This image may look like something dreamed up for a surreal horror movie, but it's a real horror for the tarantula in question. This unfortunate arachnid is infected with Cordyceps, a parasitic fungus that replaces its host's tissue with its own.

Cordyceps fungi invades its hosts (mainly arthropods), and its mycelium eventually replaces the host's tissue. Once the arthropod is dead, cylindrical or branching growths emerge from the creature's dead body. Some species also have mind-control capabilities, convincing the host to travel to a place where the fungus will find optimal growth conditions before the host dies." ...

Varicose veins in a patient's lower leg. The veins, which carry blood back to the heart, are swollen, irregular and distorted. Varicose veins are most common in the legs, but may also be found in the oesophagus or testis. They occur when valves, which usually prevent the backflow of blood and support the pressure from the blood above, become leaky. The veins then stretch and bulge. Support stockings are usually used to treat the condition, although in some cases surgery is needed to remove the veins. Pregnancy, being overweight, and standing for long periods, all increase the risk of varicose veins. ...

The leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) is amazingly camouflaged. Found only in Madagascar, they're under serious threat from the illegal pet trade.

Everyone should watch this.

Scientists claim they have discovered a species of monkey previously unknown to science in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- only the second new species of monkey to be discovered in 28 years. The monkey has been named Cercopithecus lomamiensis, known locally as the Lesula.

This bird, known as the elephant bird, went extinct sometime in the 17th century as a result of human activity. Although flightless, the birds were widespread, inhabiting the northern to the southern tip of Madagascar.

Not only are they three times the size of an ostrich, they are also known for their massive egg. These fossils are so rare that one is currently being auctioned and is expecting to go for an upwards cost of $40 000..

This is Peanut the turtle, shortly after being found in Missouri in 1993. She was taken to to a zoo in St. Louis where the six-pack ring was removed.

It seems that she was trapped in the plastic ring as a young turtle and was unable to free herself. Subsequently, her shell moulded itself to the plastic ring and she grew in the strange shape you see here.

Unfortunately the damage is permanent, but peanut is expected to live a long life and today she serves as a mascot for the fight against beach littering.

Please, always remember to clean up after yourself at the beach. ...

This is an Armadillo girdled lizard (Cordylus cataphractus). It is found exclusively in the deserts of southern Africa.