Mammals > Hyaenids & Carnivorans
The Aardwolf (Proteles cristata), whose Afrikaans name translates evocative to ‘earth wolf’, is a delicate, nocturnal insectivorous carnivoran belonging to the hyena family Hyaenidae. Natively inhabiting two disjunct populations across the open arid...
Fungi > Mycenaceae & Agaricales
The Bleeding Fairy Helmet (Mycena haematopus), commonly known as the bleeding Mycena or burgundydrop bonnet, is a delicate, enchanting, and visually arresting agaric mushroom belonging to the bonnet family Mycenaceae. Indigenous to the damp, moss-carpeted temperate...
Fungi > Xylariaceae & Xylariales
Dead Man’s Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha) is a grotesque, macabre, and fascinating wood-decay ascomycete fungus belonging to the family Xylariaceae. Widely distributed throughout the temperate hardwood forests of North America, Europe, and Asia, this bizarre...
Invertebrates > Formicids & Hymenoptera
The Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata), known in indigenous languages as ‘hormiga veinticuatro’ (the 24-hour ant), is a colossal, primitive poneromorph ant belonging to the monotypic subfamily Paraponerinae. Indigenous to the hot, humid primary rainforests of...
Invertebrates > Octopodids & Cephalopoda
The Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa), specifically the southern blue-ringed octopus, is a small, masterfully disguised cephalopod belonging to the octopus family Octopodidae. Strictly endemic to the cool, temperate coastal waters, rocky reefs, and tide...
