Bona Fide

My post about mudpuppies elicited quite a bit of debate regarding the difference between mudpuppies, axolotls, and (my new favorite) the hellbender. I was able to locate a masterful herpetologist on Flickr, Andrew Hoffman, and secure his permission to use the photos below. He was also quite forthcoming in the aforementioned debate.

Behold the bona fide Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). Any amphibian that can eat a crawdad is all right in my book (not that a creature called the Hellbender needs any approval from a second-rate blogger like me).

Thanks for the photos, Andrew. Your skill at photographing amphibians is second to none.

Guest Lecturer

Connie is a dutiful mother and enjoys teaching her children about life and the world around them. So, while outside gardening one day, she was very pleased that this praying mantis decided to drop by to be a guest lecturer for that day's lessons. No doubt the kids enjoyed being able to interact and marvel at one of the coolest insects around (and mantids know they're cool, which kind of annoys me).

I just hope that during the lesson that the mantis didn't bring up the whole mating ritual where the female bites off the head of the male. That kind of material should be reserved for high school on up.

Thanks for the photo, Connie.

Locked Down Tight

I'm sure this man is a good guy. I'd probably enjoy having lunch with him. I have nothing against him (he has rockin' shorts, too!).

But sometimes, deep down inside of me, in that cruel place of my brain that I keep locked down tight, I find myself rooting for the crocodile.

Photo source: Knuttz.net

Farewell to Minoza

The world just got a bit less ugly, and that is a sad thing. Kate sent me this article, which tells the tale of the passing of Japan's largest seal, Minazo, who entertained crowds for 10 1/2 years.

I've posted on this pinniped in the past, not knowing the details. Now we know who he is and can give him his dues, even posthumously. Everyone say goodbye to Minazo. May he be greeted with more mackerel in the Hereafter than he could ever feast upon (Minazo heaven = mackerel hell).

Thanks for the link, Kate.














P.S. I love the titles.

Bison the Roach

Say hello to Bison the hissing cockroach. This beast recently matured in one of Jade's colonies. It measures in at 3.5 inches long by 2 inches wide, with 1/4 inch horns (ergo the name of Bison). I assume that a hissing cockroach of this size does more than hiss. I'm imagining something more of a roar.

BTW, that is Jade's better half, Rachel, holding the roach. She has more chutzpah than I do, no doubt.

Thanks for the photos, Jade. Keep tabs on this one, lest he should run rampant in Tokyo and contend with Godzilla.

Maintenance and Commitment

I've been lobbying my wife for some time to consider adopting a small pet for our kids. She's adverse to anything that will require too much maintenance or commitment (I can understand that--our kids require a lot of maintenance and commitment).

But then I took her by a cage full of teddy bear hamsters. Now she's considering the possibility. I'll ask her not to check out this blog for the next week or so. This open-mouth shot will undo the ground I have gained in this debate.

Thanks for the link, Kat.

Photo source: pyza

Mere Technicality

Everyone congratulate Sgorby. He is the proud new owner of some Sphynx kittens. I've featured these hairless felines many times before, and intend to do so in the future.

But these kittens pass the ugly test on a mere technicality (hairlessness secures their place). They are so darned cute.

Thanks for the photos, Sgorby.

I Wish I Could Have Thought of This

Meet Douglas's dog. He's of the leonberger breed, and is a resident of Sweden. He enjoys beaches and fishing.

Here's an interesting tidbit: the leonberger was established in 1846, in Leonberg, Germany. They are the result of crossbreeding the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, and Great Pyrenees Mountain dog. I must admit, I am very jealous that someone thought of doing that first--to take three of the largest canines known to man and breed them into a super dog. I wish I could shake Heinrich Essing's hand (the breeder--but that would be weird, since he is dead).

I imagine you'd have to have some pretty sizable facilities to accommodate that kind of breeding regimen.

Thanks for the photo, Douglas of Sweden. I'm always impressed when a pet owner is secure enough to submit their beloved beast to Ugly Overload.