Orchid Mantis

Invertebrates > Mantidae & Praying Mantises

The Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is universally regarded as one of nature’s most astounding living marvels of deceptive mimicry. Resembling an exquisite, dew-kissed tropical orchid flower, this predatory mantis exhibits aggressive mimicry—not to hide from...

Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula

Invertebrates > Arachnids

The Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula (Caribena versicolor), formerly classified as Avicularia versicolor, is an extraordinarily gorgeous, arboreal theraphosid spider strictly endemic to the lush tropical island of Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. Globally celebrated as...

Orange Baboon Tarantula

Invertebrates > Arachnids

The Orange Baboon Tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus), universally famous throughout the international arachnid community by the affectionate yet fearful acronym ‘OBT’ (‘Orange Bitey Thing’), is a legendary Old World theraphosid spider native to...

Poison Firecoral

Fungi > Sac Fungi

The Poison Firecoral (Podostroma cornu-damae), known in Japan as the kaentake (meaning ‘flame mushroom’) and in South Korea as the red deer horn mushroom, is an infamous, extraordinarily bizarre, and lethally poisonous ascomycete fungus belonging to the...

King Baboon Tarantula

Invertebrates > Arachnids

The King Baboon Tarantula (Pelinobius muticus), formerly classified in the genus Citharischius, is a colossal, legendary Old World fossorial theraphosid spider native to the semi-arid savannahs and acacia scrublands of East Africa, primarily across Kenya and Tanzania....