Category: Animals

• The Tasmanian Giant Crab is the king of crabs

  

  Add the Tasmanian Giant Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas) to one of the animals you’ll want to see in person one day.

  Weighing up to 39lbs with a shell length of up to 18 inches, the Tasmanian Giant Crab is the fifth largest crab species. Its wild geometry makes its claws appear more massive than its body — just look at it held by humans.

  This monstrous “king” of crabs resides in the deep ocean of Southern Australia, mostly at depths of 460–885 feet.

  Unfortunately, the crab is a prize catch among fishers where’s it’s been fished in Tasmanian waters since 1992.

  

  

  

  

  Add the Tasmanian Giant Crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas) to one of the animals you’ll want to see in person one day. Weighing up to 39lbs with a shell length of up to 18 inches, the Tasmanian Giant Crab is the fifth largest crab species. Its wild geometry makes its claws appear more massive than its body […]

  Wells Baum

  April 14, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  animals, australia, crabs, Nature
• Meet the Dracula Parrot, the most metal birds on the planet

  

  Thinking of parrots usually conjures up images of the brightly colored blue, red, and green creatures.

  But with the shape of a parrot and the dark beak of a vulture, Pesquet’s parrot, commonly known as the Dracula parrot, is one of the more unique-looking parrot species.

  The rare vulture-parrot hybrid found in New Guinea’s rainforests

  The vampiric-looking bird from the mountains of New Guinea looks bloodthirsty but snacks on a diet of figs. Its unusual goth-like appearance, a mishmash of black and red plumes, is also quite beautiful. Male Dracula parrots have an extra red dot behind the ears.

  Unfortunately, the Dracula Parrot’s mesmerizing feathers make it attractive to poachers. The bird has been listed on the endangered species list by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

  

  

  Thinking of parrots usually conjures up images of the brightly colored blue, red, and green creatures. But with the shape of a parrot and the dark beak of a vulture, Pesquet’s parrot, commonly known as the Dracula parrot, is one of the more unique-looking parrot species. The rare vulture-parrot hybrid found in New Guinea’s rainforests […]

  Wells Baum

  March 22, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  animals, birds, Nature
• The beautiful yet feisty Lilac-breasted roller bird, Africa’s most colorful bird

  

  The plumage on the lilac-breasted roller bird is gorgeous. The creature sports eight different colors to give it the impression of a mesmerizing rainbow.

  Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the national bird of both Botswana and Kenya, the lilac bird is known to perch on treetops by the roadside so it can pounce on rodents and insects moving about on the ground.

  An aggressive little fluff—especially when intruders get too close to their nest—these birds are also renowned for the rolling flight pattern that sees them dip and dive from high in the sky in torpedo-like motion.

  

  

  

  The plumage on the lilac-breasted roller bird is gorgeous. The creature sports eight different colors to give it the impression of a mesmerizing rainbow. Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the national bird of both Botswana and Kenya, the lilac bird is known to perch on treetops by the roadside so it can pounce on rodents […]

  Wells Baum

  March 11, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  africa, birds, Nature
• The Fringed Leaf Frog

  

  The Fringed Leaf Frog (Cruziohyla craspedopus) is one of the rarest amphibians in the world.

  The 3-inch creature lives a reclusive life up in the Amazon rainforest’s high canopies — it rarely visits the ground — in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

  

  The frog’s coloration, of course, is stunning — intermixing green, blue, and purple. It also can feature pale blue patches on its back.

  The myriad colors provide the frog with superb camouflage to conceal it from hunting monkeys. It also makes a soft, croaking sound.

  Like all rainforest species, the Fringed Leaf Frog faces the threat of habitat loss. So if you see one perched for a photo opportunity, remember to leave it be.

  

  

  

  The Fringed Leaf Frog (Cruziohyla craspedopus) is one of the rarest amphibians in the world. The 3-inch creature lives a reclusive life up in the Amazon rainforest’s high canopies — it rarely visits the ground — in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The frog’s coloration, of course, is stunning — intermixing green, blue, and purple. […]

  Wells Baum

  February 18, 2021

  Animals

  brazil, Fringed Leaf Frog, frogs, Nature
• The elephant trunk snake

  

  The Elephant trunk snake (Acrochordus javanicus) is among the largest freshwater snakes in the world.

  This weird-looking snake has unique wrinkly scalation and a chunky body, resembling an elephant’s trunk. Its face also looks like a pug or seal.

  

  Given the snake’s aquatic nature, it’s often mistaken as an eel. But the elephant trunk snake rarely leaves the water. The creature mostly lives in the streams and lagoons in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

  Non-venomous — it has a forked tongue — elephant trunk snakes make popular exotic pets.

  

  

  The Elephant trunk snake (Acrochordus javanicus) is among the largest freshwater snakes in the world. This weird-looking snake has unique wrinkly scalation and a chunky body, resembling an elephant’s trunk. Its face also looks like a pug or seal. Given the snake’s aquatic nature, it’s often mistaken as an eel. But the elephant trunk snake […]

  Wells Baum

  February 11, 2021

  Animals

  animals, elephant trunk snake, snakes
• The freaky Potoo bird

  

  The Potoo bird (Ghost bird) from Central and South America can appear freaky.

  The strange-looking bird possesses a hooked snake-like bill with a massive gape the animal uses to swallow moths and other insects.

  A nocturnal insectivore, their yellow eyes glow up into massive googly balls at night. Yet, they are unrelated to owls.

  

  The potoo bird enjoys excellent camouflage, living life perched upon a tree branch during the day.

  In addition to looking like a muppet, the bird may be best known for its sound, projecting a creepy melancholic song.

  

  

  The Potoo bird (Ghost bird) from Central and South America can appear freaky. The strange-looking bird possesses a hooked snake-like bill with a massive gape the animal uses to swallow moths and other insects. A nocturnal insectivore, their yellow eyes glow up into massive googly balls at night. Yet, they are unrelated to owls. The […]

  Wells Baum

  February 8, 2021

  Animals

  animals, Potoo bird, South America
• The pink-eyed hover goby

  

  The pink-eyed hover goby (Bryaninops natans) is a fish with a see-through body and yellow organs. 

  No bigger than an inch, it’s so transparent you can even see its bones in its body. 

  The pink-eyed goby hovers above the tips of Acropora corals in shallow lagoon reefs of the Indo-Pacific area.  

  Here are few more images of the cool little fish.  

  

  

  

  The pink-eyed hover goby (Bryaninops natans) is a fish with a see-through body and yellow organs.  No bigger than an inch, it’s so transparent you can even see its bones in its body.  The pink-eyed goby hovers above the tips of Acropora corals in shallow lagoon reefs of the Indo-Pacific area.   Here are few more images of […]

  Wells Baum

  February 4, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  animals, fish, Nature, Photography
• Cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth

  

  See the universe in the marvelous googly-eyed cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth (Eudocima phalonia), and you’ll never be the same.

  

  While dazzling as the cosmos, the caterpillar is a serious pest in its moth stage, destroying ripe and riping fruit harvests across Hawaii, Australia, to West Bengal, India.

  Here are some more pics of the cosmic caterpillar in its advanced larva stage and its appearance as an adult moth. It does an incredible leaf mimic.

  

  

  

  See the universe in the marvelous googly-eyed cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth (Eudocima phalonia), and you’ll never be the same. While dazzling as the cosmos, the caterpillar is a serious pest in its moth stage, destroying ripe and riping fruit harvests across Hawaii, Australia, to West Bengal, India. Here are some more […]

  Wells Baum

  January 23, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  animal, Caterpillar, India, Nature
• The flamboyant cuttlefish

  

  The cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) is a real master of color change. 

  The bioluminescent fish can modify their appearance and shape using flashing LCD-like bands to hypnotize prey before snatching it up. 

  A cuttlefish hypnotizes its prey to eat it pic.twitter.com/Q5yPxqDaoE

  — Diane Doniol-Valcroze (@ddoniolvalcroze) January 19, 2021

  That’s right — these fish use their strobing disco lights to psyche-out crabs and small fish!  

  Like the octopus, the cuttlefish have pigmented chromatophores in their skin, allowing them to camouflage with their surroundings. 

  Learn more about the cuttlefish in the video below. 

  The cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) is a real master of color change.  The bioluminescent fish can modify their appearance and shape using flashing LCD-like bands to hypnotize prey before snatching it up.  That’s right — these fish use their strobing disco lights to psyche-out crabs and small fish!   Like the octopus, the cuttlefish have pigmented chromatophores in […]

  Wells Baum

  January 20, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  animals, cuttlefish, Nature, Ocean, octopus
• The Great Blue Turaco

  

  The beautiful Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is a bird from West and Central Africa’s tropical forests. 

  The birds weigh up to three pounds and grow up to 30 inches long, about a pheasant’s size. While not the most competent flyers, they are excellent climbers, spending most of their time hanging out in the trees.

  

  While the great blue turaco sings sweet melodies and snacks on fruit, leaves, and flowers, it’s most famous for its mix of vibrant colors. 

  With blue running across its head and upper breasts, the bird also flashes a black crest, a teal belly, and a red and tipped beak that gives it the impression of wearing lipstick. It also sports a stunning dark blue mohawk.  

  One of the most sought after bird species by birders, the Great Blue Turaco is also widely regarded as a bird that brings good luck. 

  

  

  The beautiful Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is a bird from West and Central Africa’s tropical forests.  The birds weigh up to three pounds and grow up to 30 inches long, about a pheasant’s size. While not the most competent flyers, they are excellent climbers, spending most of their time hanging out in the trees. While the great […]

  Wells Baum

  January 15, 2021

  Animals

  africa, animals, birds, Great Blue Turaco, Nature
• The spectacular rainbow colored Nicobar pigeon

  

  The Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) stands out from the crowd as the extinct Dodo’s closest living relative.

  Found in the coastal regions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands southeast of the Indian continent to the Solomon Islands and Palau, the Nicobar pigeon fashions the most beautiful metallic green colored plumage.

  With low repetitive calls, the Nicobar pigeon is also quieter than your standard urban pigeon. It is also one of the largest pigeon species, stretching 16 inches in length.

  Unfortunately, the bird appears near extinction due to the demand for its gizzard stone used in jewelry. Gizzard stones help the bird break down hard foods like seeds and nuts. 

  

  

  

  The Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) stands out from the crowd as the extinct Dodo’s closest living relative. Found in the coastal regions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands southeast of the Indian continent to the Solomon Islands and Palau, the Nicobar pigeon fashions the most beautiful metallic green colored plumage. With low repetitive calls, the Nicobar pigeon is […]

  Wells Baum

  January 11, 2021

  Animals, Nature

  birds, India, Nature, pigeon
• A rare look at a great horned owl swimming through a canyon

  

  Behold this rare video of a great horned owl “swimming” (read: trying to fly) through a canyon in Lake Powell. The great horned owl is a type of force eagle-owl native to the Americas.

  The young swimming owl – identifiable by the spot of nestling feathers — accidentally fell from its nest on the cliff edges during a snooze. Luckily, the owl treaded enough water to make it to shore. Surely it won’t be as careless as a grownup.

  Known as the “tiger of the sky,” great horned owls excel at hunting using their keen eyesight and powerful talons. The owl can exert 28 pounds of force to split the spine of large prey. Imagine being wrapped in such an intense grip.

  

  

  

  Behold this rare video of a great horned owl “swimming” (read: trying to fly) through a canyon in Lake Powell. The great horned owl is a type of force eagle-owl native to the Americas. The young swimming owl – identifiable by the spot of nestling feathers — accidentally fell from its nest on the cliff […]

  Wells Baum

  January 6, 2021

  Animals, Travel

  animals, owl, Travel