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Main image by unknown (found searching for 'Halloween question mark image' and has a dead link)

Main Photo by paulhypnos

Meet the deeply fabulous Blue Glaucus, or Glaucus atlanticus... aka Blue Dragon, Sea Swallow, Blue Angel, Blue Sea Slug, Blue Ocean Slug and Lizard Nudibranch!

Photo by Atli Arnarson

They free float (upside down) and drift in currents by swallowing air bubbles and storing them in a gas-filled sac to maintain buoyancy!

As they drift in the ocean currents they are vulnerable to being washed up on beaches after storms...

Photo by M Hooper

Photo by csm2mk RTW

They are found in temperate and tropical ocean waters worldwide, specifically the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans! Although they have been found east and south coasts of South Africa, in European waters, near Mozambique, and off Australia’s east coast.

It's beautiful colouring help them to camouflage with the ocean and sky!

Their body has a form of coloration known as countershading. The dorsal side (facing downward) is silvery grey, camouflaging it against the seas bright surface. While the ventral area (facing upwards) is dark and pale blue, and its head is covered with dark blue stripes, camouflaging against the seas blue colour!

Photo found here

This combination of colours and the countershading on its body gives it protection from predators above and below!

They grow to around 3cm when mature, and live between 1 month to up to a year!

Always a good idea to handle a poisonous creature!

Photo by Zekoo1

Their bodies are flattened, and tapered and sport six appendages that branch out into 84 finger-like cerata.

Photo by Sylke Rohrlach

They are voracious predators, their favoured prey is the Portuguese man o’ war. This looks like a jellyfish, but is actually a cnidarian and has numerous stinging cells (nematocysts) in its tentacles

Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis Photo by Helene Hoffman

They transfer undigested nematocysts (stinging cells) from their prey to the cerata to use them to sting when hunting, or if it feels threatened!

Sexual reproduction could be problematic for a creature with a deadly sting....Fortunately, they have long, curved S-shape bends in their penises to avoid injury!

Blue Glaucus Party!!

Photo found here

They lay strings of 12-20 eggs, which they deposit on the carcasses of their prey, or left on any other floating mass they encounter!

Photo by Todd Aki

As well as the Portuguese man o' war, they will also eat by-the-wind-sailor velella, the Blue Button, and the violet snail.... as well as each other!

Porpita porpita- Blue Button Photo by paulhypnos

Stalking a Blue Button....

Photo by paulhypnos

Apart from cannibalism, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle is one of the main predators of the Blue Glaucus.

Dinner......

Photo by J_turner6

Info via American Ocean and Treehugger

Main image, by Eoperipatus sumatranus, Mok Youn Fai

Above, Peripatus sp, by Susan Myers

There are around 180 species of Velvet Worm

Above, A selection of velvet worm species from Australia. Original photographs by Jenny Norman, Noel Tait and Paul Sunnucks, from here

They live in moist, dark places in the tropics, as well as Australia and New Zealand

Above, Velvet worm (Peripatoides novaezealandiae), by Frupus

Velvet Worms have changed little in the last 500 million years with fossils of marine versions being found from Cambrian Era rocks (Burgess Shale, Canada 505 years ago, and the Chengjiang formation, China (520 million years ago))

Above, Euperipatoides sp, by Edward Evans

They have hydrostatic skeletons, comprised of muscle layers and the body wall. It's body cavity is filled with fluid, which is pressurised and keeps the body rigid!

Above, Peripatus sp, by Paul

They move by alternating the internal fluid pressure in its limbs as they extend and contract along its body!

Their skin is waterproof and is covered with papillae- tiny protrusions with bristles which are sensitive to touch and smell!

Above, Velvet worm (Eoperipatus sp.) by Nicky Bay

The papillae are composed of overlapping scales, which gives the Velvet Worm its velvety appearance!

Above, Skin of Euperipatoides rowelli, by Andras Keszei

Their feet are described as conical, baggy appendages. At the end of each foot is a hooked claw made of chitin, the Velvet Worms scientific name is Onychophora, meaning 'claw bearers'

Above, Onychophoran legs and claws, by alexselemba

Above, Onychophora, by Nicky Bay

They only use the claws on their feet when walking on uneven surfaces, they can retract these claws and use its foot cushion at the base of the claw

Depending on the species, a velvet worm can have between 13 and 43 pairs of feet. The feet are hollow, fluid-filled, and have no joints.

Above, Peripatoides novaezealandiae, by Frupus

Velvet Worm species can vary in length from 10mm long to ones in excess of 20cm

Above, velvet worm to scale, by Andras Keszei

They have a pair of sensory antennae on their heads, and small eyes. The mouth has a set of jaws, and is flanked by two papillae

Above, photo by melvyn yeo

They prefer to live in moist areas, hiding in the soil, or under rocks and rotting wood... and they like to come out at night and during wet weather

Above, Ooperipatellus species, by Simon Grove

They hunt at night for small invertebrates, and are ambush predators. They have a pair of glands on their heads near to the antennae which squirts out a sticky, quick hardening slime!

Above, Eoperipatus sumatranus? by Nicky Bay

Above, via Daily Dot

The slime ensnares their prey, allowing the Velvet Worm to inject a digestive saliva through its bite... this liquefies insides of its prey making it easier to eat! It will also eat any left over slime as it is energetically costly for it to produce

Above, by Miguel "Siu"

One species (Euperipatoides rowelli) is social! It lives in groups of up to 15 individuals, and has a strict social hierarchy with a dominant female!

Above, Velvet worms (Euperipatoides rowelli)- Captive individuals. A couple babies can be seen in this image, by Jackson Nugent

After a kill the dominant female feeds first, then the other females, the males, and finally the young... the hierarchy is strictly enforced and maintained via aggression (biting, chasing, kicking and crawling over subordinates!)

All Velvet Worms reproduce sexually except Epiperipatus imthurni which reproduces via parthenogenesis! No males have ever been found... only females!

Above photo (Epiperipatus imthurni), by Geoff Gallice

Sexual reproduction can be quite varied amongst the species of Velvet Worms.... some males will deposit their spermatophores directly into the female's genital opening. Other use a special structures on the head, whilst some use spikes, spines, or pits to either hold their sperm or transfer it to the female!

Above, Metaperipatus inae, by Art

Male Peripatopsis Velvet Worms will deposit their spermatophore on random areas of the females body. The sperm causes a small, localised breakdown of her skin, allowing the sperm to enter her body. It then migrates to her ovaries, and fertilisation takes place!

Birth can be as varied as reproduction. Some species lay eggs. Peripatopsis mothers retain eggs in their uteri and supply nourishment to their embryos, but without any placenta....Most velvet worms however, give birth to live young after a period of gestation their via a placenta. All young are born/hatch fully developed, and look like mini adults!

Above, Peripatus-sp, by Pedro Bernardo (Peripatus mothers supply nourishment to their embryos through a placenta)

Euperipatoides rowelli just "born" (not sure what the term is for oviviparous animals), still in the egg membrane it developed in inside it's mother. The egg is approximately 2mm in diameter

Above, Euperipatoides rowelli, Andras Keszei

Goodbye, Velvet Worm!

Above, Eoperipatus sp, by Nicky Bay

Info via wired and wikipedia here and here

As always my usual disclaimer.... I'm no expert, I just like learning and sharing information, any mistakes will be mine and I'll correct them if you leave a comment 👍

Main photo, Four-colour Nudibranch - Godiva quadricolor, by Rafi Amar

Godiva quadricolor is found on the South African coast from the Cape Peninsula to East London, and is an aeolid nudibranch!

Above, by Gary Cobb and David Mullin

It grows between 35-58mm in length and lives at depths up to 20 m!

Above, by Gary Cobb and David Mullin

It feeds on anemones and transfers its stinging cells to the cerata on its back giving it protection from predators....

Above, via Science Photo Library

......It will also eat other nudibranchs!

Above photo, by Guido Villani

It has also been reported from the Mediterranean, off western Australia and West Africa (although the ones found in Australia differ in colour, and may be another species)

....Here it is laying eggs!

Above, photo by Guido Villani

Info via wikipedia, here, and here!

edit- I forgot to do the image pop out thing yet again

Main image, Pikachu Nudibranch - Thecacera pacifica, by Rafi Amar

Thecacera pacifica is a species of Dorid nudibranch, It is also known as the Pikachu nudibranch!

Above, Photo by Connie Chen

It is found on the African coast of the Indian Ocean (Mozambique), Indonesia and Vanuatu. It has also been found on the Gulf of Mexico!

Above, Photo by Brian Mayes

They grow to around 2-3cm in length, and live underneath loose rock and sand!

A video of one wobbling around in the sea!

They also seem to have some variety in colour and patterning....!

Above, Photo by Francis Lau

Above, Photo by Ludovic

Info via wikipedia, and seaslugforum

edit- Once again I forgot to do the pop out image thing

Main image, While Gotham sleeps........ by Michael Gerber

RED...

Above, Pseudoceros ferrugineus, by Benjamin Naden

PINK...

Above, Protheceraeus roseus, by João Pedro Silva

YELLOW...

Above, Eurylepta sp. by Karen Honeycutt

ORANGE...

Above, Pseudoceros sp. by Rafi Amar

BLUE...

Above, Racing Stripe Flatworm - Pseudoceros liparus, by Rafi Amar

PURPLE...

Above, Linda's Flatworm - Pseudoceros lindae, by Rafi Amar

BROWN...

Above, Photo by Nick Hobgood

TRANSPARENT...

Above, Paraplanocera sp. by Rafi Amar

SALAD...

Above, Cryptic Flatworm - Pseudobiceros kryptos, by Rafi Amar

GOTH...

Above, Photo by Bettydiver

NEON...

Above, Pseudoceros dimidiatus, by Richard Ling

STARRY...

Above, Thysanozoon nigropapillosum, by Patomarazul

TRIPPY...

Above, Persian Carpet Flatworm - Pseudobiceros bedfordi, by Rafi Amar

GLITTERY...

Above, Photo by eunice khoo

FRILLY...

Above, Glorious Flatworm - Pseudobiceros gloriosus, by Rafi Amar

STRIPEY...

Above, Pseudoceros zebra, by Marina Poddubetskaia

SPOTTY...

Above, Pseudoceros scintillatus, by ilan Lubitz

VEINY...

Above, Eurylepta californica, by Robin Gwen Agarwal

BRAINY...

Above, Maritigrella fuscopunctata, by Rafi Amar

SANDY...

Above, Pseudobiceros damawan, by Rafi Amar

CAKEY...

Above, Lizard Island Flatworm - Tytthosoceros lizardensis, by Rafi Amar

CAMOUFLAGEY...

Above, Flatworm - Paraplanocera sp. by Rafi Amar

HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANY...

Above, Eurylepta sp.1, by Rafi Amar

AMBUSH RUG...

Above, Photo by eunice khoo

GOODBYE, FLYING FLATWORM!

Above, Persian Carpet Flatworm - Pseudobiceros bedfordi, by Rafi Amar

edit- Forgot to do the thing that makes the image pop out when you click on it.....

adj_DSC7484 sparkly nudi, by Erwin Poliakoff

Main image, Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillar (Daphnis nerii, Sphingidae), by itchydogimages

Startled? Alarmed? Did I hear you mutter "WTF?" under your breath?

Then evolution wins again. Imagine if you were confronted by the same sight if you were a bird or a praying mantis or a snake for that matter. Eyespots (markings that resemble vertebrate eyes) have evolved many times in Lepidopterans (butterflies and moths). The fact that this adaptation has arisen independently so often in this group indicates the general effectiveness of this anti-predator defence. itchydogimages

Above, Walking forest, by Gabriela F. Ruellan

Above, Moth Caterpillar - Cerura vinula, by Lukas Jonaitis

I took this photo last summer. This caterpillar is one of the most beautifull caterpillars in Lithuania. I think it is very photogenic caterpillar because of its green colour and red tails which are visible only when caterpillar is scared. He has very nice face. :) Lukas Jonaitis

Above, Saturnia Pyri, by Jano De Cesare

This is a beautiful larva of a Saturnia Pyri, a butterfly which is around 16cm in maximum dimension at its mature state. Jano De Cesare

Above, Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Setora baibarana, Limacodidae) "The Jester" by itchydogimages

First-in-line to the throne of the brilliant Yunnan lineage of Limacodid caterpillars, together with its alternate colour form, "The Clown", "The Jester's" livery is almost fluorescent. itchydogimages

Above, Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar, Limacodidae, by Andreas Kay

Above, 3rd Instar Cecropia, by Barb Sendelbach

Above, Big Foot (Cecropia), by MaggieDu

Above, Photo by Frank Starmer

Above, Dalceridae moth caterpillar, by Gerardo Aizpuru

Dubbed the 'jewel caterpillar', this lovely, translucent larva belongs to a family of moths known as Dalceridae. Although scientists are still unsure about the exact function of the caterpillar's translucent, gooey attributes, the leading theory is that the slimy stickiness helps to deter predators. According to Scientific American, the jelly-like 'cones' that cover the body break off easily (sort of like a lizard's tail), helping the caterpillar slip out of a predator's clutches. source

Above, Flannel moth caterpillar, by Drriss & Marrionn found here

It may look like Donald Trump's misplaced toupee (it's actually been dubbed the 'Donald Trump caterpillar'), but this flannel moth larva is actually not covered with hair at all. Those silky-looking threads are actually venomous spines that can cause intense, burning pain when touched, making the caterpillar one of the most venomous in the US. source

Facelina rhodopos, by Rafi Amar

European Paper Wasp - Polistes dominula, by Heath McDonald

Whilst looking for the Bee Flies I came across a solitary male Paper Wasp on a dead leaf, it wasn’t the best angle, whilst moving the camera gear it started to be aware of me and moved to this position which looked even more awkward side one but from the front, gave a great position for a portrait, managed a few shots before it started moving again so left it alone at that point.

Best viewed very large

Antiopella cristata, by Jose Salmerón

It is a gift from the sea to find it, for me the most beautiful nudibranch in the Mediterranean.

I like to investigate the origin of the names of the species and I especially liked the one of this nudi price:

"Antiopella" the fact that it is a marine animal and in particular a nudibranch suggests that it is Antiope, the daughter of the guardian of the winds Aeolus and Enarete, lover of Poseidon, there it is😊😉

cristata: from Latin [cristatus, a, um] = crested, crested, related to the caruncle among the rhinophores.

Janolus by Sergi Garcia

Nudibranchs in particular are especially popular with divers and underwater photographers because of their often vibrant and beautiful color patterns. The coloration is useful for more than just a pretty photo, however. Bright colors warn predators that these nudibranchs would make a bad meal because they are armed with toxins and other defenses Smithsonian

edit- had to re-upload the photo