iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This month's beast is, of course, the Greenland shark! We blamed Greenland sharks for the gruesome deaths of over 5,000 seals from 1993-2001 near Sable Island. The only thing it's actually guilty of is outlasting every other vertebrate on the planet. youtu.be/ldAGbtpD9uI?...

if you guessed Greenland shark, you're right!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

If our next bizarre beast had a mantra it would be "swimming in the cold and getting real old." It's also an enigmatic predator from the north which may be why we accused it of some mysterious seal deaths back in the day. But it was totally framed! Can you guess what the next bizarre beast is?

can you guess the next bizarre beast? silhouette of a beast with a scientific name that means sleepy small head.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

We’re excited to announce, we have a new shirt for you! Our celebration of arthropods! Are we over-representing Hymenoptera here? Probably not! There are so many.⁠ ⁠ Anyway… get a new shirt to show love to the whole arthropod community. complexly.info/arthropods4

Sarah poses in new Bizarre Beasts arthropod shirt

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

"Just outside a renowned cheese creamery in Marin, I observed my first tent caterpillar tree. A generously-sized, wide branching tree was completely enveloped with silk, and within the silk held thousands upon thousands of caterpillars. That was years ago, and clearly left an indelible impression."

Pin variants of the designs for the tent caterpillar that Jennifer drew!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Her print and ceramic art informs her audience about biodiversity and ecological connections. She's also an active artist and art teacher, and enjoys empowering students to tap into their creativity. www.ginkgozeeacademy.com

ginkgozeeacademy.com

ginkgozee

I will teach you how to carve your blocks and create your own prints.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Jennifer’s designs are meticulous, often featuring intricate tessellations that incorporate concepts and aesthetics from her background as a scientific illustrator and biologist. In her ceramic work, she uses the technique of sgraffito to adorn dishwares with unusual animals.

Jennifer V. Zee holds up a print she made featuring different animals.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This month’s pin was designed by Jennifer V. Zee! Jennifer V. Zee is a Chinese American, Bay Area based Printmaker and Clay Artist. She prints distinctive nature and geometry inspired art from hand carved blocks.

Jennifer V. Zee holds a leaf bug, with the pins she designed over top of her photo.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

We don’t really know why they gather in this way, but we have learned that their forest ecosystems are great at population control so they don’t get completely overrun by a tent caterpillar outbreak. Watch the episode to learn more! youtu.be/xNA4quA9VuI

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The term “social butterfly” is actually a bit of a misnomer. Most moths and butterflies live pretty solitary lives. However, our next beast is just more gregarious. Especially in its larval stage, when this beast is so social with its nearby friends that we classify their gatherings as swarms.

Can you guess the next Bizarre Beast?

Silhouette of a fuzzy cylinder.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Abelle's main source of inspiration for these pin designs stems from the gold speckers that cover a Wandering salamander’s scales. To them, the spots almost resemble stars in a galaxy, and they wanted to represent that in the final design.

a gold and black enamel pin with the common label

a gold and glittery white enamel pin with a rare label

A gold and teal enamel pin with an uncommon label

A card show each wandering salamander pin design side-by-side

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This pin was designed by Abelle Hayford. Abelle Hayford is an illustrator currently based in Austin, Texas. They love experimenting with colors, playing with textures and effects, and exploring whimsical themes. Check out more of their work: abellehayford.com

A photo of pin artist Abelle Hayford, with the designs of three pin variants in no particular order.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This month's beast is the wandering salamander! These little guys can spend their entire life cycle hundreds of feet above the ground. As a result, they’re pretty well suited to climbing – and skydiving. ⁠ ⁠ Check out the episode now! youtu.be/sbBjwBHOnsk?...

if you guessed wandering salamanders, you're right!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

You might expect to see our next bizarre beast in a pond, bog, puddle, wetlands, or even under a nice moist rock or log. If that’s the case, you’ll be looking in all the wrong places because this amphibian can live hundreds of feet above ground.

Can you guess the next bizarre beast? with silhouette of a creature over a brown and yellow background

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Reposted by Bizarre Beasts

Complexly @complexly.org · 30/07/2026

However you support Complexly, you fuel our mission: whether you’re buying merch, watching our videos, or getting a ticket for Complexly’s first in-person fundraiser, Something Worth Knowing!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

We like treehoppers and all their oddities! 📺: youtu.be/ZgyAnhlGUIY?...

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Toughie the Rabbs' Fringed-limbed Tree Frog lived in a biosecure enclosure in Atlanta for years. The first time anyone heard his voice, he was already the last of his kind, the endling. Learn his story now: youtu.be/uWallOyZvn0

Text: This is Toughie overlayed on an image of Toughie the Rabbs' Fringed-Limbed Tree Frog.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

If you guessed treehoppers, you're right! Sitting still all the time does make them vulnerable to attacks so they’ve come up with some pretty complex defense mechanisms, which you can learn all about in our latest episode! youtu.be/ZgyAnhlGUIY

Text: If you guess treehoppers, you're right!
with an illustration of a treehopper made by an artist named Lucyold Langi

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Our next bizarre beast is a true bug. They get their names from living on tress and being good at jumping, though a majority of their time is spent holding still and slurping tree sap. Can you guess what it is?

silhouette of critter with the text "Can you guess the next bizarre beast?"

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

As you probably know, the Brahminy Blind Snake's length is about the same as the circumference of 1 quarter! But what about some of our other bizarre beasts?

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Let's go on a field trip to the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center! The KBCC is home to Hawaii's rarest birds, including our most recent Endling the 'akikiki (episode out now!). watch the new episode: youtu.be/rr8Sfnbp2M4 take the field trip: kuula.co/share/5MqXT/...

a photo of the endling 'akikiki in someone's hand

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

This month’s pin was designed by Thomas Marnin! Thomas Marnin is one half of MarninSaylor, a Seattle based toy brand known for their characters, the Pastry Pets. Thomas is a lifelong lover of the natural world. Check out more from Marnin Saylor here: marninsaylor.com

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

If you guessed Brahminy Blind Snake, you're right! For these so called "flowerpot snakes" living in tropical soil has become the ultimate accidental passport. There are now Brahminy Blind Snakes in the tropical and subtropical biomes of every continent, except for Antarctica. youtu.be/uHd7zuWZHxk

Art of a worm looking snake wrapped around a quarter with the text "If you guessed brahminy blind snake you're right!"

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

You’re going to have to get in really close to identify our next beast. On first glance, you may think it’s just a worm. That totally makes sense given its tiny size, blindness, and tendency to dig around in the soil. But it's not a worm at all...who is that girl?

Can you guess the next Bizarre Beast? with a silhouette of a creature in a purple shadow

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The Galápagos Conservancy was a huge help on our Galápagos Island Tortoises Endlings episode. Their team has re-wilded more than 10,000 tortoises since 1965. learn more about them here: www.galapagos.org and watch the Galápagos Island Tortoises episode here: youtu.be/UIlCNJTvSsc

galapagos.org

Protects and Restores the Galápagos Islands | Galápagos Conservancy

Galápagos Conservancy safeguards and revitalises the Galápagos Islands through targeted conservation efforts and strategic grant funding.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

A new Endlings episode JUST DROPPED! The many species of Galápagos Island Tortoises are the islands' most dominant herbivores. So how did one tortoise become affectionately known as Lonesome George, the Endling? 📺: youtu.be/UIlCNJTvSsc

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Darcy Shapiro @darcyshapiro.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Turns out, the first season of Endlings on @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social wasn’t our last! Season 2 starts now, with the story of the two wolves of Japan #scicomm

youtube.com

Is The Japanese Wolf Still Alive? (Endlings Is Back!)

YouTube video by Bizarre Beasts

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Two wolves once prowled the mountains and forests of Japan. They were revered as deities, and respected as protectors of travelers and fields, until forces from outside the islands changed everything... 📺: youtu.be/UUKGQKkUKeE

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

If you want to work with the Bizarre Beasts team, here's a chance! Our department is hiring an Associate Producer to help us and some other cool channels. Check out the link if you're interested!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Happy 200th Birthday @zslofficial.bsky.social! 🥳 The ZSL has helped us out on Bizarre Beasts many times and we're just so glad they exist. Check out their 200th celebration at zsl.org/200.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Evolution and the natural world have always been a huge artistic inspiration; it's fascinating to see how nature can shape an organism into something like a stripey horse-goat with a long black tongue and the ability to disappear into the forest.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Kory is the creator of the long-running urban fantasy webcomic Skin Deep (www.skindeepcomic.com) and illustrator for The Last Days of the Dinosaurs, When the Earth Was Green, and the upcoming Tyrant Lizard Queen by Riley Black.

skindeepcomic.com

Skin Deep

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Kory Bing is an illustrator based in Oregon City, Oregon with a focus on strange creatures, extinct animals, and other oddities of our natural world. She grew up in the rural Ozark Mountains of Missouri and spent most of her childhood in the woods poking things with sticks and picking up snakes.

artist Kory Bing, with the digital art for the okapi pins she designed

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Biodiversity Heritage Library @biodivlibrary.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Have you discovered the fabulous Bizarre Beasts show? Many episodes trace the scientific discovery and early descriptions of #BizarreBeasts through the literature. Look out for references to the Biodiversity Heritage Library! (Thanks @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social for crediting BHL!)

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eleep.bsky.social @eleep.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Thank you! This is beautiful! We love Endlings and are happy to have supported it! @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social @hankgreen.bsky.social

The wooden end of an hour glass inscribed Endlings Trivia Champion.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Braconid wasps are pretty weird! Here's an animation of a wasp injecting a host with its virus!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Special thanks to the folks at Ant Lab for letting us use this footage of wasps emerging from a caterpillar in our episode! youtube.com/shorts/VO-Mi...

youtube.com

Wasps emerging from a caterpillar!

YouTube video by Ant Lab

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

"I really enjoyed designing this wasp pin, especially because through the process I learned so much about the life cycles and diversity of Braconid wasps. Wasps are amazing creatures that are so often maligned. They deserve our respect."

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Spending time watching bugs live their lives has always been a valued activity for him. His work largely features realistic scenes within imagined realities. He is a self taught artist.

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Our braconid wasp pin artist is Sage Friss! Sage is a Missoula based artist who grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Montana. He's deeply connected to the world around him and inspired by nature.

Artist Sage Friss with braconid wasp pins he designed

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

It's World Wildlife Day! Check out the United Nations' Virtual Celebration and learn about conservation science www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcmv...

youtube.com

World Wildlife Day 2026 United Nations Virtual Celebration

YouTube video by World Wildlife Day

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

If you guessed braconid wasps, you're right! Braconid wasps are parasitoids, which is a type of parasitism with a slightly different outcome. The host of a parasitoid, becomes a dual-purpose incubator and food source for its offspring. youtu.be/LmQNrI4aIzo

Text: If you guessed braconid wasps , you're right!
With an illustration of our braconid wasp pin, designed by Sage Friss

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

The survival of this family of insects is so intertwined with a virus that they partly share a genome. This extreme level of teamwork lets these beasts live their best parasitoid lives. Can you guess what the next bizarre beast is?

Text: Can you guess the next bizarre beast? with the silhouette of an insect that we cannot name but if you check back on monday you'll get the answer!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Hank loves the Mola Mola! youtube.com/playlist?lis...

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Complexly @complexly.org · 04/02/2026

Complexly is excited to share that we are now a 501c3 nonprofit, built on the idea that good information is worth it. New structure. Same mission. Bigger impact. Find out how you can support free, independent, trustworthy education at Complexly.org

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

It's that time of year again! Wood you be our Valentine?

Shipworm Valentine's Day Card cover that says Wood You Be My Valentine?

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Reposted by Bizarre Beasts

Darcy Shapiro @darcyshapiro.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

A human-caused extinction we can all be stoked about! Curious about a potential Guinea worm endling? We made a whole series about lasts-of-their-kind over on @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

If you guessed Rajah Brooke's Birdwings, or ultra-black animals for the feature, you're right! Ultra-black generally means a shade of black that reflects 0.5% of light or less, and these bizarre beasts have areas of their body that do just that! youtu.be/aG06yKwabac?...

Rajah Brooke's Birdwing illustration + text if you guessed Rajah Brooke's Birdwings, you're right!

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Bizarre Beasts @bizarrebeastsshow.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Our next bizarre beast is really more of a collection of beasts that all have this one dark thing in common. Some may not surprise you, like deep sea fish, but we've seen it with butterflies and birds as well! Can you guess this beast, or it's bizarre feature?

can you guess the next bizarre beast?
silhouette of a beast in lime green!

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