recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

The **oceanic whitetip shark** (*Carcharhinus longimanus*), also known as **Brown Milbert's sand bar shark**, **brown shark**, **nigano shark**, **oceanic white-tipped whaler**, and **silvertip shark**, is a large pelagic requiem shark inhabiting tropical and warm temperate seas. Its stocky body is most notable for its long, white-tipped, rounded fins.

This slow-moving but aggressive fish dominates feeding frenzies, and is a danger to shipwreck or air crash survivors. Recent studies show steeply declining populations because its large fins are highly valued as the chief ingredient of shark fin soup, and as with other shark species, the whitetip faces mounting fishingpressure throughout its range.

## Description

*C. longimanus'* most distinguishing characteristics are its long, wing-like pectoral and dorsal fins. The fins are significantly larger than most other shark species, and are conspicuously rounded. The shark's nose is rounded and its eyes are circular, with nictitating membranes.

*C. longimanus* has a 'typical', although somewhat flattened requiem shark body, often with a mildly humpbacked aspect. It is bronze, brown, bluish, or grey dorsally (the colour varies by region), and white ventrally (although it may occasionally have a yellow tint). The oceanic whitetip shark is a medium-sized requiem shark. The largest specimen ever caught measured 4 m (13 ft), an exceptionally large size considering few specimens are known to exceed a length of 3 m (9.8 ft). The maximum reported weight is 170 kg (370 lb). The female is typically larger than the male by 10 cm (3.9 in). Males attain sexual maturity at 1.7 to 1.9 m (5.6 to 6.2 ft) and females about 1.8 to 2.0 m (5.9 to 6.6 ft). In the Gulf of Mexico in the 1950s, the mean weight of oceanic whitetip sharks was 86.4 kg (190 lb). In the 1990s, the sharks of the species from the same area averaged only 56.1 kg (124 lb).

Most of its fins (dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, and caudal) have white tips (juvenile specimens and some adults may lack these). Along with white tips, the fins may be mottled, and young specimens can have black marks. A saddle-like marking may be apparent between first and second dorsal fins. The shark has several kinds of teeth. Those in the mandible (lower jaw) have a thin, serrated tip and are relatively small and triangular (somewhat fang-like). Between 13 and 15 teeth are on either side of the symphysis. The teeth in the upper jaw are triangular, but much larger and broader with entirely serrated edges— 14 or 15 occur along each side of the symphysis. The denticles lie flat and typically have between five and seven ridges.

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Maratus jactatus

## Maractus jactatus

***Maratus jactatus*** (colloquially named **sparklemuffin**) is a species of the genus *Maratus* (peacock spiders), an Australian member of the jumping spider family. They have been collected only in Wondul Range National Park in southern Queensland. Like other *Maratus* spiders, the males of the species engage in a courtship display, during which they extend their median and posterior fringed spinnerets. They also spread the flaps from over their inflated opisthomal plate, revealing unique iridescentblue scales "interrupted by three bold transverse bands of red-orange to orange pigmented scales." A male presents both the extended spinnets and his expanded and inflated opisthoma as he faces the female that he courts.

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Phasmatodea (Stick-bugs)

The **Phasmatodea** (also known as **Phasmida** or **Phasmatoptera**) are an order of insects, whose members are variously known as **stick insects** in Europe and Australasia; **stick-bugs**, **walking sticks** or **bug sticks** in the United States and Canada; or as **phasmids**, **ghost insects** or **leaf insects** (generally the family Phylliidae). The group's name is derived from the Ancient Greek φάσμα *phasma*, meaning an apparition or phantom, referring to the resemblance of many species to sticks or leaves. Their natural camouflage makes them difficult for predators to detect, but many species have a secondary line of defence in the form of startle displays, spines or toxic secretions. The genus *Phobaeticus* includes the world's longest insects.

Members of the order are found in all continents except Antarctica, but they are most abundant in the tropics and subtropics. They are herbivorous with many species living unobtrusively in the tree canopy. They have a hemimetabolous life cycle with three stages: eggs, nymphs and adults. Many phasmids are parthenogenic, and do not require fertilised eggs for female offspring to be produced. In hotter climates, they may breed all year round; in more temperate regions, the females lay eggs in the autumn before dying, and the new generation hatches out in the spring. Some species have wings and can disperse by flying, while others are more restricted.

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Passeriformes (Passerines)

A **passerine** is any bird of the order **Passeriformes**, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as **perching birds** or — less accurately — as songbirds, passerines are distinguished from other orders of birds by the arrangement of their toes (three pointing forward and one back), which facilitates perching. With more than 110 families and some 5,100 identified species, Passeriformes is the largest order of birds and among the most diverse orders of terrestrial vertebrates.

The passerines contain several groups of brood parasites such as the viduas, cuckoo-finches, and the cowbirds. Most passerines are omnivorous, while the shrikes are carnivorous.

The terms "passerine" and "Passeriformes" are derived from *Passer domesticus*, the scientific name of the eponymous species (the house sparrow) and ultimately from the Latin term *passer*, which refers to sparrows and similar small birds.
Phyllobates aurotaenia

***Phyllobates aurotaenia*** is a member of the frog family Dendrobatidae, which are found in the tropical environments of Central and South America. First described by zoologist George Albert Boulenger in 1913, *P. aurotaenia* is known for being one of the most poisonous frogs in the world. It is the smallest of the poison dart frogsin the Phyllobates genus and is endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia.

## Description

Wild specimens store batrachotoxin in glands in their skin, which can be fatal to humans in doses as small as 100 µg. The unique lethality of their poison is a trait often exploited by certain Native American peoples of Colombia for hunting. The members of this species are characterized by: black dorsums, sometimes covered by orange suffusions; green, yellow, orange, or brownish gold dorsolateral stripes; and black abdomens with blue or green dots. The name *Phyllobates aurotaenia* is currently applied to two forms: a smaller, large-stripe form and a larger, small-stripe form. These forms are separated by a ravine yet retain the ability to interbreed. The number and range of *P. aurotaenia* is declining, primarily due to loss of habitat, and is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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Golden Poison Frog

The **golden poison frog** (*Phyllobates terribilis*), also known as the **golden frog**, **golden poison arrow frog**, or **golden dart frog**, is a poison dart frog endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia. The optimal habitat of *P. terribilis* is the rainforest with high rain rates (5 m or more per year), altitudes between 100 and 200 m, temperatures of at least 26 °C, and relative humidity of 80–90%. In the wild, *P. terribilis* is a social animal, living in groups of up to six individuals; however, captive *P. terribilis*specimens can live in much larger groups. These frogs are often considered innocuous due to their small size and bright colours, but wild frogs are lethally toxic.

## Description

*P. terribilis* is the largest species of poison dart frog, and can reach a size of 55 mm as adults, with females typically being larger than males. Like all poison dart frogs, the adults are brightly colored, but they lack the dark spots present in many other dendrobatids. The frog's colour pattern is aposematic (which is a warning coloration to warn predators of its toxicity). The frog has tiny adhesive disks on its toes, which aid climbing of plants. It also has a bone plate in the lower jaw, which gives it the appearance of having teeth, a distinctive feature not observed in the other species of *Phyllobates*. The frog is normally diurnal.

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Gymnotiformes (South American Knifefish)

The **Gymnotiformes** are a group of teleost bony fishes commonly known as the **Neotropical** or **South American knifefish**. They have long bodies and swim using undulations of their elongated anal fin. Found exclusively in fresh water, these mostly nocturnal fish are capable of producing electric fields for navigation, communication, and, in the case of the electric eel (*Electrophorus electricus*), attack and defense. A few species are familiar to the aquarium trade, such as the black ghost knifefish (*Apteronotus albifrons*), the glass knifefish (*Eigenmannia virescens*), and the banded knifefish (*Gymnotus carapo*).

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Lethocerus indicus

***Lethocerus indicus*** is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to South and Southeast Asia, as well as southeast China, Korea, the Ryukyu Islands and New Guinea. It was originally described as *Belostoma indicum* but is no longer placed in that genus.

This insect is well known as an edible species in a number of different Southeast Asian cuisines. The taste of the flight muscles is often compared to sweet scallops or shrimp.

## Description

*Lethocerus indicus* typically has a length between 6.5 and 8 cm (2.6 and 3.1 in).

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Ixodes petauristae

***Ixodes petauristae*** is a hard-bodied tick of the genus *Ixodes*. It is found in India and Sri Lanka. Adults parasitize various smaller mammals such as *Ratufa indica*, *Funambulus tristriatus*, *Macaca radiata*, *Petaurista* sp. and mice. It is a potential vector of Kyasanur Forest disease virus.

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Mute Swan

The **mute swan** (*Cygnus olor*) is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurasia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. Measuring 125 to 170 cm (49 to 67 in) in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange beak bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the beak, which is larger in males.

## Description

Adults of this large swan typically range from 140 to 160 cm (55 to 63 in) long, although can range in extreme cases from 125 to 170 cm (49 to 67 in), with a 200 to 240 cm (79 to 94 in) wingspan. Males are larger than females and have a larger knob on their bill. On average, this is the second largest waterfowl species after the trumpeter swan, although male mute swans can easily match or even exceed a male trumpeter in mass. Among standard measurements of the mute swan, the wing chord measures 53–62.3 cm (20.9–24.5 in), the tarsus is 10–11.8 cm (3.9–4.6 in) and the bill is 6.9–9 cm (2.7–3.5 in).

The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds. In several studies from Great Britain, males (known as *cobs*) were found to average from about 10.6 to 11.87 kg (23.4 to 26.2 lb), with a weight range of 9.2–14.3 kg (20–32 lb) while the slightly smaller females (known as *pens*) averaged about 8.5 to 9.67 kg (18.7 to 21.3 lb), with a weight range of 7.6–10.6 kg (17–23 lb). While the top normal weight for a big cob is roughly 15 kg (33 lb), one unusually big Polish cob weighed almost 23 kg (51 lb) and this counts as the largest weight ever verified for a flying bird, although it has been questioned whether this heavyweight could still take flight.

Young birds, called cygnets, are not the bright white of mature adults, and their bill is dull greyish-black, not orange, for the first year. The down may range from pure white to grey to buff, with grey/buff the most common. The white cygnets have a leucistic gene. Cygnets grow quickly, reaching a size close to their adult size in approximately three months after hatching. Cygnets typically retain their grey feathers until they are at least one year old, with the down on their wings having been replaced by Flight feathers earlier that year.

All mute swans are white at maturity, though the feathers (particularly on the head and neck) are often stained orange-brown by iron and tannins in the water.

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Sulidae (sulids)

The bird family **Sulidae** comprises the gannets and boobies. Collectively called **sulids**, they are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish and similar prey. The ten species in this family are often considered congeneric in older sources, placing all in the genus *Sula*. However, *Sula* (true boobies) and *Morus* (gannets) can be readily distinguished by morphological, behavioral, and DNA sequence characters. Abbott's booby (*Papasula*) is given its own genus as it stands apart from both in these respects. It appears to be a distinct and ancient lineage, maybe closer to the gannets than to the true boobies.

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## Genus and Species

* Morus
	+ M. bassanus (Northern Gannet)
Meloidae (Blister Beetles)

**Blister beetles** are beetles of the family **Meloidae**, so called for their defensive secretion of a blistering agent, cantharidin. About 7,500 species are known worldwide. Many are conspicuous and some are aposematically colored, announcing their toxicity to would-be predators.

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## Genus and Species

* Lytta (**70 species**)
	+ Lytta aenea
	+ Lytta aeneipennis
	+ Lytta agrestis
	+ Lytta arizonica
	+ Lytta augusti
	+ Lytta auriculata (Red-eared Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta biguttata
	+ Lytta bipuncticollis
	+ Lytta blaisdelli
	+ Lytta canelas
	+ Lytta cardinalis
	+ Lytta childi
	+ Lytta chloris
	+ Lytta comans
	+ Lytta corallifera
	+ Lytta cribrata
	+ Lytta crotchi
	+ Lytta crotchii
	+ Lytta cyanipennis (Green Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta deserticola
	+ Lytta ebenina
	+ Lytta erebea
	+ Lytta erythrothorax
	+ Lytta eucera
	+ Lytta fulvipennis
	+ Lytta funerea
	+ Lytta hoppingi
	+ Lytta insperata
	+ Lytta koltzei
	+ Lytta lecontei
	+ Lytta lugens
	+ Lytta lugubris
	+ Lytta magister (Master Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta margarita
	+ Lytta melaena
	+ Lytta michoacanae
	+ Lytta mirifica (Anthony Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta moerens
	+ Lytta moesta
	+ Lytta molesta
	+ Lytta morosa
	+ Lytta morrisoni (Morrison's Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta mutilata
	+ Lytta navajo
	+ Lytta nigripilis
	+ Lytta nigrocyanea
	+ Lytta nitidicollis
	+ Lytta nuttalli (Nuttall's Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta peninsularis
	+ Lytta plumbea
	+ Lytta polita (Bronze Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta proteus
	+ Lytta puberula
	+ Lytta quadrimaculata
	+ Lytta rathvoni
	+ Lytta refulgens
	+ Lytta reticulata
	+ Lytta sanguinea
	+ Lytta sayi (Say Blister Beetle)
	+ Lytta scitula
	+ Lytta scituloides
	+ Lytta sonorae
	+ Lytta stygica
	+ Lytta sublaevis
	+ Lytta tenebrosa
	+ Lytta unguicularis
	+ Lytta variabilis
	+ Lytta vesicatoria (Spanish Fly)
	+ Lytta viridana
	+ Lytta vulnerata
Latrodectus karrooensis

***Latrodectus karrooensis*** is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae, found in South Africa. It is one of six species of *Latrodectus* found in southern Africa, four of which, including *L. karrooensis*, are known as black button or black widow spiders. Like all *Latrodectus* species, *L. karrooensis* has a neurotoxic venom. It acts on nerve endings, causing the very unpleasant symptoms of latrodectism when humans are bitten.

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Olive Sea Snake

***Aipysurus laevis*** is a species of venomous sea snake found in the Indo-Pacific. Its common names include **golden sea snake**, **olive sea snake**, and **olive-brown sea snake.**

## Description

The olive sea snake swims using a paddle-like tail. It has brownish and purple scales along the top of its body whilst its underside is a white color. It can grow up to a meter in length, and in some cases up to two meters. While it can be aggressive towards prey, attacks on divers or larger animals are usually rare, though if provoked it will engage the attacker. The snake's main predators are sharks and ospreys.

It is a common, widespread species that lives on coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. It can also be found in the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. The creature hides in small coves or protective coral areas if not hunting or surfacing to breathe. It feeds on crustaceans, fish, and fish eggs. It uses venom to incapacitate its prey. This snake in particular has venom that contains enzymes which break down the prey from within for easier digestion. The venom also affects both the muscles and nerves of the prey. The snake usually hunts in coral reef areas, searching for food via poking their head through crevices. The creature usually stays away from open water as a hunting ground.

*Aipysurus laevis* has been found to have photoreceptors in the skin of its tail, allowing it to detect light and presumably ensuring it is completely hidden, including its tail, inside coral holes during the day. While other species have not been tested, *A. laevis* possibly is not unique among sea snakes in this respect. Dermal light sensitivity is found in all the major animal phyla.

Males can reach sexual maturity in their third year, while females do not until their fourth or fifth year. Courtship usually involves a group of males vying for one female, which occurs in open water. Fertilization is internal and lasts for about nine months. Females can give birth up to five young at a time. In rare cases there can be ten or eleven young at once. Life expectancy of the snake is about fifteen years, sometimes a bit longer.

While there are not many threats to the *Aipysurus laevis,* man-made dangers do exist for it. Prawn trawls are one of the greatest threats for the creature, up to 50% of olive sea snakes caught in trawls are killed, while the ones that survive usually suffer injuries. Death from prawn trawls often comes either from drowning or being crushed.

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Indian Cobra

The **Indian cobra** (*Naja naja*) also known as the **spectacled cobra**, **Asian cobra**, or **binocellate cobra** is a species of the genus *Naja* found in the India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, and a member of the "big four" species that inflict the most snakebites on humans in India. This snake is revered in Indian mythology and culture, and is often seen with snake charmers. It is now protected in India under the *Indian Wildlife Protection Act* (1972).

## Description

The Indian cobra varies tremendously in colour and pattern throughout its range. The ventral scales or the underside colouration of this species can be grey, yellow, tan, brown, reddish or black. Dorsal scales of the Indian cobra may have a hood mark or colour patterns. The most common visible pattern is a posteriorly convex light band at the level of the 20th to 25th ventrals. Salt-and-pepper speckles, especially in adult specimens, are seen on the dorsal scales. Specimens, particularly those found in Sri Lanka may exhibit poorly defined banding on the dorsum. Ontogenetic colour change is frequently observed in specimens in the north-western parts of their geographic range (southern Pakistan and north-western India). In southern Pakistan, juvenile specimens may be grey in colour and may or may not have a hood mark. Adults on the other hand are typically uniformly black in colour on top (melanistic), while the underside, outside the throat region, is usually light. Patterns on the throat and ventral scales are also variable in this species. The majority of specimens exhibit a light throat area followed by dark banding, which can be 4–7 ventral scales wide. Adult specimens also often exhibit a significant amount of mottling on the throat and on the venter, which makes patterns on this species less clear relative to patterns seen in other species of cobra. With the exception of specimens from the north-west, there is often a pair of lateral spots on the throat where the ventral and dorsal scales meet. The positioning of these spots varies, with north-western specimens having the spots positioned more anterior, while specimens from elsewhere in their range are more posterior. Many specimens exhibit a hood mark. This hood mark is located at the rear of the Indian cobra's hood. When the hood mark is present, are two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles.

The Indian cobra is a moderately sized, heavy bodied species. This cobra species can easily be identified by its relatively large and quite impressive hood, which it expands when threatened. This species has a head which is elliptical, depressed, and very slightly distinct from neck. The snout is short and rounded with large nostrils. The eyes are medium in size and the pupils are round. The majority of adult specimens range from 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 4.9 ft) in length. Some specimens, particularly those from Sri Lanka, may grow to lengths of 2.1 to 2.2 metres (6.9 to 7.2 ft), but this is relatively uncommon.

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Sesriem Scorpion

***Hottentotta conspersus***, the **Sesriem Scorpion**, is a species of scorpion belonging to the family Buthidae.

## Description

*Hottentotta conspersus* can reach a length of 40–65 millimetres (1.6–2.6 in). Body is sparsely hirsute, with granulated mesosoma and carapace and with seventh metasomal segment. Telson is granulated and very bulbous. Chelae are very narrow. Color varies from yellow to yellowish brown. Carapace and carinae may be black. Chelicerae are yellow without reticulation.

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Scolopendridae

The **Scolopendridae** are a family of large centipedes (class Chilopoda). One member of this family is known to be amphibious.

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## Genus and Species

* Scolopendra (**95 species**)
	+ Scolopendra abnormis (Serpent Island Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra afer
	+ Scolopendra algerina
	+ Scolopendra alternans
	+ Scolopendra andhrensis
	+ Scolopendra angulata
	+ Scolopendra angusticollis
	+ Scolopendra anomia
	+ Scolopendra appendiculata
	+ Scolopendra arborea
	+ Scolopendra arenicola
	+ Scolopendra arthrorhabdoides
	+ Scolopendra attemsi
	+ Scolopendra aztecorum
	+ Scolopendra calcarata
	+ Scolopendra canidens
	+ Scolopendra cataracta (Waterfall Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra childreni
	+ Scolopendra chlora
	+ Scolopendra chlorotes
	+ Scolopendra cingulata (Megarian Banded Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra clavipes
	+ Scolopendra concolor
	+ Scolopendra crassa
	+ Scolopendra cretica
	+ Scolopendra cribrifera
	+ Scolopendra crudelis
	+ Scolopendra dalmatica
	+ Scolopendra dawydoffi
	+ Scolopendra dehaani
	+ Scolopendra ellorensis
	+ Scolopendra fissispina
	+ Scolopendra foveolata
	+ Scolopendra galapagoensis
	+ Scolopendra gigantea (Peruvian Giant Yellow-leg Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra gracillima
	+ Scolopendra hainanum
	+ Scolopendra hardwickei (Indian Tiger Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra hermosa
	+ Scolopendra heros (Giant Desert Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra horrida
	+ Scolopendra inaequidens
	+ Scolopendra indiae
	+ Scolopendra indica
	+ Scolopendra inermipes
	+ Scolopendra inermis
	+ Scolopendra jangii
	+ Scolopendra japonica
	+ Scolopendra koreana
	+ Scolopendra labiata
	+ Scolopendra laeta
	+ Scolopendra langi
	+ Scolopendra latro
	+ Scolopendra limicolor
	+ Scolopendra lucasii
	+ Scolopendra lutea
	+ Scolopendra madagascariensis
	+ Scolopendra malkini
	+ Scolopendra mazbii
	+ Scolopendra media
	+ Scolopendra melionii
	+ Scolopendra metuenda
	+ Scolopendra michoacana
	+ Scolopendra mima
	+ Scolopendra mirabilis
	+ Scolopendra monticola
	+ Scolopendra morsitans (Tanzanian Blue Ringleg)
	+ Scolopendra multidens
	+ Scolopendra negrocapitis
	+ Scolopendra nuda
	+ Scolopendra occidentalis
	+ Scolopendra octodentata
	+ Scolopendra oraniensis
	+ Scolopendra pachygnatha
	+ Scolopendra paranuda
	+ Scolopendra pentagramma
	+ Scolopendra pinguis
	+ Scolopendra polymorpha (Common Desert Centipede)
	+ Scolopendra pomacea
	+ Scolopendra puncticeps
	+ Scolopendra punensis
	+ Scolopendra robusta
	+ Scolopendra sanatillae
	+ Scolopendra silhetensis
	+ Scolopendra spinipriva
	+ Scolopendra spinosissima
	+ Scolopendra subspinipes (Chinese Red Head)
	+ Scolopendra sumichrasti
	+ Scolopendra tenuitarsis
	+ Scolopendra valida
	+ Scolopendra violacea
	+ Scolopendra viridicornis
	+ Scolopendra viridipes
	+ Scolopendra viridis
	+ Scolopendra zuluana
Lethocerus americanus

***Lethocerus americanus*** is a giant water bug in the family Belostomatidae, native to southern Canada and the United States (north of 35°N; other *Lethocerus*species are found southwards). It typically has a length around 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in). It was originally classified as a species in genus *Belostoma*.

## Description

Commonly found in ponds, marshes, and on the edges of lakes and slow-moving streams, adults and larvae feed on other insects, small crustaceans (crabs/crayfish), tadpoles, snails, and small fish. The adult swims with the aid of its hind legs. A pair of front fore limbs is used for capturing and latching onto its intended prey, which it then injects with digestive toxins through a somewhat retractable proboscis much like that of a mosquito. *L. americanus* tends to let its prey digest for 10–15 minutes before eating. Multiple *L. americanus* bugs have been seen to hunt and then share the same prey animal. Under water, the adult breathes air that it traps under its wings using two snorkel-like tubes that extend from the rear of its abdomen.

Commonly known as "toe biter", *L. americanus* may deliver a painful bite if handled or disturbed. However, it prefers to avoid humans rather than engage them whenever possible. If disturbed in the water, the speed of *L. americanus* allows it to quickly break away while its natural camouflage easily conceals it. Even if agitated on dry land, *L. americanus* will first attempt to escape or play dead before raising its fore limbs and hind quarters in what resembles a fighting stance. If agitation continues, *L. americanus* will use its fore limbs to latch onto the source of the agitation and attempt to deliver a painful bite. Also known as the "electric-light bug", it may be attracted by electric lights while flying at night. *L. americanus* is differentiated from a similar insect, *Benacus griseus*, by grooves found on its fore femora to accommodate the tibiae when folded tightly.

Eggs are laid on vegetation located at the water's edge and may be guarded by an adult. The young nymphs then hatch about two weeks later. Adult females will alternate between feeding and mating, laying about 150 or more eggs in their lifetime. However, few nymphs survive to maturity due to cannibalism and other predators. Adults die over winter.

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Philippine Cobra

The **Philippine cobra** (*Naja philippinensis*) also called **northern Philippine cobra**, is a stocky, highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to the northern regions of the Philippines. The Philippine cobra is called ***ulupong*** in Tagalog, ***carasaen*** in Ilocano and ***agawason*** in Cebuano-Bisaya.

## Description

The Philippine cobra is a stocky snake of medium length with long cervical ribs capable of expanding, so when threatened, a hood can be formed. The average length of this species is 1.0 metre (3.3 ft). The species can grow to lengths of 1.6 metres (5.2 ft) However, subpopulations of the species, particularly specimens from Mindoro Island, are said to attain lengths of 2 metres (6.6 ft), but these are unconfirmed claims. If true, however, 2 m would be very rare and would be considered the absolute maximum for this species. The head is elliptical, depressed, slightly distinct from neck with a short, rounded snout and large nostrils. The eyes are moderate in size with dark brown and round pupils, typical of other cobra species and similar to other elapids in general. It has a fairly stocky build for an elapid, and adult snakes are uniformly light to medium brown, while the juveniles tend to be a darker brown in color. They have 23-27 scale rows around the neck and 21 just above the middle part of the body; 182-193 ventrals, 36-49 subcaudals, and basal pairs are sometimes undivided.

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Malapteruridae (Electric Catfish)

**Electric catfish** is the common name for the catfish (order Siluriformes) family **Malapteruridae**. This family includes two genera, *Malapterurus* and *Paradoxoglanis* with 21 species. Several species of this family have the ability to produce an electric shock of up to 350 volts using electroplaques of an electric organ. Electric catfish are found in tropical Africa and the Nile River. Electric catfish are usually nocturnal and carnivorous. Some species feed primarily on other fish, incapacitating their prey with electric discharges, but others are generalist bottom forager, feeding on things like invertebrates, fish eggs and detritus. The largest can grow to about 1.2 m (4 ft) long, but most species are far smaller.

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## Genus and Species

* Malapterurus
	+ M. electricus
Japanese Cockroach

The **Japanese cockroach** (*Periplaneta japonica*), also known as the **Yamato cockroach**, is a cockroach native to Japan, adapted to cooler northern climates. It has a flexible univoltine or semivoltine (one- or two-year) lifecycle, depending on the timing of its hatching, and is unusual in being able to spend two winters as diapausenymphs before reaching maturity.

## Description

Initial first-instar nymphs are dark brown, with white or brownish white tips of the maxillary and labial palps. Adults measure 25–35 mm in length, and have a shiny, uniformly black to blackish-brown body, with brown tarsi and maxillary and labial palps. The adult male's wings extend slightly beyond the body's length, while the female's wings are around half the body's length.

Unlike most cockroaches, the major hydrocarbon in *P. japonica*’s cuticular lipids is cis-9-nonacosene. Males have significant amounts of cis-9-heptacosene not found on females. Glucose, myo-inositol, scyllo-inositol and trehalose were found in overwintering nymphs and are thought to be a factor in their freeze tolerance.

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Hippopotamidae (Hippopotamuses)

**Hippopotamuses** are stout, naked-skinned, and amphibious artiodactyl mammals, possessing three-chambered stomachs and walking on four toes on each foot. While they resemble pigs physiologically and are pseudoruminants like camels, their closest living relatives are the cetaceans. Hippopotamuses are the only living members of the family **Hippopotamidae**.

There are two living species of hippopotamus in two genera; the pygmy hippo, *Choeropsis liberiensis* of the forests of west Africa, and the common hippo, *Hippopotamus amphibius*.

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## Genus and Species

* Hippopotamus
	+ H. amphibius (Common Hippopotamus)
Salticidae (Jumping Spiders)

The **jumping spider** family (**Salticidae**) contains over 600 described genera and more than 5800 described species, making it the largest family of spiders with about 13% of all species. Jumping spiders have some of the best vision among arthropods and use it in courtship, hunting, and navigation. Although they normally move unobtrusively and fairly slowly, most species are capable of very agile jumps, notably when hunting, but sometimes in response to sudden threats or crossing long gaps. Both their book lungs and tracheal system are well-developed, and they use both systems (bimodal breathing). Jumping spiders are generally recognized by their eye pattern. All jumping spiders have four pairs of eyes, with the anterior median pair being particularly large.

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## Genus and Species

* Maratus (**70 species**)
	+ Maratus albus
	+ Maratus amabilis
	+ Maratus anomaliformis
	+ Maratus anomalus
	+ Maratus australis
	+ Maratus avibus
	+ Maratus bitaeniatus
	+ Maratus bubo
	+ Maratus caeruleus
	+ Maratus calcitrans
	+ Maratus chlorophthalmus
	+ Maratus chrysomelas
	+ Maratus clupeatus
	+ Maratus dialeucus
	+ Maratus digitatus
	+ Maratus elephans
	+ Maratus eliasi
	+ Maratus fimbriatus
	+ Maratus furvus
	+ Maratus griseus
	+ Maratus harrisi
	+ Maratus heteropogon
	+ Maratus hortorum
	+ Maratus jactatus
	+ Maratus julianneae
	+ Maratus karri
	+ Maratus karschi
	+ Maratus kiwirrkurra
	+ Maratus kochi
	+ Maratus leo
	+ Maratus licunxini
	+ Maratus linnaei
	+ Maratus literatus
	+ Maratus lobatus
	+ Maratus madelineae
	+ Maratus maritimus
	+ Maratus melindae
	+ Maratus michaelorum
	+ Maratus michaelseni
	+ Maratus montanus
	+ Maratus mungaich
	+ Maratus nigriceps
	+ Maratus nigromaculatus
	+ Maratus obscurior
	+ Maratus ottoi
	+ Maratus pardus
	+ Maratus pavonis
	+ Maratus personatus
	+ Maratus piliger
	+ Maratus pilosus
	+ Maratus plumosus
	+ Maratus proszynskii
	+ Maratus purcellae
	+ Maratus rainbowi
	+ Maratus robinsoni
	+ Maratus sarahae
	+ Maratus sceletus
	+ Maratus scutulatus
	+ Maratus speciosus (Coastal Peacock Spider)
	+ Maratus speculifer
	+ Maratus spicatus
	+ Maratus tasmanicus
	+ Maratus tessellatus
	+ Maratus velutinus
	+ Maratus vespa
	+ Maratus vespertilio
	+ Maratus vittatus
	+ Maratus volans
	+ Maratus vultus
	+ Maratus watagansi
Haemadipsidae (Jawed Land Leeches)

**Haemadipsidae** (From Latin "haima" and "dipsa" ("blood" and "thirst", respectively)) are a family of "jawed leeches". Some are classed as monophyletic group of hirudiniform proboscisless leeches. These leeches have five pairs of eyes, with the last two separated by two eyeless segments. Most have two jaws, but some have three. The family is monotypic, containing only the subfamily **Haemadipsinae**, though as the family can apparently be divided into two or three distinct lineages, at least one of the proposed splits, while not a distinct family, might be a valid subfamily.

Commonly known as **jawed land leeches**, these annelids are known from subtropical and tropical regions around the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Well-known Haemadipsidae are for example the Indian Leech (*Haemadipsa sylvestris*) and the *yamabiru* or Japanese Mountain Leech (*Haemadipsa zeylanica*). Members of the family feed on blood, except *Idiobdella* which has adapted to eat small snails. The other notable group of jawed blood-sucking leeches are the aquatic Hirudinidae. The Xerobdellidae are sometimes included in the Haemadipsidae, but their status as a distinct family is supported by sequence analysis of the nuclear 18S and 28S rDNA and mitochondrial COI genes as well as the anatomy of their sexual organs and nephridia; the latter are located at the belly rather than along the body sides as in the Haemadipsidae proper. All Xerobdellidae have three jaws.

Haemadipsidae probably originate in the Triassic, more than 150 million years ago (mya). The diversification of the large Asian genus *Haemadipsa* probably did not take place until the Eocene, about 50 mya.

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## Genus and Species

* Haemadipsa (**16 species**)
	+ Haemadipsa cavatuses
	+ Haemadipsa cochiniana
	+ Haemadipsa crenata
	+ Haemadipsa hainana
	+ Haemadipsa interrupta
	+ Haemadipsa japonica
	+ Haemadipsa limuna
	+ Haemadipsa moorei
	+ Haemadipsa montana
	+ Haemadipsa ornata
	+ Haemadipsa picta (Tiger Leech)
	+ Haemadipsa rjukjuana
	+ Haemadipsa sumatrana
	+ Haemadipsa sylvestris (Indian Leech)
	+ Haemadipsa trimaculosa
	+ Haemadipsa zeylanica (Japanese Mountain Leech)
Mastigoproctus colombianus

***Mastigoproctus colombianus*** is a whip scorpion species found in Colombia, South America, near west deserts areas.

## Description

*Mastigoproctus colombianus* range from 45 to 65 millimetres (1.8 to 2.6 in) in length. Color brown and red-end legs.

Like the related orders Schizomida, Amblypygi and Solifugae, uropygids use only six legs for walking, having modified their first two legs to serve as antennae-like sensory organs. Whip scorpions have no venom glands, but they do have glands near the rear of their abdomen that can spray a combination of acetic acid and octanoic acid when they are bothered. The acetic acid gives this spray a vinegar-like smell, giving rise to the common name *vinegaroon*.

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Iberian Ribbed Newt

The **Iberian ribbed newt** or **Spanish ribbed newt** (*Pleurodeles waltl*) is a newt endemic to the central and southern Iberian Peninsula and Morocco. It is the largest European newt species and it is also known for its sharp ribs which can puncture through its sides, and as such is also called the sharp-ribbed newt. This species should not be confused with the different species with similar common name, the Iberian newt (*Lissotriton boscai*).

## Description

The Iberian ribbed newt has tubercles running down each side. Through these, its sharp ribs can puncture. The ribs act as a defense mechanism, causing little harm to the newt. This mechanism could be considered as a primitive and rudimentary system of envenomation, but is completely harmless to humans. At the same time as pushing its ribs out the newt begins to secrete poison from special glands on its body. The poison coated ribs create a highly effective stinging mechanism, injecting toxins through the thin skin in predator’s mouths. The newt’s effective immune system and collagen coated ribs mean the pierced skin quickly regrows without infection.

In the wild, this amphibian grows up to 30 cm (12 in), but rarely more than 20 cm (7.9 in) in captivity. Its color is dark gray dorsally, and lighter gray on its ventral side, with rust-colored small spots where its ribs can protrude. This newt has a flat, spade-shaped head and a long tail, which is about half its body length. Males are more slender and usually smaller than females. The larvae have bushy external gills and usually paler color patterns than the adults.

*P. waltl* is more aquatic-dwelling than many other European tailed amphibians. Though they are quite able to walk on land, most rarely leave the water, living usually in ponds, cisterns, and ancient village wells that were common in Portugal and Spain in the past. They prefer cool, quiet, and deep waters, where they feed on insects, worms, and tadpoles.

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Sand Tiger Shark

The **sand tiger shark** (*Carcharias taurus*), **grey nurse shark**, **spotted ragged-tooth shark**, or **blue-nurse sand tiger** is a species of shark that inhabits subtropical and temperate waters worldwide. It inhabits the continental shelf, from sandy shorelines (hence the name sand tiger shark) and submerged reefs to a depth of around 191 m (627 ft). They dwell in the waters of Japan, Australia, South Africa, the Mediterranean and the east coasts of North and South America. Despite its name, it is not related to the tiger shark *Galeocerdo cuvier*; however, it is a cousin of the great white shark *Carcharodon carcharias*.

Despite its fearsome appearance and strong swimming ability, it is a relatively placid and slow-moving shark with no confirmed human fatalities. This species has a sharp, pointy head, and a bulky body. The sand tiger's length can reach 3.2 m (10.5 ft). They are grey with reddish-brown spots on their backs. Shivers (groups) have been observed to hunt large schools of fish. Their diet consists of bony fish, crustaceans, squid, skates and other sharks. Unlike other sharks, the sand tiger can gulp air from the surface, allowing it to be suspended in the water column with minimal effort. During pregnancy, the most developed embryo will feed on its siblings, a reproductive strategy known as intrauterine cannibalism i.e. "embryophagy" or, more colorfully, adelphophagy — literally "eating one's brother". The sand tiger is categorized as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. It is the most widely kept large shark in public aquariums owing to its tolerance for captivity.

## Description

Adult sand tigers range from 2 m (6.6 ft) to 3.2 m (10.5 ft) in length and 91 kg (200.6 lb) to 159 kg (350.5 lb) in weight. The head is pointy, as opposed to round, while the snout is flattened with a conical shape. Its body is stout and bulky and its mouth extends beyond the eyes. The eyes of the sand tiger shark are small, lacking eyelids. A sand tiger usually swims with its mouth open displaying three rows of protruding, smooth-edged, sharp-pointed teeth. The males have grey claspers with white tips located on the underside of their body. The caudal fin is elongated with a long upper lobe (i.e. strongly heterocercal). They have two large, broad-based grey dorsal fins set back beyond the pectoral fins. The sand tiger shark has a grey-brown back and pale underside. Adults tend to have reddish-brown spots scattered, mostly on the hind part of the body. In August 2007, an albino specimen was photographed off South West Rocks, Australia. The teeth of these sharks have no transverse serrations (as have many other sharks) but they have a large, smooth main cusp with a tiny cusplet on each side of the main cusp. The upper front teeth are separated from the teeth on the side of the mouth by small intermediate teeth.

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Scyphozoa (True Jellyfish)

The **Scyphozoa** are an exclusively marine class of the phylum Cnidaria, referred to as the **true jellyfish** (or "true jellies"). It may include the extinct fossil group the Conulariida, whose affinities are uncertain and widely debated.

The class name Scyphozoa comes from the Greek word *skyphos* (σκύφος), denoting a kind of drinking cup and alluding to the cup shape of the organism.

Scyphozoans have existed from the earliest Cambrian to the present.

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Ommastrephidae

**Ommastrephidae** is a family of squid containing three subfamilies, 11 genera, and over 20 species. They are widely distributed globally and are extensively fished for food. One species, *Todarodes pacificus*, comprises around half of the world's cephalopod catch annually.

Some members of Ommastrephidae (volplaning species) are known to have the ability to glide out of water, earning them the common name of "flying squid".

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## Genus and Species

* Dosidicus
	+ D. gigas (Humboldt Squid)
Psittacidae

The family **Psittacidae** is one of three families of true parrots. It comprises the rough 10 species of subfamily Psittacinae (the Old World or Afrotropical parrots) and 157 of subfamily Arinae (the New World or Neotropical parrots), as well as several species that have gone extinct in recent centuries. Some of the most iconic birds in the world are represented here, such as the blue-and-gold macaw among the New World parrots and the African grey parrot among the Old World parrots. These parrots are found in tropical and subtropical zones and inhabit Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean islands, sub-Saharan Africa, and the island of Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. Two parrots, one extinct, formerly inhabited North America.

This family probably had its origin early in the Paleogene period (66–23 Mya) after the western half of Gondwana had separated into the continents of Africa and South America, before the divergence of African and New World lineages around 30–35 Mya. The New World parrots, and by implication Old World parrots, last shared a common ancestor with the Australian parrots of Cacatuidae an estimated 59 Mya.[4] The data place most of the diversification of psittaciforms around 40 Mya, after the separation of Australia from West Antarctica and South America. Divergence of the Psittacidae from the ancestral parrots resulted from a common radiation event from what was then West Antarctica into South America then Africa via late Cretaceous land bridges that survived through the Paleogene.

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## Genus and Species

* Amazona
	+ A. aestiva (Turquoise-fronted Amazon)
King Cobra

The **king cobra** (*Ophiophagus hannah*), also known as the **hamadryad**, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae, endemic to forests from India through Southeast Asia. This serpent is the world's longest venomous snake. Adult king cobras are 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) long. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft). Despite the word "cobra" in its common name, this species does not belong to genus *Naja* but is the sole member of its own. It preys chiefly on other snakes and occasionally on some other vertebrates, such as lizards and rodents. It is a dangerous snake that has a fearsome reputation in its range, although it typically avoids confrontation with humans when possible. The king cobra is a prominent symbol in the mythology and folk traditions of Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It is the national reptile of India.

## Description

The skin of king cobra is dark olive or brown with black bands and white or yellow crossbands. The head is black with two crossbars near the snout and two behind the eyes. Adult king cobras are 3.18 to 4 m (10.4 to 13.1 ft) long. The longest known individual measured 5.85 m (19.2 ft). Its belly is cream or pale yellow. It has 17 to 19 rows of smooth scales. Ventral scales are uniformly oval shaped. Dorsal scales are placed in an oblique arrangement. Males have 235 to 250 ventral scales, while females have 239 to 265. The subcaudal scales are single or paired in each row, numbering 83 to 96 in males and 77 to 98 in females.

Juveniles are shiny black with narrow yellow bands (can be mistaken for a banded krait, but readily identified with its expandable hood). The head of a mature snake can be quite massive and bulky in appearance, though like all snakes, it can expand its jaws to swallow large prey items. It has proteroglyph dentition, meaning it has two short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth, which channel venom into the prey like hypodermic needles. The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years.

King cobras are sexually dimorphic in size, with males reaching larger sizes than females, which is an unusual trait among snakes whose females are usually larger than males. The length and mass of the snakes highly depend on their localities and some other factors.

The king cobra typically weighs about 6 kg (13 lb). The longest known specimen was a captive one at the London Zoo, and grew to around 18.5 to 18.8 ft (5.6 to 5.7 m) before being euthanised upon the outbreak of World War II. The heaviest wild specimen was caught at Royal Island Club in Singapore in 1951, which weighed 12 kg (26 lb) and measured 4.8 m (15.7 ft), though an even heavier captive specimen was kept at New York Zoological Park and was measured as 12.7 kg (28 lb) at 4.4 m (14.4 ft) long in 1972. Some viper species, such as the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the Gaboon viper, often much shorter in length but bulkier in build, rival the king cobra in average weight.

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Strigiformes (Owls)

**Owls** are birds from the order **Strigiformes**, which includes about 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers adapted for silent flight. Exceptions include the diurnal northern hawk-owl and the gregarious burrowing owl.

Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish. They are found in all regions of the Earth except Antarctica and some remote islands.

Owls are divided into two families: the true (or typical) owl family, Strigidae, and the barn-owl family, Tytonidae.

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