#weird nature

[lichenaday]

Enterographa crassa

This crustose lichen has a thick, waxy thallus that grows in lumpy patches surrounded by a black prothallus, often resulting in a mosaic-like pattern as separate, abutting thalli spread across the substrate surface. It varies in color from pale gray to brown to olive to green, and has immersed, black apothecia which vary in shape from dot-like to script-like. E. crassa grows on shaded, smooth-barked tree trunks and shrubs (and occasionally rock) in mild-temperate, European woodlands.

images: source | source | source | source

info: source | source | source

[timunville]

Unreal!!!!!! ….????

Rock formations

[rosieandthemoon]

[jenfoundabug]

Dasymutilla vestita, a species of velvet ant, in southern New Mexico, US. Despite their name, velvet ants are actually wasps. The females, like the one in this picture, don't have wings and can inflict an extremely painful sting. However, they're non aggressive and will only sting in self defense. Males have wings and cannot sting.

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Another sketch brought to you by #paleostream

Polymerichthys, one of the weirdest extinct fish that I know, note the central, forward curving row of teeth on the palate for example.

[kvetch19]

x

[katiajewelbox]

Meet the real life “Bulbasaur”! That Pokemon is famous for being a dinosuar-like animal with a flowering green plant that grows on its back and provides energy. It sounds like pure fantasy, but there is actually an animal that has a similar lifestyle...

“There are several species of sea slugs that have evolved to look like leaves. One example is the Elysia chlorotica, also known as the eastern emerald elysia or the "solar-powered sea slug". This species of sea slug is found along the east coast of North America and is known for its bright green color and leaf-like appearance, which allows it to blend in with the surrounding seaweed. In addition to its leaf-like appearance, the Elysia chlorotica has the unique ability to steal genes from the algae it consumes, allowing it to photosynthesize and use solar energy to survive. This makes it one of the few animals on Earth that is capable of harnessing the power of the sun to meet its energy needs - it can go without eating for 9 months because it can photosynthesize just like a plant while basking in the sun!”

(Source: The Organic Consumers’ Association of Australia Linked In page) #biodiversity #nature #wildlife #naturephotography #macro #conservation #birds #naturelovers #biodiversit #wildlifephotography #climatechange #environment #sustainability #photography #biology #biodiversidad #animals #insects #ecology #insect #bird #biodiversidade #flowers #macrophotography #naturaleza #forest #perfection #earth #science #wildlifeconservation

[nokia3650]

★

[milkboxgalore]

Colorado 2022

[darksaphire2002]

[alwayssacred]

[lichenaday]

Lobaria anthraspis

Dimpled specklebelly

I have been saving this lichen for a special occasion because I am so incredibly in love with her that I haven't wanted to free her from my drafts folder. But today is the day. This gorgeous weirdo is a tripartite (has both a green algae AND a cyanobacteria as photobionts) foliose lichen which grows only in the cold, humid forests of western North America. It has leathery, reticulated lobes which vary in color from dark brown (melanized) to gray blue to olive green in color. It produces lots of apothecia which also vary in color from orange to red to brown to black. Like other Lobarias, L. anthraspis prefers old-growth, isolated forests far away from pollution and disturbance. So my current retirement plan is to wander into the forest and settle wherever I find her and live out the rest of my life in peace and joy (the rest of my life not being very long due to the harsh winters of the region, but at least I will go out happy in the presence of the one I love).

images: source

info: source | source | source

[rosieandthemoon]

falling out of place

[bugtoot]

[knuppitalism-with-ue]

Based on a recent Twitter discussion

Gular glands in crocodiles are one thing, but many are also not aware of the facial and movable glands in muntjacs.

These structures aren't really sexy so they are often omitted from documentaries. Here a video of them in action that made it's rounds some time ago.

Utterly bizarre when you are not familiar with them. It often makes me wonder what kind of glands we might miss in paleoart. Uropygial glands in birds for example, when did they evolve? Did non-avian dinosaurs already have then or did they use another, analogous structure during preening?

Another example are enlarged skin glands like the poison glands in many amphibians. Could temnospondyls already have something like this?

Just remembered, duikers are a good example of large preorbital glands as well, often appearing as prominent slits and pouches in front of the eyes. Some oreodonts like Eporeodon might had have similar structures.

[giftshopofcuriosities]

The World’s Record black sea bass caught by Edward Llewellen. It weighed 425 lbs. He brought it in alone in 1903. This record fish was surpassed in 1968 by a 563-pound giant sea bass caught by James McAdam, Jr.

read about it here