Malacology

Dive into the icy depths of Antarctica to meet one of the ocean's most peculiar residents: the priapulid worm! Known by its memorable nicknames—the cactus worm and the penis worm—this bizarre marine creature is as fascinating as it is unusual. With only about 20 known species, priapulids are rare and mysterious. Learn how their spiny, extendable proboscis helps them burrow through sediment in search of prey like polychaete worms. From their anatomy to their alien-like lifestyle, this 10 cm wonder is a true deep-sea oddity you won't want to miss!

Deep in the forest, the banana slug embarks on its daily adventure! This remarkable creature, known for its bright yellow hue, can also appear in shades of brown, green, or even black, often speckled with dark spots. Watch as this curious slug fearlessly feasts on stinging nettles, using its ribbon-like tongue, called a radula, lined with tiny teeth to scrape through tough leaves. Its protective mucus acts as a natural shield against the nettles’ sting! Banana slugs can grow up to an astonishing 10 inches long, earning them the title of the largest slugs in North America. These gentle giants play a vital role in forest ecosystems, breaking down plant matter and enriching the soil. Join us in celebrating the incredible banana slug and its slime-filled charm! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more fascinating wildlife stories.

Discover the hidden world of meiofauna—microscopic animals living between grains of sand! In this quick guide, we demonstrate the magnesium chloride extraction method, a simple yet effective way to uncover these fascinating creatures. Learn how magnesium chloride helps detach meiofauna from sand, making them easy to collect with just a sieve and some basic tools. Under the microscope, you might spot nematodes, flatworms, gastrotrichs, and more! Try this method yourself and explore the incredible life thriving in the sand. Who knows what tiny creatures you’ll discover?

Meet the Tiny Liptooth Snail, a fascinating yet tiny resident of my backyard! At just 5 millimeters across, this snail is easy to miss unless you slow down and take a closer look. Discover its unique features, like the tiny hairs on its shell, and the even smaller Pine Cone Snail. Your backyard is full of hidden creatures—join me as we explore them in my Backyard BioBlitz series!

Join me for episode 2 of the Backyard BioBlitz as we continue exploring the incredible diversity of life right outside our door! Starting with eight species from the previous episode, we uncover even more fascinating finds in the leaf litter and logs of Alabama. Highlights include: A Webster salamander, an adorable amphibian hiding under the leaves. A pretty pink millipede and a speedy ground beetle. The tiny lip tooth snail, covered in bristly hairs and rarely observed in the wild. A pine cone snail, only a few millimeters wide and easy to overlook. A charming jumping spider with big, expressive eyes. By slowing down and carefully sifting through the forest floor, we discover hidden creatures and learn about their unique features and behaviors. From beetles to snails, this journey highlights the incredible biodiversity of our backyard. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more exciting episodes of the Backyard BioBlitz! Who knows what we’ll find next?

Dive into the mysterious depths of the Southern Ocean to meet one of nature's most fascinating creatures: the peanut worm, also known as the sipunculan. Once thought to belong to a distinct group of animals, genetic studies have placed these barrel-shaped wonders within the phylum Annelida. Watch as the peanut worm demonstrates its unique ability to extend its introvert—a specialized proboscis—to anchor itself, navigate, and feed. Using its introvert to burrow into sediment with surprising efficiency, this clumsy yet effective technique is key to its survival. From shallow tropical seas to the icy Antarctic depths, over 160 species of sipunculans play vital roles in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.

Dive into the world of tusk shells, fascinating mollusks named for their resemblance to an elephant’s tusk! These elusive creatures spend most of their lives buried in ocean sediment, using a flaring, anchor-like foot to pull themselves through the sand. Join us as we uncover the burrowing behavior of Dentalium majorinum, an Antarctic scaphopod, and discover how these unique animals thrive in their hidden underwater world.

Join me for a quick look at the White-Lipped Globe Snail, a fascinating little creature that might be living right in your backyard! Learn how to identify this snail and discover where it likes to hang out. This is just one of many species I’m exploring in my Backyard BioBlitz series—stay tuned for more amazing finds!