a blue tarantula also make the top 10.
The sneezing monkey, or Rhinopithecus strykeri, is the first snub-nosed monkey to be found in the
high mountains of Myanmar and is believed to be critically endangered. It is distinctive for its mostly
black fur and white beard and for sneezing when it rains. The odd-looking monkey is known to avoid
dripping rainwater in its turned up nose by sitting with its head between its legs. Gesundheit!
Photo credit: Thomas Geissmann/Fauna & Flora International
2: Sazima's tarantula
Not only is this iridescent blue tarantula breathtakingly beautiful, it is the first new animal species
from Brazil to have ever made it to the annual top 10. The survival of this striking, iridescent blue
hairy spider from South America, is at risk due to loss of habitat and over-collecting for the pet trade.
Pterinopeima sazimai inhabits tabletop mountains in a remote part of eastern Brazil.
Photo credit: Rogerio Bertani/ Instituto Butantan
3: Spongebob Squarepants mushroom
Meet the new mushroom that can be squeezed like a sponge and bears an uncanny resemblance to
the popular cartoon character. Once squeezed, the mushroom-like object bounces back to its normal size and shape.
According to its discoverers, 'its unusual shape is unlike anything else known.' Photo credit: Thomas Bruns
4: Nepalese autumn poppy
Many newly discovered species are small in size or secretive in habits, but not all.
This beautiful and vibrantly coloured poppy has remained unknown to science until now.
Blossoming at an incredible 10,827 to 13,780 feet in central Nepal, it's no wonder the horticultural
phenomenon has not yet been found. The poppy blooms in the autumn monsoon season and can only be
reached by hiking miles into the Himalayan wilderness....
5: Bonaire banded box jelly
This strikingly beautiful but venomous box jelly also known as Tamoya ohboya has been sighted numerous times
since 2011. The specimen is sometimes named 'Oh Boy!' because, according to scientists, it's so cool-looking that
people exclaim "oh boy!" when they see it (or when they're stung!) Photo credit: Ned DeLoach
6: Night-blooming orchid
The discovery of this new species is significant because it has the first night-blooming flowers
recorded among the more than 25,000 known species of orchids. The slender bizarre-looking flowers of
Bulbophyllum nocturnum are rather small and start to open around 10pm but close the next morning,
lasting only about 12 hours. This new species is known from a single plant and may be at risk due to
habitat loss from logging ...
7: Wandering leg sausage
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