RING NECKED SNAKE
Diadophis punctatus
©Sam Martin (abikeOdyssey)
The ringneck snake or ring-necked snake is a snake found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and south eastern Canada. Dorsal coloration is solid olive, brown, bluish gray to black, broken only by a distinct yellow, red, or yellow-orange neck bandThey are slightly venomous but their non-aggressive nature and small rear-facing fangs pose little threat to humans who wish to handle them.
Ring-necked snakes first strike and then secure the prey using constriction. They are rarely aggressive to larger predators suggesting that their venom evolved as a feeding strategy rather than a defense strategy. As a defense strategy, the snake winds up its tail into a corkscrew, exposing the brightly colored belly.
Ring-necked snakes are primarily nocturnal, though some diurnal activity has been observed. Individuals can be found, on cloudy days, sunning themselves. Individuals prefer lie directly under surface objects that are warmed in the sun and use conduction to gain heat.
Ring-necked snakes are highly secretive, but their exact social hierarchies have never been evaluated. Populations have been identified to have large colonies of more than 100 individuals, with reports that some smaller colonies occupy the same microhabitats.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diadophis_punctatus
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![ATLAS MOTHAttacus atlas©JocaMoreira
The Atlas moths of Southeast Asia are considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area [upwards of c. 400 cm2 (62 sq in)]. Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25–30 cm (10–12 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier.
Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as “snake’s head moth”, referring to apical extension of the forewing, which bears a passing resemblance to a snake’s head. This is easily seen in the photo above.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas
Other posts:
Rothschilda Moth
Sino-Korean Owl Moth
Madagascar Moon Moth](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqmmv0PGas1qeeqk5o1_500.jpg)
ATLAS MOTH
Attacus atlas
©JocaMoreira
The Atlas moths of Southeast Asia are considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area [upwards of c. 400 cm2 (62 sq in)]. Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25–30 cm (10–12 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier.
Atlas moths are said to be named after either the Titan of Greek mythology, or their map-like wing patterns. In Hong Kong the Cantonese name translates as “snake’s head moth”, referring to apical extension of the forewing, which bears a passing resemblance to a snake’s head. This is easily seen in the photo above.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attacus_atlas
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GREAT WHITE PELICAN
Pelecanus onocrotalus
by NIKOS SAMARITAKIS
The Great White Pelican also known as the Eastern White Pelican or White Pelican is a bird in the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes.
The diet of the Great White Pelican consists mainly of fish. Each pelican needs about 1.4 kg of fish every day. This corresponds to around 28 million kilograms of fish every year consumed at the largest colony of Great White Pelicans, on Tanzania’s Lake Rukwa, with almost 75000 birds. Pelicans are not restricted to fish, however, and are often opportunistic foragers. In some situations they eat chicks of other birds, such as the well documented case off the southwest coast of South Africa. Here breeding Pelicans from the Dassen Island colony predate chicks up to 2 kg from the Cape Gannet colony on Malgas Island. Great White Pelicans also eat crustaceans, tadpoles and even turtles. They readily accept handouts from humans, and a number of unusual items have been recorded in their diet. During periods of starvation, pelicans also eat seagulls and ducklings. The gulls are held under water and drowned before being eaten headfirst. Pelicans will also rob other birds of their prey.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_White_Pelican
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The SLYPHINA ANGEL
Chorinea sylphina
©imagenesygraficos.com
The Sylphina Angel (Chorinea sylphina) is a clearwing butterfly species from the Riodinidae family. It is found in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. When seen in flight the transparent wings of this exquisite butterfly reflect a myriad of glittering colours - a kaleidoscope of iridescent green, blue, pink and golden hues that hold the observer spellbound as it flickers it’s wings in bright sunlight. As it flutters rapidly around bushes and shrubs it could easily be mistaken for a damselfly, and it is not until it settles under a leaf and stops fluttering that it reveals its true identity.
Adults fly in full sunshine, but occasionally settle beneath the leaves of bushes.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorinea_sylphina and http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Andes%20-%20Chorinea%20sylphina.htm
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VENUS FLYTRAP SEA ANEMONE*
Actinoscyphia aurelia
©NOAA Photo Library
The Venus flytrap sea anemone is a large sea anemone resembling a Venus Flytrap. Like it’s plant namesake, it is believed to close its tentacles to capture prey or to protect itself. It is found in and around the Gulf of Mexico.
Flytrap anemones grow up to 30 cm (one foot) across attaching themselves to exposed rock outcrops on seamounts and deep sea ridges, where currents are relatively strong. Some scientists have suggested that flytrap anemones eat bits of debris carried on the ocean currents, their body shape suggests that they feed on small animals, such as shrimp, that happen to swim by. Flytrap anemones were recently discovered to release bioluminescent slime when disturbed.
Source:
http://www.mbari.org/news/feature-image/flytrap.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_flytrap_sea_anemone
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*Looks like the carniverous plant from the movie Little Shop of Horrors
GAS FLAME NUDIBRANCH Eggs
Bonisa nakaza
©AndyT
The gasflame nudibranch is a large and beautiful nudibranch densely covered with soft spines or cerata — which comes from the Greek word “keratos”, meaning “horn”. This species is endemic to the South African coast and is found only from the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula to Port Elizabeth, from the intertidal border to at least 30 m. See the adult here.
The egg mass is globular, highly convoluted and usually attached to branched organisms, such as gorgonian sea fans. It is usually cream coloured, but may be pinkish as shown.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasflame_nudibranch
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GAS FLAME NUDIBRANCH - by request
Bonisa nakaza
©Geoff Spiby
The gasflame nudibranch is a very colourful species of nudibranch, or sea slug, (you can see from the photo where they get their name).
This is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Proctonotidae.
The gasflame nudibranch is a large, beautiful nudibranch densely covered with cerata, or horn-like structures. Cerata greatly extend the surface area of nudibranchs, and aid in respiration. This is the process of gas exchange for metabolic use.Cerata are also used, in some cases, for attack and defense.
These nudibranch usually grow to between (2-3”) 50 and 80 mm in length, but may reach (4.75”) 120 mm. They have highly variable coloration.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerata
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ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK
Rupicola peruvianus
© Joe Brown
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Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus)
The Cock-of-the-rock, which compose the genus Rupicola, are South American cotingid birds. The Andean Cock-of-the-rock is the national bird of Peru.
They are found in tropical and subtropical rainforests close to rocky areas, where they build their nests. Like some other cotingids, they have a complex court behaviour, performing impressive lek displays.
The males are magnificent birds, not only because of their bright orange or red colors, but also because of their very prominent fan-shaped crests. The far duller females are overall brownish. They are wary animals and primarily feed on fruits and berries.
(Photo: Joe Brown)
(Fact Sources: Wikipedia.org)
Other Peruvian posts:
Boto or Amazonian River Dolphin
(via oranges-and-licorice)
AMERICAN HONEY BEE
likely Apis mellifera*
©Alexander Wild
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Alexander Wild writes about the myth of organic honey
He also takes gorgeous photographs. And here’s an excuse to post one.
PS. Here’s another awesome picture:
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*the most common honey bee in the US
Other posts with photos by the the amazing Alex Wild:
ATOLLA JELLYFISH
Atolla wyvillei
©michaelaw.com
It’s a mood ring jellyfish! Wikipedia says The Atolla jellyfish is a deep sea-dwelling jellyfish. It is red-brown colour. Hmm, not very helpful either so here’s info from Carly of the Featured Creature - a fabulous animal blog:
The Atolla Jellyfish is a deep-sea dwelling creature that is usually very hard to gather information on since it is quite skiddish when noisy, cumbersome submersibles try and interfere with their normal routines.
Luckily, a new type of camera has been invented - designed to operate in the dark without being noticed by the creatures it is observing (created for California’s Monterey Bay by Dr Edith Widder and colleagues of the Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institution in Florida).
When threatened the Atolla Jellyfish respond by creating a moving circular wave of light around their outer edge which is referred to as a “burglar alarm” response. Scientists theorize that jellyfish use this response to attract large animals in to eat jellyfish predators. So basically, when the jellyfish is under attack, it starts lighting up so that other, bigger, scarier animals will be attracted to the scene and (hopefully) eat the thing attacking the Atolla Jelly.
Catch More Creatures Here: http://www.thefeaturedcreature.com/2011/02/bright-lights-big-jelly.html#ixzz1WHdt1RPl
Other posts:
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Atolla Jellyfish
image credit: michaelaw.com
(via oranges-and-licorice)
SERVAL by request
Leptailurus serval
©oasisexoticcats.com
A medium-sized African wild Cat. DNA analysis indicates servals descend from the same ancestor as the lion, but share common traits with the Cheetah. The African Golden Cat and Caracal are closely related and may have branched by cross-breeding.
Length — 85-112 cm (33-44 in), plus 30-50 cm (12-18 in) of tail,
Shoulder height — 54-66 cm (21-26 in)
Weight ranges
Females — 9 to 16 kg (20-35 lbs)
Males — 12 to 26 kg (26-57 lbs) in males
Life expectancy— 12–16 years in the wild, 20–25 years in captivity
This strong, slender animal, has long legs and a shortish tail. The head is small in relation to the body, and the tall, oval ears are set close together. The fur pattern is black spots on tawny, with 2 or 4 stripes from the head transitioning into spots.
Servals have historical relevance in Africa. They are kept as exotic pets in North America and Europe. However, they develop an intense bond to their original owners. choosing one member of the family with which to bond. Servals do not easily accept new owners or surroundings. For this reason, serval owners must be willing to house and keep the serval for its entire life. In the USA, owning a serval in most states requires special licensing from local, State, and Federal agencies. In other words, just don’t do it. Really.
Source: http://www.oasisexoticcats.com/index.php?p=1_5_African-Serval-Cat
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Cheetah with hackles raised
HORNED SPIDER
Micrathena obtusispina
©Carlos De Soto
Spiny orb-weavers is a common name for Gasteracantha, a genus of spiders. They are also commonly called Spiny-backed orb-weavers, due to the prominent spines on their abdomen. These spiders can reach sizes of up to 30mm in diameter (measured from spike to spike). Although their shell is shaped like a crab shell with spikes, it is not to be confused with a crab spider.
Orb-weaver’s bites are generally harmless to humans.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiny_orb-weaver
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POTTER’S PYGMY ANGEL
Centropyge potteri
© Travis Staut
Just one amongst the many beautiful endemics of the U.S. 50th State, Hawai’i’s Potter’s Angel is not easy for many to locate in the wild… w/o careful observation. It’s relatively abundant in and amongst the finger-like coral (Porites compressa) which is its typical domain, but so secretive that w/o keen searching and patience, most divers miss it entirely.
Centropyge potteri is only found in two island areas in the Eastern Central Pacific; Johnston and Hawai’i. Most adults are found in more than fifty feet of water, though juveniles occur beyond as little as twenty feet. Potter’s can usually be found darting in and amongst broken rocky bottom and good live-coral covered seaward reefs at these depths. Maximum size for the species is about four inches.
Source:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pottersangel.htm
More Pygmy Angels photos and text:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/jf/index.php
Other Pygmy Angels:
A Beautiful Big Angel:
AUSTRALIAN SPOTTED JELLYFISH or WHITE SPOTTED JELLYFISH
Phyllorhiza punctata
©cheesekid
This gorgeous shot was taken at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Phyllorhiza punctata is a species of jellyfish, also known as the Australian spotted jellyfish or the White-spotted jellyfish. It is native to the southwestern Pacific, where it feeds primarily on zooplankton. P. punctata average 45-50 cm in bell diameter but there had been a maximum reported size of 62 cm. However, in October, 2007, one 72 cm. wide, perhaps the largest ever recorded, was found on Sunset Beach, NC. In July 2007 smaller ones were seen in Bogue Sound much further north along the North Carolina Coast. They have only a mild venom and are not considered a threat to humans. However, their ability to consume plankton and the eggs and larvae of important fish species is cause for concern. Each jellyfish can filter as much as 13,200 gallons of sea water per day. While doing that, it ingests the plankton that native species need.
True jellyfish, Phylum Cnidaria, go through a two stage life cycle which consists of a medusa stage (adult) and a polyp stage (juvenile). In the medusa stage male jellyfish release sperm into the water column and the female jellyfish gathers the sperm into her mouth where she holds the eggs. Once fertilization occurs and larvae are formed they leave their mother and settle to the ocean floor. Once on the bottom a polyp form occurs and this form reproduces asexually by “cloning” or dividing itself into other polyps. Jellyfish can live for up to five years in the polyp stage and up to two years in the medusa stage.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllorhiza_punctata
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GREEN PEAFOWL or JAVAN PEAFOWL
Pavo muticus
©Amy’sPeacock Paradise
The Green Peafowl or Javan Peafowl is a large Galliform bird that is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is the closest relative of the Indian Peafowl aka Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), which is mostly found on the Indian subcontinent.
The sexes of Green Peafowl are quite similar in appearance, especially in the field. During most of the year, when the males have no visible trains, it can be difficult to distinguish the sexes. The male is generally brighter while the female is slightly duller and lacks a triangle of green feathers at the wing shoulder. Both sexes have tall pointed crests, and are long-legged, heavy-winged and long-tailed in silhouette.
However, the theory that the male is polygynous also conflicts with observations in captivity; pairs left alone with no human interaction have been observed to be strongly monogamous. The close similarity between both sexes also suggests a different breeding system in contrast to that of the Indian Peafowl. Thus, some authors have suggested that the harems seen in the field are juvenile birds and that males are not promiscuous.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Peafowl
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Gorgeous view from the back, tailed closed
