You might have expected these ten animals to look more festive than they are, but not all of them are the colours you would expect. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t interesting, in fact, some of them are way more interesting than you might first think…
The Golden Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus pallidicollis)
You might think they got their name from the 3 gifts of the wise men (gold frankincense and myrrh) but in fact, it gets its name because it enters its breeding season at Christmas time meaning you will find a lot more of them at that special time of the year!
Christmas Tree Worms (Spirobranchus giganteus)
At least this little sea worm has a festive look with its multicoloured spirals that it uses for feeding and respiration. Each of those little “branches” are in fact gills and if touched they will shoot inside its main body.
Christmas Lights Caterpillar (Hyalophora cecropia)
It might not be the prettiest of things on planet Earth, but at least it looks more festive than many others on this list. It gets its name, of course, thanks to the spikes on its back being multicoloured, much like a set of Christmas string lights.
Christmas Butterfly (Papilio demodocus)
While they are clearly not that festive looking they are often found nesting in Christmas trees! Adult butterflies have black and yellow markings with red and blue eyespots. Female butterflies tend to be larger than their male counterparts.
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The Christmas Island Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops exocoeti)
It might not look like much and gets its festive name of course from its breeding location. But even when they have been found elsewhere in the world they still keep their name. Snakes can love Christmas as well you know!
Christmas Spider (Austracantha minax)
You might think it gets its name from the “jew” like colours of its body, but that is not the case. It gets its name because it often breeds during the summer months in Australia meaning it is mostly seen at Christmas time.
Christmas Island Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis)
At least the Christmas Island Red Crab has the Santa colours to make it look a little more festive. But of course, it gets its name from the location it is found. While they are mostly red they have also been known to be orange and even purple!
The Christmas Wrasse (Thalassoma trilobatum)
This colourful species of wrasse is native to the shallow reefs of the Indian Ocean. While it might look small most adults grow to 30 cm (12 in) in total length. It gets its name thanks to its festive colourings (as if you hadn’t guessed that already after looking at the picture).
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Christmas Island Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus murrayi)
Sadly people are not sure if this species of vesper bat (found only on Christmas Island, Australia) is extinct or not. It was last seen in August 2009, but there is hope that it has just changed location rather than disappeared forever.
The Christmas Island Chained Gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri)
And we end this list with another species from the festive island they call Christmas, only this time it is a lizard. While he doesn’t look all that festive I am sure he will enjoy putting on a paper hat and pulling a Christmas cracker on the big day.
Sources Used…
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_demodocus
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_beetle
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirobranchus_giganteus
- https://theverybesttop10.com/amazing-caterpillars
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Island_blind_snake
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Island_red_crab
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_wrasse
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_Island_pipistrelle
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidodactylus_listeri