When feeling threatened, the Diodon (also known as the porcupinefish) inflates itself with water or air to dramatically increase its size and erect its spines, thereby discouraging predators.

This spectacular defense mechanism makes it one of the most unusual icons of the marine world.It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical ocean waters, including the Red Sea. It lives in shallow waters, near coral reefs and rocky seabeds.Beneath this imposing glass dome,a re-edition of a 19th-century wedding globe, five large Diodons appear to still be swimming, captured in their most theatrical defensive posture. Each specimen, carefully selected for its shape and uniqueness, is mounted on a metal rod and fixed to a black wooden base in a stunning vertical composition. Each Diodon is adorned with authentic hand-blown glass eyes.An astonishing marine bestiary that evokes both the 19th-century natural history cabinets and the fantasies of great explorations.

A zoological dome with a real sting!