Camping Is Right Out

The wolf spider is one reason why I'll be avoiding Australia for the time being. I don't think I would ever be the same if I stumbled across this lady spider staring at me from her hole in the ground. It certainly makes camping under the open skies an impossibility for me. I know they are unusually dutiful parents (well, the mom at least), and that their bite isn't dangerous, but that doesn't help at all. They're big spiders, and those two front eyes look like they know too much.

Photo courtesy: Stavros Markopoulos

Like Some People I Know

The wolf-eel (which isn't a true eel), is like some people I know. Their size and menacing appearance give them a bad rap. But if you take the time to know them, they can be quite friendly. In fact, if you were diving off the Oregon coast and could bring yourself to hold a sea cucumber (seen being eaten below), then a wolf-eel might just slither out of its hidey-hole and eat it straight from your hands. But that would involve an encounter with two oceanic uglies, which is more than doctors recommend.

Thanks for the photo, Jared. Also, thanks to Rasmus for identifying an ealier photo of one of these. They are my new favorite not-really-an-eel fish.

Photo courtesy: Chris Wilson

From Egg to Ugly

I can't believe I haven't stumbled across this critter before. Behold the splendor of the surinam toad. Like many frogs and toads, it seems these amphibians make for a favored pets among those who don't make distinctions based upon appearance.























Photos courtesy: Aqua Land Pets Plus

They are active hunters, preferring live fish to any other food (the poor goldfish sticking out of this one's mouth is proof). But they are most famous for how the female cares for her eggs.



















Photo courtesy: Honolulu Zoo

After the male fertilizes the 60 or so eggs, he distributes them on the female's back. They are then absorbed into the skin on her back (see above), and by ten days later, each egg has its own little home in the honeycomb-like back the mother has grown. When they emerge in 10 - 12 weeks, they are fully metamorphosed into frogs.

Usually the only cute phase of a toad involves it being a little tadpole. The surinam toad doesn't mess around with that, though. It goes straight from egg to ugly.

Thanks for the links, Leo.

A Fine Line

Don't tell me she's cute! Don't say it! I know you want to, and I'm bound to get some hate mail. Just laugh and enjoy the picture. I'll be vindicated when this pic starts showing up on bulletin boards.

I'm stirring the pot here; there is often a fine line between ugly and cute. I'm actually doing some social commentary here. Ya, that's what I'm all about. Uh huh.

Photo courtesy: www.ueba.com

Career Choice

Elephant seals are known to be enormous and aggressive. This photo demonstrates both. While I understand the desire to want to work with marine mammals, after looking at this beast's eyes I might reconsider my choice of career. This trainer is due either for the hospital or the career counselor's office.

Do you see the little seal pup in the lower right-hand corner? He's wondering when mommy's going to finally eat the guy.

Thanks for the photo, Jared.

Photo courtesy: www.nuxx.net

Good Pet Frog

When looking for a good pet, you need look no further than the Budgett's Frog. Don't expect them to win any jumping contests. They have short stumpy limbs not suitable for impressive out-of-water travel, but boy can they swim. Be careful if you decide you want to own one, though; they are known to be aggressive. They bite. I doubt it is a particularly painful bite, but it would be freaky to have one of these hanging off your thumb.

Thanks for the photo, Angelyca.

Photo courtesy: Exotics and Tropics

Urohydrosis is the Best!

The california condor is an amazing bird. It is known for its endangered status, its appearance, and for its enormous size. But did you know that they defecate on their feet to help control their core body temperature? That's called urohydrosis.

I'll bet that's exactly the kind of factoid you were looking forward to having stuffed in your head today. You're welcome. Come again.

Photo taken by Mike Davis.

Motherhood is Grand

Motherhood is grand, even when demonstrated in critters you would just as soon not see procreate. It saddens me when a scorpion displays a stronger maternal instinct than some women I have seen (ala Jerry and Maury).

I want to see more of this love and attention shown to our own offspring. I'm not suggesting that we starting lugging around our eight kids on our backs (that is what minivans are for), but let's up our game a bit, okay?

To all of those that are already good mothers, maybe you can teach this scorpion a thing or two. Afterall, she may be likely to eat her own young for all I know - a behavior that is more or less absent from our species.

Thanks for the photo, Sean.