These are Magpies? You’re Kidding, Right?

No, we’re not.  There are a number of magpie species which confound the notion that the whole lot of them are black and white.  They come in a number of different colors. Yet, despite this gorgeous plumage they still seem to be rather thuggish members of the bird world, robbing nests and eating chicks and so on.  Our sibling site , the Ark in Space, has the lowdown on these quite different (appearance wise at least) species of magpies.

The Amazing Gecko: 20 Interesting Facts about the World’s Most Species-Rich Lizard

The gecko is an extraordinary lizard, a triumph of both adaptation and diversity. Out of the 5,600 species of lizard on the planet, over 1,500 belong to the gecko infraorder called Gekkota. So, what is so interesting about a line of lizards which is, apparently, so ubiquitous? The Ark in Space today has 20 interesting facts about the gecko, as well as some amazing pictures of 30 gecko species that you may not have come across before.

The pictures are not as frivolous as the one above, but they shed light on gecko species I had never heard of, some of which have marvelous names.  Gold Dust Day Gecko anyone? No? Then what about the Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko? More over at the Ark in Space.

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Secretive Supersize Squirrel on Steroids

The Indian Giant Squirrel is something else - it is far larger than the European and North American squirrels for a start - it makes them look like Oompa-Loompas for a start! However, if you are averse to squirrels you need not worry too much - they live in India and so they are unlikely to spring at you from the trees any time soon (plus they are vegetarians anyway!).

Nevertheless, their size is quite remarkable - one can only wonder how the trees take their weight as they leap up to twenty meters between the branches. You can get the low down on these amazing beasts over at our sibling site, The Ark In Space.

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The Sublime Swallowtail Butterfly

A tiger swallowtail butterfly springs from a buddleia (often known as the butterfly bush).  Its beauty is simply breath-taking and it doesn’t end with the tiger.  The swallowtail is a family that includes over 500 species. Our sibling site, the Ark in Space has a feature on ten of the most spectacular.  If you are feeling a little jaded today then why not take a look – it may even restore your sense of wonder!

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The Trogon: Beautiful Nibblers of the Forest

The Trogon – it sounds like a species of alien out of Star Trek or Doctor Who. However, this family of somewhat overlooked birds has its roots very firmly on planet Earth and the Ark in Space has a great photo feature on them today. These exquisite birds are well worth a look.

Part of the Trogonidae family contains six species which are considered the most beautiful – if not the most unusual – in the family. These are the Quetzals – you can see one in the picture above.Jump over to our sibling site, the Ark in Space, for a glimpse of ten of the 39 species of trogon.

Image Credit Flickr User Brettocop

The Tree-Kangaroo: Marsupial Climber Extraordinaire

There is cute and then there is just unspeakably, adorably cute.  This extremely photogenic guy is the tree-kangaroo, a native of both Australia and New Guinea. At one point in their evolutionary history, this branch (see what I did there?) of marsupials decided to go back whence they came – to the trees.  And there they persist, although all species of tree-kangaroos are sadly endangered.  The Ark in Space has their story together with some great photographs.

Image Credit the pitcher

Galapagos Giant Tortoise Bounces Back from Extinction

Many thought that the days of the Galapagos Giant Tortoise were gone.  On one island of the Galapagos, Espanola, there were only fourteen left. These were evacuated in the 1970s and a breeding program was started on nearby Santa Cruz.  Although things looked bleak for the species there are now over 1,000 giants back on Espanola – plus they have started to breed there too! The Ark in Space has this heart-warming story about how these once lonesome creatures aren't so lonesome anymore, including some great pictures of the giant tortoises.

Image Credit Flickr User Kath B

Hummingbirds in Flight

Nothing can quite prepare you for the exquisite sight of a hummingbird on the wing. Nature has truly spoiled us with this astonishing spectacle. Take a look over on Ark in Space as ten different species take flight in their search for food and marvel at the aerodynamics of one of the world's truly astonishing species.

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Planet Lemur: 10 Beautiful Little-Known Species

Image Credit Flickr User gripso banana prune

Most people have heard of the Ring-tailed Lemur and might suppose that it is the only species. However, there are many varieties of Lemur, a lot of which are beautiful and incredibly rare. The Ark in Space takes a look in to the planet of the lemurs and discovers the wonderful diversity of this lesser known family of animals.

Neozoon Guerrilla Street Art is Food Fur Thought

Image Credit FLickr User gildas_f

Take a collective of female street artists, an opposition to the trade and wearing of fur, a glut of old discarded fur coats and what do you get?  One answer is Neozoon, a Paris/Berlin based group who create wall art using the unwanted articles of clothing to startling effect.

Image Credit Flickr User Basspunk

Image Credit flickr User urbanartcore.eu

The collective began with simple silhouettes but quickly began exploring the possibilities presented by creating their art in three dimensions.  Place them on walls, trees and generally in front of the faces of the human population of urban environments and a juxtaposition, not without irony or humor, emerges.

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Image Credit Flickr User basspunk

The irony, of course, is that the animals whence came this fur are long dead, but revivify in the form of this art – and generally it could be said that they seem to be having a lot more fun than the human denizens of these urban jungles.

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

One of the finer purposes of art is to encourage and stimulate thought around issues. Those against fur had their heyday (one could say) in the recruitment of various supermodels to the cause but that day has gone, with some of the models turning their back on their former principles.  As ideas can be discarded, so can clothing and the Neozoon work makes a singular point about how we relate to and treat other species.

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Image Credit FLickr User Neozoon

Yet other ideas, bathed in the warm waters of imagination, can take hold, flourish and evolve.  Neozoon’s initial project took the shapes of animals and juxtaposed them against urban landscapes with the old fur the final touch.  Berlin has as its symbol the bear – and so the German capital had its own ursine visitation.  Everywhere, animals leap, bound - and sometimes collide.

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Paris has its old slaughterhouse near Parc de la Villette, so lambs took to congregating around it, perhaps in silent vigil for their murdered forbears.  That these pelts were once living and breathing adds to the provocation of thought that the art demands. The old Ostral abattoir in Dresden has its own black sheep too.

 Image Credit Neozoon

BAH BAH BLACKSHEEP from Neozoon Collective on Vimeo.

Image Credit Neozoon

Then came a new species – Pellicusia urbana, otherwise known as the non-toed fur-coatie.  Evolution is not necessarily confined to living species.

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

The addition of moving machinery within the pelts gives an eerie impression of a living being.


They are missing vital body parts (such as their non toes) and these creatures make their appearances near parks and playgrounds, occasionally with accompanying signs.  Of course, before they can be seen in public, some intense rehabilitation and group therapy is needed first...

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Image Credit Flickr User Neozooon

Neozoon’s work is simultaneously witty, sometimes comical but always eye-catching.  Yet added to this is an unease that this art is produced from the pelts skinned from dead animals which were killed for that one and only reason.   It makes people think and as Emerson once said, the ancestor of every action is a thought.  And thought is liberating.

Image Credit Flickr User Neozoon

Acknowledgements
Kuriositas would like to thank Urbanartcore.eu for their kind permission to reproduce their images here.  However, we would especially like to thank the Neozoon Collective for allowing us to use their photographs and videos in this piece.  Please visit their website for more information on their projects.