The below photograph displays the amazing Epaulette shark: a species able to walk between coral heads at low tide, as well as along the seafloor, and even on land! Named after the the word “epaulet,” which refers to an ornamental shoulder piece found on many uniforms—used as a means of denoting rank, originating from the French word, “epaule,” translating to “shoulder” – this species of shark was named the Epaulette shark after the animals’ large spots, located behind each of its pectoral fins.
For example, if this shark species is running low on oxygen whilst stuck in anoxic water—or water that has been depleted of all oxygen—the incredible Epaulette shark is able to shut down a few of its neural functions, so that it can simply chill along the water, until a wave containing oxygen-rich water comes along to save the day! Additionally, this kind of shark is unique in that it is actually known to walk on its fins more often than it actually swims. The Epaulette shark does this so that it may crawl over the exposed reef contained between rock pools, areas that contain the shark’s favorite prey.
Armadillo Girdled Lizard, or Miniature Dragon?
Nope, it’s not a mini dragon! In the palm of the hand in the below photograph lays an adorably little, terrified dragon-esque looking creature given the named of an Armadillo Girdled Lizard. How do we know this animal is in distress? The signs of this animal's distress are given off through this lizard’s “signature defense mechanism”: putting its entire tail into its mouth, displaying only its spiky armor, thus protecting its incredibly soft underbelly from would-be predators.
Despite its misleading name, this little lizard gets its name from its distinct “curling-up behavior,” which reminded zoologists of the South American three-banded armadillo, who displays a similar defensive behavior. These spiky lizards are found along the west coast of South Africa, particularly from the northern region surrounding the Orange River of Northern Cape Province, to the Piketberg Mountains in the south.
A Silly Little Penguin Makes a Little Girl Smile
With their cute faces, their silly, waddling gaits, and their awkward wings, it comes as no surprise that this small penguin, known as Rocky the Penguin, is easily able to bring a smile to two-year-old Nicola McNally’s beaming face. A moment of pure joy captured back in 1980, at the Cotswold Wildlife Park in Oxfordshire, UK, Rocky is a Humboldt penguin, a species of penguin particularly known for its friendly demeanor towards humans.
Interestingly enough, both these penguins and the current are named after 18th-century explorer Alexander von Humboldt. Specifically hailing from the coastal regions of the South American countries of Peru and Chile, here this penguin is surrounded by a natural habitat of open ocean and rocky shorelines.
Orangutan Tells Us How He Really Feels
In the below photo, this primate seems to tell us how he really feels. Indeed, give a “primate four fingers and a thumb, and eventually, he’ll flip you off.” All jokes aside, the orangutan is a truly amazing creature. Named after the Malay word for “person of the forest,” these orange-colored, long-haired primates are found only in regions of Sumatra and Borneo. Considered highly intellectual creatures, the Orangutan is known as a close relative of man.
But is this particular orangutan actually mad at the photographer taking the picture? Is he actually telling him or her to “buzz off”? Is he trying to send a message to humans on behalf of the animal kingdom, indicating to us that these animals have had enough of our mindless cruelty in wastefulness? Are they planning to pull a planet of the apes, taking the planet back for the good of their babies and all of the primates’ future generations? The world may never know.
Baby Otters: Very Much Blind, Very Much Toothless
Unable to see upon first entering the world, for newborn otters—born both blind and toothless—life, at first glance, is actually not seen at all. While popularly known for their rambunctiously cheeky, playful nature, as well as for their immense swimming capabilities—an adaptation the otters owe to their webbed feet—following their exit from their mother’s womb, at first, they are not able to witness any of the curiosity and fun had by the baby’s fellow furry, water-loving family members.
As reflected in the above photograph, which captures the first moments of this litter of newborn otters, these adorable little creatures are basically helpless, balls of fur. Following their birth, these baby otters will remain in their mother’s nest for the next few weeks, where they will be carefully guarded under the watchful eye of their mother and relatives.