Spiny Waterside Skink

Reptiles > Lizards

The Spiny Waterside Skink (Tropidophorus grayi), also called Gray’s keeled skink, is an extraordinary, dragon-like semiaquatic lizard endemic to the pristine rainforest river systems of the Philippines. Looking remarkably like a miniature, armored crocodilian or...

Fire Dartfish

Fish > Dartfishes

The Fire Dartfish (Nemateleotris magnifica), also affectionately known in marine biology as the firefish or magnificent dartfish, is one of the most radiant and celebrated inhabitants of Indo-Pacific coral reef ecosystems. Renowned for its vivid two-tone color...

Jamaican Tody

Birds > Coraciiformes

The Jamaican Tody (Todus todus), affectionately known to locals as ‘Robin Redbreast’, is an exquisite, jewel-toned avian jewel found nowhere else on the globe except Jamaica. Closely related to kingfishers and motmots, this pint-sized insect hunter stands...

Deep-sea Dumbo Octopus

Invertebrates > Cephalopods

The Deep-sea Dumbo Octopus (Grimpoteuthis bathypelagica) is an iconic, deeply mesmerizing umbrella octopus inhabiting the extreme bathypelagic and abyssal realms of the world’s oceans. Named for the prominent, ear-like fins that flap gracefully from the sides of...

Cave Robber Spider

Invertebrates > Spiders

The Cave Robber Spider (Trogloraptor marchingtoni) represents one of the most astonishing arachnological discoveries of the 21st century. Uncovered in 2012 lurking within deep, unexplored subterranean limestone caves in southwestern Oregon, this pale, long-legged...