Heated Debate

This photo was taken by a motion-activated hunter's (Rick Jacobs) camera in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest (US).

It has sparked some heated debate. Could it be the legendary Bigfoot? Mr. Sasquatch himself? Or is it a bear with a skin disorder? Or is it my ugly little brother out trapsing after dark like we've warned him not to do?

Photo source: Associated Press

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

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

Don't Play in the Litter Box

You're looking at the adult worms of the Toxocara family, who often take up residence in the small intestines of dogs and cats. They range from 4-12 cm in length.

This parasitic worm represents just one more reason why you should steer clear of your pet's rear end: you can get infected, too. The larvae will penetrate your bowel wall and migrate through your blood vessels to reach your liver, muscles, and lungs. It might even penetrate into your eyes and brain.

I'm not saying you need to evict your dogs and cats. Quite the opposite. I'm just saying that you need to keep take care of them. And don't play in the litter box.

My wife cannot see this post, not if I am ever want to have a dog.

Thanks for the link, Ida. You're jeopardizing everything.

Photo source: titanium-white

Goosefish on the Brain

Behold the goosefish, which belongs to one of the my favorite groups of fish--the anglerfish. The goosefish is known for being wide and flabby, and can get up to six feet in length and weigh 75 lbs. That's a big fish. But then, the taxonomy of goosefish isn't so easy, since there are several varieties of them. Ugly can come in oh-so-many shades.

Thanks for the photo, Ida.

Photo source: LiveScience.com

First-time Fungus

I don't post very often on non-animals. But when I'm forwarded photos of something called the 'Bleeding Tooth Fungus,' I have to take action. This mushroom earns its name from two characteristics:

1) Bleeding: they ooze a red liquid.
2) Tooth: they grow little 4 mm teeth on their underside.
3) Fungus: it's a mushroom.

You really can't ask for a more appropriate name. I probably should have saved this post for Halloween, but I couldn't resist.

Thanks for the photos, Kelly. I feel a little bit sick now--my world just got a bit more disgusting.

2000-pound Black Lab in Disguise

Cynthia sent me these photos that an intern (by the name of Karla--thanks Karla) took while at the Fossil Rim wildlife park in Texas, US. They are of a black rhino named Kusamona. Karla calls him her 'lovebug,' and says, "who knew rhinos were really 2000+ pound black labs in disguise?"

I never knew that rhinos could be so...loveable. I'll have to look past the thick hide, beady eyes, and armored plates to see that trait, but I'm sure it's there. I'll just look from the back of a jeep and at a great distance.

Chomping Squid

You're looking into the face/maw/undercarriage of Promachoteuthis sulcus. It's hard to find any information on this squid, but Heather, our resident cephalopodophile, has provided us with a wealth of photos.

I'm not sure what that hammy grin is all about, or what those teeth are meant to chew on. I'm guessing apples and acorns are off the menu, though.

Thanks for the links, Heather. It would seem that trawling the depths of the Tree of Life website can yield some amazing results.

Photo source: ToLWeb.org