The Cinnyricinclus leucogaster (scientific name) or violet-backed starling is found in savannah forests, specifically South of the Sahara Desert, Africa. They are a sexually dimorphic species, which mean that the male and the female look very different from each other. In this instance, the male has a beautiful iridescent amethyst colour on its head, neck, […]
Common name : Devil crab, Witch crab, Velvet swimming crab, Lady crab Scientific name : Necora puber Family : Portunidae Native to : North-West Europe Conservation status : Not Evaluated The velvet crab has a wide, flattenedcarapace that is blue, covered in reddish-brown hair, giving it a velvety texture. It has bright redeyes and ten
Scientific name : Vampyroteuthis infernalis Family : Vampyroteuthidae Native to : Temperate and tropical oceans worldwide Interesting fact : It is entirely covered in photophores,producing disorienting flashes of light lasting several minutes. Conservation status : Not Evaluated The vampire squid has a gelatinous, velvety jet-black bodyand large eyes that are red or blue. Its eight
Common name : Bluespine unicorn fish, Short-nose unicorn fish, Unicorn tang Scientific name : Naso unicornis Family : Acanthuridae Native to : Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea Interesting fact : They have smooth skins andare less susceptible to skin diseases than other tangs. Conservation status : Least Concern Found in coral reefs
Common name : Umbrella slug, Limpet Scientific name : Umbraculum umbraculum Family : Umbraculidae Native to : Pacific and Indian Oceans Interesting fact : The shell is too small for theanimal to withdraw itself into it. Conservation status : Not Evaluated The umbrella shell is a sea slug attached toovergrown rock walls. An external shell,
The Lamprotornis superbus (scientific name) or superb starling is a small bird found mostly in East Africa, ranging from Ethiopia to Kenya and Tanzania. These birds are 7 to 7.5 inches in length. They have black heads, and metallic blue-purple backs, upper body, neck, wings and tail. Their chest and underbelly are burnt orange colour.
The Lamprotornis Regius (scientific name) or golden-breasted starling is native to Africa. It is found in grasslands and savannah regions of Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Northern parts of Tanzania. With a height of 13.7 inches, this bird is medium-sized, with a metallic green upper body and head. Its wings, back, neck and long tail feathers
The Coccycolius iris (scientific name) or emerald starling is one of the smallest species of starlings. It is found in the lowlands of West Africa. Its height is not more than 7.5 inches. Apart from a small glossy purple patch under its wings and as markings near the eye, this bird is glossy emerald green
The Lamprotornis chalybaeus (scientific name) or greater blue-eared starling is native to Africa, from Senegal to Central Africa, and down to the North of South Africa. They are seasonal migratory birds. Not more than 8 inches in length, it has a lovely blue green glossy shine to its dark plumage, with a purple-blue belly and
Common name : Atlantic trumpet fish Scientific name : Aulostomus maculatus Family : Aulostomidae Native to : Western Atlantic Ocean Interesting fact : Trumpet fish changecolour and stalk larger fish to hide and attack prey. Conservation status : Not Evaluated The trumpet fish lives in coral reefs or lagoons and can grow 40-80 cm long.
Common name : Totuava Scientific name : Totoaba macdonaldi Family : Sciaenidae Native to : Gulf of California in Mexico Interesting fact : It migrates annually northward in winter tothe Colorado River delta to spawn in spring. Conservation status : Critically Endangered The totoaba is dusky silver with darker fins. The body is elongated and
The Lamprotornis purpureiceps (scientific name) or purple-headed glossy starling is endemic to Africa, specifically the West and Central African region. The purple-headed glossy starling is a total of 9 inches in length. With the male and the female being identical, these birds have metallic purple heads and bodies. Its wings are a lovely glossy metallic
Common name : Dark toad fish Scientific name : Neophrynichthys latus Family : Psychrolutidae Native to : South-West Pacific, New Zealand. Interesting fact : They can survive out of water for 24 hours. Conservation status : Not Evaluated Toad fish are found in marine, brackish and freshwater habitats. These bottom-dwellers are 7.5–57.0 cm long. They
Common name : Mexican ridley, Gulf ridley Scientific name : Lepidochelys kempii Family : Cheloniidae Native to : Mexico, United States Interesting fact : Sea turtles cannot retract their heads and limbs into their shells. Conservation status : Critically Endangered Seven species of sea turtles are known. They can grow 6-9 feet long, 3-5 feet
The Aplonis panayensis (scientific name) or Asian glossy starling is found in the moist tropical forests and mangroves of Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Brunei, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. With a maximum height of 7.8 inches, this bird’s overall plumage is a glossy jet black colour with striking red eyes. Its feet and beak are also