#Rare species flora

[billionneuronscurious]

Ceropegia huberi. The Bright White Flowers.

[reasonsforhope]

"Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo has a lot to celebrate.

The park, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on December 31 of 2023, also shared an exciting conservation milestone: 2023 was the first year without any elephant poaching detected.

“We didn’t detect any elephants killed in the Park this year, a first for the Park since [we] began collecting data. This success comes after nearly a decade of concerted efforts to protect forest elephants from armed poaching in the Park,” Ben Evans, the Park’s management unit director, said in a press release.

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park was developed by the government of Congo in 1993 to maintain biodiversity conservation in the region, and since 2014, has been cared for through a public-private partnership between Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Pictured: Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park. Photo courtesy of Scott Ramsay/Wildlife Conservation Society

Evans credits the ongoing collaboration with this milestone, as the MEF and WCS have helped address escalating threats to wildlife in the region. 

This specifically includes investments in the ranger force, which has increased training and self-defense capabilities, making the force more effective in upholding the law — and the rights of humans and animals.

“Thanks to the strengthening of our anti-poaching teams and new communication technologies, we have been able to reduce poaching considerably,” Max Mviri, a park warden for the Congolese government, said in a video for the Park’s anniversary. 

“Today, we have more than 90 eco-guards, all of whom have received extensive training and undergo refresher courses,” Mviri continued. “What makes a difference is that 90% of our eco-guards come from villages close to the Park. This gives them extra motivation, as they are protecting their forest.”

As other threats such as logging and road infrastructure development impact the area’s wildlife, the Park’s partnerships with local communities and Indigenous populations in the neighboring villages of Bomassa and Makao are increasingly vital.

“We’ve seen great changes, great progress. We’ve seen the abundance of elephants, large mammals in the village,” Gabriel Mobolambi, chief of Bomassa village, said in the same video. “And also on our side, we benefit from conservation.”

Coinciding with the Park’s anniversary is the roll-out of a tourism-focused website, aiming to generate 15% of its revenue from visitors, which contributes significantly to the local economy...

Nouabalé-Ndoki also recently became the world’s first certified Gorilla Friendly National Park, ensuring best practices are in place for all gorilla-related operations, from tourism to research.

But gorillas and elephants — of which there are over 2,000 and 3,000, respectively — aren’t the only species visitors can admire in the 4,334-square-kilometer protected area.

The Park is also home to large populations of mammals such as chimpanzees and bongos, as well as a diverse range of reptiles, birds, and insects. For the flora fans, Nouabalé-Ndoki also boasts a century-old mahogany tree, and a massive forest of large-diameter trees.

Beyond the beauty of the Park, these tourism opportunities pave the way for major developments for local communities.

“The Park has created long-term jobs, which are rare in the region, and has brought substantial benefits to neighboring communities. Tourism is also emerging as a promising avenue for economic growth,” Mobolambi, the chief of Bomassa village, said in a press release.

The Park and its partners also work to provide education, health centers, agricultural opportunities, and access to clean water, as well, helping to create a safe environment for the people who share the land with these protected animals. 

In fact, the Makao and Bomassa health centers receive up to 250 patients a month, and Nouabalé-Ndoki provides continuous access to primary education for nearly 300 students in neighboring villages. 

It is this intersectional approach that maintains a mutual respect between humans and wildlife and encourages the investment in conservation programs, which lead to successes like 2023’s poaching-free milestone...

Evans, of the Park’s management, added in the anniversary video: “Thanks to the trust that has been built up between all those involved in conservation, we know that Nouabalé-Ndoki will remain a crucial refuge for wildlife for the generations to come.”"

-via Good Good Good, February 15, 2024

[crevicedwelling]

I think we all know how horrible a "well-maintained" lawn is for wildlife, native plant life, and really every conceivable life-form other than turfgrass. but how do animals use a lawn that's not treated with fertilizers or toxins, and has some diversity of flora & fungi?

I asked this question when testing out my camera a while back this autumn, and set out to find as many animals in a small patch of grass as possible in half an hour. I was quite surprised with the results: more things can live in a lawn then I ever realized!

I don't think any of these little guys are endangered in any way, but they made me wonder how many tiny grassy critters that might actually be in peril get ignored in favor of butterflies and birds simply because they're always literally underfoot. so I hope you can appreciate a weedy old lawn and its not-too-rare arthropod fauna. they're my little neighbors and I love them

(lots of photos below!)

leafhoppers first, since there’s so many!Draeculacephala antica, big pointy green, & Planicephalus, a bug with a lot of personality

Helochara communis, the “Bog Leafhopper,” and Agallia constricta, a very numerous species here.

Polyamia weedi (great name) and a tiny Agallia that might be A. deleta but I’d probably have to chop it up to be sure.

Dikraneura arizona was the most common species at this time of year, there must have been dozens. Anoscopus is a creeping squat leafhopper that can jump quite far.

Chionomus puellus is the first delphacid planthopper, while the others are Pissonotus sp. delphacids can mature into short, medium, and long-winged forms, so the latter two might be the same species with different phenotypes! how wild

Microtechnites bracteatus is a tiny mirid bug that jumps. Chaetocnema is a flea beetle, which also jumps!

Homidia socia jumps too, since it’s a springtail! the big-eyed ground bug Geocoris uliginosus does not jump.

some flies: a predatory Chrysotus, a leafminer (?), a scavenger phorid fly, and a whitefly. the whitefly isn’t a fly.

the largest animal I saw was Agrotis ipsilon, a noctuid moth.

Agriphila ruricolellus was also bigger than most.

Temnothorax and some other ant, a braconid wasp too.

lastly, an incredibly tiny parasitoid wasp of some sort. I think five would have plenty of legroom on the dot if this “i”.

[herpsandbirds]

hi! any clue what these guys are? from northeast ohio USA

Oh shit!!!!

I am sorry to tell you, friend, but those are the nymphs of the non-native invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), family Fulgoridae.

I would only very rarely suggest this, but I think you should kill them. There is a potential for this species, causing great harm to local native flora. 

[fanaticsnail]

Flowers

Full-length fic because my roses are currently in bloom in my garden and I couldn't get the romance away from my head while crocheting.

Word Count: 3,587

Swordsman just needed something light and fluffy.

Masterlist Here, song vibe suggestion here.

Inhaling the sweet fragrances of botanicals, you reopened your eyes to gaze at the vast abundance of colours that lay before you. Hues of vibrant orange tulips, deep red roses and the softness of babies breath with sweet jasmine paling the arrangements within the harbour-side florist.

You tapped your chin and hummed thoughtfully as you continued to mull your decisions over in your mind. The whole reason you joined the Straw-Hat pirates was specifically to document rare and unusual species of flora, fauna and fruiting plants that remain undiscovered and undocumented. You worked hard with Sanji whilst out on the open sea, determining the edibility of certain plants or what properties they could possibly wield to benefit your crew.

“Can I help you with anything there, love?” a voice called from inside the florist shop. An elderly woman made her way over to you, a warm grin adorning her cheeks in welcome.

“I’m just browsing for now, thank you,” you smiled in return, turning your gaze immediately to seek out a small floral arrangement in the corner of the room.

Vibrant green-drooped flowers hung lowly; trumpeting out along their wide stem. Peppered throughout the arrangement were pastel purple orchids, small bundles of dark crimson and yellow roses and small bulbs of vibrant pink gumnuts. Although the arrangement was beautiful, the true star of the show were the larger stemmed clusters of the emerald flowers.

“Ah,” the shopkeeper sighed, “you’ve seen my gladioli. Aren’t they spectacular?”

You gasped in absolute delight, bringing yourself closer to the cluster of florals.

“The arrangement,” you began, turning back to the elderly woman, “it’s breathtaking.”

“It’s peaceful, romantic and-,” she cut herself off, a small gasp sucked through her hissed teeth before releasing her breath, “sorrowful. This day marks ten years since my husband departed from this life and awaits me in the next. These are what I created for him.”

“I may not have known him,” you said, walking over to the woman and bowing a nod of respect towards her, “but from the representation of the flowers: the roses for grief and devotion, the eternal love from the orchid, the playfulness in the gumnuts; he sounds spectacular.”

“Don’t forget the gladioli,” she smiled through her sorrow, “they were his favourite.”

“Gladioli for integrity, honesty, and,” you reached down and took her hands within your own, cradling them against you warmly, “strength in character. He sounds like an amazing man, and I am truly sorry for your loss.”

She smiled at you and nodded her head at your words, receiving comfort from the sympathetic utterances from a complete stranger. You tore your gaze back towards the vibrant emerald colour of the gladioli flowers, fixating on their beauty.

“This may sound a little harsh; but, may I buy them from you?” you asked her in a low tone, turning your face back towards her with a soft smile, “you’ve placed a quest onto my heart that I require to see meet fruition.”

She quirks her brows at you and looks back to her prized arrangement, looking longingly at them.

“I would only sell them for good reason, lass,” she nodded, pursing her lips, “what quest holds over you?”

You sighed and released her hands, rummaging into your bag in search of your berry.

“Under usual circumstances,” you began, furrowing your brows as you continued your rummage, “men only receive flowers once in their lifetimes.”

“Oh,” she gasped lowly to you, nodding her head sorrowfully in acknowledgement, “how long has he been departed?”

“He’s not dead,” you smiled and shook your head, “although try as he might, he’s still with us.”

She furrowed her brows, tilting her head to the side and immediately smiled at your words, “these are for your fella then?”

“He’s not exactly my ‘fella’,” you nodded with a light laugh at her words, “but for a friend, yes.”

A small twinkle formed within her eye as she brought herself closer towards you and whispered; “and for how long have you been in love with him?”

You stiffened at her words, halting in place in shock. You had never thought about how you felt about Zoro aboard the Going Merry. Not when he would bring you a fresh cup of coffee and sit with you in the early mornings, silently watching the rising sun bring warmth over the ocean in solitude. Not even when he would instinctively hold out his left arm to shield your body from harms way once conflict arose with formidable foes. Even still, not a single thought regarding him absent-mindedly seeking you out for your opinions on shrubbery and moss he’d located and presented towards you; sitting adjacent to you and cocking his head to the side as he actively listened to everything you said about botany.

She hummed in delight and made her way over towards her arrangement and began to collect the stems from within their display, flourishing it with a brown hessian sash and tanned parchment paper.

“35,000 berry and they’re all yours, sweety,” she cooed at you, scrunching her nose up at you.

“That’s awfully low, Ma’am,” you frowned at her, locating a more appropriate amount of berry, “you’ll take 352,000, and I’ll also leave you with my name for future business arrangements.”

She halted her movements, looking down at the arrangement in her hands one more time before nodding to you and taking your berry from your outstretched hand.

“Thank you for parting with these,” you upturned your eyebrows in empathy, placing your hand on her shoulder and giving it a light squeeze in comfort, “they are beautiful and represent everything I want to now say.”

“I’m glad to be of assistance,” she hummed, tilting her head into your embrace. You held onto her for a moment longer before bidding her farewell with your departure.

It took a while for the remainder of the crew to return to the ship, you sat and documented within your botany journal a diagram of the flowers you purchased; shading various petals and leaves to depict the beauty of the arrangement.

As you had a small amount of time to yourself, you began to actively think on why exactly you immediately thought of your crewman as soon as you saw the flower shop. You never usually purchase flowers, especially since you would always find them on your adventures and set up arrangements to decorate the kitchen and your crew-quarters. You had never once thought to decorate a fellow Straw-Hat’s crew quarters, nor gift an arrangement prior.

What changed? Did you have budding romantic feelings developing for the loyal knight and protector of the Straw-Hat crew? You gulped the dry pit forming in your throat, a giddy feeling arising within your chest. Your fingers began to tremble and your heartbeat thumped with a drum-like rapidity.

You shook your head to rid them of the thoughts, your hands remaining the only thing strained and trembling under the implications of a small budding infatuation. Rolling your shoulders back and closing your eyes, you began to shake the feeling away before the crew began to rejoin you aboard your ship.

“There you are,” you heard a voice behind you. You upturned your head, seeking out the source of the voice.

Zoro’s vibrant green hair was the first thing you drew your attention to. The gladioli were the exact vibrant hue of his short locks; the entire reason you first intended on purchasing the arrangement.

“Here I am,” you replied with a cock of your head and a wide smile. His expression was airy, yet unreadable. He had his left wrist hanging on the hilt of his white blade attached to his hip, raking his eyes over your seated position at the polished wooden deck table. He quirked his head once his eyes met with the flowers in front of you.

“You got flowers?” he asked, his brows furrowing together in the middle before asking you again, “someone give them you?”

You laughed a small melodical chuckle before rising to your feet and clutching the wrapped flowers within your hands. You walked over to his place above deck and grinned at him.

“Actually, Zoro,” you began to anxiously giggle, your eyes widened in shock at your next words, “I bought them specifically for you.”

The furrow in his brows rose as he began searching between your two irises for hidden intentions, silently questioning your actions as you held out your hands with the arrangement. He hesitantly reached for them, looking down at the mixture of greens, reds, yellows and soft muted pastels and hesitated.

“Why?” he asked in a low rumbly whisper, halting his fingertips a hairline away from receiving your gift.

“Because I wanted you to see them,” you whispered in return, searching his face for reason for his apprehension at receiving his gift.

His fingertips brushed yours as he took the parchment wrapped florals into his grasp; the waft of whimsical beauty falling in waves over his senses.

“Why do you want me to see them?” he asked you, continuing to hold your hands within his as they clasped around the flowers. Both of your eyes held firm to the complimentary florae, focussing on anything other than fixating on each other’s eyes, ignoring the tension arising between you as you relished in his extended touch.

You sighed low and sorrowful, retracting your hands from the stems as you secured them within Zoro’s grasp.

“Men only receive flowers only once in their lifetimes, and they never even get to see them,” you sighed, taking your lower lip between your teeth to halt your nerves. A small rumbly growl of confusion began to rise in Zoro’s chest, questioning you on your thoughts.

“I wanted you to see them,” you reiterated, “you are so strong, Zoro,” you reached your hand up and hesitantly pressed your palm against his cheek, “you fight valiantly and with honour and integrity.”

You began to retract your hand, Zoro chasing your palm with his cheek as he clutched the flowers within his hands. You giggled at him, reluctantly placing your hand back to his cheek.

“And what is the one occasion men get flowers?” Zoro cluelessly asked you, prompting all playfulness to flee from your face. You didn’t think you had to actively inform him on the subject. Your brows rose upwards in sorrow as you searched around his cheeks, chin, nose, forehead and temple before settling once again on his eyes.

“Their funerals, Zoro,” you whispered, completely retracting your hand from his face, “this is a mourning arrangement for the honourable departed.”

Your eyes fled from his face and again made contact with the arrangement he held within his grasp.

Pursing your lips, you hardened your resolve and began to walk him through the several pieces clutched in his expert grasp.

“The yellow rose is for strong ties, as I am bound to you as your crewman,” you uttered in a low tone before adding, “the dark red is for grief and sorrow.”

You stood taller on the tips of your toes as you stooped with your index finger extended towards the various florals; “the gladioli, that’s the green one, is for a strong character. You’re so strong, Zoro,” you snuck a glance upwards to see Zoro’s eyes darkened and his teeth held tightly shut in a vice-like grip. You hesitated before continuing, “the gumnuts are for your humour.”

A small rumble began to form from his chest in disapproval at your comment, prompting a small giggle to escape from your lips as a natural and organic response.

“And the big purple ones?” he asked, his brows creasing and lip upturning in thought, “what are they for? I don’t speak flower.”

A wide grin appeared once again to your cheeks as his smirk playfully returned to his.

“Those are orchids,” you whispered, your eyes and smile softening as you stepped closer to him. You felt your pulse drumming painfully harshly within your ears as you sucked in a trembled and shaken breath, nodding to yourself before declaring; “those are because-,” you hesitated once more before flittering your eyes down to the flowers before looking up at him through your eyelashes, “well, they’re because I love you, Zoro.”

Disbelief. Complete and utter disbelief came over Zoro as he heard those words depart from your lips. He never thought his feelings towards you would ever be returned, holding fast within his resolve for his broody pining to forever remain painfully unrequited.

He had hoped, sure. He had longed, absolutely. He had dreamed that you would lean yourself against him in the early rise of the sun’s rays as you sat together. He had imagined having your lips meet for the first time as he loyally protected you from harms way on the battlefield. The way you spoke so passionately about honing in on your craft as botany and plant specialist bewitched him every time you opened your lips to depart knowledge onto him. His thoughts were only of training to finally match the league of Dracule Mihawk, and of how desperately and deeply he cared for you.

“I’m sorry,” you added, retreating from your proximity of him, “I shouldn’t have said anything. Please-,” you held your right hand up defensively in front of yourself and began to back away in retreat, “-please don’t treat me any differently. Enjoy the flowers,” you added with a small, soft smile, “they’re yours to do with what you will.”

Zoro now found himself in a bewilderment. He was perplexed that you relayed your emotions and intentions in such an unbridled manner, so boldly presenting him with your gift. He was sure you had even surprised yourself, not intending on relaying a romantic declaration on a meagre Tuesday afternoon in the middle of a random layover.

“Hey,” Zoro called over to you, a small harsh growl erupting from his tone; halting your step in your retreat, “get back here.”

Your body ceased up at his command, every fibre of self-preservation in your body refusing to turn to face him again. A warm blush had reddened against your features, hues over your nose, cheeks and tips of your ears heating your face to an uncomfortable temperature.

“Now,” Zoro again ordered you. Your body responded immediately, turning back to face him with your head holding firm in its bow to the floor; your eyes fixating on the wooden crevasses of the ship’s deck. Once close enough in bodily proximity to the swordsman, you heard his footsteps approach your body and almost stand flush against you.

The scent of the flowers hung within the air as he brought his left hand, which cradled the bunch, against your right shoulder. His right hand hooked his index finger under your chin as he raised it upwards. Your eyes first met with the broad scar across his chest, inflicted by the great warlord of the sea as he granted to spare his life under the great duel.

He continued to rise your chin, your gaze meeting with his lips; focussing on the small flicker of his tongue which darted out and retreated back within his mouth.

“Look at me,” he uttered with an air of confidence, prompting you to hesitantly meet his gaze with a small rose-tinge lingering still atop your cheeks.

His eyes held a foreign softness within them, his aura still commanding and noble as he held you tenderly within his fingertips. He smiled, wrapping his left arm around your shoulders and hooked you into his torso; the floral bunch resting behind your back within his clutches. Your breath hitched within your throat as your eyes widened in shock at his closeness.

“You buy me flowers for my funeral,” he uttered into you, the whisper of his breath against your lips force your eyes half-lidded in desire and anticipation, “and you don’t even stay for the procession?”

A small whimper fled from your lips at his attention, a tingle shooting up your spine and igniting the follicles on the surface of your neck and forearms. He released his hold on your chin as he fled his hand down to grasp at your hip, pulling you flush against himself as he brought his lips down to mould themselves atop your own.

You stood in shock, your eyes looking at his face in awe at his kiss. You snaked your arms around his shoulders to rest at the nape of his neck; fingertips brushing against the tri-pierced left earlobe as you raked your right hand over his muscles. You flittered your eyes shut and smiled against his lips in glee, standing atop the tips of your toes once more to reach more of his towering body.

He immediately dragged his left arm over your shoulders to draw it down to your hips, immediately hoisting you upwards into the air. You shrieked in surprise, feeling his lips grin against you as he picked you up below your thighs. You hooked your ankles behind his back, thighs resting atop his hips as he arched his face upwards to meet against your lips; arching his jaw and chin to deepen the connection shared between you. You felt his blades begin to awkwardly dig their hilt against your flesh, but paid them no mind as you were now held securely within the strong arms of the valiant knight and loyal protector of the Straw-Hat pirates.

You drew your right hand up to rake your fingertips against Zoro’s hair, gently caressing his follicles with your fingertips. He groaned against your lips, furrowing his brows and leant appreciatively against your touch. While continuing to clutch the flowers within his left hand, he smoothed his right hand to rake its hold against your thigh, reaching around the flesh to grasp the muscles of your ass and support your body further against himself.

You were so enraptured by each other’s touch, the feel of your bodies moulding so intimately together; you felt as if you were the only two people existing on this side of the world. Zoro walked your body over to the table and placed you down to rest atop it, his swords again bumping against your body awkwardly; prompting a small giggle to flee from your lips and onto his at the collision.

Zoro tentatively placed the bouquet gently beside you as he stood himself between your parted legs, hooking his hands below your knees to bring your body as close as he could possibly feel you while clothed. You moaned into his mouth as you brushed your hand over his hair and onto his cheek; feeling the cool metal from his piercings once again below your palm.

All of your senses were completely overwhelmed by your swordsman; the way his body felt flush against your own, the waves of desire you could tangibly feel radiating from him for every hungry kiss placed against your lips. He trailed his lips against the corner of your mouth, brushing and grazing your skin below his tongue and teeth as they raked their way down your neck. A small whimper escaped your lips as he located your pulse, swirling his tongue against it with a rough groan falling from behind his own lips.

The smell of the bouquet beside you was as sweet as the sounds you were pouring from your lips and into the awaiting audience of Zoro’s ears; a private performance meant only for him and him alone. The ocean breeze wafting over your senses as the wind picked up, a small inkling of something not entirely unfamiliar to you; but unwelcome never the less.

Tobacco.

A rough cough interrupted Zoro’s action of pulling the neckline of your shirt down to reveal your clavicle for his next assault with his mouth. You both snapped your eyes over to the sound, noticing the blonde chef ignite the end of a new cigarette with the filter end drawn between his lips, a small litter of depleted butts pooling at his feet.

“H-how long have-,” you began to stutter out, eyes wide and in shock at the knowledge you were in the presence of an audience.

“-Long enough to not miss the procession,” the chef chuckled at you both, inhaling the cigarette before releasing the nicotine riddled smoke in a long exhale, “came to let you know lunch is ready.”

“And you didn’t say a word?” Zoro growled through gritted teeth at the chef, prompting another laugh to flee from Sanji’s lips.

“Hey,” Sanji began, holding his hands up defensively, “we placed a wager on it, I didn’t want to sway the odds.”

Zoro growled, reluctantly releasing you from his grasp and shielding your dishevelled body from view of the blonde chef.

“Are you okay?” Zoro asked you quietly as you collected yourself. You sighed with a light smile coming to your face.

“I am, Zoro,” you replied, “better than ever.”

He smiled down at you, fixing the scabbards of his swords on the hilt to his side with a large, wolfy but bashful grin. As you both collected yourselves, you hopped down from your place atop the table and turned to walk towards Sanji, vocal reprimands fleeing from your lips as you did so.

Zoro chuckled under his breath, turning back around to collect his flowers. He stared at the bouquet, examining it. They were beautiful, a perfect reminder of his mortality. He vowed to return the favour at the next port, wooing you with a reminder of your own fleeting moments together in this life.

[kiame-sama]

wait, you already said what you think the twst cast is as monsters, but what do they look like?

Warnings: my twst monster au, almost all characters with names (other than Yuu and Grim) in monster forms, mythical creatures, deer rack point system, measurements given in ft and cm, animal traits, various animal and plant species mentioned, usually I would say to use your imagination to think it up but I have thought about this way too much myself so I may as well share ideas of what they would look like, feel free to draw these monster men and if you do please share with me because I want to see these goobers drawn, some spoilers for Rollo's backstory,

Divus is a Harp Seal Selkie;

- Divus has a black and white fur coat of a Harp Seal with slight spotting pattern similar to Leopard Seals. His coat is always shiny, clean, and wrapped around his shoulders. Divus appears fairly humanoid and close to his canon appearance other than the sharper than normal canines that are closer to the cone teeth of seals. Selkies do not part with their coats lightly so it is very rare to see one without their pelts on their shoulders. His coat is more natural Harp Seal patterning than the clear black and white lines he has in canon.

Sam is a Shadow man;

- White skull markings along his face with burning purple eyes. He has several black tattoos on his skin that move and can even detach into actual shadow to ensnare his prey. There is constantly a darkness around him that seemed to repulse light, making him appear to be surrounded in constant shadow.

Vargas is a Texas-Longhorn Minotaur;

He has very long and large bull horns with the minotaur expression on his lower half making his upper body appear human other than his horns. His lower half is the same shade as his hair with white speckling on the left leg. His tail is often lazily swinging back and forth as he talks.

Trein is a Mountain Lion Sphinx;

- Lower-half is the body of a Mountain Lion with wings, upper half is Trein's usual upper body. He does have a lot of grey and white furs/feathers due to his age in his coat and it is clear he favors his right back leg as it usually sits at an angle. He can often be seen lounging with Lucius in a sunny spot in his classroom when not teaching.

Crowley is a Crow Fae;

- Similar to his appearance in canon TWST, but his large black wings are more prominent as are the iridescent colors in them and his hair. He actually has talons on his hands and not just the golden talons. He does wear golden caps on his talons however and has a medium length train of black tail-feathers.

Ace is a Saanen Satyr;

- He has short twisted horns and his orange hair is also the same color on his goat half- just a bit darker shade. His hooves are an off-white ivory. He does have the little billy-goat scruff of a goatee due to his Satyr heritage.

Deuce is a Rocky Mountain Faun;

- Deuce has large spiral horns and his blue hair is the same color on his goat half- just a shade darker as well with white speckles around his hooves and tail. His hooves are black. Deuce does not have the goatee often seen on Satyrs and Fauns.

Note; it is part of my AU that Satyrs usually have shorter horns and are closer to farm goats in their animal halves. Fauns are closer to mountain goats and therefore have longer more curved horns often seen on rocky mountain rams. Females of both Fauns and Satyrs grow the same large horns, but their horns are often thinner around than the males of their species.

Cater is a Lake Water Nymph;

- Cater is considered unusual among Water Nymphs because of his hair's coloration being a bright red instead of a more blue or green which is more common for Water Nymphs. Cater's hair is closer in color to a red Ludwigia as he is a lake Water Nymph and the flora of lakes tend to have a fair variation of green to red color hues. Cater's bright green eyes are closer to the usual colors of Water Nymphs and he accredits this to his mother who is a river Water Nymph. In the water Cater gets fins more adapted to lake swimming so he is not as strong in currents.

Che'nya is a Bakeneko;

- He is similar to his canon appearance, but the purple and pink of his hair is also visible on the skin of his arms, legs, and back. He also now has a two pronged fluffy tail similarly striped that is often seen waving mischievously behind him.

Trey is a Kelpie Centaur;

- When out of the water, Trey's Centaur half is that of a white horse with a long tail of the same green hair that Trey's human half has. His horse half is closer muscular build to Scottish Draft horses. When in the water, the white fur of his horse half becomes a lake green with fading blue hues. His tail hair becomes more stringy like lake reeds and his fur takes a more prickly quality. His back legs become a large fin when he is submerged completely in deep water, making him more of a Hippocampus in physiology while swimming.

Riddle is a Unicorn Centaur;

- His horse half has a pure white coat with a long tail closer to that of a lion than a horse, but long bright red hair for his tail. Riddle's hooves are a rather lovely golden color that shine like metal, same with the tight spiral horn that sits in the center of his forehead. There is a faded blue star shape at the base of his horn that seems to tattoo his fair skin, he often covers this up with his bangs. His horse half is similar in musculature to that of an Arabian Horse making him appear more dainty than Trey.

Note; Cater is often seen lounging on Trey's back while Trey swims in the Heartslabyul lake with Riddle laying in the grass on the shore. They often spend their afternoons doing this and Cater will frequently try to get Riddle to swim. Thus far, he has been unsuccessful.

Jack is a Gray Wolf Werewolf;

- Unlike his canon appearance, Jack constantly has that wolf-head and white fur all over his body. He can shift between being bipedal or a quadruped with little issue between the two forms of locomotion, meaning his limbs are closer in length than human limbs. He has fur similar in length to wolves and even has paw-like hands. His tail is frequently wagging whenever he is with friends or those he is fond of.

Ruggie is a Spotted Hyena Gnoll;

- Similar to Jack, Ruggie now has a Hyena head and pelt instead of just the ears and tail. He is still somewhat humanoid, but he is still shorter than Leona or Jack. His back legs are more like a Hyena and he has that same muscular ridge on his shoulders that Hyenas do. He still has his bright blue eyes despite how odd it is for Gnolls, but his coat is the same sandy light-brown as his hair usually is with dark brown spots.

Leona is a Nemean Lion;

- Nemean Lions are golden furred beasts much larger and stronger than any regular lion on top of being impervious to damage from mortal weapons. This translates into Leona's skin having a more golden sheen to it, always seeming to look like he has been dusted with fine powder gold sparkles. His dark hair has several bright gold strands woven in that makes it shiny as well. The fur on Leona's tail and ears is also that glittering golden color which only makes the tuft of fur at the end of his tail look darker. He is a little taller than in cannon and slightly more defined in musculature due to the natural strength of Nemean lions.

Azul is a Coconut Octopus Cecaelia;

- He is very similar to how he appears in canon, but now he has several black marks along his arms and body similar to how he looks in his merman form. Even in a human form, it is clear Azul is still not human due to these dark markings that wrap around his body. A few of these black tendrils frame his cheekbones and make those brightly colored eyes of his only seem brighter.

Jade and Floyd are Moray Eel Mermen;

- Similar to Azul, Floyd and Jade look similar to how they do in cannon, but their merman features are more visible even in their human forms. The fins they have alongside their faces are now present in their human forms as are the colorations of their merman forms on their shoulders and faintly around their faces. Their gills are still visible in their human forms.

Kalim is a Genie;

- Kalim is the closest out of everyone to his canon appearance as his identity as a Genie changes very little. He will likely wear clothes akin to his dorm clothes appearance but have the addition of golden bands around his wrists and ankles. He can form legs to walk on, but often chooses to fly instead, where his legs become more smoke-like in the typical Genie 'tail' that many Genies are often seen with. Kalim now has a golden aura around him that makes him glow slightly with a golden color due to his high-magic Genie nature.

Note; Kalim sleeps in his lamp and keeps many of his treasures in his lamp as his magic allows the lamp to be more like a hotel suite than a prison cell despite the size on the outside. Only Kalim and those he invites into his lamp can enter.

Jamil is a Sand Viper Naga;

- Jamil's upper half is similar to how it is in canon, but his lower half is that of a rather large snake. His shake half is 22ft (670cm) comprised of black and maroon scales. His maroon scales are closer to the color of dried blood and often get dark enough shades that they mix with the black diamond and striping patterns his black scales make. The scales on the stomach side of his snake body are a slightly more red tone than his skin tone. He does have golden scales that line his stomach scales and are in the center of the diamond patterns on his back.

Note; Jamil often sleeps with Kalim's lamp in the coils of his Naga tail. Having come from a long line of Naga that are usually the guards and guardians of the wealth and well-being Kalim's Genie family has amassed through the years. Wherever a Genie from Kalim's family lives, so too lives a Sand Viper Naga from Jamil's family to guard them.

Vil is a Peacock Harpy;

- Vil still has his flawless skin and purple ombre hair even as a peacock harpy, but he does have hair-like cobalt blue and emerald green feathers that often get woven into braids. He also has seven pristine head feathers that are the same 'eye' patterns as his tial feathers that often lay back against his hair unless he is feeling particularly proud, in which his crest will rise up like a crown atop his head. Vill has feathering along his shoulders, upper back and neck that are the bright cobalt blue of male Indian peacocks. Along his shoulder blades are his wings which have a full span of 8ft (244cm) but are often tucked neatly against his back and folded so the flight feathers don't drag when he walks. Vil has the full peacock train of tail-feathers and spends quite a bit of time preening and grooming them to maximum shine. He will only fully display his tail-feathers when being prideful or showing off to a prospective mate.

Rook is an Australian Golden Huntsman-Spider Drider;

- Rook's legs are a long spindly gold that are many times the length of his thorax and abdomen. The thorax of his spider body is larger than the abdomen of the body due to the typical shape of Huntsman-Spiders. The thorax area on Rook's spider body has a large black mark among the back hairs trailing down to where the abdomen part of his body is more narrow and the marks become black lines making their way down. His human half is attached at the top of the thorax where the spider's eyes are usually located. His spider legs are as thick as a Human's legs, his mandibles and pedipalps being similar in thickness. His fangs are to scale and are extremely long as well as being like blacked curved knives, he often keeps them tucked away to not unsettle others.

Note; Rook and Vil have a very mutually beneficial relationship just as they do in regular TWST. Rook helps Vil preen and take care of his feathers, often being the one getting the pin feathers Vil can't reach on his back and shoulders. Rook uses the silk he creates as a Drider to make fabrics for Vil as they are of high quality, and even higher thread count. Both are content to be the others boon companion and will often be seen working together outside of class as well.

Neige is a Mourning Dove Harpy;

- Neige has the same dark black hair and big brown doe eyes he does in cannon but he also has grey-brown feathers throughout his black hair. His cheeks, neck, shoulders, and upper back have the same gray-brown feathers with speckles of dark brown, white, black, and gray feathers throughout giving a light speckling pattern. His wings are that same gray brown color and are 6.5ft (200cm) in length. The ends of his flight feathers are often trailing over the ground beneath him when he is relaxed and he rarely opens his wings fully. Like most mourning doves, he has a lovely soothing voice and his unassuming species of Harpy makes him all the more charming.

Note: I was going to make Neige a Willow Grouse Harpy due to the coloration match with Neige and his RSA uniform, but I have a childhood fondness for the call of a mourning dove and Neige is supposed to have a beautiful voice, so I figured sweet Neige can be a mourning dove and not the goofy sounding Willow Grouse.

Epel is a Beliy Naliv Apple Wood Nymph;

- Epel has white tree bark as skin, occasionally having the slight dark mark or blemish where Epel had gotten into fights despite being a more peaceful species of Wood Nymph. His hair is made up of pale green leaves that are often covered in powder lavender blooms that are the same color as his canon hair color. Epel has the same large blue eyes as he does in canon. Occasionally the blooms on his head will grow into small apples that are white due to his species of Wood Nymph being the White Cloud Apple. His skin is rougher in texture and closer to the texture of bark.

Idia is a Shinigami;

- He still has his blue flaming hair and blue tinted lips and gold eyes. His skin is closer to a light gray in tone now, his nails a natural black. He now has these scraggly black wings that are kind of like bird wings but more haggard in appearance. The feathers are more slick and almost oily in texture and have some traces of blues in them similar to Idia's hair. He can use them to fly, but they make a very loud wooshing sound that he isn't overly fond of so he doesn't often use them. His limbs are just a bit longer than they are in canon giving him a more skeletal and gaunt appearance.

Ortho is also a Shinigami;

- Similar to Idia, Ortho still has his blue flaming hair and golden eyes. He will have the same light gray skin tone Idia does, but his wings are now cybernetic due to an unfortunate accident when Ortho was much younger that caused him to lose his Shinigami wings. Ortho also has several cybernetic limbs as a result of that same accident, making monster AU ortho closer in appearance to canon Ortho, but still able to eat/sleep/behave like a living being. Ortho is not AI but does have several augments to allow his brain to function with the aid of AI due to his unfortunate incident when he was younger.

Silver is a Reindeer Cervitaur;

- Silver is a leucistic deer cervitaur. This means his deer half has white fur as well with light gray spots along his back similar to the spots fawns have for camouflage purposes. His antlers are also an ivory white, and only have three points. From burr to tip of the beam, Silver has two points at the end of the beam and one point near the burr of his antlers. Lilia throws a party any time Silver gets another point on his antlers. Silver's deer half has the musculature type closer to reindeer than whitetail deer.

Lilia is a Vampire Bat Fae;

- Similar to his canon appearance, Lilia looks almost the same in his monster AU form, but his monster AU form has bat wings and a little tail. Most bats have tails and delicate wings, so I decided Lilia should also have bat wings and a little tail. His wings are sturdier than most bats and have several holes in them from past battles he has endured. He is still the Fae variation so he has the same pointed ears, sharp teeth, and slit pupils other Fae type have. His wings are black with Light pink highlights near the tips just like his hair.

Note; Lilia likes to sleep upsidedown in this AU and will often settle himself in the cafeteria chandeliers or even the rafters of various buildings to take naps throughout the downtimes of the day. Lilia is more nocturnal in this AU as well with increased sensitivity to sounds/lights.

Malleus is Dragon Fae.

- Malleus in the monster AU is similar to his canon appearance but has his dragon wings, tail, and various clusters of black scales along his body. His nails are decent length black talons and he has black scales along the backs of his hands and up his arms. His neck and upper back/shoulders have more black scales. His wings are the same deep black with a slight purple tint to them anywhere the skin is exposed. His tail is about as thick as a leg and tapers off to a wickedly sharp point that Malleus could use to impale someone if he wanted to. Black scales frame his eyes like their own kind of makeup and are more colorful around the eyes in purples and green sheens that highlight the obsidian base color of the scales.

Note; Malleus is more in touch with his dragon instincts in this AU due to being more outwardly dragon. He does make a nest out of his bed and is much more inclined to hoard things he is fond of, including but not limited to Gargoyles, unusual stones, and various creatures he takes interest in. Once he considers someone to be part of his hoard, he will be possessive of them and fiercely protective. Only creatures part of his hoard are allowed to enter his nest. Lilia, Silver, and Sebek are three of his living hoard.

Sebek is a Raiju Fae;

- His hair is a bit more wild and fur-like compared to his canon appearance with yellows mixed in to the sage green color. His teeth are much sharper and he actually has more dog-like qualities similar to Jack's canon appearance. Raiju are lightning dog mythical creatures, so Sebek's appearance will be similarly dog-like with the beastman ears and spiky furred tail that has a rougher texture compared to most fur. His tail and ear positioning will often be a dead giveaway for what emotions Sebek is feeling at the time.

Rollo is an Inferno Fire Nymph.

- Rollo's eyes are an ashen gray as is his skin and hair when he is not in his active inferno flame form. Much like a burned log, his flesh will bare the same ashen faded look to it. Rollo is usually in this form as he is not overly fond of the fire he creates and he can keep himself mostly calm despite the constant annoyance of others around him. When in his active inferno fire form, his ashen hair will ignite into flames, his gray eyes turning a bright fire red. Similarly, his skin will take a redder tone and embers will float off of his hair.

Note: Rollo's fire can burn others, but he can also consciously change the temperature of his flames to only warm and not harm if he felt so inclined. He would only willingly do this for someone he deeply loved and cared for as his full flame form reminds him far too much of his deceased brother, hence why he uses it sparingly. There are many types of Fire Nymphs, but Inferno Fire Nymphs are considered the most deadly as their flames get the hotest. Young Fire Nymphs cannot control their fire and can burn themselves out if they get too hot internally.

[jhdanes]

ILLUSTRATION UPDATE! || Friday , 1. November || 2024 Ectober week 2024!

Happy Halloween! Ectober week day 7. @ectoberweekofficial The the dulier marjetice, a rare species of flora, sadly the only way they can grow, is by feasting on dead human tissue. Poor Danny didn’t know what he was getting himself into. #ectoberweek #ectober

[robin-evry]

This is based on a request that I accidentally lost, I'm sorry but here's your request, stingray!yuu. Sorry if it did not satisfy you

Ask and you shall receive

𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐘!𝐘𝐔𝐔 🫧🐚

Stingrays are a group of sea rays, a type of cartilaginous fish. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae, Plesiobatidae, Urolophidae, Urotrygonidae, Dasyatidae, Potamotrygonidae, Gymnuridae and Myliobatidae.

Due to their species known for their dangerous tail, stingray!You grow up isolated and lonely. Without a friend to rely on after their attendance into NRC, the loneliness is still there but soon it started to fade away by meeting people who are willing to understand them

Octavinelle

Azul : Initially sees them isolated presence as a business opportunity. He’s intrigued by how people are cautious around them and thinks this could be an advantage for him, especially in shady dealings where intimidation is useful. He attempts to recruit them to work for the Mostro Lounge, believing their mysterious vibe will draw in curious customers. Over time, he grows to appreciate their loyalty and reserved strength, though he’s also careful not to underestimate them.

Jade: Is fascinated by them from the very beginning. He finds their quiet, observant nature similar to his own approach to life. Jade often strikes up conversations with them a surprise for them, watching how they react and learning more about their quiet resilience. He’s one of the few who never seems fazed by their aura and tail, instead viewing them as a rare creature of the deep, much like the unusual flora and fauna he enjoys studying. Them and Jade share a mutual understanding without needing to say much.

Floyd : Immediately calls them “Stingray-chan” and makes a game out of trying to get them to react. He enjoys teasing them, poking fun at how quiet and “spooky” they are. Despite his playful taunts, Floyd actually finds them interesting, often trying to figure out what makes them tick. When he’s in a good mood, he’ll drape his arm over their shoulders and refer to them as his “stingray buddy,” though in bad moods, he might try to provoke them just for fun. for their part, usually stays calm under Floyd’s antics, which only amuses him more.

IGNIHYDE

Idia shroud : both of them are introverts, one desire to communicate with people while the other one avoids all communication with people, both of them find games found and hang out with each other just to play video games, he doesn't mind their tail since you could just avoid it he doesn't find what's wrong with people and their tail.

Ortho : he was glad that his brother found a real life friend instead in front of the screen, he even thanks stingray!yuu for pushing him out to interact with people. He also protects stingray!yuu from any unnecessary bullying or comments from mean students.

DISMONIA

Malleus : understand each other,drawn in by their quiet strength and resilience. Like himself, he feels an instinctive connection to someone who understands the weight of being misunderstood. they often face misunderstanding from others, and he appreciates how they navigate the world with grace despite being viewed as strange. Malleus often protects them from unwanted attention, creating a safe space where they can be themselves without fear of judgment. In moments of solitude, he shares stories about his own experiences of loneliness, fostering a connection that transcends words. They would go out for walks together venting to each other about their loneliness making each other their comfort zone.

Lilia : Find them aura both intriguing and amusing. He enjoys teasing them, trying to draw out their reactions with playful banter and lighthearted pranks. Lilia senses that beneath their quiet exterior lies a vibrant spirit waiting to shine through, so he often encourages them to step outside their comfort zone, inviting them to join in the dorm's chaotic moments. As time passes, Lilia becomes one of the few who can make them smile genuinely, often referring to them as “his precious little stingray.”

Sebek : misunderstood them similar towards the others but grew to understand him, originally called them fish Mut when they visit dismonia to hang out with malleus, but was stopped by Lilia before it can escalate before malleus know about sebek insult to his dear friend, after that hang out he came to your table and apologies to you. Saying that he should have understood more about them instead based them on how people know them. As well started to hang out with them he vents about malleus and they just sit there and listen, the first person that listens to him. Is willing to understand them more.

Silver : Silver admires their determination to remain kind despite the misunderstanding, and they often engage in conversations about dreams and aspirations. They finds solace in Silver’s steady presence, and they often have deep, contemplative talks, appreciating the moments of peace amid the chaos of school life.

[rjzimmerman]

The Complicated Ecology of Cemeteries (Sierra Club)

Excerpt from this story from Sierra Club:

Cemeteries are a paradox in the modern Western world. On one hand, they are widely seen as calm and comforting spaces, places to grieve but also quietly contemplate in a world that offers few such chances. But their association with death—and decades of horror films and suspenseful TV shows using them as backdrops—can make them unnerving places. This same complicated relationship extends beyond the human experience of grave sites. For the nonhuman world of plants and animals, cemeteries can be sources of both refuge and danger.

Itescu, along with Jonathan Jeschke of the Freie Universität Berlin, published a paper earlier this year reviewing the biodiversity value of cemeteries and comparing it with other urban spaces like parks and botanical gardens. They found that cemeteries tended to host more native species than city parks, which were often landscaped with non-native or even invasive plants. Parks had their own advantages and contained slightly more species overall, but cemeteries proved to be important plant and animal havens in urban areas, including for endangered species like orchids. It’s one of the first global reviews of the biodiversity of cemeteries, with data from 50 cities in 27 countries.

A high-level study like Itescu and Jeschke’s can tell us a lot about the overall value of cemeteries to wildlife, but there is so much variety in the size, age, and management of individual sites that further inspection can provide even more insight into these unnaturally natural urban oases.

The rural cemetery as we know it, with its parklike landscaping and winding walking paths, is a relatively modern concept, only about 150 years old. Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest and most visited burial sites in the United States. It was among the first in the country to embrace this new type of design. For its architects, Alexander Wadsworth and Jacob Bigelow, the cemetery was not just a place for the deceased to rest. Rather, it could also be a destination for loved ones and others to visit.

Their design is rare among cemeteries not only for its age and claim to fame but also because it employs a full-time ecologist—Paul Kwiatkowski. When he first came to Mount Auburn in 1999 to work in the greenhouse, the cemetery’s president allowed him to experiment with improving the water quality in their ponds and then collect rainwater to reduce their groundwater usage. Over time, those small steps added up to a more conservation-minded way to manage the whole site, drawing the attention of other experts who wanted to help.

“We invited ecologists, biologists, hydrologists, landscape designers, and herpetologists,” Kwiatkowski said, “and we got everyone together to walk around the cemetery, to have conversations and evaluate where we stood with what we had been doing to improve habitat and create a balance between natural and manipulated areas.”

Today, the 175-acre cemetery is home to a huge variety of wildlife and hosts researchers from around the country studying its flora and fauna. Animals like bats, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons frequently roam the grounds. And it’s become one of the most diverse birding sites in the Boston area, enticing warblers, owls, flycatchers, and other resident and migratory species.

[is-the-snake-video-cute]

In a perfect world, it wouldn’t have to be illegal to keep pet snakes in Aotearoa. Because people wouldn’t dump pets and pets wouldn’t be able to escape. I dont think disease level bio security is as big of a concern there as it is for Australia after all.

In a perfect world, yeah.

The Thing about Aotearoa is that it's remarkably isolated, and flora and fauna there evolved pretty much separately from literally everywhere else. It's an incredibly delicate ecosystem and incredibly susceptible to damage from any invasive species (not just snakes, other pets that might cause potential harm, like hamsters, are also banned).

And I get it! As much as it saddens me, because the reptiles of Oceania have always been a passion of mine and I probably would have moved to either Australia or Aotearoa long, long ago if it weren't for the bans (I want to work with tuatara so bad), it makes sense! The one thing that annoys me is that cats always get a free pass with this sort of thing. Cats are both one of the most widely harmful invasive species on the planet and the one that's so rarely regulated to the point where there aren't even any regulations telling owners to keep their cats inside. The double standard always annoys me - we'll fearmonger over invasive snakes all day, but you never hear anyone talking about cats.

[billionneuronscurious]

Ceropegia huberi. The Bright White Flowers.

[achromant]

Ref Sheets for Moth.

He is a "patchkin", a derogative term for folk whose family tree looks like an encyclopedia of native species. Because not all species are equally compatible, patchkin are exceedingly rare, and usually seen as outsiders, regardless of where they go. The few that survive long enough tend to flock together in small villages, mostly inhabiting areas of the world that would be hostile to life.

Moth specifically grew up in the Shattered Plains, an uninhabitable piece of land that was the stage for an arcane war centuries ago. The magical fallout weakened the walls of the world in some places, and now the Plains are constantly invaded by otherworldy armies.

Between Moth's heritage and his childhood in the magical equivalent of a nuclear testing site, his body is somewhat unstable. He learned how to deal with most side effects though, and can now willingly alter some aspects of his physical form. He can turn skin to scales or hair into armor, can grow extra limbs or a tail, and even some rudimentary wings (though they are only for show, he can't figure out how to make feathers)

Aside from the shapeshifting stuff, he is just freakishly strong and heavy, which makes swimming an issue sometimes. Moth is also around 3m // 10ft tall, so he isnt really suited for anything stealthy. He usually avoids cities and large crowds in general for that reason.

He worked as a mercenary in the past, and is now an employee of Master Agnes, a powerful wizard. Currently, he is stuck in Neerfahr after an involuntary portal hopping adventure. But since his initial mission was to beta-test Master Agnes' magical guidebook to local flora and fauna, he might as well do that til he finds a way back.

[evolutionsvoid]

Deserts are certainly inhospitable places, what with the intense heat, lack of water and endless plains of parched earth. For many folk, there is nothing to be gained by entering such a place, nothing but a miserable time. However, there are people who do live in such a land, as life is indeed possible in these harsh ecosystems. Flora and fauna do call this place home, and simply for that reason you know why I dive right into these scorching sands. There are many fascinating species to find here, but I know full well to be careful and cautious. I get guides and carry plenty of supplies, as drying into tinder out there isn't exactly a way I want to go. And I be sure to get experienced guides who can help me locate creatures who may not be so easily spotted. This is not only so I can find the species I wish to study, but so that I can also stay a safe ways away. Harsh lands make for harsh residents, and the Olgoi-Khorkhoi is a great example of this.

In a land of scorched sands, you wouldn't really expect something wet and squishy like a worm to live out here. I mean, could you imagine? Yet, the Olgoi-Khorkhoi is a worm that does call the desert home. It survives the extreme heat and dryness by spending most of its life buried in the sand, rarely ever exposing itself to the sun. Their skin is also thicker and more akin to tough leather than a delicate mucus membrane. This helps keep the moisture trapped inside and prevent the hot sand from drying them out. With a serpentine body built for burrowing, this species is rarely seen. However, if you are near one, or even step on a buried one, you most certainly will know about it! The question is: will you survive to tell the tale?

Though they spend their lives hidden in the sand and aren't exactly massive creatures, one may wonder what dangerous secrets they keep? Seeing a hide covered in metallic spines may make some jump to the idea that they use these to constrict and shred prey. This is incorrect. And honestly? Their actual use is far worse. One of the weapons the Olgoi-Khorkhoi possesses is actually the ability to produce potent electricity within its flesh. It is like an electric eel, but it appears they can create even deadlier currents. The juice they can crank out is enough to knock out larger beasts like camels, and can certainly drop a human. What helps them unleash this voltage is those metallic spikes on their body, as it appears that they are reinforced with copper. In fact, their whole body seems to be laden with large amounts of copper, at levels that would be poisonous to others. This looks to be how they are easily able to produce and release these powerful bursts of electricity. This is how they hunt their prey, as they wait below the sands for something meaty to walk by. When food gets close enough, they unleash a shocking aura that can kill smaller creatures and topple over larger ones. Even if it isn't lethal, it can be enough to debilitate prey long enough for the Olgoi to emerge and deal the killing blow.

Their ability to fry animals with their body isn't the only trick they have. When it comes time to feed, the Olgoi-Khorkhoi will come up from the sand and reveal itself. At first sight, some may think their head and maw is a ring of spines, but that structure will pull itself open to reveal a long blood-red proboscis that sports some nasty fangs! This is what the worm uses to feed, as it only unsheathes this organ when it is time to eat. Four long hollow fangs are on the end, and they bite down into immobilized prey. A potent digestive fluid is pumped through these teeth, and used to melt their food from the inside. You see, they don't exactly have jaws for chewing, and desert animals aren't really known for being soft and squishy. So these worms produce a potent acid that can break down flesh rather quickly, and reduce a corpse to a drinkable slurry. Their teeth will bite and inject this fluid throughout the body, until parts become soft and melted. Then the proboscis burrows into the mess and slurps it up. This method is how they dispatch prey, typically targeting organs or the head to melt down first. After they are slain and injected, the worm will make an attempt to drag the corpse down into the sand to keep others from stealing its food.

However, the Olgoi-Khorkhoi is not a large creature, nor is it that strong. It cannot pull an adult camel into the earth, and using its body to cover it with sand takes way too much time. So if the Olgoi cannot hide its meal, it will resort to good ol aggression. I mean, even without the food, these worms are rather territorial and quick to anger. The world is harsh and food is scarce, so they are ready to fight off predators and thieves who would try to steal their meal or make them one. If you ever find a dead camel in the desert, with no vultures or scavengers around, do not approach. This is probably because an Olgoi-Khorkhoi has killed it and is now viciously defending its dinner. Any animals that dare get close will get fried or worse. When these worms are exposed and feeding, they may resort to more than just electricity to fight back. Encounters show that they will spew streams of their acid at foes during this state, and the injuries that result can be disfiguring or fatal. One favorite horror story of this region is of a man who had his eyes melted by a horrid encounter with an Olgoi-Khorkhoi. Now blind and in the middle of the desert, the long miserable tale spoke of his doomed attempt to find help or safety. I don't know if it counts as "horror" or is more of "talking about a slow and painful death with incredibly unnecessary detail."

Due to their viciousness, eagerness to feed and deadly weapons, the Olgoi-Khorkhoi is regarded as a grave threat to any who walk the sands. Failure to spot the subtle signs of a hiding Olgoi can result in your body getting paralyzed by a shock and then slowly being digested from the inside by a foul acid. Thus, locals are well trained in identifying the signs of a worm or the conditions where one is likely to dwell. Some travelers carry long sticks or bits of stone to test areas where an Olgoi may be, disturbing the spots while standing at a safe distance. Thankfully, these worms are ambush hunters and care only about creatures who get too close. As long as you steer far away from their kills, an Olgoi-Khorkhoi will have no reason to harm you. But even then, there are many who perish in the desert due to an accidental run-in with these worms. And when night falls, they become a bit more mobile and seek out prey. Set up your tent too close to their territory, and they may ensure you never wake again.

With this and the horrid corpses they can leave behind, outsiders to this region have dubbed this species the Death Worm. Which is....a bit over dramatic, don't you think? Yeah, it is a bit scary trying to travel the sands and avoid an unseen danger, but c'mon Death Worm? We really need to cool it with these insanely over-the-top names. The native tongue straight up calls them "large intestine worm" which is far more descriptive, though a bit misleading if you are thinking of parasites. So forgive me if I have a hard time calling them DEATH WORM when they look like a spiny sausage with an attitude.

Also I am positive the hyperbolic name of Death Worm is why so many people have tried to keep these things as pets or as living trophies to show off to your guests. Oh, what a terrifying addition to a macabre collection! Wait til my dinner guests witness such a vile and impressive specimen! Women, hang tight to your men, lest you faint from the shock! Honestly, I don't know what is more humorous about this stupid idea, the fact that many "owners" wind up getting literally burned by these worms, or the fact that these worms spend 99% of their time burrowed in the ground and thus your scary display is an empty box of unmoving sand.

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

------------------

"Olgoi-Khorkhoi"

[fromprovidence]

Diverse medicinal flora kf the territories of Gilgit-Baltistan,

a Landscape of the Shigar valley

b Principal author with local guide in shepherd’s house in alpine pasture

c Clematis alpina var. sibirica a very rare medicinal plant of the study area

d Delphinium brunonianum a high altitude medicinal species

e Corydalis adiantifolia a newly reported medicinal plant from the region

f Myosotis alpestris commonly distributed species from sub alpine to alpine zone

g Ribes himalayense a medicinal shrub and local wild fruit

h Arnebia guttataa lower altitude rare species

i Acantholimon lycopodioides j Tanacetum falconeri common high altitude species

source

[headspace-hotel]

After carefully studying the unc chapel hill herbarium Flora of the Southeastern United States 2022 very carefully and cross-referencing it with Inaturalist and Kentucky history, i've had a devastating realization that is fucking me up so bad

basically

Kentucky has fewer endemic and rare plants than it should. A lot fewer.

A lot of less-publicly known plant species tend to have this gap in their range that is centered around the Bluegrass Region.

I can only conclude that this is because the Bluegrass Region was the first place west of the Appalachian Mountains to be settled by Europeans and was farmed and cultivated the earliest.

Our endemics just...went extinct before they could be documented.

[katkalis-the-horror-fanartist]

Suddenly came up with two "Special Case Phemomena" related to Home Safety Hotline!

-Hobb Mothers/Sires

-On rare occassions, a Boggart may find an individual suitable to copulate with in order to produce well-suited Hobb offspring. Though this unity is near impossible, the few reported incidents known to the Fae have been similar in the following aspects:

-the Mother/Sire is usually Fae. Human only in near-impossible scenarios that involve the human demonstrating extreme kindness and care to Hobb kind. As many Fae have a natural bond with the supernatural by birth, it is assumed this is why Fae are more likely to be chosen.

-The Mother/Sire has positive relations with other supernatural entities such as Gnomes, Sprites, and Spriggans. Overall a respectful and careful individual. If one shows kindness to various entities, this further proves their care for Hobbs.

-The Mother/Sire is able to withstand the power and strength that is a Boggart, surviving the process of fornicating. Not much has ever been willingly stated by the Boggart's partner as to how the coupling works, its secrecy important.

Sprigflunkey:

-Individuals that disrespect the territory and boundaries of a spriggan may become parasitized by Sprig Vines and, instead of succumbing to their death by a Sprig Tree, deform into a Sprigflunkey instead. There are a couple of factors that lead to the likelihood of becoming Sprigflunkey, such as:

-Excessive abuse towards wildlife. Those who take part in violence and slaughter of woodland animals, especially those that waste much, are, in the eyes of a Spriggan, fitting to serve their dues.

-Blatant mistreatment and damage of flora. Stripping bark from trees, chopping down trees and bushes that sustain wildlife, ripping apart flowers, and releasing invasive species of any kind invoke much anger from Spriggans.

-Disrespecting the Spriggan directly when the opportunity arises. Sometimes, more straightforward Spriggans may appear in front of certain individuals. This is considered a hard-earned gift, or even a blessing, by the Fae. Though if the target (usually human) attempts combat or stands up as an equal or superior to the Spriggan, this rudeness shows as a perfect sign that the fool deserves a lifetime of enslavement and servitude.

-If a Spriggan has made itself known to you, through your ignorance or as a gift, make sure to respect it as you would any benevolent diety. Bow to it, and/or state your apologies or gratitude. Planting seeds, feeding wildlife, or caring for flora and fauna in other manners, further improve your chances of staying alive and sentient.