Sea Angels and other bizarre creatures

A few highlights from an incredible collection of photographs by Alexander Semenov:

First up, Sea Angels:





So strange, I looked for some Youtube videos:





This fellow is labeled "Red Bull. Amphipoda Acanthonotozoma inflatum":




And the label for this creature says, "Hyperia galba inside Cyanea capillata":

Image roundup

A few gems from Reddit:


Back to the Future cake.



Charles Darwin's walking stick.



Albino zebra.



Exercise bikes connected to slot car racers.



Toronto Department of Zombie Disposal.



Dog taking a horse for a walk.

Horse with skull marking

Skull-faced horse spotted by Esao Andrews.

*Buy House of Mystery, featuring covers by Andrews, at Amazon.

I had no idea that frogs could be so terrifying

Giant bullfrogs are frightening:

The giant bullfrog is like Kermit on steroids. When it lunges — and South African frog expert Vincent Carruthers has seen it attack horses — it's a fearsome sight, squinting and baring the two fang-like front teeth in its gaping, shovel-like jaw.

Right now one giant bullfrog, slightly smaller than a dinner plate, is busily trying to mate with a female perhaps a tenth his size. But before the deed can be consummated, another male swaggers up and launches himself in toothy-jawed attack.

Orange limbs fly and bullfrog No. 1 almost loses his lady, but manages to clamber back on. Again his rival attacks. And again. And again.

If you want to spice up your nightmares, here's videos of frogs eating mice:




*Buy B.P.R.D. Volume 12: War on Frogs at Amazon.

I had no idea that frogs could be so terrifying

Giant bullfrogs are frightening:

The giant bullfrog is like Kermit on steroids. When it lunges — and South African frog expert Vincent Carruthers has seen it attack horses — it's a fearsome sight, squinting and baring the two fang-like front teeth in its gaping, shovel-like jaw.

Right now one giant bullfrog, slightly smaller than a dinner plate, is busily trying to mate with a female perhaps a tenth his size. But before the deed can be consummated, another male swaggers up and launches himself in toothy-jawed attack.

Orange limbs fly and bullfrog No. 1 almost loses his lady, but manages to clamber back on. Again his rival attacks. And again. And again.

If you want to spice up your nightmares, here's videos of frogs eating mice:




*Buy B.P.R.D. Volume 12: War on Frogs at Amazon.

Leftovers 2010: Radioactive wild boars in Germany

"As Germany's wild boar population has skyrocketed in recent years, so too has the number of animals contaminated by radioactivity left over from the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown."

*Buy geiger counters at Amazon.

Leftovers 2010: Radioactive wild boars in Germany

"As Germany's wild boar population has skyrocketed in recent years, so too has the number of animals contaminated by radioactivity left over from the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown."

*Buy geiger counters at Amazon.

Pygmy Marmoset

"With an adult body length of only 14 to 16 centimetres, and weighing as little as 120 grams, the endangered pygmy marmoset is one of the smallest primates discovered. They are normally found in the rainforest canopies of South America, but this chap was confiscated in August after being found by police inside the clothes of a Peruvian citizen." From this collection of the best science photos of the year.



*Buy pygmy marmosets at Amazon.

Pygmy Marmoset

"With an adult body length of only 14 to 16 centimetres, and weighing as little as 120 grams, the endangered pygmy marmoset is one of the smallest primates discovered. They are normally found in the rainforest canopies of South America, but this chap was confiscated in August after being found by police inside the clothes of a Peruvian citizen." From this collection of the best science photos of the year.



*Buy pygmy marmosets at Amazon.

Disturbing squid

Or maybe just a terrific photograph of a typical squid?

*Buy The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss at Amazon.

Eight weird animals

Eight weird creatures. The first is adorable. It becomes nightmare-inducing after that.





This is an elephant shrew, or Sengi. It's actually related to elephants, and not a shrew at all. The video features the best high speed chase you'll see all day. Via these sites.




Giant centipedes can grow a foot long, and have venomous fangs. In this video, a centipede plucks a flying bat out of the air. Via.






Tripod fish typically rest on the ocean bottom on their stalk-like fins, wait for a crustacean to bump into their fins, and then push the creatures into their mouths. Via.





This ugly fellow is the Asian sheepshead wrasse. The video describes him as the "Shrek fish," but I don't see the resemblance. Via.





Female whale sharks are believed to be able to mate once, store the sperm and fertilize their own eggs as they're produced. Via these sites.





Sometimes ants start following one another in a circular path, known as a death spiral or circular mill. Essentially, they follow each other in a circle until they either die of exhaustion, or stumble upon a path out of the madness. Via these sites.








Termite mounds are designed to circulate the hot air generated by the termites below ground - - the walls are filled with tiny holes which admit fresh air. How many termites? Over 100,000 per square meter. Via.





The Darwin bark spiders of Madagascar create webs spanning 30 feet with with anchor lines up to 82 feet. Their silk is over ten times stronger than a similarly-sized piece of Kevlar. They're unique in that they can stretch their webs over flowing bodies of water. Via these fine sites.

*The Life DVD set is 37% off at Amazon.

Link roundup

1. Lone Wolf and Cub meet Plastic Man.

2. Teeny tiny frog. Via.

3. Eric Nakamura tells a touching story about his mom.

*Buy Plastic Man toys at Amazon.