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Scientists announced a mind-boggling 18,000 newly discovered plants and creatures for 2016. And each year, State University of New York’s Environmental Science and Forestry through its international selection committee picks the best of the best of these discoveries to make their annual Top 10 new species!

The list is released around May 23 the following year in honor of the birthday of Carolus Linnaeus, the Father of Taxonomy (which deals with classifying creatures).

The Sorting Hat spider: The tiny Eriovixia gryffindori is sure to be a big hit with Harry

Potter fans! It’s shaped like the famous hat that chooses which Hogwarts house new wizards should go to.

Unexpected katydid: Katydids are related to grasshoppers and crickets. Some like this one are masters at camouflage. The unexpected katydid looks like a set of red-and-green leaves!

Omnivorous root rat: Unlike its root rat cousins, which only eat meat, this Indonesian also eats plants.

414-leged millipede: This blind millipede was discovered in a cave of Sequoia National Park!

“Dragon” ant: Cool spines on its back reminded scientists of the black dragon Drogon from literature.

Freshwater stingray: This big stingray has orange dots as part of its beautiful patterned topside!

Swimming centipede: The first centipede that moves in water just as easily as it does on land!

Bush tomato: The young fruit  stain blood red when cut! 

Endangered orchid: Has a purple devil at its center!

“Churro” marine worm: This 4-inch orangey-pink sea worm has four churro-like furrows along its length!

Edition: 
Phoenix
Issue: 
July 2017