STRANGE CRITTERS ALLOWED

Halityle regularis

are cushion-shaped and rarer than its common cousin, reef cushion stars (Culcita). Its bulky form sometimes hide symbiotic shrimps that partner with the star for protection.

Fromia monilis

are sought after as aquarium specimens, due to its painterly beauty. However, virtually nothing is known about its diet, and captive stars often slowly starve to death within a year.

Macroilleis chapuisi

is a lady beetle with bright yellow elytra and black stripes instead of spots. It is often found in bamboo forests and may feed on fungi that would otherwise destroy crops.

Barbodes klapanunggalensis

is a new species described in 2025. Its pale and eyeless body is perfectly adapted to life in caverns and it is surprisingly related to the common goldfish.

Papilio memnon

is a common sight in suburban gardens. The female of the species has several different color patterns that mimic toxic butterflies, thus inducing headache in beginner naturalists.

Rafflesia hasseltii

smaller than Rafflesia arnoldi, and is distinguished by its blotchy white spots. It is threatened by harvests and Sumatra's brutal deforestation, and has only been rediscovered in 2025.

Mycena rosea

is a rare sight in rainforests. It is found on both living and dead trees, and its species name, rosea, refers to its rosy to soft pink umbrella-shaped caps.

Nervilia punctata

spends much of its life as a few heart-shaped leaf on the mountain forest floor. A stalk bearing a single dainty flower then blossoms in late spring.

Melanotaenia boesemani

is a rainbowfish endemic to the Bird's Head region in Papua. Despite being sold for aquaria, it is rare in nature and is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.

Parosphromenus juelineae

is a cousin of the familiar bettas, and is endemic only to a few peat swamps on Bangka Island. Its restricted habitat renders it very vulnerable to extinction.

Pseudoceros dimidiatus

Many reef flatworms such as Pseudoceros dimidiatus sport vivid colors to warn would-be predators of its toxic body. Fishes have been seen spitting out flatworms after biting them.

Acromitus flagellatus

are so-called for appearing frequently near estuaries. They may form large swarms near coastlines polluted by fertilizers.

Astropecten indicus

is a predatory, fast-moving starfish that burrows and hunts in sand beds. It swallows tiny mollusks whole, shells and all - before ejecting the empty shells intact.

Gasteracantha irradiata

belongs to a group of ornate spiders, most diverse in Asia. The females are strikingly colored and bear elaborate spines on their bodies.

Chiloscyllium punctatum

was first described from Batavia. It is a small, docile shark, which lays its eggs in leathery pockets called mermaid's purses.

Murex trapa

Hated by some fishermen for their wicked spines that tangle fishing nets and injure feet, the rare-spined murex live on sand beds and feeds on other mollusks.

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius

in the forest is a strange sight to behold. A more modest relative of the Sumatran titan arum, its massive tuber is edible.

Asplenium nidus

are spectacular, crown-shaped ferns reaching 3 meters in diameter. These lush plants inhabit moist forests and provide key habitats for many other species.

Draco volans

is a lizard that glides from tree to tree thanks to the wing-like skin between its ribs.

Kaloula pulchra

is an avid digger with stout, rubbery body. It burrows in the soil during the day and produce loud, baritone calls after heavy rains.

Parmarion martensi

is technically a semislug - land mollusks that are somewhere between snails and slugs due to their fragile shells, far too small to retract into.

Platerodrilus ruficollis

is a species of trilobite beetles - a strange group in which the females grow into wingless, armored forms. In comparison, the males look like normal beetles.

Trichopodus trichopterus

inhabits lush swamps and marshes, where plants grow in plenty. It has a special organ near its gills that helps it inhale oxygen directly from air.

Bipalium javanum

is a flatworm that does not parasitize other animals. Instead, they hunt for earthworms, killing them with toxic secretions.

Geosesarma noduliferum

is a tiny crab endemic to West Javan forest streams and ponds. Its 'vampire' moniker came from its eerie, neon yellow eyes.

Cyclemys dentata

possesses distinct, leaf-shaped carapace. These terrapins live in forest streams and are sadly becoming rarer due to harvests for the pet and food trade.

Lobocheilos lehat

is a goldfish relative that is endemic only to the Citarum basin, West Java. It is currently feared to be extinct due to the lack of verified records in recent times.

Cephonodes hylas

is one strange insect - it appears to mimic bees, but is actually a moth! It is active in daylight and feeds on nectar, hovering like a hummingbird.

Podocarpus neriifolius

is a beautiful forest giant that grows in highland forests. It belongs to an ancient family of trees that are related to pines and evolved alongside dinosaurs.

Anaphalis maxima

lives precariously on Javan mountains. It grows up to 3 meters tall and its large, sticky leaves produce lemon-like scent when squeezed.

Lingula anatina

is not a clam, and not even a mollusk. Instead, it is a brachiopod, clam-like animals that have persisted on Earth, long before the first land animals evolved.

Mycena chlorophos

Like fireflies, some mushrooms produce light, or bioluminescent. This species glows bright green and may appear after heavy downpour in the rainforest.

Coin Pouch

Big Pouch

Tote Bag

Enamel Mug

WHAT YOU CAN

BRING HOME

Clay Keychain

Strap Carabiner

Sticker Pack

Patch

Acrylic Keychain

Pin

The first rollout of this merchandise set will be at ObscureFest 2026 (24-25 January 2026) at Naturalist Hub. The stock is also available at Bogor Naturalist and Ourchetype. All of the profits go to underrepresented animals conservation efforts. Bring them home now!

Image credits © Bernard Dupont, Yayasan Anambas, M Al Fatih, M Iqbal Willyanto, Masaki Ikeda, Puspita Insan Kamil, Naufal Urfi D, BSF Man, Wentian Shi, Hectonichus, Gerard Chartier, Ash2016, Agis, Coughdrop12, H. Zell, Steve Fitzgerald, David Stang, Alfeus Limans, Thomas Brown, Ting Lan Chiee, Obsidian Soul, Alexius LZL, Restu Dwikelana, Zoologische Mededelingen, Alpsdake, Yogdes, Ditjen KSDAE, Emőke Dénes, Anonymous.