Jan 1, 2025
N is for Numbat!
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N is for Numbat!
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D is for Dumbo Octopus
Today’s featured animal is as adorable as it is mysterious—the dumbo octopus!
Named after Disney’s Dumbo for its big, ear-like fins, this deep-sea creature lives more than 13,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, where sunlight can’t reach and the pressure is intense.
Unlike most octopuses, dumbo octopuses don’t have an ink sac—because in total darkness, ink wouldn’t do much good. Instead, they float through the water by flapping their fins and gently steering with their arms.
They’re rarely seen, incredibly delicate, and perfectly adapted for life in one of Earth’s most extreme environments.
Stick around for tomorrow’s animal—starting with the letter E!
C is for Capybara
Today’s animal fact is all about the world’s most laid-back rodent: the capybara!
Capybaras are the largest rodents on Earth and are native to South America. They’re semi-aquatic, meaning they love hanging out in and around water—especially on hot days.
But what really sets them apart? Their chill attitude. Capybaras are famously calm, social creatures and are often spotted lounging with animals from other species—ducks, cats, dogs, even monkeys. They’re basically the peacekeepers of the animal kingdom.
If you ever need a reminder to slow down and vibe, think of the capybara.
Stick around for tomorrow’s animal, starting with the letter D!
Every once in awhile, I’ll do a set of alphabet animals. I like to try to pick different ones for each letter every time, which can get pretty challenging, but also means getting to paint even more cool species! Here’s a gharial, an Asian member of the crocodile family, representing the letter ‘G’!. Pen & ink, watercolor, and white gel pen, 4x5 inches.
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My 'E' animals! I'll probably at one point re-do the Eastern box turtle bc I was impatient, but for now I'll soldier on. As you've no doubt noticed, I haven't even erased most of the pencil lines. That's because I use dip pen and put them aside so they can dry properly, and then I move on when I'm 100% sure. I'll erase them when I'm done drawing.
E is for Echidna
Today’s featured animal is the wonderfully weird and spiky echidna!
Echidnas are one of only two mammals that lay eggs—the other being their distant cousin, the platypus. These unique creatures have no teeth, but they use their long, sticky tongues to slurp up ants and termites like pros.
Covered in sharp spines, echidnas roll into a tight, spiny ball when threatened, making them tough to mess with. They’re also incredibly ancient—echidnas have been around since the age of the dinosaurs!
Shy, solitary, and full of surprises, echidnas are truly one of nature’s most fascinating oddballs.
Follow for a new animal fact every day—F is next!
B is for Binturong
Say hello to today’s featured animal—the binturong, also adorably known as the bearcat. Despite the name, it’s not related to bears or cats! This fuzzy, tree-loving mammal is actually a member of the civet family and lives in the forests of Southeast Asia.
What makes the binturong truly unforgettable?
It smells like buttered popcorn.
Yes, really. Thanks to a compound in its urine, the binturong leaves behind a scent that smells exactly like movie theater popcorn. It’s how they mark their territory and communicate with others.
They’re also excellent climbers with long, prehensile tails that act like an extra limb. Mostly nocturnal, they spend their nights exploring treetops in search of fruit and small prey.
Follow along as we explore a new animal each day from A to Z—C is coming up next!
A is for Aardvark
Let’s kick off our A to Z animal journey with one of the most unique creatures out there—the aardvark!
Native to Africa, the aardvark is a nocturnal mammal whose name literally means “earth pig” in Afrikaans. At first glance, it might look like a pig with that long snout, but fun fact—it’s actually more closely related to elephants than pigs!
Aardvarks are insectivores with a serious appetite. At night, they use their super-sticky tongue to slurp up as many as 50,000 ants or termites in one go. Not bad for a shy, night-loving digger.
Follow along each day as we move through the alphabet one animal at a time—B is coming next!