animals, animals, animals

STRAWBERRY POISON FROG
Dendrobates pumilio
by terraincognita96

Description
Size: 17-24 mm. The skin is relatively smooth, and the “usual” coloration includes a bright red back, some small black spots, black to dark blue hind legs, and a red belly, which occasionally is red and blue, and can vary toward tan and white in some Panamanian localities.

Distribution and Habitat
It is found within several protected areas, including the Finca La Selva Biological Reserve (Costa Rica) and Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama), and may occur within other protected areas, particularly in Costa Rica.

Trends and Threats
It is generallly common throughout its range. Habitat loss and overcollection for the pet trade are problems for some populaions. Tourism (e.g., www.redfrogbeachclub.com) also affects some populations.

Export data from 1991-1996 showed that the majority of specimens (>95%) came from Nicaragua, which has established a CITES 2001 export quota of 3,450 specimens for D. pumilio (Solís et al. 2008).

Relation to Humans
This frog can be found in gardens. The species is often smuggled for the pet trade.

Source:http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-scientific_name=Oophaga+pumilio

Other posts:

Red Backed Poison Dart Frog

Blue Poison Dart Frog

Cuban Tree Frog

POLAR BEARS Underwater
Ursus maritimus
© Mark Philpott

The Polar Bear is the world’s largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size. An adult male weighs around 350–680 kg (770–1,500 lb), while an adult female is about half that size. Although it is closely related to the brown bear, it has evolved to occupy a narrower ecological niche, with many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice, and open water, and for hunting the seals which make up most of its diet. Although most polar bears are born on land, they spend most of their time at sea. Their scientific name means “maritime bear”, and derives from this fact. Polar bears can hunt their preferred food of seals from the edge of sea ice, often living off fat reserves when no sea ice is present.

The polar bear is native largely within the Arctic Circle (north) encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. There are no penguins in the Arctic (north) and no polar bears in the antarctic (south).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_bear

Other posts:

Polar Bear misconceptions

Polar Bear Mom & cubs

Grizzly Bear

(Source: bruisepristinex, via ocean-ology)

SUNFLOWER SEA STAR, the largest Starfish - by request
Pycnopodia helianthoides
©Ron Wolf

I really appreciated this question as we dive in the kelp beds off Catalina Island in Southern California where Sunflower Sea Stars are fairly common and I did not know that they were the largest species of starfish. I have seen them about 18-20” (45-50cms) across. I was turning one over in about 30 feet of water when a harbor seal’s face suddenly appeared in front of my mask. It had come up underneath me so we were belly to belly, and he was just checking me out. I however was gulping down oxygen and trying not to panic. :)

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The sunflower sea staris a large predatory sea star usually with 16–24 limbs called rays. It is the largest sea star in the world. Sunflower sea stars can grow to have an arm span of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. The color of the sunflower sea star ranges from bright orange, yellow and red to brown and sometimes to purple, with soft, velvet-textured bodies and 16–24 arms with powerful suckers. Most sea star species have a mesh-like skeleton that protects their internal organs. Easily stressed by predators such as large fish and other sea stars, they can shed arms to escape, which will grow back within a few weeks. They are preyed upon by the king crab.

Sunflower sea stars are common in the Pacific from Alaska to Southern California, and are largest in Puget Sound, British Columbia and Alaska. They generally inhabit low subtidal and intertidal areas rich in seaweed or kelp.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflower_starfish

Other posts:

Blue Starfish

Purple and Orange Royal Sea Star

Necklace Sea Star

SOUTH AMERICAN SEA LION
Otaria flavescens
©Laura Quick

CODEFF promotes conservation of the South American Sea Lion, and marine wildlife along the coast of Chile — By request

sepulvedasoy:

Voluntariados de CODEFF en Cobquecura: estos cachorros de Otaria flavescens caían desde las loberías por el fuerte oleaje existente en esa zona, los lobos se dejaban descansar en corrales, regular su temperatura, y en horas de marea baja se hacía lo posible para que pudieran nadar hacia las loberías. No existe autorización por parte de las autoridades pertinentes (SERNAPESCA) para realizar manejo médico en los cachorros que estén en malas condiciones, traumatizados por las rocas, y carentes de alimento por varias horas (estos animales son aún lactantes), más aún la autorización para el manejo de los lobos se otorga a académicos que desarrollan investigación para CELCO, una forestal que hace estudios de impacto ambiental para poder descargar riles por un emisario submarino dentro de las aguas próximas a Cobquecura.

Click here or the photo for more information

GOOTY SAPPHIRE Ornamental Tree Spider
Poecilotheria metallica
by Ben

P. metallica is a species of tarantula. It reflects brilliant metallic blue color. This whole genus of arboreal tarantulas exhibits an intricate fractal-like pattern on the abdomen. The spider’s natural habitat is primarily Southeastern India and Sri Lanka. P. metallica was first discovered in a town in central southern India called Gooty. Hence, its common name is Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tree Spider, or simply Gooty Sapphire.

P. metallica’s behavior parallels that of many arboreal spiders. In the wild the P. metallica live in holes of tall trees where they make asymmetric funnel webs. Their primary prey consists of various flying insects, which they catch manually (not in a web) and paralyze. It is not unknown for the spiders of this genus to live communally when territory, i.e. number of holes per tree, is limited.

Although there has never been a recorded Human death from any tarantula bite, this species is considered to have a medically significant bite.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poecilotheria_metallica

Other colorful Tarantula posts:

Greenbottle Blue Tarantula

Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula (adult-pink)

Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula (juvenile-blue)

Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Maybe it’s not a macro shot of a weevil at all…hmm.

Left: Macro of Australian weevil, Right: Lengue - the long-tonged dog from South America — but the resemblance is remarkable, no? :)

MALACHITE KINGFISHER
Alcedo cristata
by Cliffy Els

The Malachite Kingfisher is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate related movements.

This small kingfisher, 13 cm in length has a short crest of black and blue feathers, which gives rise to the scientific name. The face, cheeks and underparts are rufous and there are white patches on the throat and rear neck sides. The bill is black in young birds and reddish orange in adults (shown); the legs are bright red. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

This is common near slow moving water or ponds. The flight of the Malachite Kingfisher is rapid, it usually flies low over water. The bird has regular perches or stands from which it fishes. These are usually low over the water. It sits upright, its tail pointed downwards. It drops suddenly with a splash and usually returns at once with a struggling captive.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachite_Kingfisher

Other posts:

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

Blue-winged Kookaburra (a member of the kingfisher family)

Common Kingfisher

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theanimalblog:

by Cliffy Els

(via theanimalblog)

MACRO of an Australian WEEVIL
Ternova lineatosignata
©BP(?) International Weevil Website

Look what I came across! Though this looks like an evil bulldog with tongue lolling out that has grown devil’s horns, it’s really an Australian Weevil, Ternova lineatosignata — the tongue is actually the weevil’s snout. Some insects are better viewed at actual size perhaps? :)

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The Thoracic horns (prothorax) - are anteriorly-directed horns arising from the prothorax ventrally, just anterior to the coxal cavity.  Often with a median more or less forked sheath between them.   Image is of a thorax viewed from the ventro-posterior aspect, with the sheath pointing  towards the viewer and the horns pointing away.

Source: http://weevil.info/glossary-weevil-characters

BARRACUDA
genus Sphyraena, family Sphyraenidae
©festeban

The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size and fearsome appearance. Its body is long, fairly compressed, and covered with small, smooth scales. Some species could reach up to 4 ft. (1.8m) in length. The barracuda is a salt water fish and is found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. [I’ve usually seen them lurking just below the surface or in the shade of the boat, but have never had a problem with them while in the water.]

Barracudas are popular both as food and game fish. Larger species, like the Great Barracuda, have been implicated in cases of ciguatera food poisoning. Southern Nigerians smoke them for use in soups. Smoking protects the soft flesh from disintegrating in the broth.

Barracudas are voracious, opportunistic predators relying on surprise and short bursts of speed — up to 27 miles per hour (43 km/h) — to overtake their prey. They are attracted to bright, shiny objects so it’s best to remove all jewelry before diving or snorkeling

Adults of most species are more or less solitary, while young and half-grown fish (shown) frequently congregate. Barracuda prey primarily on fish (including some as large as themselves). They kill and consume larger prey by tearing chunks of flesh.

Source:

Other posts:

Maori Wrasse - they’re big

Alligator Gar - they’re fierce

Garra Rufa - they eat your skin

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theoceanplanet:

(by festeban)

(via oranges-and-licorice)

PROMACHOTEUHID SQUID has creepy “teeth”
Promachoteuthis sulcus
©Richard E. Young (from tolweb.org)

Promachoteuthis sulcus  is known from a single specimen collected in the south Atlantic at a depth of 1759-2000 meters. The holotype* is an immature female with a mantle length of 25mm. Its diagnostic characteristics include tentacles that are thicker at their base than the arms, and arm suckers that are bigger than the suckers on the tentacle clubs. However, the thing that got this obscure little squid noticed was this photo of its mouth, showing what seem to be disturbingly human-like teeth.

P. sulcus is known from a single specimen caught by the German research vessel R/V Walther Herwig in an open net off Tristan Da Cunha, southern Atlantic Ocean, at a depth of 1750–2000 m.

Souce: http://www.indiesquidkid.com/tag/ten-sensational-squids/

Other posts:

Jeweled Squid

Squidworm

Striped Pyjama Squid

MOSAIC LEATHERJACKET
Eubalichthys mosaicus
©Richard Ling

The Mosaic Leatherjacket is a deep-bodied fish with a strong dorsal spine above the eyes, narrow gill openings and minute scales. The juvenile Mosaic Leatherjacket is known to live in the shallow waters of estuaries, while adults are found on deep offshore reefs.

Alternative Name/s
Deep Bodied Leatherjacket, Deepbodied Leatherjacket, Dinnerplate Leatherjacket. Identification

Color
Adults are blue to brownish-grey with yellowish-brown stripes and blotches. All the fins are blue-green. Juveniles are yellow to brown and patterned with wavy blue to grey lines and orange-bordered brown blotches.

Size range
The Mosaic Leatherjacket grows to at least 60 cm in length.

Distribution
It has a widespread distribution around the southern half of Australia.

Source:
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Mosaic-Leatherjacket-Eubalichthys-mosaicus

Other posts:

Pacific Spiny Lumpsucker

Pygmy Leatherjacket

Beaked Leatherjacket

HAWAIIAN GOOSE or NENE
Branta sandvicensis
©islandlightphoto

The Nene evolved from the Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), which most likely migrated to the Hawaiian islands 500,000 years ago, shortly after the island of Hawaiʻi was formed.

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birdbit:

The Hawaiian Goose (also known as the Nene) used to be critically endangered, with estimated wild populations between 3 and 10. Now there are between 3,000 and 4,000, both in captivity and in the wild.

Also, they are what you find at the ends of rainbows.

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Other posts:

Nene or Hawaiian Goose and Nene Goslings

Flock of Snow Geese

Red Breasted Goose

(via crotalinae)

Angry Bee “fences” keep ELEPHANTS from foraging farm crops
Loxodonta africana
©arnolouise

Recently there was a lot of chatter when it was discovered that GoDaddy Founder and CEO, Bob Parsons, relishes his vacation time — he looks forward to his trips to Africa where he shoots their “problem elephants” - video here. The solution of beekeeping as an elephant deterrant is a win-win solution both saving farm crops as well as saving elephant lives. Also, honey provides secondary income to farmers, as well as ensuring pollination of local crops.

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zoo-logic:

Looking at the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), you wouldn’t imagine that much could intimidate such an almighty and awe-inspiring creature. But a few years ago, researchers discovered that one of the best ways to get elephants to scarper was to play a recording of the intense buzzing of an angry swarm of bees - what would seem to be small bother for the elephants with their tough skin, but in fact can do damage with their nasty stings in soft areas such as around the eyes, behind the ears and inside the trunk. Nearly 50% of family herds tested left within 10 seconds; all but one of the rest deserted the area in less than a minute and a half. African elephants even have a distinctive rumbling alarm call for the presence of bees. Being notoriously destructive invaders of farm land, the elephants’ fear is now being used against them in order to encourage harmonious living alongside humans. 1700m of “beehive fences” (lines of hives spaced 10m apart) have been constructed around the perimeter of farms in northern Kenya. They have proved an undoubted success, with only one bull passing through a fence of this type in the past two years, compared with 31 elephants having broken through traditional thorn fences.

Ref: Morell (2011) ScienceShot: ‘Beehive Fences’ Keep Elephants Out. Science online news [link] 

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Other posts:

Bob Parson’s Disturbing Video

Day old Elephant Twins

African Elephant Facts

SUNDA FLYING LEMUR
Galeopterus variegatus
©yiwenwong

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zoo-logic:

The Sunda flying lemur (Galeopterus variegatus), a species of colugo, uses its great expanse of membrane - spanning its entire body - to glide distances up to 150m. But while the natural assumption has previously been that this adaptation saves energy, recent research has found that in fact it doesn’t: it just saves time. Gliding actually requires about 1.5 times more energy than clambering the same distance across the canopy would. However, colugos are clumsy climbers, lacking opposable thumbs to help them move through the trees. As a result, gliding rather than climbing can be up to 10 times faster, leaving more time for essential foraging.

Ref: Byrnes et al. (2011) Gliding saves time but not energy in Malayan colugos. Journal of Experimental Biology 214, 2690-2696.

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Other gliding animals:

Paradise Fying Snake (with flower patterned scales)

Feathered-tail Opossum

Japanese Pygmy Flying Squirrel