Meet October's spooky Pal of the Month... the Halloween Crab!

Halloween crabs, with their striking black shells, vibrant orange legs, and bright purple claws, are a unique land crab species found in the coastal jungles of Mexico and Costa Rica. They can venture as far inland as half a mile! These nocturnal crabs spend their days hiding in burrows up to five feet deep, emerging at night to gather fallen leaves and seedlings to feast on!

Once a year, at the beginning of the rainy season, millions of these crabs embark on a mass migration to the ocean to breed. Females carry their eggs to the water and release them into the outgoing tide.

Halloween Crabs are not endangered. They are sometimes available in the exotic pet trade, though they may be tricky for beginners.

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!

Meet September's Pal of the Month... the Flame Leg Millipede!

Living in the lush, damp deciduous forests of the Philippines, the flameleg millipede earned its name for a reason. Its vibrant orange and yellow legs stand out like tiny flames against its sleek black body, a dazzling display believed to warn potential predators. When threatened, these millipedes can secrete a liquid that can even stain human skin!

Despite their fiery appearance, flame leg millipedes are peaceful herbivores. Often found in small groups, they munch on decaying leaves and organic matter, playing a vital role in decomposition and returning nutrients to the soil. Some enthusiasts in the exotic pet hobby claim their legs even glow under blacklight.

The flame leg millipede is classed as "least concern" and is an uncommon but popular pet for insect enthusiasts due to its beautiful colors.

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!

Meet August's Pal of the Month... the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray!

Soaring gracefully through the world's oceans, giant oceanic manta rays are gentle giants. With wingspans that can reach a staggering 30 feet, they not only hold the crown for largest ray species but also for brain-to-body ratio! These remarkable filter feeders feast on plankton, consuming a whopping 12% of their own body weight.

Despite their immense size, manta rays exhibit surprising agility, even breaching the surface in spectacular leaps. While the reason for these aerial displays remains a mystery, it is believed to be part of a mating ritual, a feeding strategy, or a means of communication. Or maybe it's just fun!

Manta ray populations have declined and they are considered endangered. Their large size leaves them vulnerable to getting caught in fishing equipment and they are hunted for their gill plates, which are valuable in traditional medicine. Pollution and climate change are also impacting their food sources.

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!

Meet July's Pal of the Month... the Sea Otter!

The sea otter is the only truly marine species of otter, spending nearly all its life at sea. They feast on crabs, snails, urchins, clams, and other invertebrates that munch on kelp forests. By snacking on these grazers, sea otters play a vital role in keeping these valuable ecosystems thriving!

They hunt and forage across the seafloor but always return to the surface to enjoy their meals. Using their bellies as makeshift tables, they cleverly employ rocks as hammers to crack open pesky shells.

Posessing the densest fur of any animal, with millions of hairs per square inch, their beautiful coat even features handy underarm pockets! These pockets serve as convenient stashes for their tools and leftover snacks. When relaxing, a group of otters forms a charming "raft," holding paws or kelp strands to prevent drifting apart.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, sea otters were hunted to near extinction for their warm fur. Thanks to protection laws, their populations have rebounded, though they are still listed as endangered.

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!

Meet March's Pal of the Month... the Hoatzin!

Hailing from the swamps of South America, the Hoatzin is a fascinating relic of the past. It's lineage is believed to stretch back to the age of dinosaurs. Like the Archaeopteryx, Hoatzin chicks have claws on their wings to help them climb trees to avoid predators!

The Hoatzin is the only bird species that is almost exclusively folivorous, meaning they primarily eat the leaves of plants. Much like cows, the hoatzin ferments its leafy meals in a specialized crop, producing a pungent odor reminiscent of manure. This has earned it the nickname "stinkbird".

They are the national bird of Guyana!

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!

Meet February's Pal of the Month... the Luna Moth!

With a wingspan of up to 7 inches, the Luna moth is one of North America's largest moths. Their most captivating feature is their stunning lime-green wings. Those long, elegant tails trailing behind them aren't just for show. As they fly, the tails flutter, confusing and disorienting their main predator: bats.

These beautiful creatures have a fleeting existence. They have no mouth or digestive system, living only a week or so after emerging from their cocoon. They rely on the energy stored as a caterpillar and prioritize one thing: procreation.

Luna Moths are not considered threatened by the IUCN but are quite rare to see due to their short lifespan and nocturnal nature. However, their populations have declined since the 1960s due to habitat destruction and increased use of vapor lights.

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!

And the first Pal of 2024 is... the Snow Leopard!

Snow leopards are the elusive "ghosts of the mountains," perfectly camouflaged in their high-altitude home. With their short legs, they can leap as far as 50ft. Their wide paws act as snowshoes and their large fluffy tail, a warm scarf for the long, cold nights, helps them balance as they navigate the treacherous terrain.

Though they are called leopards, they are more closely related to tigers. They are unable to roar, instead vocalizing with mews, growls, and chuffs.

Snow leopards are listed as Vulnerable. They are often poached for their beautiful fur, but their bones and other body parts are used in traditional medicine as well. Habitat loss further exacerbates the vulnerability.

Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!