Taita African Caecilian

Amphibians > Caecilians

The Taita African Caecilian (Boulengerula taitana) is a globally celebrated limbless amphibian endemic exclusively to the misty mountain peaks of the Taita Hills in southeastern Kenya. Belonging to the family Herpelidae within the enigmatic order Gymnophiona, this...

Grandidier’s Vontsira

Mammals > Carnivorans

Grandidier’s Vontsira (Galidictis grandidieri), also known as the giant-striped mongoose, is an elusive and exceptionally rare Malagasy carnivoran belonging to the family Eupleridae. First scientifically described in 1986, this nocturnal specialist is restricted...

Athirappilly Night Frog

Amphibians > Night Frogs

The Athirappilly Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus mewasinghi), scientifically described in 2017, is an extraordinary miniature amphibian belonging to an ancient lineage that evolved on the Indian subcontinent over 70 million years ago. Endemic strictly to torrential cascade...

Queen Victoria Agave

Plants > Agaves

The Queen Victoria Agave (Agave victoriae-reginae), named in 1875 by British botanist Thomas Moore in honor of Queen Victoria, is widely revered among botanists and succulent enthusiasts as one of the most geometrically exquisite plants in existence. Endemic to sheer...

Burchell’s Swallowtail

Invertebrates > Butterflies

Burchell’s Swallowtail (Parides burchellanus) is one of South America’s most elusive, localized, and endangered butterflies. Endemic to a few narrow riverine gallery forests threading through the vast Cerrado savanna of central-eastern Brazil, this...