[ By Marc in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems, Science & Research. ]
Not every person looks alike, and the same goes for animals. Some of these animals have genetic mutations that are natural, though rare, while some are well correlated to pollution. So, while we’re used to red lobsters and 4 legged frogs, let’s explore some of the infinite variety that grace this earth.
Rare Colored Lobsters
(Images via sodahead, naturalap, bukisa, catchthegalley, goodmorninggloucester, keenobservers)
Lobster shells are typically a blend of primary colors, but the occasional one does crop up with one distinct color (or even two!). Some of these special lobsters can be as rare as 1 in 100 million (albino), or as relatively common as 1 in 2.5 million (blue). It’s unusual enough to find one of these cool looking creatures, that it often makes headlines.
Black Penguin
(Images via rainbowlens, galacticroundtable)
Antarctica’s South Georgia island may hold millions of penguins, but there’s one that truly stands out. This all black penguin is one of only a few that have ever been sighted. While it’s common for some coloration differences to appear between penguins, it’s more likely for white to appear where there is normally black, and not the other way around.
Double Muscled Whippet
(Images via canada, bettermost, ourstory)
This large whippet is named Wendy and she has something called “double muscling”, causing her to have much higher muscle mass than her lithe counterparts. Included in these photos are a few typical whippets to use as comparison. Wendy is friendly and by all accounts, happy, but if there’s ever a hulk television show starring dogs… we know who to cast.
Mutated Frogs
(Images via frogmatters, esajournals, momsrising, oneofkarma)
Frog mutations are not typically very cute, and they’re often correlated quite directly to pollution. While frogs don’t seem to mind having a few extra limbs here or there, it’s more disturbing when one knows the source of their discomfort and strange formation.
Winged Cats
(Images via geekologie, justonemorepet, weirdcorner)
Winged cats in China? Maybe. The verdict isn’t entirely in, whether these cats have actual formations behind their spine as some people claim, or if the wings are actually fur matted in such a way as to provide the appearance of wings. Whatever the cause, these winged cats are beautiful, and have definitely caught the eye of an international audience.
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Altered Evolution: Strange Animal Deformities
(Images via: Bolsta Blog, Turtle Journal, Think Article, Next Nature)
Not all animals are created alike, as seen by animal deformities that may include creatures that feature plus/minus a c…
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Nine Lives: Black Cat Is Lucky Recipient of Bionic Legs
[ By Delana in Animals & Habitats, Science & Research, Technology & Gadgets. ]
Is there anything more tragic than a family pet suffering a tragic accident? In the past, a pet who lost two legs would have been put to sleep to end its suffering, but thanks to one pioneering vet and a team of biomedical engineers, there’s now an alternative: bionic legs.
The world-first operation was performed by Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick, a veterinary surgeon in Surrey, England. Oscar the cat was the unlucky animal on the operating table; he lost both hind legs after falling asleep in an unfortunate place. As he dozed, a combine harvester rolled over him, destroying the legs but fortunately sparing Oscar’s life. The cat was brought to Dr. Fitzpatrick, who worked with a team from University College London to develop the special prosthetic legs.
With most prosthetics – for both animals and humans – the artificial limb simply sits on top of the stump. One of the reasons this operation was so revolutionary is because it uses weight-bearing implants to which the prosthetic legs attach. The implants have actually bonded with Oscar’s body, making them a permanent part of the cat’s physiology and giving him a natural gait.
(all images via: BBC)
The team who developed the implants based their design on deer antlers which grow through the skin. The implants have a big advantage over conventional prosthetics in that they won’t produce the friction and rubbing that often plagues their wearers. Oscar won’t be able to feel his new feet, but his doctors are certain that he’ll be able to live the healthy, happy life of a normal cat. The technology is being developed for humans, and Oscar will go down in history as the lucky black cat who helped advance this research by leaps and bounds.
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Animal Hybrids: The Half-Lives Of 10 Curious Creatures
Animal hybrids can occur naturally or through the machinations of Mankind – either way, the resulting hybrids can be surprisingly vigorous.
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Biggest Animals: More of the World’s Largest
[ By Marc in Animals & Habitats. ]
A Great Dane is a large dog, but imagine if you got to see the largest Great Dane in the world (over 7 feet long), or a rabbit that weighs over 23 pounds? Well, consider this your ticket to see some of the enormous wonders of genetics and a good diet, as we explore the most jaw dropping animals that outsize their cousins:
(Images via insanepics, smjl123, odditycentral)
Rabbits are undeniably cute, and more is always better, right? Well here are a few rabbits that could give a lot of dogs trouble. I’d love to see how much lettuce these fluffy behemoths go through each week.
(Images via dogster)
George is a Blue Great Dane, and about to be named the tallest in the world. He tops out at 43 inches and 245 pounds. Over 7 feet in length, this 4 year old eats 110 pounds of food a month.
(Images via cellar, hapou, aquahobby)
Goldfish can live for an extremely long time – up to 40 years, and this gives them a lot of time to grow. Despite the diminuitive size of most household goldfish, they can grow up to a whopping 23 inches long and can weigh up to 10 pounds.
(Images via syracuse, mirror)
Pigs are social and intelligent animals who just happen to like to eat… a lot. “Big Norm,” was once the largest pig in the world: Big Norm weighed 1,600 pounds and was 7 feet long, until his untimely death by heart attack in 2008.
(Images via antlercreeklodge, internet-pets, texashuntlodge, rockinjlonghorns)
There are a wide variety of breeds of livestock and wild animals that grow incredible sets of horns… from deer to longhorn cattle (up to 7 feet from horn tip to horn tip), these are animals I would not want to encounter during any running of the bulls, that’s for sure.
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Biggest Animals: The Largest of the Large
These are the extreme animals – the largest of the large; those powerful creatures who dwarf the others in their species, and awe us all:
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Jaws 7: Amazing New Shark Tales and Discoveries
[ By Chris in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: Scrape TV, Flickr, Discovery, Reef Ed, Big Blue Tech, Pagog, Mom and Pop’s Internet Shop)
During a recent bout of insomnia, the classic movie “Jaws” was on television, a flick that is the reason I have and will never set a foot in the ocean. In honor of that amazing Steven Spielberg feature and its all-at-once intimidating yet intriguing star, here are seven cool (and even surprising) recent discoveries about sharks, including everything from camouflage sharks and sharks with ESP to shark attack probabilities and peaceful interactions with smaller fish.
Camouflage Sharks: Sounds Scary Enough to be True
(Images via: Observations of a Nerd, University of Tampa Shark Lab, Wikipedia)
Did you know that approximately 50 species of sharks, that is 10 percent of all sharks, are able to emit light that allows them to disappear from both predators and prey? That’s right, according to a recent study in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Specifically studying a luminous shark known as the velvet belly lantern shark, researchers discovered that this type of shark can produce and emit light from underneath its body, essentially allowing the shark to mimic environmental light and thus camouflage itself from other unsuspecting fish. Fortunately, the velvet belly lantern shark does not feast on humans, who could find themselves in quite a pickle if this camouflaged creature were to pass by.
The Spidey Senses of Sharks
(Images via: Elasmo Diver, Flickr, Geekologie, Wikimedia)
While some sharks are blessed with the ability to disguise themselves via self-emitted light, all sharks are blessed with super senses similar to humans and advantageous in the deep sea. Take for instance the fact that sharks have ESP – electric sense perception – thanks to electroreceptors that are extremely sensitive to picking up the electric signals of wounded or trapped fish. Or that sharks have eyes like us (with the exception of lenses) that allow them to control light and see well in dark conditions underwater. Or that sharks have perceptive noses that allow them to pick up chemicals in the water. Or that they rely on an incredible sense of touch – both when hearing (through small hairs in the ear that allow them to feel water changes) and tasting (by first biting their prey to determine whether it is a worthy meal). Or that sharks have a lateral line that allows them to detect the movement and sense the direction of any solid body that moves through water, a sense that is not comparable to humans. When you package all of these shark senses together, it’s no wonder this creature rules the seas.
Remembering Not to Forget: Shark Long-Term Memories
(Images via: Liverpool Daily Post, Crusader Travel, Discovery, AIMS, Shark Information, Swim at Your Own Risk)
Geez, given all of these super senses, it wouldn’t seem that sharks need any more advantages. Well, that’s not the case for tiger sharks, which apparently have incredible memories, specifically when it comes to remembering hot spots for good meals. According to a study to be published in the journal Marine Biology, tiger sharks will memorize previous locations that offered good meals and will repeatedly return to those areas even if thousands of miles away (quite possibly by using internal clocks that guide their movements back to these bountiful feeding locales). In a similar light, Galapagos sharks also remember filling locations, though they do not stray as far from these spots as the tiger sharks.
Shark Gumption for the Sake of More Consumption
(Images via: Brine Queen, Arkive, Glaucus, Bootleg)
Judging by the incredible senses, memories and other capabilities of sharks, it’s hardly surprising that these animals would be a little full of themselves and feel as if they’re untouchable. Well, a recent study pulled out some surprises in terms of the confidence and risk-taking abilities of some gill sharks, which entered waters more than 900 feet below sea level to feast on pig carcasses dropped in by researchers. These sharks were willing to enter these dead zones – where oxygen is extremely low and suffocation is a very real possibility – all for the sake of the meal. Guess some sharks just love the thrill and spoils of the hunt, although the study did find that some depths were just too deep for even these cocky sharks to venture.
Reversed Waters: Lifting Great White Sharks Out of the Sea
(Images via: National Geographic, Surfer’s Village)
Apparently, some researchers want to know what it’s like to be God, that is via the use of a hydraulic lift that is able to carry SUV-sized great white sharks out of the water, all for the sake of research purposes. As to be depicted on the new television series Expedition Great White, researchers began lifting great white sharks out of the water in 2007, first beginning with smaller great whites and then advancing to larger great whites. After catching a great white with tuna, the researchers would lift the mammoth creature out of the water for no more than 15 minutes, using this time to take blood samples, make measurements and attach tracking devices on the shark’s dorsal fin to study movement, feeding and reproduction patterns. While the great white sharks were probably a bit surprised and certainly not too happy about getting pulled out of the water, the researchers were considerate of their feelings, using a hydration hose to pump seawater into the sharks and thus avoid suffocation. While certainly a frightening proposition, the shark elevator has apparently allowed researchers to examine great whites in ways that were previously only possible with dead specimens, especially when considering the dangers of being in the water with live great whites.
You Might Be a Shark Attack Victim If…
(Images via: Surfer’s Village, Shark Attack Photos, Extreme Survive, Panoramio)
Speaking of recent shark discoveries, a new study recently found that 21 percent of the global number of shark attacks that occurred between 1999 and 2008 took place on 47-mile strip of Florida’s coastline. Luckily, most of these attacks were by smaller sharks that were confused by humans, and no worse than a dog bite (I’ll have to take the study on its word regarding this last point). Especially interesting, the study was able to determine that people were more likely to be bitten by sharks on a Sunday (when more people were in the water), when wearing black and white shorts (due to the visual adeptness of sharks at picking up contrasts), when swimming during a new moon or full moon (when the tides are highest) and when swimming in less than 6 feet of ocean water. Last but not least, shark attacks in this area were more likely to happen to men than women since men tend to spend more time in the water.
The Softer Side of Sharks: Going to the Fish Car Wash
(Image via: Ningaloo Kayak Adventures)
While these previous discoveries may have hardly changed your opinions or fears about sharks, it should be known that some sharks pay respect to smaller fish. In the Osprey Reef, more than 1100 sharks were observed gathering in fish cleaning stations where the sharks would take a vertical pose, signifying to smaller fish that they were there to be cleaned. In none of these cases did researchers ever see the sharks eating the smaller fish; rather it appeared that the sharks were respecting the process, which benefitted them by removing mucus, algae and dead tissues and also aided the smaller fish by providing them with essential nutrients. Maybe sharks aren’t as bad as they’re cracked up to be, that is when there is something to benefit them in the long run.
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In honor of NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday, WebEcoist provides a Sweet Sixteen of the most recent bizarre, intriguing and exciting animal discoveries. 2 Comments – Click Here to Read More
Human-Like: 5 Animal Behaviors That Parallel People
[ By Chris in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: Melbourne Diary Star, Daily Mail, University of Illinois Extension, Anthropology Works, PETA, Wired)
When it comes to intelligence, memory, discipline, pain and grieving, animals such as guinea pigs, horses, bonobos, mice and chimpanzees are more like humans than we sometimes realize.
Rodent Smarts – Why It Pays to Live with Humans
(Images via: Genome, Cavies Galore, Isara Obba)
While the idea of rodents living in a house may cause many people to feel a bit uneasy, apparently this relationship serves these little fellows quite well, specifically in the formation of greater intelligence. According to a recent study in the journal Frontiers in Zoology, pet rodents are smarter than their wild counterparts, likely due to living with humans. In the study, domesticated and wild guinea pigs were placed in a water maze, with the domesticated animals ultimately performing better and showing superior problem-solving abilities, likely as a result of having to make previous adaptations to man-made environments. This finding is especially surprising when considering previous research noting that domestication reduced rather than increased the brain sizes of domesticated guinea pigs and other rodents.
Horse Memories: Maybe Mr. Ed Was Onto Something?
(Images via: Lucy Gabrielle, Dipity, No Rush Farm)
Just as some rodents have surprising intelligence, the same can be said about horses, which display amazing long-term memory skills and incredible loyalties. A recent study in the journal Animal Behavior found that horses which had pleasurable experiences (specifically those marked by positive reinforcement) with familiar humans such as their trainers were more likely to remember and display greater affection towards those people after months of separation. Furthermore, such horses were more likely to warm up to and be affectionate with (i.e. sniff and lick) unfamiliar people. According to the study’s researchers, such behavior reveals that horses are able to develop positive memories of humans and hints at the wonderful intelligence of these majestic creatures.
The Bonobo Head Shake: When No Means No
(Images via: Psychology Today, The Primate Diaries, National Geographic, Range Voting)
While animals can be extremely friendly and loyal like humans, they can also lay down the law when necessary. Take bonobos as a great example. According to recent research in the journal Primates, adult bonobos were observed for the first time shaking their heads in disapproval of certain behavior by younger bonobos. For example, after a mother bonobo removed a piece of leek from a youngster who was playing with rather than eating the food, the mother began to shake her head at the infant when it went back after the leak, as if she was saying “no” to the behavior. Previously bonobos had only been observed shaking their heads while playing. Now researchers suggest that the bonobo head shake could be a “primitive precursor” to the human head shake expressing negativity.
Mouse Grimaces: Facial Expressions of Pain
(Images via: L.A. Times Blogs, The Times Microbial, Impact Lab, Mus-Musculus)
Could pain, like the negative headshake, be evolutionary? According to recent research in the journal Nature Methods, this is certainly a possibility, specifically when considering how mice exhibit pain with different facial expressions. In the study, researchers recorded the facial movements of mice after they were injected with a substance causing inflammation. Like humans, the mice showed discomfort through facial expressions, with narrowing eyes, bulging cheeks, moving ears, and bunched-up or flattened-out whiskers indicative of more intense pain. It is important to note that the mice expressions returned to normal following the administration of a pain reliever. From these experiments, the researchers were able to create a sliding mouse grimace scale that will be used in the future to reduce the suffering of mice and other animals during medical research.
Chimpanzee Grieving: Similar Reactions to Death
(Images via: Cookla)
While it is seemingly certain that animals understand the realities of death, recent research on grieving chimpanzees reveals far more awareness than what had been previously recognized. As detailed in the journal Current Biology, a study examined the reactions of three adult chimpanzees as an elderly chimp was passing away. Sensing the inevitable, the three chimpanzees displayed many different types of grieving behavior: they stayed close to the dying female, gently stroking her hair as if providing comfort; they tossed and turned while sleeping at night, suggesting that they were disturbed by the impending death; they apparently attempted resuscitation to see if the sick chimp was still alive; they slowly moved away from the body when the chimp had died; they later returned to the body for apparently either one last attempt at resuscitation or a final confirmation of death; and they cared for the dead chimp’s body, gently grooming and removing straw from her face. Based on these findings, researchers suggest that it may be more beneficial for the grieving and farewell process to let chimpanzees die in their natural group settings rather than in isolation.
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Eyes on the Prize: A Super Bowl of Incredible Animal Vision
Just as Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are known for great downfield vision, sea urchins, hammerhead sharks and bees possess quite eye-opening visual skills.
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The Secrets behind 5 Super Animal Protection Mechanisms
[ By Chris in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: National Geographic, MSNBC, Ocean Explorer, Daily Mail)
Self-defense is a requirement in the animal kingdom, with copepods, frogs, cobras and other animals utilizing unique protection mechanisms that throw off predators and amaze us human observers, even when the secrets behind some of these tricks come out of the bag.
Shot Out of a Cannon: Super-Jumping Copepods
(Images via: Fish Web, Ocean Explorer, CO Exploration, Ocean Explorer, Peter Brueggeman, David Darling)
For one-to-two inch crustaceans called copepods, it is a necessity to be able to escape from larger underwater predators such as jellyfish, herring and mackerel. Recently recognized as the world’s most powerful jumpers, these tiny, torpedo-shaped copepods can accelerate as fast as 500 body-lengths per second when escape jumping in the water, raising the question of how something so small can generate so much speed? Well, it turns out that copepods have two different propulsion systems – one for jumping and one for swimming – that allow their miniscule legs to create so much power. According to recent research in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, the copepod muscles used for jumping are geared differently than those used for swimming, thus allowing a maximum amount of force in short periods of time. Besides acting as an incredible defense mechanism, this super-jumping ability serves copepods well by allowing them to sneak attack smaller prey.
Mini Stretch Armstrongs: Physics-Defying Jumping Frogs
(Images via: Kwami Nyamidie, Tug BBS, Oklahoma State)
While copepods may be considered the world’s most powerful jumpers, frogs certainly can give them a jump for their money, with some smaller frogs able to jump more than 10 times their length. According to recent research in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the secret to frog-jumping abilities lies in their leg muscles, which are extremely flexible compared to those of other mammals. Prior to jumping, frogs situate themselves in a crouching position that stretches and elongates their hindlimb muscles in ways that define the laws of physics. Ultimately, this stretching enables frogs to generate incredible mechanical energy and force when taking off into the air and escaping from potential threats.
That Burns: The Pinpoint Control of Venom-Spitting Cobras
(Images via: Blue N Red, IBEX, Snakes and Stuff, Discover Magazine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)
What may come as a surprise, not all cobras use their venom to kill potential meals or threats; rather, some spit venom into eyes, which proves to be an amazingly effective and accurate defense mechanism. As recently detailed in the Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers studying spitting cobras were perplexed by a few questions: why do these snakes wiggle their heads before spitting and how do they hit their targets with such amazing accuracy ? Well, it turns out that spitting cobras track the body and eye movements of potential threats. When triggered by jerking head movements, these cobras will briefly restrain from spitting and actually wiggle their own heads in the direction of the threat’s eyes. This action allows them to estimate where the target – the threat’s eyes – will be in approximately 200 milliseconds. With this estimation in sight, the spitting cobras are able to aim and fire with a pinpoint control and accuracy that leaves many foes with burning vision.
Bee Nice or They’ll Rumble: Protective Elephants
(Images via: Taking Science by the Throat, Nature, PBS)
It would seem implausible that big and potentially bad elephants would be afraid of something as small as bumblebees. Well, it turns out that bees can put quite a scare into elephants, which utilize unique low-frequency rumbling sounds to communicate the presence of these winged creatures. According to research recently reported in the journal PLoS One, acoustic analysis of these distinct elephant calls revealed that they are used to warn other elephants about potential bee dangers and to communicate the need to flee. Especially interesting, the study found that elephants which heard these calls still fled, even if there were no bees in sight. According to researchers, these rumbles could be used by older elephants as a teaching instruction/defense mechanism for younger elephants that have yet to develop thick skins and could be seriously harmed or even killed by a swarm of stinging bees.
Bioluminescence: Lighting the Way, Fighting Off Predators
(Images via: Save the High Seas, Strange World of Mystery, Sustain by Design, Duke, Flickr)
Referring to the natural production and emission of light by a living organism, bioluminescence is a fascinating phenomenon and self-defense mechanism for many smaller sea creatures, including deepwater jellyfish, scaleless black dragonfish, krill, squid and the pelagic worm. Whether used as camouflage, a warning sign for larger predators to stay away or for another purpose, bioluminescence is still not fully understood – although researchers have been making some ground in recent years. In 2008, the Chemistry Noble Prize was awarded to two researchers for their work around a protein called GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein), which glows green when under ultraviolet light. As just one example, GFP is found in bioluminescent crystal jellyfish, which turn — you guessed it, green — when agitated. While GFP has been aiding jellyfish and other deep sea dwellers for centuries, its applications could even serve as a human defense mechanism in the future – specifically in the fight against cancer.
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Eyes on the Prize: A Super Bowl of Incredible Animal Vision
Just as Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are known for great downfield vision, sea urchins, hammerhead sharks and bees possess quite eye-opening visual skills.
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Feats of Strength: 6 Amazing/Surprising Animal Superpowers
[ By Chris in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: Reef Seekers, Mirror, Less Loss, Beke, Rocking Facts, What’s That Bug)
From daredevil damselfish and borneo ninja slugs to super-seeing bees and incredibly strong dung beetles, animals that seem rather ordinary on the surface will occasionally surprise us humans with incredible feats or unusual behavior reminiscent of fictional superpowers.
Hardly Damsels in Distress: Damselfish Daredevils
(Images via: Ralph Fuller, Sea Baja, Nova, Flickr, Dive Rosa)
While recently studying personality traits of damselfish, researchers were surprised when this species of fish suddenly became more aggressive and bold in the water. Turns out that increases in water temperature cause these fish to be more active than usual, particularly when another fish was made visible outside the water during a controlled study. On average, the damselfish were four times more aggressive and bold than normal when water temperatures increased. Since damselfish are cold-blooded to begin with, warmer temperatures provide them with more energy to pursue food and take more chances, which could also be their end doing if not keeping lookout for larger predators. Such are the risks of being damselfish daredevils.
Borneo Hills Ninja Slugs
(Images via: Flickr, Flickr, Flickr, Dawn)
Recently in the mountains of the Malaysian port of Borneo, researchers discovered a slug with a tail three times the length of its head and a unique ability to initiate the reproduction process. Shooting calcium carbonate and hormone-filled darts at potential mates, the new species was dubbed the Borneo ninja slug, even though its martial arts skills are up for debate.
Beyond the Sting: Super-Seeing and Sniffing Bees
(Images via: Eye Design Book, Ugly Overload, ASM International)
How it’s currently good to be a bumblebee. With spring having arrived, these fellas will be out and about in droves soon enough, ready to invade summer picnics and even sting when necessary. With the ability to see the world five times faster than humans, it’s no wonder that bees are so quick to pick up on freshly served food during summer grill outs and to navigate many different situations in the wild, including shady, unclear bushes. And it appears that some super-seeing bees are only getting stronger. To combat a recent decline in honeybees killed by a parasite called varroa mites, scientists have bred super-sniffing bees that will better allow them to locate and root out these pests when present in their hives. Guess this superpower is worth having if it will ensure future populations of honeybees and bottles of honey. In related news, super-smelling wasps have recently been trained to mimic sniffing dogs capable of uncovering illegal drugs and toxic chemicals while desert ants also have been shown to use olfactory cues like maps when navigating back to their nests.
Greater Mouse-Eared Bat Signal: The Sunset
(Images via: Democratic Underground, Wild Things Bap, J Waller, Bats)
Like desert ants, the greater mouse-eared bat always seems to know where it’s at in relation to its roosting site. Despite being creatures of the night, these bats utilize the position of the sun at sunset to determine direction. These bats then calibrate their magnetic fields with the sun, ultimately using this gigantic orb as a compass to orient themselves, according to recent research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. Even when placed in unfamiliar settings, these bats were able to find their way home rather quickly based on this uncanny and envious tracking system.
Stop-and-Go Elephants: Equipped with Four-Wheel Drive
(Images via: The BS Report, Hansen Maud, Best Week Ever, Flickr, Telegraph)
Not only do elephants look like SUVs, they work like them. According to fascinating new research, elephants are believed to be the only four-legged animals in the wild to have four-wheel drive, which refers to power being applied independently to each limb, ultimately allowing them to brake and accelerate with each leg. All other four-legged animals are believed to have rear-wheel drive, where the hind legs are used to accelerate and the front legs are used to brake. According to researchers, four-wheel drive makes elephants less efficient and much slower runners. However, elephants do have more power over their movements as a result of their self-contained 4-wheel drive.
Dung Beetles: Super Strong and Apparently Steroid Free
(Images via: The Age, Science Score, Terrenoire, Flickr)
The dung beetle (Onthophagus taurus) was recently declared the world’s strongest insect after demonstrating the ability to pull 1,141 times its body weight. In comparable terms, that would be equivalent to a human being lifting almost 180,000 pounds. Not all dung beetles are this strong; for those that are not, they compensate in different ways. According to recent research in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, dung beetles that are not blessed with the strength to fight other males for female mates are known for having much bigger testicles than their stronger counterparts. With this advantage, these less strong dung beetles are able to produce much more sperm, thus giving them their own special appeal to females.
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Researchers have recently discovered some interesting mating behaviors by fruit flies, fruit bats, cane toads, beetles and a group of birds called great tits. 1 Comment – Click Here to Read More
Signs of Life: 7 New Animals to Emerge This Spring
[ By Chris in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: Of Interest, Reptilix, Webspinners, Fried Mush, BBC, Neat-O-Rama, Flickr)
As the weather changes from cold to pleasantly warm, familiar animals reemerge from their winter retreats while new species are uncovered worldwide. From color-changing frogs and amphibious insects to big-toothed leeches and strangely endowed lizards, a week’s worth of new animals has been discovered in recent months, leading to much intrigue.
“Leeches!” of the Big-Toothed Variety
(Images via: Wired, Tree Hugger, National Geographic, PLos One)
Thank goodness the “Stand By Me” kids weren’t searching for a dead body in the Peruvian Amazon, where a new species of big-toothed leeches was recently discovered, specifically in the nose of a young girl. While only reaching 3 inches in length, Tyrannobdella rex (i.e. the “tyrant leech king”) is referred to as the T-rex of leeches because of its surprisingly large teeth, which are used to suck blood from the noses, eyes, urethras, rectums and other orifices of mammals. As detailed in a new study in the April 14th version of PLos One, researchers were surprised by not only Tyrannobdella rex’s teeth but the leech’s genitalia, which are relatively small when compared to other leech species that rapidly reproduce. In good news, the T. Rex leeches and their big teeth may be used for future medical purposes, specifically to develop anticoagulants that stop blood clotting.
Giant Monitor Lizards: Like and Unlike Komodo Dragons
(Image via: Joseph Brown on National Geographic)
Speaking of a recently discovered species with strange genitalia, there’s the Northern Sierra Madre Forest Monitor Lizard or Varanus bitatawa. As detailed in the journal Biology Letters, this giant, secretive lizard was captured in the Philippines, where it’s been hiding high up in the trees for years. Weighing as much as 22 pounds and matching many humans in length at 6 feet, the monitor lizard is also a vegetarian – but that’s not the biggest surprise at all. Apparently Varanus bitatawa has a split, doubled-edged penis, which is certainly unique to this form of lizard species. According to researchers, this giant lizard is closely related to the Komodo dragon, that is besides its genitalia and eating habits.
Blind Worm Snakes: Rich History, New Family
(Images via: Reptile Forums UK, Flickr, Field Photography, Utah Herps)
The giant monitor lizard is not the only new reptile to be recently discovered and examined in Biology Letters; scientists have recognized a new family of wormlike, blind snakes that have likely been around since the formation of the island of Madagascar, which occurred roughly 94 million years ago. Through analysis of different blind snake genes, scientists were able to determine that the “new” family of blind snakes arose shortly after Madagascar broke from what is now India. Amazingly, blind snakes exist on every continent except Antarctica, thanks to continental drifting. Reaching up to one foot in length, blind snakes look and act like worms. While both burrow under the surface, blind snakes are different from worms in that they have backbones and scales, and send more chills down the spine.
Giant Isopod: A Rarely Seen Deep-Sea Monster
(Images via: Driftline, Zoology FNS Uniba)
(Images via: Calle, Flickr, Flickr)
Speaking of terrifying, a rarely seen giant isopod called Bathynomus giganteus was recently pulled to shore during a deep-sea submarine expedition. Related to shrimps and crabs, this freakish-looking crustacean looks like it could have been cast as the oversized villain in a low-budget, horror movie from the fifties. Actually found in the deep, cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Bathynomus giganteus is known for scavenging the carcasses of dead whales, fish and squid. According to some researchers, these strange isopods may get their massive figures from colder water temperatures that promote larger cell sizes. Whatever the cause, keep this creature out of sight, that is unless it is on a dinner plate.
Oxygen-Free Animals: Similar to the Jellyfish
(Images via: Roberto Danovero on National Geographic)
What Bathynomus giganteus is to the deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, complex organisms that resemble tiny jellyfish and live without oxygen are to the Mediterranean Sea. Researchers recently discovered three new species of multicellular organisms that are less than a millimeter wide, microscopic and capable of surviving long-term without oxygen. As detailed in the journal BMC Biology, these animals apparently have modified mitochondria that allow it to convert nutrients into energy without the need of oxygen. Prior to this discovery, scientists previously thought that only viruses and single-cell microbes could live without oxygen. They now stand corrected.
Amphibious Caterpillars: Versatile on Land and Underwater
(Images via: Jet Lib, Science Mag, LA Times)
Just as the aforementioned multicellular organisms amaze with their abilities to live underwater without oxygen, so do 14 new caterpillar species. Distinct to the fast-moving streams of Hawaii, these caterpillars from the Hyposmocoma species are truly the first amphibious insects. Capable of living on both land and underwater, these amphibious caterpillars spend most of their time in cocoon-like, hardened silk cases that were originally believed to act like underwater oxygen tanks but actually do not serve in this manner. Some researchers propose that these amphibious caterpillars are able to breathe through their skin, which could explain why they are only found in fast-moving streams. Anyways, these caterpillars will seal themselves in their cases prior to becoming moths, and emerge as their new beings when their homes float to the top of the water.
Color-Changing Frogs: From Dangerous to Delicious?
(Images via: Maxi Sciences, Mongabay)
Speaking of amphibians, a new frog species called Oreophryne ezra has stunned researchers with its ability to change from a black and yellow polka-dotted youngster to a bright orange adult. Found in southeastern Papua New Guinea, this color-changing frog has researchers wondering why it would look like a poison-dart frog in its youth but lose this potential advantage against predators in adulthood. Apparently, there is much more to learn about frogs besides these compounding color changes. Researchers have recorded Argentine horned frog tadpoles screaming when in distress, marking what is believed to be the first instance of vertebrate larvae using sound to communicate underwater. It turns out that not all frogs are as simple as Kermit.
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Often man-made, noise pollution or environmental noise is adversely affecting birds, frogs, whales, dolphins, crabs, elephants and many other animals. 2 Comments – Click Here to Read More
Critical Condition: 12 Very Rare and Endangered Animals
[ By Chris in Animals & Habitats, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: Lists O Plenty, ESA Blawg, Davo Trip, Fat Birder, Say I Am Green, Current, Flickr, The Age, The Website of Everything, Green Packs, Flickr, It’s Nature)
Last week the Wildlife Conservation Society released a report called The Rarest of the Rare, which detailed 12 animals that are “critically endangered” (i.e. “at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild”). See what made the list of critically endangered animals, some of which have seen their populations decline by approximately 80 percent in the last 10 years.
Cuban Crocodile: Say Goodbye to My Hardly Little Friend?
(Images via: NGS, Flickr, Independent)
Reaching lengths of up to 11 feet, the Cuban crocodile has dwindled to an estimated population of 4,000, with some of these crocodiles likely hybrids of Cuban and American crocodiles. Illegal hunting that targets Cuban crocodile meat has been a large culprit in the decline of this species.
Florida Bonneted Bat: Not Extinct, But Close
(Images via: Tree Hugger, Bat Con, Animal Diversity, Bat Conservation)
The largest bat in the Sunshine State, the Florida bonneted bat was thought to be extinct until 2002, when a small colony was discovered in a suburb. Only 100 Florida bonneted bats are thought to exist today, with pesticide spraying and deforestation that has destroyed roosting sites believed to have clipped these bats known for their 21-inch wingspans.
Fungus Makes Green-Eyed Frogs Feel Green
(Image via: Davo Trip)
Once common in Costa Rica and Panama, the diminutive green-eyed frog is not only small in size (roughly 2.5 inches long) but population, with only a few hundred of these frogs still living today. Chytrid fungus and exposure to agricultural chemicals have killed and deformed these frogs.
Grenada Dove: A National Bird for How Long?
(Images via: OAS, Wildlife Extra, Life Afloat, Flickr)
Featured on postage stamps in this Caribbean island, the Grenada dove has been reduced to an estimated population of 150, with this pink-breasted, national bird severely impacted by habitat loss and the predatory introduction of mongooses, cats and rats. A 10-year recovery plan has been implemented to boost populations of the Grenada dove, which hopefully won’t become a thing of the past.
Hirola: Concern for the Spectacled Antelope
(Images via: Rufford Small Grants, Discovery, Wangui)
With white markings around the head, the African antelope known as the hirola or Hunter’s hartebeest looks like it is wearing glasses. Forgive the hirola if it appears more than a little concerned: only an estimated 600 of these antelopes exist today as a result of disease, predators, habitat loss, severe droughts and poaching. Sadly, the hirola has been legally protected in places like Kenya and Somalia since the 1970s; however, enforcement has been more than ineffective during this time period.
Ploughshare Tortoise: Carrying a Large Burden
(Images via: Lists O Plenty, The Conservation Report, Wildlife Extra)
With only 200 mature and 400 individual members remaining in northwestern Madagascar, the ploughshare tortoise is expected to go extinct within the next 30 years if current threats such as hunting, poaching and smuggling for the international pet trade continue to go undeterred.
Island Gray Fox: Small in Size and Population
(Images via: Wildlife North America, Britannica, Wildlife Mysteries)
Weighing 3 to 4 pounds, the island gray fox is not only the smallest fox in the United States but a rapidly declining species. Less than 1,000 island gray foxes are left today on 6 of the California Channel Islands as a result of canine diseases, golden eagle threats, and previous programs that killed these foxes to protect another endangered species, the endemic loggerhead shrikes. Thankfully, these killing efforts were stopped in 2003.
Sumatran Orangutans: Hardly Worth Laughing About
(Images via: Bio Web, Orangutan Foundation, Durrell)
Mostly living in Indonesia, the Sumatran orangutan population is down to roughly 6,600 individuals, according to a 2008 survey. Logging and deforestation have had adverse effects on these orangutans, which have been orphaned, captured for trade or killed for various reasons.
Vaquita: A Porpoise That Needs A Purpose
(Images via: CSI Whales Alive, Save the Vaquita, Save Bio Gems, INE)
A porpoise that looks a bit like a plump dolphin, the vaquita is respectively recognized by dark rings around its eyes and patches on its beak. Nowadays the vaquita is hardly recognized due to its small numbers: only 150 individuals are left as the result of fishing gillnets, reduced water flows and water pollution.
White-Headed Langur: Finding It Hard to Reproduce
(Images via: New York Times, Flickr, New York Times)
As few as 59 white-headed langurs are left on the once isolated but more recently populated Cat Ba Island near Vietnam, with many of these species split into all female groups. In addition to deforestation, a major threat to these langurs has been hunting, specifically for a traditional Chinese medicine preparation called monkey balm.
Romer’s Tree Frog: Easy to Get Lost
(Images via: Yearbook, Compunicate, Yearbook, Electronic Gallery of HKU)
Less than 0.8 inches long, the Romer’s tree frog of Hong Kong was once thought to be extinct following airport construction that wiped out its habitat. In good news, this tree frog is still alive, with active breeding programs contributing to a couple thousand Romer’s being released in the wild in the 1990s.
Przewalski’s Horse: Back Kicking in the Wild
(Images via: ZSL, Shoarns, National Zoo)
Did you know that the Przewalski’s horse, with its stocky body and short neck, is the only true living species of wild horse? Or that this horse once became extinct in the wild and could only be found in zoos? In recent years the Przewalski’s horse has been reintroduced into native habitats in Mongolia following dedicated conservation efforts. Today there are more than 300 Przewalski’s horses in the wild, not only serving as an important reminder to protect endangered animals but offering proof that there is hope for other threatened species if saved in time. For more information on these critically endangered animals, check out the WCS report: The Rarest of the Rare.
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Seed Bomb Vending Machines Sowing Covert Green Thumbs
[ By Elizah in Animals & Habitats, Home & Garden, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
(Images via: EcoScraps, OriginauxMoose, MemineCaroline, Kathryn Miller)
Would you believe that in some regions of the world, engaging in guerrilla gardening is a somewhat subversive and punishable offense? It hardly seems like a crime to restore the former botanical luster to a now-neglected section of one’s city, but the problem revolves around those who choose to indulge their green thumbs without enduring local legislative loopholes and never ending bureaucratic red tape first. Stepping onto public property without an official a-okay is perceived as a form of veggie vandalism, no matter how herbaceous your intentions are. That’s when seed bombing becomes especially handy, enabling those with a hankering for instant inner-city greenification to take back the streets without risking a trip in the paddywagon.
(Images via: Lush USA, MemineCaroline, Natural Home Magazine, Sustainy, Guerrilla Gardener)
Making quick business of the seeding process, everyone from bright eyed novices to been-around-the-block-a-few-times guerrilla gardeners can easily create their own biodegradable and propel-worthy “grenades” using a basic mixture of seeds, clay, earthworm castings, and water. Stir it all together and what have you got? A moldable mud pie blend that can be formed into individual meatball like orbs which, when strategically flung into barren plots, will sow the seeds of potential floral glory (as long as you revisit the scene of your crime every now and again to coax them along with a little water).
(Images via: CommonStudio)
Ahhh, but all of this may be daunting to a well-intentioned, midnight skulking gardening anarchist…which is why Greenaid’s pre-made versions are so darn nifty! No more dirt under your fingernails…no more shaking down local earthworms for their highly coveted garden gold. Now, residents far and wide can benefit from the simple convenience of no fuss no muss, perfectly civilized eco-criminalistic seed bombs dispensed from repurposed quarter-operated candy machines. Concrete jungles are soooo cruisin’ for a bruisin’.
(Images via: CommonStudio)
Trading gumballs for Cottonwood, Sycamore and Oak-embedded seedbombs may initially make school children scratch their heads and wax poetic for the simpler days of gobstopper-induced sugar rushes, but environmental awareness is inarguably the wave of the present and future. Parents, teachers and eager greenies can easily help Greenaid’s clever seed spreading project catch on among impressionable youth, explaining that their actions will contribute to a greater, greener future for us all (as long as they look in both directions, fling and “Run Forest, runnnn”). Additionally, these dispensing systems can be installed in parks, business lobbies, churches watering holes, offering more wizened individuals the opportunity to make a measurable impact, one covertly chucked seed ball at a time. You’ve really got to seed it to believe it 
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Seed bombs have been a guerrilla gardener’s best friend for almost 30 years. Now they’re getting a facelift for large-scale use. Look out below! 3 Comments – Click Here to Read More