While this picture might look like some twisted acid trip, it’s nothing of the kind. No, you’re staring right into the guts of a venomous fire urchin.
Captured by photographer David Fleetham off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, the image shows a blue-spotted sea urchin—commonly known as the fire urchin thanks to its painful sting—in its death throes. In fact, you’re seeing it expel its innards through its central mouth. Lovely. [New Scientist]
Image by David Fleetham/naturepl.com
