Blah! 🧛 Though it has “fangs,” the tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) is no vampire. This herbivore inhabits high-altitude forests where it feeds on vegetation. Only males sport the signature tusks, which are used in combat over territory and to attract mates. These canines can grow up to 1 in (2.5 cm) long. This species can be found in parts of Asia. It’s crepuscular, meaning it’s typically most active at dawn and dusk.
Photo: Николай Усик, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Dracula orchid won’t suck your blood—but it does trick flies by masquerading as a mushroom, according to a 2010 study by David Grimaldi, curator in the Museum’s Division of Invertebrate Zoology, and colleagues. Fruit flies (Drosophilidae) of the genus Zygothrica typically swarm on mushrooms and other rainforest fungi. This group of orchids in the American tropics takes advantage of their preferences, duping the hapless flies into pollinating them with the scent and appearance of mushrooms. Photo: Orchi
With only a few days left till Halloween, we’re taking a look at some of the spookiest specimens known to science!
This is the Dracula orchid, and while it won’t suck your blood, it does tempt flies by masquerading as a mushroom. Fruit flies (Drosophilidae) of the genus Zygothrica typically swarm on mushrooms and other rain forest fungi. But this group of orchids in the American tropics takes advantage of their preferences, duping the hapless flies into pollinating them with the scent and appearance of mushrooms.
Learn more about these orchids, and get more Spooky Science.
Image: L. Endara
