Big in Oklahoma

Chris came across this tarantula while walking the wilds of Oklahoma. I knew that state has some big weather systems, but I didn't know it has some big arachnids too. The blue tint isn't from the l.e.d. flashlight Chris was using. No, it is the evil radiating from the spider.

Any of you spider lovers care to ID this critter for us?

Thanks for the photo, Chris from Oklahoma City.

So Much in Common

Fish-namers the world over tend to be petty good at naming their discoveries. This particular catfish species, asterophysus batrachus, is commonly known as the ogre fish. Very nice.

These South American denizens will try to eat just about anything, and that wide jaw enables its undiscriminating pallet. I never thought I could have so much in common with a fish.

Thanks for the link, Rasmus.

Photo source: Planet Catfish

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

A Fruitful Life

I know, I know. I shouldn't be posting on a dead critter, but I couldn't pass up on this dead wasp. I'm sure he lived a long, fruitful life full of paper nest making, drinking nectar or caterpillar blood, and menacing me with that stinger.

Thanks for the link, Kristene.

Photo source: Morgan (QuestingBeast)

Camel Thoughts

I don't know what's going through this camel's mind (that's a call to leave a comment...). But in spite of the smile, I doubt it's anything pleasant.

Photo source: Mahmood Al-Yousif

Owlets

I wonder if my parenting would change if my kids came covered in scraggly down. It would wreak havoc on my vacuum cleaner at least. Also, the whole head-turning talent that owls have would make feeding a bit more troublesome.

Photo source: Knuttz.net

Time for an Eelpout

The Finnish make for some great fishermen, and have the honor of coming across some of the ugliest fishies out there. Janne, of Espoo, Finland, pointed me in the direction of the Burbot (lota lota) fish. Their size is directly proportionate to their ugliness.

These fish can't be had in Scandinavia, however. No, their home lies in the northern reaches of North America. So if any of ya'll Canadians or Minnesotans want to host an eelpout, here's your fish.

Thanks for the link, Janne.


Note: This fish is not in its natural environment. That is an apartment, not the bottom of a Canadian lake.

Photo source: Keijo Lehtinen

Proud Mommy-pede

I think Jade has been making some offerings to a fertility god or two. Not only has one of his scorpions recently reproduced, but check out the proud mommy centipede below!

Jade reports that since this photo the eggs have hatched, leaving the mom with a brood of pede-lings to care for, which she'll do for several months. I just have one question: what about daddy centipede? Dead beat.

Thanks for the photo, Jade.