Magisterial. The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, modified by Reddit users Put_It_All_On_Red and photosonny. (via @craigmod)

aussiegall

Handcuffs, spikes, and traps—you would think they were part of some bondage aficionado’s bedroom collection. But what are they doing in the insect world?

A new study I worked on sheds light on why some bushcrickets—usually gentle creatures—get pretty violent when it comes to sex. In the process, the study helps to settle a decades-old debate about these insects' odd mating habits.

In just a few species of bushcrickets, scattered across the evolutionary tree, we found that males have evolved horrific-looking clasping devices near their genitals. They use them to hold females down for as long as possible after sex is done—that is, after they have transferred all their sperm. This results in long mating sessions, up to seven hours in some cases.

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murderotic:

Iori Tomita - New World Transparent Specimens (2005-)

Fisherman-turned-artist in Yokohama City, Japan, Tomita creates art using the skeletons of various dead marine specimens, which he preserves and then colors with bright shades of dye.

The process strips down each creature to the toughest parts of its remains and Tomita has dyed more than 5,000 dead creatures since 2005, which is amazing, considering each piece takes at least a few weeks to complete, and some up to a year.

"Although these are just transparent specimens, they’re filled with the drama of organisms which I have so much love for. I want people to enjoy the beauty of life, treat life with respect and understand that there is drama happening that is not centered on themselves when they look at the specimens. These specimens which you see here are actually animals that have died for some some reason or whose carcasses were discarded from pet shops or fishermen. I use those animals which passed away and repurpose them."

Clearly amazing.

I’m pretty sure I remember looking at the lock and seeing myself turn the key. Or was that yesterday?

hello small feathered things i am a baby elephant it is nice to meet you may we shake noses?

Animuhls (like kids) can do the darndest things. Sometimes, if you’re a great photographer (like these folks as seen on My Modern Met) you can get a terrific shot by just being in the right place at the right time. Talent and a great camera helps, of course!

These were a part of The Mammal Society’s Photographer of the Year competition earlier this year. (The 2014 competition is now open.) Individual photo creditos in the hovers.

First Place Winner: Jumping Rat

Second Place Winner: Licking Fox

3rd Place Winner: Wood Mouse with Blackberry

Gray Seals Laughing

Leaping Squirrel