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Sensory Organ Collection

Sensory organs are nature's remarkable creations, allowing organisms to perceive and interact with their surroundings in extraordinary ways

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Motor and sensory homunculi

Motor and sensory homunculi
Sensory and motor homunculi. Computer artwork of a motor homunculus (left) and a sensory homunculus (right). Parts of the body are sized according to how much space the brain gives to processing

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Moth proboscis, SEM

Moth proboscis, SEM
Moth proboscis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the coiled proboscis of a moth (order Lepidoptera). The proboscis is an elongated part of the mouth

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Close up portrait of the face of a Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum

Close up portrait of the face of a Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) resting on the sand in shallow water. Its barbels are clearly visible on its top lip. South Bimini, Bahamas

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Nudibranch (Flabellina nobilis) photographed in the field aquarium in Gulen, Norway

Nudibranch (Flabellina nobilis) photographed in the field aquarium in Gulen, Norway. North East Atlantic Ocean

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Emperor gum moth - huge plumed antennae that pick up the sex pheromones or scents emitted by females

Emperor gum moth - huge plumed antennae that pick up the sex pheromones or scents emitted by females
AUS-490 Emperor gum moth - huge plumed antennae that pick up the sex pheromones or scents emitted by females. Australia Opodiphthera eucalypti Densey Clyne / Auscape / ardea.com Auscape Please note

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Pederson cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni), Cienaga de Zapata National Park

Pederson cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni), Cienaga de Zapata National Park, Matanzas Province, Cuba

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Bush cricket / Katydid (Tettigoniidae ), female leaf mimic ovipositing into branch

Bush cricket / Katydid (Tettigoniidae ), female leaf mimic ovipositing into branch. Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), captive in aquarium

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), captive in aquarium. Adults are no longer able to swim upriver to spawn due to Gezhouba and Three Gorges dams

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) portrait, resting on the sand in shallow water

Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) portrait, resting on the sand in shallow water. Its barbels are clearly visible on its top lip. South Bimini, Bahamas. The Bahamas National Shark Sanctuary

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: RF - Thistle Mantis (Blepharopsis mendica) among petals, captive, occurs in North Africa

RF - Thistle Mantis (Blepharopsis mendica) among petals, captive, occurs in North Africa and the Canary Islands

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Samoyed dog running in in snow, Ledyard, Connecticut, USA

Samoyed dog running in in snow, Ledyard, Connecticut, USA

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo

Longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Detail of rhinopores and the colour pattern of a toxic Nudibranch (Goniobranchus coi

Detail of rhinopores and the colour pattern of a toxic Nudibranch (Goniobranchus coi) on a coral reef. Ambon Bay, Ambon, Maluku Archipelago, Indonesia. Banda Sea, tropical west Pacific Ocean

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) beak open with tongue visible while feeding on mango, Brazil

Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) beak open with tongue visible while feeding on mango, Brazil

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Group of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) silhouetted at sunrise, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Group of African elephants (Loxodonta africana) silhouetted at sunrise, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Yellow-tail moth (Euproctis similis) on a leaf, Montiaghs Moss National Nature Reserve

Yellow-tail moth (Euproctis similis) on a leaf, Montiaghs Moss National Nature Reserve, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. July

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: African golden emperor moth (Gonimbrasia krucki), close up of male head, Kenya

African golden emperor moth (Gonimbrasia krucki), close up of male head, Kenya, Africa Controlled conditions

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: White-ringed atlas moth (Epiphora mythimnia) portrait, Kenya, Africa

White-ringed atlas moth (Epiphora mythimnia) portrait, Kenya, Africa

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Sandstone long-necked turtle (Chelodina burrungandjii) actively foraging at night

Sandstone long-necked turtle (Chelodina burrungandjii) actively foraging at night, Pentecost River, Western Australia. April

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Cockchafer beetle (Melolontha melolontha) on lichen encrusted twig. France. May

Cockchafer beetle (Melolontha melolontha) on lichen encrusted twig. France. May

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Tussah moth (Antheraea godmani) close-up of head and bipectinate antennae. Santa Clara

Tussah moth (Antheraea godmani) close-up of head and bipectinate antennae. Santa Clara, Chiriqui Province, Panama. Focus stacked image

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Lesser purple emperor butterfly (Apatura ilia), sitting on a leaf, Finland, August

Lesser purple emperor butterfly (Apatura ilia), sitting on a leaf, Finland, August

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Hornet (Vespa crabro) close up of head

Hornet (Vespa crabro) close up of head

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) portrait, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) portrait, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Giant African mantis (Sphodromantis viridis) portrait, captive, occurs in West Africa

Giant African mantis (Sphodromantis viridis) portrait, captive, occurs in West Africa

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) with butterfly (Paulogramma pyracmon) resting on its snout

Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) with butterfly (Paulogramma pyracmon) resting on its snout, Pantanal, Brazil

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) worker feeding on Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) worker feeding on Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. July

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) on Michaelmas daisy flowers. Dorset, UK, October 2012

Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) on Michaelmas daisy flowers. Dorset, UK, October 2012

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) feeding on Goat Willow catkins (Salix caprea), an

Peacock butterfly (Inachis io) feeding on Goat Willow catkins (Salix caprea), an important food source for pollinators in early spring. Peak District National Park, UK. April

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) roosting on ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) roosting on ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Marsland mouth, Devonshire, UK. May

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly {Boloria selene} head-on view, resting on grass

Small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly {Boloria selene} head-on view, resting on grass, Cornwall, UK. June

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Marbled white butterfly (Melanargia galathea) resting on common spotted orchid

Marbled white butterfly (Melanargia galathea) resting on common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii), Dunsdon, Devon, UK. July

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) resting on the sand in shallow water with barbels clearly

Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) resting on the sand in shallow water with barbels clearly visible on top lip, head portrait, The Bahamas National Shark Sanctuary, South Bimini, Bahamas

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), albino, resting on lake bed, private lake

Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), albino, resting on lake bed, private lake, Moscow region, Russia

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Common hermit crab (Pagurus bernhardus) with Snail fur (Hydractinia echinata)

Common hermit crab (Pagurus bernhardus) with Snail fur (Hydractinia echinata) growing on its shell, close up, Ronas Voe, Shetland, Scotland, North Atlantic Ocean, UK

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Green-veined white butterfly (Pieris napi) resting on a flower, Tandragee, County Armagh

Green-veined white butterfly (Pieris napi) resting on a flower, Tandragee, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. May

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Lesser paper wasp (Polistes dorsalis) on Goldenrod (Solidago sp)

Lesser paper wasp (Polistes dorsalis) on Goldenrod (Solidago sp)
Lesser paper wasp (Polistes dorsalis) on Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) flower, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Cat s-eyed emperor moth (Aurivillius aratus), Amedzofe, Ghana. Controlled conditions

Cat s-eyed emperor moth (Aurivillius aratus), Amedzofe, Ghana. Controlled conditions

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Longhorn beetle (Leiopus nebulosus) showing the long antennae, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Longhorn beetle (Leiopus nebulosus) showing the long antennae, Hertfordshire, England, UK, June - Captive - Focus Stacked

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: RF- Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) perched on Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum)

RF- Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) perched on Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum). Lost Maples State Park, Hill Country, Central Texas, USA. November

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Close up detail of the rhinophores and caruncle of a Nudibranch (Janolus savinkini)

Close up detail of the rhinophores and caruncle of a Nudibranch (Janolus savinkini). Anilao, Batangas, Luzon, Philippines. Verde Island Passages, Tropical West Pacific Ocean

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Hornet (Vespa crabro) close up of head

Hornet (Vespa crabro) close up of head

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Common / Shiny woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) on moss, Berwickshire, Scotland, February

Common / Shiny woodlouse (Oniscus asellus) on moss, Berwickshire, Scotland, February

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Baby African elephant (Loxodonta africana), climbing up a riverbank, Chobe National Park

Baby African elephant (Loxodonta africana), climbing up a riverbank, Chobe National Park, Botswana

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Amphipod (Iphimedia obesa) on top of a colony of Deadmans fingers (Alcyonium digitatum) coral

Amphipod (Iphimedia obesa) on top of a colony of Deadmans fingers (Alcyonium digitatum) coral, Loch Carron, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, UK, April

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Owlfly sulphur (Libelloides coccajus) on flower, near Gavarnie, Pyrenees National Park

Owlfly sulphur (Libelloides coccajus) on flower, near Gavarnie, Pyrenees National Park, France, June

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: A portrait of a nudibranch ( Limacia clavigera) searching for food on algae. Gulen, Norway

A portrait of a nudibranch ( Limacia clavigera) searching for food on algae. Gulen, Norway. North East Atlantic Ocean

Background imageSensory Organ Collection: Marbled white butterfly (Melanargia galathea) nectaring on flower, Vallee de la Seille

Marbled white butterfly (Melanargia galathea) nectaring on flower, Vallee de la Seille (Seille Valley), Lorraine, France, June



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Sensory organs are nature's remarkable creations, allowing organisms to perceive and interact with their surroundings in extraordinary ways. From the intricate Motor and sensory homunculi mapping our brain's representation of our body, to the delicate Moth proboscis captured under a scanning electron microscope (SEM), these organs showcase the wonders of evolution. Take for instance the Emperor gum moth, adorned with huge plumed antennae that serve as its sensors for picking up sex pheromones emitted by females. These antennae are finely tuned instruments enabling communication between mates in a world dominated by scents. In the serene landscapes of Devonshire and Cornwall, UK, we find enchanting butterflies like the Small pearl-bordered fritillary and Marbled white butterfly. Their delicate wings carry them from flower to flower as they rely on their sensory organs to navigate through grassy meadows and locate nectar-rich plants like ribwort plantain and common spotted orchid. Underwater worlds also boast fascinating sensory adaptations. The Pederson cleaner shrimp found in Cienaga de Zapata National Park has specialized appendages that allow it to detect parasites on other marine creatures, providing both cleaning services and sustenance. Meanwhile, Nurse sharks rest on sandy ocean floors using their highly sensitive facial receptors to sense prey or potential threats lurking nearby. Not limited to insects or marine life alone, even mantises possess incredible sensory abilities. The Thistle Mantis from North Africa can blend seamlessly among petals while relying on its sharp vision and tactile senses to capture unsuspecting prey. Moving away from wildlife encounters but still exploring sensational experiences is a Samoyed dog running joyfully through snow-covered landscapes in Ledyard, Connecticut. Its keen senses guide it effortlessly through this winter wonderland. Lastly, let us not forget about terrestrial creatures such as the Longhorn beetle found in Danum Valley, Sabah. With elongated antennae reaching out into its environment like extended arms searching for information, this beetle's they are crucial for survival and reproduction.