popsealife: “Aren’t They Precious These angelic images are of baby eels, also known as leptocephali. Figures A and F show moray eel leptocephali. Don’t they look just like mommy? Leptocephali are almost totally see-through. They have colorless blood,...
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popsealife:

Aren’t They Precious

These angelic images are of baby eels, also known as leptocephali. Figures A and F show moray eel leptocephali. Don’t they look just like mommy?

Leptocephali are almost totally see-through. They have colorless blood, and their bodies are composed mostly of a transparent, gelatinous material that serves as both energy storage and structural support (since they’re just so damn frail). 

Despite their fragile appearance, leptocephali are actually pretty good swimmers. They exhibit the highly efficient anguilliform swimming style, suited for long-term, slow swimming. 

Depending on the species, eels may remain in this larval stage for as long as 250 days, before undergoing metamorphosis. 

After metamorphosis, they grow into juveniles, then into the fully-mature adult eels we know and love. *tear*

Image source: Miller. 2009.

Reference: Miller. 2009.

(via moreanimalia)

Source: popsealife

sixpenceee: “Poison dart frogs are known as the jewels of the rain forest and come in just about every color combination you can think of. Their sparkling colors, however, are not for beauty but serves as a warning. While most species are considered...
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sixpenceee: “Poison dart frogs are known as the jewels of the rain forest and come in just about every color combination you can think of. Their sparkling colors, however, are not for beauty but serves as a warning. While most species are considered...
Zoom Info
sixpenceee: “Poison dart frogs are known as the jewels of the rain forest and come in just about every color combination you can think of. Their sparkling colors, however, are not for beauty but serves as a warning. While most species are considered...
Zoom Info
sixpenceee: “Poison dart frogs are known as the jewels of the rain forest and come in just about every color combination you can think of. Their sparkling colors, however, are not for beauty but serves as a warning. While most species are considered...
Zoom Info

sixpenceee:

Poison dart frogs are known as the jewels of the rain forest and come in just about every color combination you can think of. Their sparkling colors, however, are not for beauty but serves as a warning. While most species are considered toxic but not deadly, they are distasteful to a predator and can even be fatal. The poison can cause serious swelling, nausea, and muscular paralysis. (Source)

(via sixpenceee)