So long, and thanks for all the shellfish

This Monday I learned, to my great dismay and regret, that on Sunday June 22 the National Zoo is closing its Invertebrate House, the only part of the zoo that highlighted the species representing 97% of all animal life and an incredible, awe-inspiring diversity of shapes, life cycles, and behaviors.

For more on the closing, you can read Gwen Pearson’s excellent post on Wired.com.

There’s nothing really to do about it except be sorry. I myself think it’s a tremendous shame that we’ve lost not just beautiful and fascinating animals but, through them, the chance to introduce the public to the enormous variation and value of species that many people don’t even realize exist.

So in preparation for the closing this weekend, in celebration of the Invertebrate House and its denizens, I’m posting a few more pictures of these astounding animals. Enjoy.

[cuttlefish; they can change their skin's texture in less than a second:]

[brittle star (related to starfish and sea urchins):]

[jellyfish:]

[sea anemones:]

[cleaner(?) shrimp on a cnidarian (maybe a soft coral?):]

[tube worm:]

[sea urchin:]

[soft coral or sea anemone:]

[mantis shrimp:]

Goodbye, all...

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}

Through a Glass Brightly

I recently got a new camera—not to replace my main camera, mind you (which unfortunately is acting as if it wants to be replaced, but that’s another story), but just as a good, smaller alternative for certain situations, like those with low light. And I have to tell you that you’ll be seeing many more photos from the Invertebrate House and other indoor exhibits now, because I love the amount of detail and color it captures in those dark places. This post is basically just an excuse to show you some photos I took of organisms in aquaria and terraria, but I promise I’ll get over my photographic excitement and write some more substantial commentary soon.

But for the moment—get a load of this mantis shrimp!


And how lovely are the colors on this enormous hermit crab, which seemed to be wondering whether I had a better shell for it concealed on my person?


And observe the ethereal beauty of these jellyfish, which look like dance costumes painted by Degas and minus the ballerinas:


And finally, check out the eye (or maybe many eyes? or maybe something else entirely?) of this handsome tarantula, a creature that seems to me to exude a certain gravitas (which perhaps comes with the territory if you’re poisonous):


Ah, yes; there will be good days ahead…

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}