Henderson’s Ground Jay

Birds > Passeriformes

Henderson’s Ground Jay (Podoces hendersoni), also known as the Mongolian ground jay, is an extraordinary terrestrial corvid native to the hyper-arid wastes of the Gobi Desert and the desolate basins of Central Asia. Belonging to a specialized desert-dwelling...

Chinghai Toadhead Agama

Reptiles > Squamata

The Chinghai Toadhead Agama (Phrynocephalus vlangalii) is a remarkable high-altitude reptile endemic to the windswept roof of the world on the Tibetan Plateau. Thriving at elevations exceeding 4,500 meters (14,700 feet) above sea level—where ambient temperatures...

Fatal Dapperling

Fungi > Agaricales

The Fatal Dapperling (Lepiota subincarnata), also historically documented as Lepiota josserandii, is a deceptive and critically toxic agaric mushroom native to the temperate forests of North America and Eurasia. Despite its modest stature and delicate, unassuming...

China Nawab Butterfly

Invertebrates > Lepidoptera

The China Nawab Butterfly (Polyura narcaea) is a powerful, swift-flying lepidopteran belonging to the charismatic brush-footed subfamily Charaxinae. Native to the subtropical and temperate montane forests of East Asia, this striking insect is famous for its robust...

Yellow-bellied Glider

Mammals > Diprotodontia

The Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis), often called the fluffy glider, is the largest member of the wrist-gliding marsupial genus Petaurus. Endemic to the lush tall eucalypt forests of eastern Australia, this nocturnal acrobat is famed for its remarkable...