Halloween animals that should have been

[scythemantis]

I've written a new biology article for my site, with a seasonal theme! A list of organisms that would make great Halloween mascots, right alongside bats and spiders. Most, if not all of these, are probably already well known to many of you

Comments

[mokele]

I actually know someone who worked on ghost flowers. He's moved on to work on Rafflensia, the giant rotten-meat flowers.

[paradoxx181]

you're a pretty funny writer. the part about the Shrike lol'd me.

[jasonbeast]

Yeah, that was good!

[scythemantis]

Thanks, I've had a few articles accepted by cracked.com ^^

[hollowecstacy]

I've read all their nature articles at least twice... which ones were you? :D

[mochalatt3]

Nice article! The bugs freaked me out more than anything *ick*. I don't really like bugs.

[scythemantis]

Bugs are like, all that makes me happy with the planet. Every last one is more beautiful, adorable and amazing to me than I can put into words...I don't know how anyone alive can dislike them, and yet, the vast majority of people seem to. I feel like one of the only sane people in a backwards world.

[mochalatt3]

Haha I don't know why most ppl, including myself don't like bugs. I guess it's all the different legs and eyes lol Even butterflies gross me out if I see them IRL flying towards me.

[scythemantis]

Scientists have studied the phenomenon and discovered that a dislike of insects is almost INSTANTLY programmed into a child if they see adults, especially adults they look up to, react with an "ewww!" or something to any bug. It also seems restricted to English-speaking countries. Makes me really sad that it could be so easily averted :/

[flintgf]

Props for including shrikes, one of my favourite "jesus christ nature can be nasty" animals.

[roq]

BRB, creating Vlad the Impaler Bird costume