Pre-historic beetle preserves its color
An amazingly well preserved beetle fossil still retains its color - 47 millions years after it came to be.
Despite being tens of millions of years old, some beetle fossils appear almost as they did in life. Not only are their shape and structure preserved, but so are the actual colors of their shells, which have changed only slightly in the intervening eons.
Though relatively little-known, these fossils represent the purest of biological colors retrieved from deep time, far richer than much-celebrated pigment traces of dinosaur plumage and more varied than the hues of a few ancient plants.
BLACK MAMBA — World’s Fastest Land Snake
Dendroaspis polylepis
©M.Dobiey
The black mamba is the longest venomous snake in Africa, averaging around 2.5 meters (8.2 ft), and sometimes growing up to 4.3 meters (14 ft). Its name is derived from the black colouration inside the mouth rather than the actual colour of the skin which varies from dull yellowish-green to a gun-metal grey. It is the fastest snake in the world, capable of moving at 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (16–20 km/h, 10–12 mph)
It is reported that before the antivenom was widely available, the mortality rate from a Black Mamba bite was 100%. Black mamba bites can kill a human within 20 minutes or less depending on the nature of the bite and the area bitten — death usually occurs after 30–60 minutes on average
However, this snake is usually is shy and secretive; it always seeks to first escape a confrontation if possible. If a black mamba is cornered it mimics a cobra by spreading a neck-flap, exposing its black mouth, and hissing. If this endeavor to scare away the attacker fails, the black mamba may strike repeatedly. The black mamba is a diurnal snake. Although its scientific name seems to be indicative of tree climbing, the black mamba is rarely an arboreal snake. These snakes retreat when threatened by predators.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendroaspis_polylepis
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JAMESON’S MAMBA SNAKE
Dendroaspis jamesoni
©pdphoto
Mambas, of the genus Dendroaspis (literally “tree snake”), are fast-moving land-dwelling snakes of Africa. They belong to the family of Elapidae which includes cobras, coral snakes, death adders, kraits and, debatably, sea snakes (although sea snakes are now classed as Hydrophiidae). Mambas are feared among their habitats. In Africa, there are many legends and stories describing these snakes.
Mambas have highly toxic venom which consists mostly of neurotoxins (known as dendrotoxins). The bite can be fatal to humans without access to proper first aid and subsequent antivenom treatment, as it shuts down the lungs and heart. Prior to the availability of antivenom, envenomations by members of this genus carried a high fatality rate. An untreated black mamba bite has a mortality rate of a 100%., but presently, fatalities have become much rarer due to wide availability of antivenom.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamba
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SRI LANKAN ELEPHANT population larger then expected
Elephas maximus maximus
©Paul Gilham/Getty Images
The first national survey of Sri Lanka’s wild elephants found more than had been estimated — a sign the endangered species has a healthy, growing population on the Indian Ocean island.
The count conducted last month in forests and wildlife parks found 5,879 wild elephants, of which 122 are tuskers and 1,107 calves, Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena said Friday.
Previous counts did not cover the entire island, but the end of a quarter-century civil war in 2009 opened former war zones to wildlife workers.
The information gathered from the survey will be used to devise plans to protect the endangered species, Wildlife Department Director General H.D. Ratnayake said.
Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/sri-lanka-count-finds-more-elephants-expected-105945552.html
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Wow, Impressive footage from Disney
Oceans (Disney): Fish Frenzy
An enormous shoal of fish comes under attack from Gannets, Dolphins, and Whales.
CICADA and shed skin - gorgeous photo by Lopshire Photo
Cicada by Lopshire on Flickr.
Cicada & his skin.
RUBY TAILED WASP
Chrysis ignita
© http://journey-end.tumblr.com
Ruby tailed wasps or Cuckoo Wasps are ‘parasitoids’ meaning that they eventually kill their hosts. Chrysis ignita parasitizes Mason Bees - the females lay their eggs in the same nest as mason bees, so, when the ruby-tailed wasp larvae hatch, they feed on the mason bee larvae. Ruby tailed wasps do have a sting but it is not functional and most species have no venom.
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By http://journey-end.tumblr.com :)
(submitted by ^)
WAHLBERG’S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT
Epomophorus wahlbergi
©Jerry Young/dkimages.com
The Wahlberg’s Epauletted Fruit Bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi) is a species of megabat or “flying fox”. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, and moist savanna.
It weighs two and a half to four ounces. Epaulette refers to patches of fur on the shoulders. In this species it the epaulettes are present only on the male and are white. Both sexes have white patches at the base of the ears. It is thought these white patches may work as a sort of camouflage, breaking up the animal’s outline when seen from the ground through dappled foliage.
Behavioral Characteristics
Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bats sleep during the day in trees. There may be many near each other but they aren’t necessarily in a group. However, they will form groups at trees with ripe fruit to eat. They’ll spend many days at the same tree, often until it’s completely rid of fruit. It is believed that Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bats may keep track of when a tree’s fruit will become ripe. It is mostly nocturnal but has been seen on occasion flying during the daytime.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahlberg%27s_Epauletted_Fruit_Bat
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1949800/the_wahlbergs
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LESSER GREEN LEAFBIRD
Chloropsis cyanopogon
©iwasfixin2
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Lesser Green Leafbird at the Jurong Bird Park of Singapore.
The Lesser Green Leafbird (Chloropsis cyanopogon) is a species of bird in the Chloropseidae family. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
(Photo: iwasfixin2)
(Fact Sources: Wikipedia.org)
Sea Star’s Back
Photograph by Tim Laman, National Geographic
A close-up reveals the backside of a sea star in Indonesian waters. Looking for all the world like an aboriginal painting, the sea star’s patterning is a wonderful work of art. This star boasts a full complement of five arms but it may not always keep them. When grabbed by a predator, the sea star can simply lose a limb and later grow a replacement. In fact, some species can grow a new body from just a single severed limb and a small part of their central disk.
Source: National Geographic
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![MEOWING NIGHT FROG(thanks jackjacksushi for the submission)Nyctibatrachus poocha© Biju Das / National Geographic
A unique “catcall” inspired the name of the meowing night frog, one of 12 new species of frogs found recently in western India, a new study says. [I like that this guy’s smiling like a satisfied cat].
The 1.4-inch (3.5-centimeter) frog Nyctibatrachus poocha—”poocha” meaning “domestic cat” in the local Indian language—has a “secretive lifestyle,” hiding out inside rock crevices in the states of Western Ghats-Kerala and Tamil Nadu, said Biju Das, a biologist at the University of Delhi.
Between 1994 and 2010, Das and colleagues scoured forests along Indian’s western coast for nocturnal, stream-dwelling frogs in the poorly studied genus Nyctibatrachus. In addition to revealing the 12 new species, the team rediscovered 3 species thought extinct, according to the study, published September 15 in the journalZootaxa.
Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/pictures/110916-new-species-frogs-india-night-science-animals-meowing/
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Borneo Rainbow Toad
Suriname Toad- she has pits on her back for her tadpoles to live in
Spray Toads
Ornate Horned Toad](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrtupfsX0P1qeeqk5o1_500.jpg)
MEOWING NIGHT FROG
(thanks jackjacksushi for the submission)
Nyctibatrachus poocha
© Biju Das / National Geographic
A unique “catcall” inspired the name of the meowing night frog, one of 12 new species of frogs found recently in western India, a new study says. [I like that this guy’s smiling like a satisfied cat].
The 1.4-inch (3.5-centimeter) frog Nyctibatrachus poocha—”poocha” meaning “domestic cat” in the local Indian language—has a “secretive lifestyle,” hiding out inside rock crevices in the states of Western Ghats-Kerala and Tamil Nadu, said Biju Das, a biologist at the University of Delhi.
Between 1994 and 2010, Das and colleagues scoured forests along Indian’s western coast for nocturnal, stream-dwelling frogs in the poorly studied genus Nyctibatrachus. In addition to revealing the 12 new species, the team rediscovered 3 species thought extinct, according to the study, published September 15 in the journalZootaxa.
Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/pictures/110916-new-species-frogs-india-night-science-animals-meowing/
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Suriname Toad- she has pits on her back for her tadpoles to live in
ATLANTIC WOLFFISH
Anarhichas lupus
©Espen Rekdal
The Atlantic wolffish’s distinguishing feature, from which it gets its common name, is its extensive teeth structure. Its dentition (teeth) distinguishes the Atlanitic wolffish from all the other members of the Anarhichadidae family. Both the lower and upper jaw are armed with four to six fang-like, strong conical teeth. Behind the conical teeth in the upper jaw, there are three rows of crushing teeth. The central row has four pairs of molars and the outer rows house blunted conical teeth. The lower jaw has two rows of molars behind the primary conical teeth. The wolffish’s throat is also scattered with serrated teeth.
The Atlantic wolffish are primarily stationary fish, rarely moving from their rocky home. They are benthic dwellers, living on the hard ocean floor, frequently seen in nooks and small caves. They like cold water, at depths of 76 to 120 meters (250 to 400 ft). They are usually found in waters of 34-37°F (1-2°C) and sometimes as low as 30°F (-1°C). Since they live in nearly freezing waters, in order to keep their blood moving smoothly, their blood contains a natural antifreeze.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seawolf_%28fish%29
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SOUTH COAST GARTER SNAKE
Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis
©vabbley
Adults of this species measure 18 - 55 inches in length (46 - 140 cm), but the average size is under 36 inches (91 cm).
Appearance
A medium-sized snake with a head barely wider than the neck and keeled dorsal scales.
There are red bars alternating with the ground color along the sides above the lateral stripes. The head is red or orangish. The underside is bluish gray, sometimes very blue north of the Bay Area (shown above) and may have some dark coloring. The eyes are relatively larged compared with other gartersnake species.
Behavior
Primarily active during daylight. A good swimmer. Often escapes into water when threatened. When first handled, typical of gartersnakes, this snake often releases cloacal contents and musk, and strikes. The species T. sirtalis is capable of activity at lower temperatures than other species of North American snake.
Diet
Eats a wide variety of prey, including amphibians and their larvae, fish, birds, and their eggs, small mammals, reptiles, earthworms, slugs, and leeches. This snake is able to eat adult Pacific newts (Taricha) which are deadly poisonous to most predators.
Reproduction
There are generally far more males than females which is why, during mating season, they form “mating balls,” where one or two females will be completely swamped by ten or more males. Sometimes a male snake will mate with a female before hibernation and the female will store the sperm internally until spring, when she will allow her eggs to be fertilized. If she mates again in the spring, the fall sperm will degenerate, and the spring sperm will fertilize her eggs. The females may give birth ovoviviparously to 12 to 40 young from July through October.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Garter_Snake
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vabbley/5025193400/
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ROYAL STARLING or GOLDEN BREASTED STARLING
Cosmopsarus regius
©photo.mish.net
The Golden-breasted Starling is a medium-sized, up to 35cm long, passerine in the starling family. Both sexes are similar. The young is duller than adult.The Golden-breasted Starling is distributed to the grassland, savanna and shrubland of East Africa, from Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and northern Tanzania.
The Golden-breasted Starling is a social animal, living in groups of three to twelve individuals. Its diet consists mainly of insects and termites.
The female usually lays between three to five pale green eggs with red speckles. It nests in tree holes. The nest is made from leaves, roots and other vegetation matters.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-breasted_Starling
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PISTOL SHRIMP
Super Family: Alpheoidea
©Ellen Muller
You may notice that one claw of a pistol shrimp is much larger than the other, and very strangely shaped. This large claw serves as both its lethal weapon, and its voice. This claw can be forcefully snapped shut, shooting a jet of water out at such a high speed that it actually vaporizes the water. This causes a small air bubble to form. The bubble collapses with enough force to send concussive shockwaves capable of stunning and incapacitating prey.
The loud blast created by a pistol shrimp’s claw can be heard from great distances. Because of this, they also use their claw for communicating with other pistol shrimps. When you listen underwater you may hear a lot of popping sounds. Some of them may be made by pistol shrimps firing off their sound waves to communicate with each other.
The snap can also produce sonoluminescence from the collapsing cavitation bubble. As it collapses, the cavitation bubble reaches temperatures of over 5,000 K (4,700 °C). In comparison, the surface temperature of the sun is estimated to be around 5,800 K (5,500 °C). The light is of lower intensity than the light produced by typical sonoluminescence and is not visible to the naked eye. It is most likely a by-product of the shock wave with no biological significance. However, it was the first known instance of an animal producing light by this effect.
Source: http://aquamarinediscovery.blogspot.com/2009/04/pistol-shrimp.html
Pistol Shrimp in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPrGxB1Kzc&feature=player_embedded
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