Childhood Dream Fulfilled

The Desert Horned Lizard is found only in western North America, a point of pride for Americans and Mexicans alike. Like many children (myself included), Igor Siwanowicz was fascinated by them.

But why, you ask, is the horned lizard so appealing to children (at least the disturbed ones). Is it their diet of ants, beetles, and spiders? No, not really. How about how they bury themselves in sand to lie in wait? No, not that either. They're not aggressive. In fact they're quite gentle and won't even bite. The worst they might do is try to push their head spikes into your hand, and that's just plain old endearing.

Oh, maybe it's because they can squirt blood from their eyes up to five feet if threatened. That might arouse a kid's interest.

Photo source: Igor Siwanowicz

















Igor sent me these photos with the explanation that he was able to live out his childhood dream by procuring a pair of these critters and getting to photograph them. And the world is better for it. Igor is one of the most talented photographers you'll ever find, so stay tuned. I have a more heading your way.

As always, thanks Igor.

Sun, Wind, and Camel

Photo source: Igor Siwanowicz
Here are some more gems from Igor. You may know this creature as the camel spider (it's got a bunch of names--wind scorpion, sun spider, sun scoropion, et al), but it is neither a spider nor a scorpion. It's in its own fancy order of arachnida (Solifugae).

Here are two charming descriptions from Wikipedia. First, on feeding:

Prey is located with the pedipalps and killed and cut into pieces by the chelicerae. The prey is then liquefied and the liquid ingested through the pharynx.

Mmm. Slurp slurp.

Next, on mating:

[On Solpugids in general] Reproduction can involve direct or indirect sperm transfer; when indirect, the male emits a spermatophore on the ground and then inserts it with his chelicerae in the female's genital pore. To do this, he flings the female on its back.

Romantic creatures, these Solpugids.

Thanks for the photos, Igor.

Blondi Model

Igor Siwanowicz sent me some more beauties. You tarantula lovers (you know who you are!) are gonna squeal.

Igor assuaged my arachnophpobia-induced reaction to the fangs by letting me know that they are harmless (except to juicy crickets...). But he did caution me about the awful little hairs this Blondi spider was tossing at him from its rear end throughout the photo shoot. Now, I've heard that models can be irritating, but that's ridiculous...

Thanks a million for the spider shots, Igor. I bow to your supremacy in all things photographic.

For You Invert Lovers

Here's some new fodder from one of the most gifted wildlife photographers on the web, Igor Siwanowicz. He noticed my dearth of Damon variegata postings, and forwarded these photos to me.

Check out some of the best pictures of Tanzanian tailless whip scorpion you'll ever find. For you invert lovers, these sideways-walking arachnids make for great pets, even for beginners. They're mild-tempered and can get to a size of over seven inches. For the rest of us, we can sleep easy knowing that they are harmless and are only found in Africa (unless you live next to an invert lover who doesn't keep proper lids on his/her terrarium...).

And for those of you who haven't eaten yet, Fear Factor taught us that these critters make for good eating!

Thanks, Igor!

Photo (1 & 2) source: Igor Siwanowicz

AmphiBaal

Jabba the Frog. I've never seen an amphibian strike such a dominant, triumphant pose. Igor sure knows how to work with his subjects. I don't know how he inspires them, but I love the results.

Thanks for the photo, Igor.

Photo courtesy: Igor

An Over Abundance of Nasties

Did you know that there are over 5,000 species of predacious diving beetles worldwide? Honestly, what good does that kind of variety offer us? We only get a handful of varieties of great apes, and mother nature gives us an over abundance of these nasty insects (I've been bitten by one, so if I sound bitter, that's why).

These photos were taken by the amazing photographer, Igor Siwanowicz, who emailed me to let me know of their presence. Check out more of his work here.

Thanks for the photos, Igor. You've got talent, no doubt.

Photos (1 and 2) source: Igor Siwanowicz

Lizards from Igor

I thought it high time I posted some photos from the magnificent Igor Siwanowicz. I always hesitate to post anything of his here, seeing as he can make something ugly and turn it into something you enjoy staring at.

Nevertheless, here are some of his photos of a chameleon (type?) and a crested gecko. You're welcome, lizard lovers.

Mantids Galore

It's been far too long since my last mass mantis post, so I decided that we all could use another dose of Igor Siwanowicz's magical photography. Enjoy.

The first three photos are of Schizocephala bicornis, the next one is of a boxer mantis, then Deiphobe brunneri, then Rhombodera basalis. As for the others, I cannot vouch for their identification. I only know that I'm glad they aren't man-sized.

Thanks, Igor.

Dining Mantis

Sorry. Couldn't help it. Had to dip back in to Igor Siwanowicz's kettle of photos and serve another helping of mantis.

This mantis is posing for the camera, gripping its meal with one be-spiked arm, while coyly touching his mandibles with the other. Don't be shy, little mantid. Go ahead. I know you prefer to start eating your food while it is still alive, so why wait?




















There you go. Right there. You usually start eating the neck first, but the thorax works too. I would save the juicy abdomen for last, too.

Thanks for the photos, Igor.

Centipede Dining

It's time for some more photos from the illustrious Igor Siwanowicz. Here are a few he took of Scolopendra cingulata, aka the Megarian Banded Centipede.

Though this species is one of the smaller of the otherwise oversized scolopendrids (this centipede gets to be 10-15 cm), and their venom isn't quite as toxic as that of their bigger brothers, they are still known to be very fast and aggressive.

Of course, being smaller and less toxic was of little consolation to the grasshopper.

The megarian banded centipede is native to the region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. So, if you're a grasshopper or some other form of centipede prey (or a scaredy cat like me), you'll want to avoid dark, damp environments like beneath logs and in leaf piles. Thankfully, I tend to stay away from those places anyway.

Thanks for the photos, Igor.

Armored Soul Eaters

Igor Siwanowicz is back with some of his amazing macros.

He recently attended a reptiles and insects expo and was able to procure a pair of these diminutive monsters. The armored Madiga liberiana may be only about 7 cm in length, but they're still capable of eating your soul.

Thanks for the photos, Igor.

Brandishing Colors

I hesitate to post on this...dare I say, pretty...mantis. But mantids have a home here, and all are welcome, even if they decide to show off their wings and dilute the ugly pool.

Jade sent this photo, taken by the illustrious Igor Siwanowicz. I assume the bug is brandishing his colors in an effort to frighten Igor away.

I want to make a kite out of that pattern. In part to entertain my kids, but also to frighten off any aliens that might be planning an invasion near my house (the LGMs would see those eyes staring back at them through their telescopes and choose another neighborhood). I assume that if it works for bugs, it works for people.

Don't Let Me Down

Igor has let me use several of his photos. In appreciation of his generosity, I would like to call upon you arachnophiles to help him identify this spider.

Anybody got a clue as to what it might be? I'm seeing some long, prickly legs, oversized mandibles, and evil, beady eyes. I know, that sounds like most spiders, but those colors on the abdomen look like the hallmark of the [BLANK] spider, wouldn't you say?

Come on people, don't let me down.

Photo source: Igor Siwanowicz

Time for More Mantids

I think it high time that we enjoyed another sampling of Igor Siwanowicz's amazing mantid photos. The world would be a different place if these aliens came in larger sizes.

Mothra

The second largest class of insects is the order of Lepidoptera: the moths and butterflies. But what's the difference between moths and butterflies? Depends on who you ask, and how belligerent they are.

But, in general, you can outline some general differences, though there are always exceptions:

Moths: nocturnal, feathery or unclubbed antennae, form a silk-spun cocoon, tend toward drab colors, have furry abdomens, tend to fold their wings flat when at rest.

Butterflies: diurnal, slender filamentous antennae, form a chrysalis, tend toward bright colors, have smooth abdomens, tend to fold their wings above their backs.

Now, given the details above, the creature to the left is a moth (flat wings, furry body, feathery antennae). But nowhere in the taxonomical descriptions of Lepidopterans is there any discussion of evil. Any idea what this sinister monster might be?
UPDATE: This is a photo by Igor Siwanowicz, and it's most likely an Eupackardia calleta. Thanks, anon3.

Mantis Mania!

I don't know who took these photos (though I have my suspicions). Can anyone claim them? I must know! I want to shake his/her hand and post more of their photos.

Enjoy.

UPDATE: I must be tired. Tragerstreit pointed out that the first photo has the illustrious Igor Siwanowicz's watermark on it. I still can't speak of the rest.