the science of plant color. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp.228.

Garner, L. Under the Rainbow. http://eucalyptusdeglupta.com/rainbowarticle.pdf

Sea Hare (Aplysia californica)

Sea Hares are herbivorous, marine gastropod molluscs. Aplysia californica can be found in the Pacific Ocean. They get their name from their rounded shape and the two long rhinophores (the tentacle-like organs on its head) that are reminiscent of the ears of a hare. Sea Hares have soft bodies and an internal shell. They are typically found in coastal regions thick with vegetation, and usually amongst seaweed which they use as a source of food. When threatened, they can release ink from their ink glands to deter predators. This also act as a 'smoke screen' which can enable the Sea Hare to get away. Aplysia californica was the first mollusc to have its genome sequenced.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Genny Anderson)

Refs: Aplysia Genome Project. Broad Institute. http://www.broadinstitute.org/scientific-community/science/projects/mammals-models/vertebrates-invertebrates/aplysia/aplysia-genom

Sabzevari, S. 2000. Aplysia californica (on-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed August 01, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Aplysia_californica/

Rainbow Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina cerealis)

This species is know from northern, central and southern Europe. It is classified as endangered in the UK and protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. It grows to a maximum of 10mm in length.

Image: Christoph Benisch http://www.kerbtier.de/cgi-bin/enUpdate.cgi?UD=2010-10-09

Refs: Benisch, C. The beetle fauna of Germany. http://www.kerbtier.de/cgi-bin/enUpdate.cgi?UD=2010-10-09

Harde, K.W. 2000. A field guide in colour to beetles. Leicester: Silverdale Books.

Buse, A. 1993. Life-cycle and behaviour of the British population of Chrysolina cerealis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): the implications for survival. Entomologist 112, 105-117.

Saddleback Caterpillar (Acharia stimulea)

The Saddleback Caterpillar is covered in hairs that secrete an irritating venom. The sting can be extremely painful. Acharia stimulea was formerly classified as Sibine stimulea.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Gerald J. Lenhard, Louiana State Univ / © Bugwood.org / CC-BY-3.0-US)

Refs: Hyche, L.L. Stinging Caterpillars. A Guide to Recognition of Species found on Alabama Trees. http://www.ag.auburn.edu/enpl/bulletins/caterpillar/caterpillar.htm

Covell, C.V. 2005. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths (second edition). Virginia Museum of Natural History.

Sheepshead Fish (Archosargus probatocephalus)

This fish can grow to nearly 36 inches in length. It is common throughout the southeastern Atlantic states and the Gulf coast. It has several rows of stubby-looking teeth that it uses to crush the shells of prey, which includes oysters and clams.

Image: Cropped from http://www.taringa.net/Maquevich/mi/Ze2Ui

Refs: Hill, K. 2005. Smithsonian Marine Station at Port Pierce. Archosargus probatocephalus. http://www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/Archos_probat.htm (accessed 01.08.2013)

Fernandez, L.P.H., Motta, P.J. 2009. Trophic consequences of differential performance: ontogeny of oral jaw-crushing performance in the sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus (Teleostei, Sparidae). Journal of Zoology 243(4), 737-756.

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

The Indian Peafowl is well-known to most of us, and its familiarity may lead you to think that it shouldn't be included here as a creature 'unusual' enough to have sci-fi potential. However, the bird is included here because of the breathtaking and sci-fi worthy persona that the male of the species - the peacock - takes on when in flight; something they rarely do.

Image: ©Burnred via Animals, Animals, Animals http://animalworld.tumblr.com/post/11749381263/india-blue-peacock-in-flight-pavo-cristatus

Comet Moth (Argema mittrei)

This large moth is native only to certain parts of the rain forests of Madagascar. The male has a wingspan of 20cm and a tail span of 15cm. Adult moths live for four to five days. This species is threatened in the wild due to a loss of habitat.

Image: Magic of Life Trust 2007. http://www.magicoflife.org/butterfly_photos/Comet_Moth_Argema_mittrei.400.html

Refs: Afromoths: An online database of tropical moth species. http://www.afromoths.net/species/show/14549

Entomology Manchester: Insects and insect related events in the Manchester Museum. http://entomologymanchester.wordpress.com/2010/10/25/star-objects-of-our-collection-%E2%80%93-the-comet-moth/

Tarantula Hawk (Hemipepsis ustulata)

The Tarantula Hawk is a species of spider wasp (wasps in the taxonomic family Pompilidae are commonly called 'spider wasps'). As the name suggests, it hunts tarantulas which - after paralyzing with its sting - it drags back to its burrow/nest and uses the spider as food for its larvae. Their sting is considered by some to be the second most painful insect sting in the world. This species is highly variable in terms of size and body weight can vary from 6 to 56 mg.

Image: Paul Nylander http://bugman123.com/

Refs: Phillips, S.J., Wentworth Comus, P. eds. 2000. A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert. California: University of California Press. pp. 464–466.

Schmidt, J.O., Blum, M.S., Overal, W.L. 1984. Hemolytic activities of stinging insect venoms. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology 1, 155–160.

Alcock, J., Kemp, D.J. 2006. The Behavioral Significance of Male Body Size in the Tarantula Hawk Wasp Hemipepsis ustulata (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Ethology 112, 691-698.

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)

This enigmatic bird has a stork-like appearance and can be found in the large swawps of tropical east Africa. The average height is between 110cm to 140cm, and wingspan is around 230cm to 260 cm.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Frank Wouters from Antwerpen, Belgium)

Refs: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J. (eds). 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.

Stevenson, T. Fanshawe, J. 2001. Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. Elsevier Science

Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus)

As its name suggests, the Mimic Octopus is able to take on the appearance of other sea creatures. It can change both the colour and texture of its skin in order to blend in with its surroundings. For example, it can modify its skin's appearance to look like an algae-encrusted rock. It does this through pigment sacs known as chromatophores. However, what makes the Mimic different from other colour changing species, is that it can also change its shape to 'mimic' the creature/object it is copying.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Steve Childs)

Refs: Harmon, K. 2013. Mimic Octopus Makes Home on Great Barrier Reef. Scientific American. Retrieved 01.08.2013. http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/octopus-chronicles/2013/03/21/mimic-octopus-makes-home-on-great-barrier-reef/

Piper, R. 2007. Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals. Connecticut: Greenwood Press.

Elephant Beetle (Megasoma elephas)

A large tropical beetle found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. The male of the species has a rhinoceros-like horn on its head which it uses to fight rival males. The male can grow up to 13cm in length and can weigh up to 35g.

Image: BBC via http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1023972/How-like-THIS-bunch-bananas-The-inch-beetle-sailed-Britain-Costa-Rica.html

Refs: Hogue, C.L. 1993. Latin American Insects and Entomology. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press.

Ratcliffe, B.C., Morón, M.A. 2005. Larval descriptions of eight species of Megasoma Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) with a key for identification and notes on biology. The Coleopterists Bulletin 59(1), 91-126.

Yeti Crab (Kiwa hirsuta)

The Yeti Crab is a comparatively recent discovery; it was first identified in 2005 from a specimen found in the South Pacific Ocean. It was 15cm in length and was found at a depth of 2200 meters.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Refs: Macpherson, E., Jones, W., Segonzac, M. 2006. A new squat lobster family of Galatheoidea (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura) from the hydrothermal vents of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. Zoosystema 27 (4), 709–723.

Andean Cock of the Rock (Rupicola peruviana)

This colourful bird grows to an average of 32cm in length and is native to the Andean cloud forests in South America. The picture shown here is of the male of the species which is much more brightly coloured and elaborate in appearance than the female. It might look as if it doesn't have a beak, but it does; it's just hidden under all that plumage on its head.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Jerry Thompson)

Refs: Bostwick, K.S. 2004. Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Christie, D.A. (eds). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 9. Cotingas to Pipits and Wagtails. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp.107-108.

Hilty, S.L., Brown, B. 1986. A Guide to the Birds of Colombia. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Armadillo Girdled Lizard (Cordylus cataphractus)

This enigmatic lizard, which can be found along the west coast of South Africa, is sadly another crature on the IUCN Red List of Thrteatened Species. It takes the name 'Armadillo' lizard because when threatened, it will curl up, grip its tail in its jaws, and form a tight, armored ball, resembling an armadillo.

Image: Joy Reactor. http://joyreactor.cc/post/780724

Refs: IUCN Red List of Thrteatened Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/5333/0

Animal Diversity Website. University of Michigan. Museum of Zoology. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Cordylus_cataphractus.html

Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)

An edible fungus that is found worldwide. The fruit body usually grwos to between 3-8cm, but it can grow a little larger.

Image: Via RX Wildlife. http://rxwildlife.org.uk/category/all-latest-news/fungi/page/3/

Refs: Phillips, R. 1981. Mushrooms and Other Fungi of Great Britain and Europe. Pan Books.

Sea Squirt (Pyura chilensis)

At first glance this might look like a bleeding rock, but it's actually a sea creature (a tunicate) that that lives off the coast of Chile and Peru. They are born male, but become hermaphroditic at puberty. It reproduces by throwing out sperm and eggs into the surrounding water.

Image: Via Grist List. http://grist.org/list/crazy-living-rock-is-one-of-the-weirdest-creatures-weve-ever-seen/

Refs: Manríquez, P.H., Castilla, J.C. 2005. Self-fertilization as an alternative mode of reproduction in the solitary tunicate Pyura chilensis. Marine Ecology Progress Series 305, 113-125.

Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)

This large North American grouse is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, largely because of loss of habitat as a result of farming. The bird is totally dependent on sagebrush-dominated habitats.

Image: Nick Athanas via http://antpitta.com/images/photos/non-neotropics/usa/colorado/gallery_colorado1.htm

Refs: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Centrocercus urophasianus. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/100600300/0

Eng, R.L., Schladweiler, P. 1972. Sage grouse winter movements and habitat use in central Montana. Journal of Wildlife Management 36(1), 141–146.

Pancake Batfish (Halieutichthys aculeatus)

Found in the western Atlantic where it can be found on the ocean floor. During the day, it rests partly covered by a thin layer of sand,

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: NOAA's Fisheries Collection; SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC)

Refs: Froese, R., Kesner-Reyes, K. Fishbase. Halieutichthys aculeatus. http://www.fishbase.org/summary/Halieutichthys-aculeatus.html (accessed 02.08.2013)

If you'd like to make any suggestions for creatures to be added to the list, or you find an inaccuracy...or you just want to make a comment, please feel very welcome to send me a tweet

Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too? - Douglas Adams

Piglet Squid (Helicocranchia pfefferi)

Piglet Squids increase the depth at which they live as they become older. Taken as a whole, they live at depths of between 100 and 400 meters. They can be found throughout the world's tropical and subtropical oceans and in temperate waters in the Atlantic Ocean.

Image: Via Practical Fishkeeping. http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3446

Refs: Young, R.E., Mangold, K.M. 2006. Tree of Life Web Project. Helicocranchia. (accessed 02.08.2013)

Little Barrier Island Giant Weta (Deinacrida heteracantha)

Native to New Zealand, this is the largest species of Giant Weta. A female of this species holds the record for the heaviest living adult insect ever documented. It weighed 71g, which is three times heavier than the average house mouse, and was over 85mm in lenngth.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: William Stovell and Zoe Stone)

Refs: Gibbs, G.W. 1999. Four new species of giant weta, Deinacrida (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Deinacridinae) from New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 29(4), 307-324.

Satherley, J. 2011. Meet the world's heaviest insect, which weighs three times more than a mouse... and eats carrots. The Daily Mail. (accessed 02.08.2013)

Larva of the Hercules Beetle (Dynastes hercules)

The Hercules Beetle is the largest of the rhinoceros beetles. Males can sometimes grow as large as 17cm in length. It is native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. The adult beetle is also worthy of an entry, but its larvae is striking for its sheer size.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (author: Novita Estiti from Tokyo, Japan)

Refs: Jarman, G.M., Hinton, H.E. 2009. Some defence mechanisms of the the Hercules Beetle, Dynastes hercules. Journal of Entomology Series A, General Entomology 49(1), 71-80.

Sea Pig (Enypniastes)

This is the second Sea Pig included in this section. Enypniastes is a genus of Sea Pig that contains two species: E. eximia and E. globosa. They live in the deep sea and feed on benthic sediments (organisms that live on or in the sea floor).

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Expedition to the Deep Slope 2007)

Ref: Robison, B.H. 1992. Bioluminescence in the benthopelagic holothurian Enypniastes eximia. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 72, 463-472.

Red Cage Fungus (Clathrus ruber)

Red Cage Fungus (also known as the 'latticed stinkhorn') is a European species, although it has been introduced to other regions of the world by man. The height of this specis is variable; some can be as small as 8cm, but others can exceed 20cm.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Author: David Gough [Spacepleb])

Ref: Stijve, T. 1997. Close encounters with Clathrus ruber, the latticed stinkhorn. Australasian Mycological Newsletter 16, 11-15.

Okapi (Okapia johnstoni)

It may resemble a zebra, but this creature is most closely related to the giraffe. The Okapi is native to central Africa. Its patternation allows it to blend into the background of dense vegetation and rotting leaves where it lives.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Author: Charles Miller)

Ref: Okapia johnstoni. University of Michican. Museum of Zoology. Animal Diversity Website. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Okapia_johnstoni/ (accessed 20.08.2013)

Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)

The hovering behaviour and proboscis (elongated appendage on its head used for feeding) of this moth mean that it closely resembles a hummingbird when feeding. It has a wide distribution and can be found from Portugal to Japan.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Author: IronChris)

Ref: Pittaway, A. R. 1993. The Hawkmoths of the Western Palaearctic. London: Harley Books.

Pink Fairy Armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus)

This is the smallest species of the armadillo family, measuring around five to six inches in length. They live in the sandy plains of Argentina, often locating their burrows near to anthills; ants are their main food source. Sadly, as humans expand further into their natural habitat their numbers are delcining and are now considered quite rare.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Author: cliff1066™)

Refs: Hathaway, H. 1999. Chlamyphorus truncatus. (On-line). Animal Diversity Web. Accessed 27.09.2013: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Chlamyphorus_truncatus/

Goodwin, George G. 1993. Armadillos. Collier's Encyclopedia. New York: P.F. Collier Inc.

Phylliidae (Leaf Insects)

The family Phylliidae contains the living true leaf insects, which, as their name suggests, contains insects which mimic the leaves of plants. This provides with superb natural camoflauge from potential predators. Leaf insects can be found from South Asia through Southeast Asia to Australia.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Refs: Bradley, J.C., Galil, B.S. 1977. The taxonomic arrangement of the Phasmatodea with keys to the subfamilies and tribes. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 79 (2), 176–208.

Coconut crab (Birgus latro)

The coconut crab is omnivorous and is a type of hermit crab (Paguroidea). They are the world's largest terrestrial arthropods and can grow up to a total length of around one metre! Unsurprisingly, it gets it name from the fact that it likes to eat coconuts and its geographical distribution matches the distribution of the coconut palm - they can be found on islands across the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean.

Image:

Refs: The Map of Life. University of Cambridge. http://www.mapoflife.org/topics/topic_380_Crabs-insights-into-convergence/

Fletcher, W.J. 1993. Coconut crabs. In Wright, A & Hill, L. Nearshore Marine Resources of the South Pacific: Information for Fisheries Development and Management. Suva, Fiji: International Centre for Ocean Development. pp. 643–681.

Monkey Orchid (Dracula simia)

The Monkey Orchid was named in 1978 by the botanist Luer. It is extremely rare and is only found in the mountains of Ecuador and Peru at elevations of 1000 to 2000 meters above sea level.

Image:

Refs: The Garden of Eaden. http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/monkey-face-orchids.html

Luer, C.A. Miscellaneous species of Masdevallia (Orchidaceae) from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Phytologia 39 (4). pp. 185–235.

Bigfin Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana)

Their average size is around 3.8 to 33 centimetres in length, and the chief component of their diet is crustaceans and small fish. These handsome creatures are capable of something called 'metachrosis', which is the voluntary changing of body colouration.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Refs: Silas, E.G., Sarvesan, R., Satyanarayana Rao, K. Prabhakaran Nair., Meiyappan, M.M. 1985. Identity of common species of cephalopods in India. In Silas, E.G. Cephalopod Bionomics, Fisheries and Resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone of India (Cochin, India: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute) 37, 13–195.

Sivashanthini, K., Thulasitha, W.S., Charles, G.A. 2010. Reproductive characteristics of squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Lesson, 1830) from the northern coast of Sri Lanka. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 1–11.