Spiny Collection (page 9)

Claret Cup cactus blooms in desert setting near Zion National Park in Utah

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Land Iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) feeding on Opuntia Cactus on Plaza Sur Island

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) resting in morning sun on lava on Floreana Island

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Lone cactus on steep cliff above Pacific Ocean on Plaza Sur Island

USA, Alaska, Petersburg. Close-up of Alaskan king crab with legs in symmetrical pattern

Tree with spiny trunk (Zanthoxylum sp. ) Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Tree with spiny trunk (Zanthoxylum sp.) Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Trunk of tree, (Zanthoxylum sp. ) Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Trunk of tree, (Zanthoxylum sp.) Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

South America, Ecuador, Galapagos Isands, Marine Iguana on Espanola Island

Zebra Lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra), Underwater Sea Life at Mindoro Island near Puerto Gallera, Philippines, SE Asia

Ring-tailed Lemur, (Lemur catta), in Octopus Tree, feeding on Didierceae, Spiny Forest, SW Madagascar

Great globe thistle (Echinops sphaerocephalus), Samos, Greek Islands, Greece, Europe

Durian fruit from Singapore
The durian fruit is distinctive for its large size, unique odour (some compare it to sewage, stale vomit, skunk spray), and formidable thorn-covered husk

Thicktail Day Gecko (Phelsuma mutabilis) adult pair, hiding in crevice of tree trunk in spiny forest, Reniala Nature Reserve, Ifaty, Western Madagascar, august

Standings Day Gecko (Phelsuma standingi) adult, descending trunk in spiny forest, Reniala Nature Reserve, Ifaty, Western Madagascar, august

Hubbards Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur hubbardorum) adult, clinging to baobab tree branch in spiny forest, Reniala Nature Reserve, Ifaty, Western Madagascar, august

Sierra Gooseberry (Ribes roezlii) close-up of fruit, Sierra Nevada, California, U. S. A. july
Sierra Gooseberry (Ribes roezlii) close-up of fruit, Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A. july

common horse chestnut conkers, the autumn fruiting nut of this common tree

Gooseberry fruits on plant

Tailless Whip Scorpion (Heterophrynus sp. ) adult, waiting for prey on trunk of spiny tree
Tailless Whip Scorpion (Heterophrynus sp.) adult, waiting for prey on trunk of spiny tree, Los Amigos Biological Station, Madre de Dios, Amazonia, Peru

Thorny Devil (Moloch horridus) adult, close-up of head, Outback, Northern Territory, Australia

Sakalava Velvet Gecko (Blaesodactylus sakalava) adult, close-up of head, sheltering inside decaying log in spiny forest, Zombitse N.P. Southern Madagascar, august

Warty Chameleon (Furcifer verrucosus) adult male, close-up of head, on branch in spiny forest, Berenty Nature Reserve, Southern Madagascar, august

Long-snouted Seahorse (Hippocampus guttulatus) adult female, clinging to Eelgrass (Zostera marina) on sandy seabed, Studland Bay, Dorset, England, august

Cotton-stainer Bug (Dysdercus sp. ) adult pair, mating, on twig in spiny forest, Reniala Nature Reserve, Ifaty
Cotton-stainer Bug (Dysdercus sp.) adult pair, mating, on twig in spiny forest, Reniala Nature Reserve, Ifaty, Western Madagascar, august

Crested Gallito (Rhinocrypta lanceolata) adult, perched on branch in dry spiny forest, La Cumbre, Cordoba, Argentina, april

Running Coua (Coua cursor) adult, perched on cactus in spiny forest, Reniala Nature Reserve, Ifaty, Western Madagascar, august

Woodlouse head, SEM
Spiky woodlouse head. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the head of a spiky woodlouse (Laureola atlantica). The two small eyes (grey) and the sensory antennae (lower left and lower right)

Discarded edible sea urchin. Discarded empty shell, or test, of an edible sea urchin (Echinus esculentus). A seagull has dropped the sea urchin on a rock and then eaten its soft innards

Sea urchins (Astropyga radiata). Sea urchins are echinoderms, relatives of the starfish. They possess a rigid body covered in numerous movable venomous spines, which protect them from predators

Red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) amongst purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) in a tide pool at low tide

Fire urchin spines. Close-up of the spines of a fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium), a type of sea urchin. Each spine is tipped with a poison-filled sac (white), used in defence against predators

Starfish and marine molluscs
Starfish and marine mollusc shells, coloured X- ray

Red sea urchin (Astropyga radiata). Photographed in Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Crown-of-thorns starfish skeleton, X-ray
Crown-of-thorns starfish skeleton. Coloured X-ray of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). This starfish lives on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region

Flower urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus). This sea urchin is very poisonous and lethal to humans. Sea urchins feed mainly on algae, but will also eat invertebrates such as mussels

Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). The echidna is also known as the spiny anteater and it is found throughout Australia and in the highland regions of southwestern New Guinea

Caterpillar spines, SEM
Caterpillar spines. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of spines on a unidentified caterpillar. Caterpillars are the larval forms of butterflies and moths (order Lepidoptera)

Spiny bush cricket (Panacanthus cuspidatus). Head of male nymph. Photographed in the Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Strapweed filefish (Pseudomonacanthus macrurus). This fish can grow up to 18 centimetres in length and it can be found in shallow coastal algae reefs and estuaries

Black-spotted porcupinefish (Arothron hystrix) inflating itself. The porcupinefish swallows water to inflate itself as a form of defence from predators

Thorny devil lizard (Moloch horridus) on sand. The brown colouration of this desert-dwelling lizard helps to camouflage it in scrub and red sand

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"Embracing the Beauty of Spiny Wonders: From Sea Holly to Pygmy Seahorses" Discover a world filled with fascinating spiky creatures and plants that captivate our senses. 🌵🦔🌸 In the depths of the ocean, the enchanting Sea Holly (Eryngium sp. ) thrives, boasting vibrant blue hues amidst its spiny leaves. Its delicate beauty is mirrored by the intricate patterns on Sceloporus asper, a remarkable spiny lizard found in various habitats. Venturing into Durham, England, we encounter an adorable Hedgehog (Erinaceinae), known for its endearing appearance and protective spikes. This charming creature represents resilience and adaptability in nature's kingdom. Nature's artistry continues with Prickly Pear Cactus flowers blooming in stunning colors against their thorny backdrop. These resilient blooms remind us that even amidst adversity, beauty can flourish. The Thistle flower fairy (Carduus nutans) gracefully dances among prickly petals, showcasing how even seemingly sharp edges can hold elegance and grace. Delving deeper into nature's wonders reveals a microscopic marvel - the Spiny Spider captured through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its intricate details highlight both fragility and strength within this arachnid realm. Traveling to Jardin de Cactus near Guatiza in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain brings us face-to-face with an extraordinary landscape adorned with diverse cacti species like Tree Cholla. These majestic desert dwellers prove that survival often requires embracing one's own unique defenses. Australia's Victoria region introduces us to a pregnant pygmy seahorse - a testament to life flourishing amidst challenging environments. Their tiny size belies their incredible ability to adapt and thrive underwater. Returning once again to Jardin de Cactus near Guatiza invites us into another chapter of botanical wonderment where Woolly Thistle (Cirsium eriophorum) blooms on limestone.