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Western Basilisk (Basiliscus galeritus), male, family Corytophanidae, Colombia

photograph by Cesar Barrio Amorós

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[2937/11080] Delta Amacuro softtail - Thripophaga amacurensis

Order: Passeriformes Suborder: Tyranni Family: Furnariidae

Photo credit: Martin Schuck via Macaulay Library

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BUG OF THE DAY

BotD 3 - 03/24/24

This is the Delta Flower Scarab

These stunning beetles live in the South East, and are found with their heads buried in flower fields. Besides the obvious, these beetles get the "delta" part of their name from the triangle-shaped marking on their back. These beetles spend their days frolicking through flowers, gorging themselves on a variety of nectar and pollen. These cheerful beetles are considered pollinators, and can be seen mostly from May through November.

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The nilgai is the largest antelope of Asia, and is ubiquitous across the northern Indian subcontinent. It is the sole member of the genus Boselaphus, which was first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1766. The nilgai stands 1–1.5 m at the shoulder; males weigh 109–288 kg, and the lighter females 100–213 kg. 

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Baikal teal By: Unknown photographer From: Wildlife Fact-File 1990s

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Melanistic Oncilla

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 3 uplands

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Male roe deer/rådjur, known as bucks, have relatively small antlers that they shed every year. The antlers begin to develop in late fall. The bucks grow a dense layer of fur, called velvet, over their antlers. This furry covering serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it helps to insulate the antlers, keeping them warm in the cold winter months. Additionally, the velvet contains blood vessels that supply vital nutrients and oxygen to the growing antlers. As spring arrives, the male roe deer undergo a remarkable transformation. With the onset of the mating season, testosterone levels surge, triggering a series of physiological changes. One significant change is the shedding of the velvet from their antlers. This process is essential for the antlers to harden and reach their full size and strength. The mating itself takes place in July-August, and soon after that, the bucks lose their antlers, and the cycle begins again. Värmland, Sweden (February 17, 2024).

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Lore Green Palm-Pitviper (Bothriechis lateralis), family Viperidae, Costa Rica

Venomous.

photograph by @kevinvenegas_wildlife

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Daily fish fact 752

Whitetip reef shark!

Thanks to their ability to breathe while staying still, whitetip reef sharks like to have a rest in crevices during the day. Often several whitetip reef sharks will pile on top of each other in the same cave, and they like to use the same cave for up to several days or weeks at a time!

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Alpine ibex taking a chimney-top break in the French Alps, 2019 - by Sandro Lovari, Italian

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Earless Monitor Lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis), family Lanthanotidae, endemic to Borneo

ENDANGERED.

Semi-aquatic.

Closely related to true monitor lizards in the family Varanidae.

The only member of its family.

They do have inner ears, and are capable of hearing, despite the lack of ear openings and tympanae.

photographs by Reptiles4all and Chien C. Lee

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BOTD: Montezuma Quail

Photo: budgora

"Despite its bold and bizarre pattern, this little quail of the Mexican border regions can be remarkably hard to see. When approached, pairs or coveys of Montezuma Quail may crouch motionless until they are practically stepped upon; then they explode into flight, to whir away across the hillsides. Fall and winter coveys usually have fewer than ten birds, and they often range over a very limited area."

- Audubon Field Guide

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Emperor Angelfish Pomacanthus imperator

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BUG OF THE DAY

BotD 2 - 03/23/24

This is the Eastern Bath White butterfly

These butterflies are in the Pieridae family, which is a very common type of butterfly! This species lives mainly in Greece, and enjoys hot mid-day weather. While these species aren't too interesting in terms of history, they're lovely insects who enjoy a wide range of different colored flowers.

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Did you know? Blue-ringed octopuses (members of the genus Hapalochlaena) are among the world’s deadliest cephalopods. Found in coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans, these critters typically measure less than 8 in (20.3 cm) long. But, they pack a venomous bite that is potent enough to instantly paralyze, and even kill, a human being.

Photo: Angell Williams, CC BY 2.0, flickr

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today’s funky frog of the day is: trachycephalus resinifictrix! commonly known as mission golden-eyed tree frogs or amazon milk frogs, they are found in the amazon rainforest of south america. when stressed, these frogs are known to release a white, milk-like liquid, earning them the nickname “blue milk frog.” they live in trees and may never come down to the ground throughout their entire lifetime. because of this, they are rarely seen, but their loud calls can surely be heard. they can live up to 25 years.