‘Armored' creatures with ‘whip' tails and four other new species discoveries
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
Learn more about some recent new species discoveries:
'Armored' creature with 'whip'-like tail pulled from river. It's a new species
In southeastern Brazil, researchers discovered a new species named Rineloricaria buckupi, or Buckup's whiptail catfish, in the rivers near Rio de Janeiro. This 'armored' catfish, covered in body plates and sporting a 'whip'-like tail, was found in shallow streams often near bridges and highways. | Published May 30 | Read More |
Camouflaged creature found in 'sacred forests' of Madagascar. It's a new species
In the 'sacred forests' of southern Madagascar, scientists discovered the Paragehyra tsaranoro, or Tsaranoro half-padded gecko. This camouflaged creature, with its 'flattened' body and 'rounded' snout, was found in forest fragments surrounding the Andringitra Massif. The species is considered critically endangered due to its limited distribution and ongoing habitat threats. | Published June 2 | Read More |
'Large'-tongued creature found in water tank at India home. It's a new species
In northeastern India, researchers discovered the Amolops shillong, or Shillong cascade frog, perched inside a water tank in the city of Shillong. These frogs, with 'large' tongues and 'fluorescent green' sides, were found in urban habitats, showcasing their adaptation to human-modified environments. The species faces threats due to being harvested for its meat. | Published June 3 | Read More |
2-foot-long ocean predator with 'blade-like' teeth discovered as a new species
Off the southern coast of India, scientists identified a new species called Iago gopalakrishnani, or the Indian houndshark, after it was accidentally caught by shrimp trawlers. This deep-sea predator, with 'blade-like' teeth and 'slender' bodies, was found in the Arabian Sea. The species is named in honor of a marine fish geneticist for his contributions to fish conservation. | Published June 4 | Read More |
Pregnant creature with 'large' golden eyes found in Cambodia. It's a new species
In western Cambodia, researchers discovered the Cyrtodactylus kampingpoiensis, or Kamping Poi bent-toed gecko, on rocky karst hills in the Banan District. This gecko, with 'large' golden eyes and 'bent' toes, was found in unexplored rock formations, indicating the region's undocumented biodiversity. The species was named after the hill where it was first discovered. | Published June 4 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
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11 hours ago
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‘Armored' creatures with ‘whip' tails and four other new species discoveries
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses. Learn more about some recent new species discoveries: 'Armored' creature with 'whip'-like tail pulled from river. It's a new species In southeastern Brazil, researchers discovered a new species named Rineloricaria buckupi, or Buckup's whiptail catfish, in the rivers near Rio de Janeiro. This 'armored' catfish, covered in body plates and sporting a 'whip'-like tail, was found in shallow streams often near bridges and highways. | Published May 30 | Read More | Camouflaged creature found in 'sacred forests' of Madagascar. It's a new species In the 'sacred forests' of southern Madagascar, scientists discovered the Paragehyra tsaranoro, or Tsaranoro half-padded gecko. This camouflaged creature, with its 'flattened' body and 'rounded' snout, was found in forest fragments surrounding the Andringitra Massif. The species is considered critically endangered due to its limited distribution and ongoing habitat threats. | Published June 2 | Read More | 'Large'-tongued creature found in water tank at India home. It's a new species In northeastern India, researchers discovered the Amolops shillong, or Shillong cascade frog, perched inside a water tank in the city of Shillong. These frogs, with 'large' tongues and 'fluorescent green' sides, were found in urban habitats, showcasing their adaptation to human-modified environments. The species faces threats due to being harvested for its meat. | Published June 3 | Read More | 2-foot-long ocean predator with 'blade-like' teeth discovered as a new species Off the southern coast of India, scientists identified a new species called Iago gopalakrishnani, or the Indian houndshark, after it was accidentally caught by shrimp trawlers. This deep-sea predator, with 'blade-like' teeth and 'slender' bodies, was found in the Arabian Sea. The species is named in honor of a marine fish geneticist for his contributions to fish conservation. | Published June 4 | Read More | Pregnant creature with 'large' golden eyes found in Cambodia. It's a new species In western Cambodia, researchers discovered the Cyrtodactylus kampingpoiensis, or Kamping Poi bent-toed gecko, on rocky karst hills in the Banan District. This gecko, with 'large' golden eyes and 'bent' toes, was found in unexplored rock formations, indicating the region's undocumented biodiversity. The species was named after the hill where it was first discovered. | Published June 4 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
Miami Herald
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2 days ago
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'Joy,' a plush baby swan, will launch with Axiom Mission-4 crew as zero-g indicator
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When an international astronaut crew lifts off on a commercial space mission this month, they will be joined by a स्वैन, a łabędź or a hattyú. Or, in English, a swan. The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) astronauts, including American commander Peggy Whitson, Indian pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, chose a small plush swan named "Joy" as their zero-gravity indicator. The doll, attached to a tether, will be released to float aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, signaling that the Ax-4 crew safely made it into low Earth orbit. "Joy, the baby swan, embodies the shared pursuit of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Hungarian to Orbit program (HUNOR) to soar high above our home planet," reads Axiom Space's description of the zero-g indicator. "In this way, Joy represents cultural unity as three nations realize the return to human spaceflight, together as one crew." The Ax-4 crew chose a swan because it symbolizes similar characteristics across their different countries. "'Joy' represents the shared aspirations of three nations united in their return to human spaceflight," said Whitson as she revealed the zero-g indicator during the crew's pre-launch press briefing on Tuesday (June 3). "This one is rich in cultural symbolism. It stands for wisdom in India, resilience in Poland and grace in Hungary. Through 'Joy,' we'll celebrate our diversity and our unity in the shared journey of space exploration." "In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati, symbolizing wisdom, learning and purity," said Shukla. "It is said to have the rare ability to separate milk from water, a symbolism that is a powerful reminder of discernment in an age of distraction. To carry the symbol is to carry the essence of our mission: pursuit of knowledge, clarity of purpose and grace under pressure.""The biggest journey is about to start in just couple of days. I still do not realize how big this moment will be," said Uznański-Wiśniewski. "This will be such a joy, just as the name of our extra passenger in our Dragon and on the ISS." The Ax-4 crew arrived at a baby swan after deciding they wanted it to be an animal, as inspired by the interests of one of their children. "We wanted to go with with a dinosaur or a lion, but we just couldn't find the right one," said Kapu. "We were extremely happy when we found 'Joy.'" "Joy," as named by Kapu, is otherwise known as "Alina Swan," a part of Aurora's "Adorable Palm Pals" line of pocket-size play dolls. Measuring all of 5 inches tall (12.7 centimeters), Joy/Alina is fluffy to the touch and is filled with bean pellets, such that (in a gravity environment) it sits in your hand or wherever you chose. Flying zero-g indicators is a tradition that can be traced back to the first human spaceflight in 1961. Soviet-era cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin brought a small doll with him on his Vostok mission to see it float. Since then, the Russian crews that followed Gagarin into Earth orbit flew small dolls, often chosen by their children. The custom reached the United States with the introduction of crewed capsules after the end of the space shuttle program. Now, commercial spaceflights operated by SpaceX and Boeing, as well as NASA Artemis flights, include zero-g indicators. Once at the International Space Station, Joy will join the Expedition 53 dolls, including "Droog," a crocheted origami crane, flown by SpaceX's Crew-10 and an angel blowing a horn selected by Russia's Soyuz MS-27 crew. Related stories: — Ax-4 private astronaut mission to the ISS is 'go' for its SpaceX launch — Axiom Space: Building the off-Earth economy — Axiom Space eyes the moon while continuing to dream big in Earth orbit "A team that has joy is a team that is healthy," said Kapu. "That has become my personal motto, because it captures the essence of this crew. We are focused, we are committed, but above all, we are joyful, and the joy is a sign of trust, resilience, and in my mind, friendship. So, in the spirit of sharing that joy, we wanted to bring one more crew member with us, a symbol of what holds us together." It is believed that "Joy" is the first swan to be used as a zero-g indicator. Northrop Grumman, an aerospace company that resupplies the space station for NASA, had swan dolls made in reference to its Cygnus series of cargo vehicles, but they were not used for the same purpose. Follow on Facebook and on X at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
