In the Kalahari Desert, South Africa, a native bird called the sociable weaver bird constructs massive nests that, from a distance, looks like a giant haystack that’s fallen into a tree.

Have you ever heard of the long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi)? Growing up to 13.8 in (35 cm) from head to tail, this species is the only rodent native to Tasmania. This omnivore feeds on plants, fungi, and invertebrates. Scientists think its extra long tail is used for balance. When threatened, its large hind feet help it to leap away from foes. 

Photo: Bruce Deagle, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist 

Did someone say filet of fish? Well, we didn't, because this critter is actually the red triangle slug (Triboniophorus graeffei)! This Australian inhabitant lives in forests and woodlands, where it might be spotted on the bark of a eucalyptus tree feeding on microscopic algae. Its namesake red triangle is where you’ll find its breathing pore. Hungry predators might want to reconsider taking a bite out of this slug because it has a unique and effective defense mechanism. When in danger, it can “superglue” foes to a surface by emitting a sticky mucus! This sticky substance can stop threats in their tracks, so please… just order takeout. 

Photo: Justin Cappadonna, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist 

Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea), taken October 31, 2025, in Georgia, US

A tiny, bright tree frog loafing it up in the curve of a yucca leaf! I believe this was my last tree frog sighting of the year, as a cold front came in a couple days later and forced this little dude to move to a more insulated location. I'd been checking up on this individual for weeks prior, disturbing its evenings by poking around in its favorite yucca plant. I've never seen a frog give me the hairy eyeball so obviously before, but it's not too far off from a cat who is too comfortable to move but not happy you're there!

nature ⭐🍄‍🟫 🪲

Black-spotted Bare-eye Phlegopsis nigromaculata

It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The black-spotted bare-eye is an obligate ant follower that feeds on a variety of arthropods that flee foraging army ant swarms. The black-spotted bare-eye's song is "a short series of moderately long, flat, rich whistles, each slightly lower in pitch and becoming harsher in quality"; the number of notes varies. It has been written as "zhweé, zhwu, zhwu" and "HEEEW heer heer".

image by Bradley Davis

Dixon Beach, NSW, Australia

Just some gorgeous little leaf beetles! Gonna be completely honest—no clue about the specific species—simply wanted to share lovely little living jewels! 💚✨

📍Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

📸 OM tough TG-7

this mango ice cream is actually renowned local citizen Dolycoris baccarum, a teneral adult still lacking its wine color and just barely recognizable as a result. with the wings mostly unfurled and the empty molt nowhere to be found, the sensitive white boy stage seen here was probably not too recent and lasted only about half an hour longer, as i came back to check on it and found it fully pigmented

(July 3rd, 2025)

By Hertha56 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

my redbubble shop

guess what time it is!

that’s right it’s -

surveying my environment for fimsh snack time!

Caracal

Photo by Sonia Varma, Kenya

The 35 Photography Awards

(Phidippus comatus, via BlueSky)

A glorious profusion of stripes and bands ornaments the males of this western North American species. (The other male mentioned by the photographer can be found in a separate thread.)

hello my dears... stoic creature thing with large paddle wings

its a funny looking guy. some kind of planthopper with its wings spread out majestically. pretty sure its from the genus Zoraida

the iridescence in its wings can be seen more clearly from this perspective hopefully. it had these shiny translucent wings. very stoic guy

you can see it just kinda standing there. in his zone. flourishing. #MyThis

weevil 1113