Ladder Lichen

Image: Richard Droker
Cladonia verticillata

It's the very latest development in pixie architecture...

Jelly and Tadpoles are a Bad Mix

Image: UAF

You can't be too picky about what you eat when you live in the Arctic. If you insist on residing amid such bitter cold and ice, you better be prepared for that layer of blubber that clings to everything you eat. Perhaps that's why most Comb Jellies stick to warm, tropical climes.

Harlequin Shrimp

Image: Carmel Vernia
Hymenocera picta

Wow, what a beauty!

Shame it's just a pretty veneer surrounding a dark heart of sadistic evil...

Bird of Paradise Fly

Image: ron_n_beths pics

Oooooo!

Ambon Scorpionfish

Image: Steve Childs
Pteroidichthys amboinensis

I think the word we're looking for is "eyebrows"...

Sungazer

Image: Joachim S. Müller
Smaug giganteus

SPIKES!

Rhinocochlis nasuta

Image: Bernard DUPONT

Look at this curly-wurly leaf! It looks just like...

Slime Fan Worm

Image: John Turnbull
Myxicola infundibulum

I thought most worms were fans of slime?

Brazilian Wandering Spider

Image: Fernando Dagosta

Look that adorable, fuzzy spider asking for a hug! I'm gonna go give her a hug.

...

Ow! Ooooow! I am bit! I am bited! The pain. The indescribable pain! Someone tell the orphanage there'll be no Santa Claus this year.

Thickclaw Porcelain Crab

Image: Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory

Because sometimes what you really need is one, massive claw.

American Pelecinid Wasp

Image: Andreas Kay
Pelecinus polyturator

This is a wasp that simply doesn't know when to stop!

Australian Prowfish

Image: John Turnbull

A prow is the pointy, front end of a boat. It serves to cut through the water as the ship makes its way through the waves.

Australian Prowfish do look a bit like prows but they're most certainly not cutting the waves at full speed. They're far too lazy for that kind of thing and even if they tried, it turns out they'd have a tough time keeping to a straight line...

Telescope Octopus

Amphitretus pelagicus

We are all in the abyss.

But some of us are looking at the bioluminescent anglerfish.

Arabian Toad-headed Agama

Image: Tamsin Carlisle
Phrynocephalus arabicus

After focusing so much on the Secret Toadhead's weird face, I thought it would be nice to take another look at fun, toadhead tail!