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Boyd’s Forest Dragons Hypsilurus boydii are endemic to the rainforests of Australia’s Wet Tropics. They can reach a total length of 54 cm and may live to thirty years. They prefer the vertical surface of a tree-trunk, (more…)
Pythons (particularly the Amethystine Morelia amethistina) are well equipped with facial heat-receptor pits. They hunt nocturnally (more…)
Any day now, the rainforests of the Daintree will resound of the arrival of the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher Tanysiptera sylvia.
They are very punctual, (more…)
The outer-wing coverings (tegmina) of the Snub-nosed Katydid (Mastigaphoides sp.) are remarkably leaf-like, even to the extent of the centrally prominent vein and subordinate branches. They blend splendidly within rainforest foliage and are found most easily at night, after summer rains, when singing.
Such a marvellous design, but to what extent do we over-interpret the convergence of design (more…)
If this spectacular moth had a common name it would almost certainly be the Night Citrus Swallowtail. Previously known as Nyctalemon patroclus, it has since been re-affirmed as (more…)
Lichen Spiders (Pandercetes gracilis) blend superbly with the surface characteristics of their tree. They remain strategically hidden from predatory birds and simultaneously well-positioned to ambush unsuspecting insects. (more…)
Introducing the Spiny-legged Rainforest Katydid (Phricta spinosa), known colloquially as the wait-a-while cricket. It is a cryptic rainforest species with a lichen-like camouflaged colour pattern. It can grow to about 100 mm in body length. (more…)
Introducing another inhabitant of the Daintree rainforest, the Ogre-faced or Net-casting Spider Deinopsis subrufa is cryptically discrete in shades of brown and grey, but once detected is recognizable by its enormous posterior median eyes and 40mm long body. (more…)
I was just out photographing cycad cones for a new entry, when I happened upon this bizarre creature. It would appear to have eight legs, with the forelegs raised completely over the animal, presumably in an expression of defense. The noodle-like embellishments on the ventral surface of these legs (more…)
Confined to tropical Northern Queensland rainforests, between Cooktown and Townsville, Orange-thighed Tree Frogs (Litoria xanthomera) live in the upper-canopy and descend to the ground only to breed. Emerging only after heavy rains, these beautiful tree frogs (more…)