Array of strange animals found in Southeast Asia

Posted by David Pescovitz, December 17, 2008 6:18 AM |
News 2008 12 Photogalleries Greater-Mekong-New-Species-Photos Images Primary 2 Greatermekongspecies 461 Scientists have discovered an average of two new species a week in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong River region. Unusual animals found in this incredibly rich and diverse habitat include Desmoxytes purpurosea, a pink millipede that spews cyanide to defend itself, and Heteropoda maxima, a spider that may be the world's largest with a 12 inch legspan.
National Geographic's slideshow of the animals, and more background at the World Wildlife Fund
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Discussion

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#1 posted by Santa's Knee , December 17, 2008 7:55 AM

Clock Spider is feeling shamed...

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#2 posted by Talia , December 17, 2008 8:29 AM

The millipede is pretty cute. It looks like a barrete.

The spider, on the other hand.ughgh.

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#3 posted by IWood , December 17, 2008 9:26 AM

A pink cyanide-spraying millipede? It's like it got picked on in evolutionary high school and finally has a satisfying method of retaliation. That must be awesome.

Here pinky pinky...wussy freak! Bet you - auuuAAAGH!!

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#4 posted by Takuan , December 17, 2008 9:51 AM

I find the world's largest spider more impressive. Arachnophobes delight; it just got worse.

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#5 posted by pseudonym , December 17, 2008 10:08 AM

After the spider, how about a unicorn chaser ?

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#6 posted by elskip , December 17, 2008 11:04 AM

Yes, unicorn chaser PUH-LEEZE. As someone who is a touch creeped out by insects I just want to see something with cute ears, some fur, and about a hundred fewer legs.

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#8 posted by Central Squared , December 17, 2008 11:47 AM

And to think, I gave away my Monster Manual like two decades ago...

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#9 posted by Anonymous , December 17, 2008 11:47 AM

Desmoxytes is a truly strange millipede - it almost looks more like a polychaete worm. Heteropoda is a delight; how can anyone fault something that looks so mustachioed? Preferring made-up vertebrates is so weird.

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#10 posted by elskip , December 17, 2008 11:55 AM

HA! Thanks, I was hoping for something literal like that not a bag of puppies. Or kittens. Or a bag of puppy-kittens all wrestling over the same ball of yarn while being served warm milk in a saucer by Paula Dean.

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#11 posted by FourFiveFire , December 17, 2008 12:37 PM

If reincarnation is a reality, then PLEASE, O DEITIES, let me come back as that cyanide-spewing millipede.

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#12 posted by Moriarty , December 17, 2008 5:01 PM

Hmmm, a spate of recent discoveries of crazy animals? Have we ruled out mad scientists?

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#13 posted by Sork , December 17, 2008 5:34 PM

The horror... the horror...

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#14 posted by misshallelujah , December 17, 2008 6:39 PM

Wow, I usually dislike centipedes--strongly-- but those pink ones look delightful.

I'd probably still scream if I found one in my bathroom, though (I live in Southeast Asia)...

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#15 posted by fenderbasher , December 17, 2008 7:59 PM

Awesome! And now we see the real-life HypnoToad!

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