Tody Motmot

Birds > Motmots

The Tody Motmot (Hylomanes momotula) is the smallest member of the motmot family (Momotidae), representing a primitive, distinct offshoot of this Neotropical bird lineage. Inhabiting the shadowed understory of rainforests across Central America, it lacks the iconic...

Yellow Golden Mole

Mammals > Golden Moles

The Yellow Golden Mole (Calcochloris obtusirostris) is a specialized fossorial afrotherian mammal native to the coastal sand dunes and lowland forests of southeastern Africa. Not closely related to true Eurasian or American moles, golden moles belong to the ancient...

Patagonian Opossum

Mammals > Marsupials

The Patagonian Opossum (Lestodelphys halli) holds the distinction of being the southernmost living marsupial in the world. Native strictly to the windswept, cold desert scrublands and steppes of Argentine Patagonia, this small didelphid is uniquely adapted to survive...

Flying Saucer Mushroom

Fungi > Mushrooms

The Flying Saucer Mushroom (Psilocybe azurescens), scientifically named by mycologist Paul Stamets in 1996 for its intense azure-blue bruising reaction and for his son Azureus, is one of the most potent and visually distinctive agaric mushrooms in nature. Native...

Kentucky Flat-millipede

Invertebrates > Myriapods

The Kentucky Flat-millipede (Apheloria virginiensis), also widely recognized as the cherry millipede or Appalachian cyanide millipede, is a visually dramatic and ecologically vital myriapod inhabiting the rich temperate hardwood forests of eastern North America....