Rainbow Nudibranch

Image: Ed Bierman
Dendronotus iris

Is this what passes for a rainbow...

In HELL?!

Sternaspid Worm

Image: Kelly Sendall, Sergio I. Salazar-Vallejo

Ah...

These would be one of the less worm-like worms!

Red-lipped Batfish

Ogcocephalus darwini

Give your auntie Ena a kiss, why don't you?

REAL monstrosa

Image: Jakob Fahr

Everyone knows beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what about monstrousness? Surely monstrousness is far more substantial and objective than the wispy, nebulous beauty that exists nowhere but our own minds? It's all about the bulging body parts and too many legs. Even scientists can see that.

Thus we have monstrosa, Latin for monster.

So let's check out some scientifically confirmed (with real science and white lab coats) monsters. By their name we shall know them. Or their face.

Maze Coral

Image: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Meandrina meandrites

Some corals just want you to GET LOST!

Black Lava Lizard

Image: Arthur Chapman
Tropidurus melanopleurus

Isn't this how it usually works in computer games?

The Black Lava Lizard is small and throws stones at you. The Yellow Lava Lizard looks identical but it's slightly bigger and sets the stones on fire before throwing them at you. And the Red Lava Lizard is even bigger but it breathes fire.

Batwing Sea Slug

Image: Patrick Randall

Batwing, the world's most unlikely superhero, wraps his mighty parapodia about him as he casts his protective eye over the citizens of Sponge City. His pointy head stands to attention as his dark and violent thoughts are interrupted by a shriek of terror far below.

He sets his gory daydreams aside and sighs as he dons his most disarming smile and swoops down to give a wayward youth a good, avuncular talking to.

Just another day in the life of your friendly, neighbourhood, customer focused crime cessation officer.

Nereiphylla paretti

Image: National Museums Northern Ireland

Check out this beauty!

Nereiphylla paretti is a 30 cm (foot) long worm from European waters like the North Sea, English Channel and Mediterranean. They're active predators who scour the shallows in search of prey.

Nereiphylla paretti is an annelid, or segmented worm, so-called because its body is divided into segments.

More precisely it's a polychaete, also known as a bristle worm, because each segment bears a collection of tough bristles sprouting out of the sides.

Even more precisely it's a Phyllodocid, or paddle worm, because some of those bristles have turned into large, flattened paddles.

I don't know what these paddles are for but man, when each one is edged with yellow it sure looks pretty!

Leaf Scorpionfish

Image: _Bunn_
Taenianotus triacanthus

It's what the agricultural world has been crying out for: pink, carnivorous leaves. We'll never need pesticides again!

Snakefly

Image: Malcolm Storey

Horror of all horrors! Quetzalcoatl, feathered serpent of Venus, has finally grown weary of the enraging lack of human sacrifice. Watch as the lord of storm descends upon us. His mighty wings block the sun. We are engulfed in darkness as the sky is torn asunder and the rains of flood and winds of tempest strike at the pitiable earth.

Woe to us all! Who among us will be the first sacrifice? For the plumed snake hungers for human flesh.

Monkey Cacao

Image: Andreas Kay

Monkey Cacao? Isn't there rather more of the squid about this one?

Secret Toadhead Agama

Image: Antoshin Konstantin
Phrynocephalus mystaceus

Ew!

You should've kept that a secret!