Camouflage is one of evolution’s neatest tricks. To keep you safe, it might disguise you as an elegant leaf, an inconspicuous rock, or a pristine field of freshly fallen snow. Or maybe it might disguise you as a hot, wet pile of bird poo. This is for your own good, giant swallowtail caterpillar.

"New idea!"

"What now, evolution?"

"Well, I had such good luck with the handfish—what if I made a handlobster?”

"Handlobster? That’s the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard.”

"Come on! It just takes a few little mutations. Look, I’ll do one now.”

"That’s hideous."

"I think I like it."

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Image credit: Richard Figueiredo, F/V Leah; courtesy Maine State Aquarium

Evolution accidentally ran the secretary bird through the washing machine. It did not turn out well.

Evolution keeps all its weirdest experiments way down in the ocean’s depths. But secretly, they’re its very favorite ones.

Rhinochimaera video courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program.

"What do you think of this peacock spider mating display? I’m going for seductive, yet elegant.”

"Nailed it."