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30 July 2014

Wednesday

 

Aardvark

 

Aardvarks live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa's Afrikaans language and means "earth pig." A glimpse of the aardvark's body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail—yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

 

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food—termites.

 

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called "antbears," may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.

 

Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows, which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/u1h7uZJ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/KLOS3hW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xn33CzK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QLoEoeV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pdfPFav.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Sfccqxz.jpg

 

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30 July 2014

Wednesday

 

Aardvark

 

Aardvarks live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa's Afrikaans language and means "earth pig." A glimpse of the aardvark's body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail—yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

 

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food—termites.

 

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called "antbears," may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.

 

Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows, which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/u1h7uZJ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/KLOS3hW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xn33CzK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QLoEoeV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pdfPFav.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Sfccqxz.jpg

 

Cool! Aardvarks always remind me of my childhood (in a way) because an Aardvark puppet used to present children's television

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30 July 2014

Wednesday

 

Aardvark

 

Aardvarks live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa's Afrikaans language and means "earth pig." A glimpse of the aardvark's body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail—yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

 

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food—termites.

 

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called "antbears," may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.

 

Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows, which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/u1h7uZJ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/KLOS3hW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xn33CzK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QLoEoeV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pdfPFav.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Sfccqxz.jpg

 

Cool! Aardvarks always remind me of my childhood (in a way) because an Aardvark puppet used to present children's television

 

Was it Otis the Aardvark?

 

 

I have no idea. I just googled "uk television aardvark". :LOL:

Edited by substancewithoutstyle
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30 July 2014

Wednesday

 

Aardvark

 

Aardvarks live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa's Afrikaans language and means "earth pig." A glimpse of the aardvark's body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail—yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

 

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food—termites.

 

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called "antbears," may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.

 

Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows, which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/u1h7uZJ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/KLOS3hW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xn33CzK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QLoEoeV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pdfPFav.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Sfccqxz.jpg

 

Cool! Aardvarks always remind me of my childhood (in a way) because an Aardvark puppet used to present children's television

 

Was it Otis the Aardvark?

 

 

 

I have no idea. I just googled "uk television aardvark". :LOL:

Yeah! That's the one :D

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31 July 2014

Thursday

 

 

Spectacled Bear

 

The diminutive spectacled bear makes its home in the dense Andean jungles of South America, and it has the distinction of being the continent’s only bear.

 

Spectacled bears, also called Andean bears, are among the smallest members of the family Ursidae. Males, which are significantly larger than females, grow over 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weigh up to 340 pounds (154 kilograms). Females rarely weigh more than 180 pounds (82 kilograms).

 

Intensely shy bears, they prefer the lush, isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the Andes, climbing as high as 14,000 feet (4,300 meters). They will descend to search for food though, and have been seen in widely differing habitats, from rain forests, to steppe lands, to coastal deserts.

 

Spectacled bears are generally nocturnal and are primarily vegetarian, harvesting fruit, berries, cacti, and honey. Highly agile climbers, they have been known to sit in a tree for days on a platform made of broken branches, waiting for fruit to ripen. They have extremely strong jaws and wide, flat molars to chew tough vegetation such as tree bark and orchid bulbs. Occasionally they will supplement their diet with meat, taking small rodents, birds, insects, and even small cows, making them the largest carnivores in South America.

 

Population data are sketchy, but some estimates suggest fewer than 3,000 spectacled bears may remain in the wild today. Their numbers suffer primarily from destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. Poachers also hunt them for their meat and body parts, and farmers kill them as agricultural pests. They are currently listed as vulnerable to extinction.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/wAC91Ty.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Tf1ADTG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0VfuINU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FkcFlNu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8MRcFkM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eODjbKY.jpg

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31 July 2014

Thursday

 

 

Spectacled Bear

 

The diminutive spectacled bear makes its home in the dense Andean jungles of South America, and it has the distinction of being the continent’s only bear.

 

Spectacled bears, also called Andean bears, are among the smallest members of the family Ursidae. Males, which are significantly larger than females, grow over 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weigh up to 340 pounds (154 kilograms). Females rarely weigh more than 180 pounds (82 kilograms).

 

Intensely shy bears, they prefer the lush, isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the Andes, climbing as high as 14,000 feet (4,300 meters). They will descend to search for food though, and have been seen in widely differing habitats, from rain forests, to steppe lands, to coastal deserts.

 

Spectacled bears are generally nocturnal and are primarily vegetarian, harvesting fruit, berries, cacti, and honey. Highly agile climbers, they have been known to sit in a tree for days on a platform made of broken branches, waiting for fruit to ripen. They have extremely strong jaws and wide, flat molars to chew tough vegetation such as tree bark and orchid bulbs. Occasionally they will supplement their diet with meat, taking small rodents, birds, insects, and even small cows, making them the largest carnivores in South America.

 

Population data are sketchy, but some estimates suggest fewer than 3,000 spectacled bears may remain in the wild today. Their numbers suffer primarily from destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. Poachers also hunt them for their meat and body parts, and farmers kill them as agricultural pests. They are currently listed as vulnerable to extinction.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/wAC91Ty.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Tf1ADTG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0VfuINU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FkcFlNu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8MRcFkM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eODjbKY.jpg

Great facial patterning :ebert:

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01 August 2014

Friday

 

 

Opossum

 

There are more than 60 different species of opossum, which are often called possums. The most notable is the Virginia opossum or common opossum—the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.

 

Opossums are scavengers, and they often visit human homes or settlements to raid garbage cans, dumpsters, and other containers. They are attracted to carrion and can often be spotted near roadkill. Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even chickens.

 

These animals are most famous for "playing possum." When threatened by dogs, foxes, or bobcats, opossums sometimes flop onto their sides and lie on the ground with their eyes closed or staring fixedly into space. They extend their tongues and generally appear to be dead. This ploy may put a predator off its guard and allow the opossum an opportunity to make its escape.

 

Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals.

 

These animals are widespread and are sometimes hunted as food, particularly in the southern United States.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZDjE7BE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/TyH4Oa1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sISFDnv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ml01JWH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3qJHcI6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2wBjUxY.jpg

 

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30 July 2014

Wednesday

 

Aardvark

 

Aardvarks live throughout Africa, south of the Sahara. Their name comes from South Africa's Afrikaans language and means "earth pig." A glimpse of the aardvark's body and long snout brings the pig to mind. On closer inspection, the aardvark appears to include other animal features as well. It boasts rabbitlike ears and a kangaroo tail—yet the aardvark is related to none of these animals.

 

Aardvarks are nocturnal. They spend the hot African afternoon holed up in cool underground burrows dug with their powerful feet and claws that resemble small spades. After sunset, aardvarks put those claws to good use in acquiring their favorite food—termites.

 

While foraging in grasslands and forests aardvarks, also called "antbears," may travel several miles a night in search of large, earthen termite mounds. A hungry aardvark digs through the hard shell of a promising mound with its front claws and uses its long, sticky, wormlike tongue to feast on the insects within. It can close its nostrils to keep dust and insects from invading its snout, and its thick skin protects it from bites. It uses a similar technique to raid underground ant nests.

 

Female aardvarks typically give birth to one newborn each year. The young remain with their mother for about six months before moving out and digging their own burrows, which can be extensive dwellings with many different openings.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/u1h7uZJ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/KLOS3hW.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xn33CzK.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QLoEoeV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pdfPFav.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Sfccqxz.jpg

 

That's cool! Also the only other aardvark I remember seeing is the animation with the ant and this aardvark, and the aardvark's trunk gets him into a whole heap of trouble. Either that, or I'm getting this the wrong way round and I don't know the difference between an aardvark and an anteater.

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01 August 2014

Friday

 

 

Opossum

 

There are more than 60 different species of opossum, which are often called possums. The most notable is the Virginia opossum or common opossum—the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.

 

Opossums are scavengers, and they often visit human homes or settlements to raid garbage cans, dumpsters, and other containers. They are attracted to carrion and can often be spotted near roadkill. Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even chickens.

 

These animals are most famous for "playing possum." When threatened by dogs, foxes, or bobcats, opossums sometimes flop onto their sides and lie on the ground with their eyes closed or staring fixedly into space. They extend their tongues and generally appear to be dead. This ploy may put a predator off its guard and allow the opossum an opportunity to make its escape.

 

Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals.

 

These animals are widespread and are sometimes hunted as food, particularly in the southern United States.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZDjE7BE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/TyH4Oa1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sISFDnv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ml01JWH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3qJHcI6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2wBjUxY.jpg

 

Cute. The one carrying all the babies is almost too cute!

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01 August 2014

Friday

 

 

Opossum

 

There are more than 60 different species of opossum, which are often called possums. The most notable is the Virginia opossum or common opossum—the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.

 

Opossums are scavengers, and they often visit human homes or settlements to raid garbage cans, dumpsters, and other containers. They are attracted to carrion and can often be spotted near roadkill. Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even chickens.

 

These animals are most famous for "playing possum." When threatened by dogs, foxes, or bobcats, opossums sometimes flop onto their sides and lie on the ground with their eyes closed or staring fixedly into space. They extend their tongues and generally appear to be dead. This ploy may put a predator off its guard and allow the opossum an opportunity to make its escape.

 

Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals.

 

These animals are widespread and are sometimes hunted as food, particularly in the southern United States.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZDjE7BE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/TyH4Oa1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sISFDnv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ml01JWH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3qJHcI6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2wBjUxY.jpg

 

That's a cool set of pics! All those babies! :wub: So they really do hang upside down (see one of the Ice Age movies) :P And those teeth! :o

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02 August 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Diatryma

 

 

Diatryma is a genus of large flightless birds that lived from the late Paleocene epoch to the middle Eocene epoch, between about 56 million and 45 million years ago. Fossils of these birds have been found in a number of countries in Europe, as well as in the United States.

 

Diatryma was about 6½ feet (2 meters) tall, and had a huge beak with a hooked top, and powerful legs. It is not certain what type of feathers it had, but it is thought that it may have had hair-like feathers similar to modern ostriches.

 

After the extinction of the dinosaurs, large ground-dwelling carnivorous birds, such as Diatryma, filled the role left vacant by the flesh-eating theropod dinosaurs. The gigantic head, short powerful neck, and functionless forelimbs of Diatryma are all reminiscent of a small Tyrannosaurus rex, which suggests that it had a similar lifestyle and diet. Most paleontologists agree that Diatryma was a fierce carnivore preying on the contemporary mammals, especially young, sick and old individuals. It probably hunted in packs or was an ambush hunter; it may not have been particularly agile, since the areas in which it lived were covered with dense forests.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/DIG89Sz.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/OQjolVi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FsuZEDB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lUjuRic.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Yz3wV0w.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SR7e2jL.jpg

 

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02 August 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Diatryma

 

 

Diatryma is a genus of large flightless birds that lived from the late Paleocene epoch to the middle Eocene epoch, between about 56 million and 45 million years ago. Fossils of these birds have been found in a number of countries in Europe, as well as in the United States.

 

Diatryma was about 6½ feet (2 meters) tall, and had a huge beak with a hooked top, and powerful legs. It is not certain what type of feathers it had, but it is thought that it may have had hair-like feathers similar to modern ostriches.

 

After the extinction of the dinosaurs, large ground-dwelling carnivorous birds, such as Diatryma, filled the role left vacant by the flesh-eating theropod dinosaurs. The gigantic head, short powerful neck, and functionless forelimbs of Diatryma are all reminiscent of a small Tyrannosaurus rex, which suggests that it had a similar lifestyle and diet. Most paleontologists agree that Diatryma was a fierce carnivore preying on the contemporary mammals, especially young, sick and old individuals. It probably hunted in packs or was an ambush hunter; it may not have been particularly agile, since the areas in which it lived were covered with dense forests.

 

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/DIG89Sz.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/OQjolVi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FsuZEDB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lUjuRic.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Yz3wV0w.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SR7e2jL.jpg

 

Wow! That's a big bird...and not like the one from Sesame Street

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01 August 2014

Friday

 

 

Opossum

 

There are more than 60 different species of opossum, which are often called possums. The most notable is the Virginia opossum or common opossum—the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.

 

Opossums are scavengers, and they often visit human homes or settlements to raid garbage cans, dumpsters, and other containers. They are attracted to carrion and can often be spotted near roadkill. Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even chickens.

 

These animals are most famous for "playing possum." When threatened by dogs, foxes, or bobcats, opossums sometimes flop onto their sides and lie on the ground with their eyes closed or staring fixedly into space. They extend their tongues and generally appear to be dead. This ploy may put a predator off its guard and allow the opossum an opportunity to make its escape.

 

Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals.

 

These animals are widespread and are sometimes hunted as food, particularly in the southern United States.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZDjE7BE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/TyH4Oa1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sISFDnv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ml01JWH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3qJHcI6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2wBjUxY.jpg

 

:LOL: covered in babies :LOL: too cute :)

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02 August 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Diatryma

 

 

Diatryma is a genus of large flightless birds that lived from the late Paleocene epoch to the middle Eocene epoch, between about 56 million and 45 million years ago. Fossils of these birds have been found in a number of countries in Europe, as well as in the United States.

 

Diatryma was about 6½ feet (2 meters) tall, and had a huge beak with a hooked top, and powerful legs. It is not certain what type of feathers it had, but it is thought that it may have had hair-like feathers similar to modern ostriches.

 

After the extinction of the dinosaurs, large ground-dwelling carnivorous birds, such as Diatryma, filled the role left vacant by the flesh-eating theropod dinosaurs. The gigantic head, short powerful neck, and functionless forelimbs of Diatryma are all reminiscent of a small Tyrannosaurus rex, which suggests that it had a similar lifestyle and diet. Most paleontologists agree that Diatryma was a fierce carnivore preying on the contemporary mammals, especially young, sick and old individuals. It probably hunted in packs or was an ambush hunter; it may not have been particularly agile, since the areas in which it lived were covered with dense forests.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/DIG89Sz.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/OQjolVi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FsuZEDB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lUjuRic.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Yz3wV0w.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SR7e2jL.jpg

 

Oooo...like a bird...that would want to eat me. :scared:

 

Did Spielberg kill one of those on safari too? ;)

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01 August 2014

Friday

 

 

Opossum

 

There are more than 60 different species of opossum, which are often called possums. The most notable is the Virginia opossum or common opossum—the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found in the United States and Canada.

 

Opossums are scavengers, and they often visit human homes or settlements to raid garbage cans, dumpsters, and other containers. They are attracted to carrion and can often be spotted near roadkill. Opossums also eat grass, nuts, and fruit. They will hunt mice, birds, insects, worms, snakes, and even chickens.

 

These animals are most famous for "playing possum." When threatened by dogs, foxes, or bobcats, opossums sometimes flop onto their sides and lie on the ground with their eyes closed or staring fixedly into space. They extend their tongues and generally appear to be dead. This ploy may put a predator off its guard and allow the opossum an opportunity to make its escape.

 

Opossums are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time aloft. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals.

 

These animals are widespread and are sometimes hunted as food, particularly in the southern United States.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ZDjE7BE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/TyH4Oa1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sISFDnv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ml01JWH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3qJHcI6.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2wBjUxY.jpg

 

That's a cool set of pics! All those babies! :wub: So they really do hang upside down (see one of the Ice Age movies) :P And those teeth! :o

and they're friendly with cats. :)

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03 August 2014

Sunday

 

 

Moray Eel

 

The moray eel is a large species of eel found in warm and temperate waters all around the world. They are found in both deep and shallow waters in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Although moray eels can be found in cooler waters occasionally, they tend to remain in the crevices deep in the ocean rather than venturing into shore. The largest populations of moray eels are found around tropical coral reefs.

 

There are around 200 different species that can range in size from just 10cm long to nearly 2 meters in length. Despite their varying size and colour all moray eels are fairly similar in appearance with an elongated body, slightly flattened towards the tail. Moray eels also have large eyes, and mouths which contain large teeth.

 

The moray eel is a relatively secretive animal, spending much of its time hiding in holes and crevices amongst the rocks and coral on the ocean floor. By spending the majority of their time hiding, moray eels are able to remain out of sight from predators and are also able to ambush any unsuspecting prey that passes.

 

The moray eel is often one of the most dominant predators within its environment, but moray eels are hunted by some other animals including other large fish like grouper and barracuda, as well as humans for food.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ueIsFbE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/WOBKaz5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/M7Rq3Dh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FeAt7Lc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/cc5mRUh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fUr9DTd.jpg

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31 July 2014

Thursday

 

 

Spectacled Bear

 

The diminutive spectacled bear makes its home in the dense Andean jungles of South America, and it has the distinction of being the continent’s only bear.

 

Spectacled bears, also called Andean bears, are among the smallest members of the family Ursidae. Males, which are significantly larger than females, grow over 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weigh up to 340 pounds (154 kilograms). Females rarely weigh more than 180 pounds (82 kilograms).

 

Intensely shy bears, they prefer the lush, isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the Andes, climbing as high as 14,000 feet (4,300 meters). They will descend to search for food though, and have been seen in widely differing habitats, from rain forests, to steppe lands, to coastal deserts.

 

Spectacled bears are generally nocturnal and are primarily vegetarian, harvesting fruit, berries, cacti, and honey. Highly agile climbers, they have been known to sit in a tree for days on a platform made of broken branches, waiting for fruit to ripen. They have extremely strong jaws and wide, flat molars to chew tough vegetation such as tree bark and orchid bulbs. Occasionally they will supplement their diet with meat, taking small rodents, birds, insects, and even small cows, making them the largest carnivores in South America.

 

Population data are sketchy, but some estimates suggest fewer than 3,000 spectacled bears may remain in the wild today. Their numbers suffer primarily from destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. Poachers also hunt them for their meat and body parts, and farmers kill them as agricultural pests. They are currently listed as vulnerable to extinction.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/wAC91Ty.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/Tf1ADTG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0VfuINU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FkcFlNu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8MRcFkM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eODjbKY.jpg

 

He's certainly beautiful. :)

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03 August 2014

Sunday

 

 

Moray Eel

 

The moray eel is a large species of eel found in warm and temperate waters all around the world. They are found in both deep and shallow waters in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Although moray eels can be found in cooler waters occasionally, they tend to remain in the crevices deep in the ocean rather than venturing into shore. The largest populations of moray eels are found around tropical coral reefs.

 

There are around 200 different species that can range in size from just 10cm long to nearly 2 meters in length. Despite their varying size and colour all moray eels are fairly similar in appearance with an elongated body, slightly flattened towards the tail. Moray eels also have large eyes, and mouths which contain large teeth.

 

The moray eel is a relatively secretive animal, spending much of its time hiding in holes and crevices amongst the rocks and coral on the ocean floor. By spending the majority of their time hiding, moray eels are able to remain out of sight from predators and are also able to ambush any unsuspecting prey that passes.

 

The moray eel is often one of the most dominant predators within its environment, but moray eels are hunted by some other animals including other large fish like grouper and barracuda, as well as humans for food.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ueIsFbE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/WOBKaz5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/M7Rq3Dh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FeAt7Lc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/cc5mRUh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fUr9DTd.jpg

 

What sharp teeth he has! :o

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02 August 2014

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Diatryma

 

 

Diatryma is a genus of large flightless birds that lived from the late Paleocene epoch to the middle Eocene epoch, between about 56 million and 45 million years ago. Fossils of these birds have been found in a number of countries in Europe, as well as in the United States.

 

Diatryma was about 6½ feet (2 meters) tall, and had a huge beak with a hooked top, and powerful legs. It is not certain what type of feathers it had, but it is thought that it may have had hair-like feathers similar to modern ostriches.

 

After the extinction of the dinosaurs, large ground-dwelling carnivorous birds, such as Diatryma, filled the role left vacant by the flesh-eating theropod dinosaurs. The gigantic head, short powerful neck, and functionless forelimbs of Diatryma are all reminiscent of a small Tyrannosaurus rex, which suggests that it had a similar lifestyle and diet. Most paleontologists agree that Diatryma was a fierce carnivore preying on the contemporary mammals, especially young, sick and old individuals. It probably hunted in packs or was an ambush hunter; it may not have been particularly agile, since the areas in which it lived were covered with dense forests.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/DIG89Sz.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/OQjolVi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FsuZEDB.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lUjuRic.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Yz3wV0w.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SR7e2jL.jpg

 

Quite magnificent! :)

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29 July 2014

Tuesday

 

 

Hippopotamus

 

Hippopotamuses love water, which is why the Greeks named them the "river horse." Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool under the hot African sun. Hippos are graceful in water, good swimmers, and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. However, they are often large enough to simply walk or stand on the lake floor, or lie in the shallows. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their heads, which allows them to see and breathe while mostly submerged.

 

Hippos also bask on the shoreline and secrete an oily red substance, which gave rise to the myth that they sweat blood. The liquid is actually a skin moistener and sunblock that may also provide protection against germs.

 

At sunset, hippopotamuses leave the water and travel overland to graze. They may travel 6 miles (10 kilometers) in a night, along single-file pathways, to consume some 80 pounds (35 kilograms) of grass. Considering their enormous size, a hippo's food intake is relatively low. If threatened on land hippos may run for the water—they can match a human's speed for short distances.

 

Hippos once had a broader distribution but now live in eastern central and southern sub-Saharan Africa, where their populations are in decline.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/xrVFv14.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/tlDRLtw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kVeN91x.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2T0QUGN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9exgqA0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DJLbjVv.jpg

 

An amazing creature. :)

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03 August 2014

Sunday

 

 

Moray Eel

 

The moray eel is a large species of eel found in warm and temperate waters all around the world. They are found in both deep and shallow waters in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Although moray eels can be found in cooler waters occasionally, they tend to remain in the crevices deep in the ocean rather than venturing into shore. The largest populations of moray eels are found around tropical coral reefs.

 

There are around 200 different species that can range in size from just 10cm long to nearly 2 meters in length. Despite their varying size and colour all moray eels are fairly similar in appearance with an elongated body, slightly flattened towards the tail. Moray eels also have large eyes, and mouths which contain large teeth.

 

The moray eel is a relatively secretive animal, spending much of its time hiding in holes and crevices amongst the rocks and coral on the ocean floor. By spending the majority of their time hiding, moray eels are able to remain out of sight from predators and are also able to ambush any unsuspecting prey that passes.

 

The moray eel is often one of the most dominant predators within its environment, but moray eels are hunted by some other animals including other large fish like grouper and barracuda, as well as humans for food.

 

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/ueIsFbE.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/WOBKaz5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/M7Rq3Dh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FeAt7Lc.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/cc5mRUh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fUr9DTd.jpg

Cool! Great colours on the blue and yellow ones

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04 August 2014

Monday

 

 

Hedgehog

 

There are some 15 species of hedgehog in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hedgehogs have also been introduced into nontraditional ranges such as New Zealand. The hedgehog was named because of its peculiar foraging methods. These animals root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of the small creatures that compose the bulk of their diet—insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes. As a hedgehog picks its way through the hedges it emits piglike grunts—thus, the hedgehog.

 

Some people consider hedgehogs useful pets because they prey on many common garden pests. While on the hunt, they rely upon their senses of hearing and smell because their eyesight is weak.

 

Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken to search for food at night.

 

Hedgehogs hibernate in cold climates. In deserts, they sleep through heat and drought in a similar process called aestivation. They remain active all year in more temperate locations.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/w24icCb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rWOFM0O.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e3PsdM7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CtiOuIQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/c6sqtUZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b6Vhkzq.jpg

 

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04 August 2014

Monday

 

 

Hedgehog

 

There are some 15 species of hedgehog in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hedgehogs have also been introduced into nontraditional ranges such as New Zealand. The hedgehog was named because of its peculiar foraging methods. These animals root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of the small creatures that compose the bulk of their diet—insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes. As a hedgehog picks its way through the hedges it emits piglike grunts—thus, the hedgehog.

 

Some people consider hedgehogs useful pets because they prey on many common garden pests. While on the hunt, they rely upon their senses of hearing and smell because their eyesight is weak.

 

Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken to search for food at night.

 

Hedgehogs hibernate in cold climates. In deserts, they sleep through heat and drought in a similar process called aestivation. They remain active all year in more temperate locations.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/w24icCb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rWOFM0O.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e3PsdM7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CtiOuIQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/c6sqtUZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b6Vhkzq.jpg

 

:LOL: marshmallows :LOL: crazy cute :wub:

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04 August 2014

Monday

 

 

Hedgehog

 

There are some 15 species of hedgehog in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Hedgehogs have also been introduced into nontraditional ranges such as New Zealand. The hedgehog was named because of its peculiar foraging methods. These animals root through hedges and other undergrowth in search of the small creatures that compose the bulk of their diet—insects, worms, centipedes, snails, mice, frogs, and snakes. As a hedgehog picks its way through the hedges it emits piglike grunts—thus, the hedgehog.

 

Some people consider hedgehogs useful pets because they prey on many common garden pests. While on the hunt, they rely upon their senses of hearing and smell because their eyesight is weak.

 

Hedgehogs have a coat of stiff, sharp spines. If attacked they will curl into a prickly and unappetizing ball that deters most predators. They usually sleep in this position during the day and awaken to search for food at night.

 

Hedgehogs hibernate in cold climates. In deserts, they sleep through heat and drought in a similar process called aestivation. They remain active all year in more temperate locations.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/w24icCb.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/rWOFM0O.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e3PsdM7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CtiOuIQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/c6sqtUZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b6Vhkzq.jpg

 

Very cute. We get a lot of Hedgehogs round where I live

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05 August 2014

Tuesday

 

 

Pufferfish

 

Biologists think pufferfish, also known as blowfish, developed their famous “inflatability” because their slow, somewhat clumsy swimming style makes them vulnerable to predators. In lieu of escape, pufferfish use their highly elastic stomachs and the ability to quickly ingest huge amounts of water (and even air when necessary) to turn themselves into a virtually inedible ball several times their normal size. Some species also have spines on their skin to make them even less palatable.

 

A predator that manages to snag a puffer before it inflates won’t feel lucky for long. Almost all pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. There is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.

 

Amazingly, the meat of some pufferfish is considered a delicacy. Called fugu in Japan, it is extremely expensive and only prepared by trained, licensed chefs who know that one bad cut means almost certain death for a customer. In fact, many such deaths occur annually.

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/IdqZSuR.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/IAu1AAl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LR97USf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nlWOrjh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iXLL33a.jpg

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