Scarus psittacus, commonly known as parrotfish, is named for its parrot-like beak, which it uses to bite off chunks of coral that it crushes and digests. Most of the sediment found on white sandy beaches is parrotfish poop. Art and fact by Darien Satterfield, Instagram & Twitter & Tiktok @DiverDarien  [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] References:…

To consume hard-shelled food such as mussels or clams, sea otters utilize rocks as tools to break them open. They have specific rocks that they repeatedly use for this purpose. Art and fact by Kristina Leslie, Instagram @tinaleslie_ [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Haslam, M., Fujii, J., Espinosa, S., Mayer, K., Ralls, K., Tinker, M….

Tiger beetles are known for being both ferocious predators and extremely fast runners, capable of reaching speeds of up to 9 km/h (5.6 mph; 2.5 m/s). They run so fast that they can’t visually process the world around them while in motion, relying instead on their antennae to avoid collisions. Consequently, most tiger beetles hunt…

Cats don’t just socialize with each other because they live near each other; they have preferences for who they hang out with. Cats are more likely to be friendly towards members of their own family, so if you’re thinking of adopting cats, consider getting siblings! Art and fact by Mia Karlsson, Instagram @picklesandwitch [Edited by…

Amblygobius phalaena, known as the Sleeper Banded Goby, is notable for its habit of rearranging rocks and sand to construct burrows as nests. These fish mate monogamously and males tend to the eggs in the burrow nests. Art and fact by Darien Satterfield, Instagram & Twitter & Tiktok  @DiverDarien [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Takegaki,…

Some bumble bee species are able to inhabit extremely cold environments, with their distribution stretching far north into the Arctic Circle. Vector art and fact by Danielle Rutkowski, Bluesky @daniellerutkowski.bsky.social & Twitter @DanielleRutkow. Screen printed on sticker vinyl and color by Dino Sbardellati, @phagebeelicious.bsky.social [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Burns, C. T., et al. (2022,…

The California mantis shrimp, despite its name, isn’t a true shrimp. Using their antennal scale, it communicates with other mantis shrimp. Art and fact by @Squidtoons [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Burrows, M. The mechanics and neural control of the prey capture strike in the mantid shrimps Squilla and Hemisquilla . Z. Vergl. Physiol. 62, 361–381 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299261

Stratiomyidae is a family of flies that exhibits incredible diversity in shape, size, and color, including numerous species that mimic wasps. Art and fact by Allen Chew, Instagram & Twitter @toldentops [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] References: Tree of Life Web Project. (2008). Stratiomyidae. Soldier flies. Version 29 September 2008 (under construction). Retrieved from http://tolweb.org/Stratiomyidae/10444/2008.09.29 in…

The Banded Alder Borer, scientifically known as Rosalia funebris, is native to the Pacific Northwest. These insects feed on Alder, Ash, and other hardwood trees, and they are sometimes attracted to fresh paint. Art and fact by Kirsten Sheehy,  Twitter @1010sheehy   [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Oregon State University Plant Clinic. (n.d.). The Banded Alder…

The freckled hawkfish, also known as Paracirrhites forsteri, belongs to the Cirrhitidae family. It is the most abundant type of hawkfish found in the Red Sea, which is the saltiest and warmest sea on Earth. Hawkfish primarily feed on small fish and invertebrates living among coral. Art by Darien Satterfield, Instagram & Twitter & Tiktok…

In peacock spiders, to initiate reproduction, male spiders perform a mating dance for the females, wiggling around and displaying vibrant colors on their bodies during the dance. In response, females either mate with the males as a sign of approval or consume them as a form of rejection. Art and fact by CocoFu, Instagram @cocofufufufu…

The opossum, the only marsupial in the United States, often has thirteen nipples. It has so many because it can give birth to up to twenty young at once, and only those that receive milk survive. Art and fact by Kirsten Sheehy,  Twitter @1010sheehy   [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Marable, A.D., & Smith, M.D….

Phoridae is a family that contains insects, commonly known as coffin flies. They are referred to as ‘coffin flies’ due to their abundance in decaying corpses. Phorid flies are characteristically hump-backed in appearance and are known to run instead of fly. Art and fact by Allen Chew, Instagram & Twitter @toldentops [Image and text edited…

Rhinecanthus verrucosus, also known as triggerfish, are durophagous, which means that they eat hard shelled and tough prey like snails or clams. To accommodate this diet, they possess extremely strong jaws with very large muscles relative to other fish. Art and fact by Darien Satterfield, Instagram & Twitter & TikTok @DiverDarien  [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues]…

Tabanidae is a family that contains insects commonly known as horse flies, deer flies, or gadflies. Tabanids are large and conspicuous insects. While the males are mostly harmless, females have piercing mouthparts that they use to draw blood. Art and fact by Allen Chew, Instagram & Twitter @toldentops [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Chainey, J.E….

Caenorhabditis elegans is a nematode. It can survive extreme cold weather at -80°C by entering a state of suspended metabolism called cryptobiosis. A similar mechanism to survive extreme cold weather is used by a newly discovered species found in the Siberian Permafrost. Art and fact by Wenzhe Li, Instagram @dustybutkindofnice [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference:…

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