HomesickAlien Posted June 3, 2014 Author Share Posted June 3, 2014 03 June 2014Tuesday Poisonous Snakes Snakes are probably one of the scariest animals around. By merely hearing someone say snake, you could probably imagine its hissing sound and you can get some goose bumps already. What makes snakes even scarier is the fact that they can be very scheming. You might not see them easily and when they attack you, you will never know what hit you. There are different types of snakes, some more dangerous than the others. Here are some poisonous snakes based on the amount of venom necessary to kill mice tested in a laboratory. This is called the LD50 or the median lethal dose. The lower the dose needed, the deadlier the snake is. TIGER SNAKE http://i.imgur.com/fbKS0wh.jpg The tiger snake is striped like real tigers. There are several varieties of this snake that can be found in different places but it is predominantly present in Australia. Some of its favorite spots are coastal areas and creeks. The median lethal dose for the tiger snake varies from an LD50 of 0.4 for the Chappell Island tiger snake variety and it can go as low as 0.12 for the peninsular tiger snake. A tiger snakebite that remains untreated can rapidly cause problems in breathing, paralysis, and even death 60% of the time. COMMON KRAIT http://i.imgur.com/TElExkg.jpg The common krait usually feeds on lizards, small mammals, and other snakes. What makes this snake very dangerous is that it often attacks you in your sleep. You might not even realize that a snake bit you because its bite is painless. You may think that you were only bitten by a mosquito or an ant. The common krait’s venom takes several hours to take effect but it can be fatal through respiratory failure. This snake is commonly found in India. It is one of the species that causes the most number of snakebite cases in South Asia. The common krait has an LD50 of 0.09. BOOMSLANG http://i.imgur.com/5kwvDWQ.jpg The boomslang is a small, beautiful, and brightly colored snake. Its venom is released through its fangs at the rear of its jaw rather than at the front. The effect of the snakebite will normally be felt after several hours. It can cause internal and external bleeding since the blood clotting process is disabled. The boomslang is normally found in Africa. It is not as aggressive as other types of snake as it would prefer to retreat than to attack. While deaths caused by a boomslang’s bite are relatively rare, it still remains dangerous with a high venom toxicity of 0.07 LD50. BLACK MAMBA http://i.imgur.com/P6dSXY3.jpg The black mamba is a big, black, long, quick, and deadly type of snake. It is recorded as the world’s fastest snake and the second longest venomous snake. Its can move at the speed of 14 miles per hour and it has an average length of 8.2 feet. The effect of the black mamba’s snakebite can be felt in 30 minutes to an hour. It can mean death by heart attack or respiratory failure. Fortunately, an anti-venom has already been created to prevent deaths from the black mamba’s snakebite. Its venom has a 0.05 LD50. RUSSELL'S VIPER http://i.imgur.com/75iQrBo.jpg The Russell’s Viper is another deadly snake to avoid. What makes it more dangerous than the other types of snakes is that it thrives in open fields and bushy areas, or the places where people live because of its strong attraction to rodents. Some of the common victims of the Russell’s Viper would be outdoor workers. This snake is commonly found in India, Thailand, and Burma. In Burma alone, it accounts for 90% of snakebite deaths. Some effects of its snakebite include extensive bleeding, necrosis, swelling, pain, and vomiting. It can kill you through cardiac, respiratory, or kidney failure. Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for its snakebite as its venom’s properties are different, depending on the area where the snake is found. It has a deadly venom toxicity with an LD50 of 0.03. TAIPAN http://i.imgur.com/b8WIrwg.jpg The taipan is also called a fierce snake due to the fierceness of its venom. Contrary to its alternate name, the taipan is actually reclusive and shy. After biting its prey, it would normally retreat first to wait for its prey to die before returning to feed on it. It is recorded as the world’s most venomous land snake. The taipan is normally found in Australia. Its venom clots the blood and blocks blood vessels. While an anti-venom has been invented, the recovery period from a taipan’s snakebite can still be painful and slow. Its venom’s toxicity can range from an LD50 of 0.03 to as low as 0.01. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 02 June 2014Monday Weird Frogs VIETNAMESE MOSSY FROG http://i.imgur.com/Rawz0JF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/2gB0yRu.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/kz8EAxR.jpg Theloderma corticale displays some of the most effective and elaborate camouflage in the amphibian world, its skin an irregular pattern of multicolored bumps and ridges resembling a large clump of lichen. To complete its disguise as inanimate vegetation, it tucks in its limbs and “plays dead” when startled. As you can see from photos, no two mossy frogs ever look exactly the same. AMAZON HORNED FROG http://i.imgur.com/oJB49w8.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W0iym8t.jpg This particular frog has the most debonair exp<b></b>ression to ever grace the face of any amphibian. These plump amphibians can grow up to 8 inches in length and can be found in freshwater marshes throughout the Amazon Basin. They are insanely territorial and quite ravenous. Should anything resembling food happen by, they will spring out from their muddy hideouts and gulp down their prey whole. Interestingly, some of these frogs have been found dead in the wild with the remains of oversized victims still stuck in their mouths. So they die as they live, making others feel inadequate even as food. GLASS FROG http://i.imgur.com/nlcwnry.jpg Glass frogs are nocturnal tree frogs that live in the humid forests of Central and South America. Their name comes from the translucent skin on the underside of their bodies. In many species the glass frogs’ internal organs, even a beating heart, can be seen. This see-through skin helps them blend into the forest. TURTLE FROG http://i.imgur.com/QLIHZUH.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/iVZwbih.jpg This unusual-looking frog looks like a turtle that has lost its shell. It has a short, blunt snout, little beady eyes, and short, fat limbs. It lives underground in burrows in sandy soil and chambers in termite colonies, upon which it feeds. During a few rainy nights in summer they emerge, mate, then burrow underground where the eggs are laid. Four to six months later the eggs hatch as fully formed froglets. The turtle frog only lives in the coastal plains and woodlands of extreme Southwestern Australia. SURINAME TOAD http://i.imgur.com/QvInJp6.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/HRsgqt0.jpg The Suriname toad is the world’s flattest amphibian—in fact, it looks like the victim of an unfortunate road accident. Yet this frog’s unusual shape helps hide it among the leaves and plant debris in the streams they inhabit in the Amazon River Basin of South America. After the female lays eggs the male attaches them to the female’s back. They stick to her skin, which grows to form pockets over them, giving her a honeycomb appearance. The tadpoles grow within these pockets and emerge as toadlets after 20 weeks. PURPLE FROG http://i.imgur.com/XHqPqv2.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/DAj3OCl.jpg Only officially discovered in 2003, Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis is an Indian frog so unusual that it seems to have taken a completely different evolutionary route from most other frogs, much like the differences between the marsupials of Australia and placental mammals of other continents. Spending most of the year underground, the purple frog feeds on subterranean insects until it emerges for a massive mating frenzy during the brief seasonal monsoon. ORNATE HORNED FROG http://i.imgur.com/EKHHOPg.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/M9xZTjM.jpg This frog is nicknamed the Pac-Man frog because of its enormous mouth and insatiable appetite. They are a sit-and-wait ambush predator and hide well-disguised on the ground or in leaf litter. Ornate horned frogs can swallow birds, insects, mice, or even other frogs whole. This species can be found in Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Extra value in this post :ebert:The Mossy Frog is awesome! Some of the others look totally weird. The Amazon Horned Frog looks like Rygel Great Scott! :o Amazing! :D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 03 June 2014Tuesday Poisonous Snakes Snakes are probably one of the scariest animals around. By merely hearing someone say snake, you could probably imagine its hissing sound and you can get some goose bumps already. What makes snakes even scarier is the fact that they can be very scheming. You might not see them easily and when they attack you, you will never know what hit you. There are different types of snakes, some more dangerous than the others. Here are some poisonous snakes based on the amount of venom necessary to kill mice tested in a laboratory. This is called the LD50 or the median lethal dose. The lower the dose needed, the deadlier the snake is. TIGER SNAKE http://i.imgur.com/fbKS0wh.jpg The tiger snake is striped like real tigers. There are several varieties of this snake that can be found in different places but it is predominantly present in Australia. Some of its favorite spots are coastal areas and creeks. The median lethal dose for the tiger snake varies from an LD50 of 0.4 for the Chappell Island tiger snake variety and it can go as low as 0.12 for the peninsular tiger snake. A tiger snakebite that remains untreated can rapidly cause problems in breathing, paralysis, and even death 60% of the time. COMMON KRAIT http://i.imgur.com/TElExkg.jpg The common krait usually feeds on lizards, small mammals, and other snakes. What makes this snake very dangerous is that it often attacks you in your sleep. You might not even realize that a snake bit you because its bite is painless. You may think that you were only bitten by a mosquito or an ant. The common krait’s venom takes several hours to take effect but it can be fatal through respiratory failure. This snake is commonly found in India. It is one of the species that causes the most number of snakebite cases in South Asia. The common krait has an LD50 of 0.09. BOOMSLANG http://i.imgur.com/5kwvDWQ.jpg The boomslang is a small, beautiful, and brightly colored snake. Its venom is released through its fangs at the rear of its jaw rather than at the front. The effect of the snakebite will normally be felt after several hours. It can cause internal and external bleeding since the blood clotting process is disabled. The boomslang is normally found in Africa. It is not as aggressive as other types of snake as it would prefer to retreat than to attack. While deaths caused by a boomslang’s bite are relatively rare, it still remains dangerous with a high venom toxicity of 0.07 LD50. BLACK MAMBA http://i.imgur.com/P6dSXY3.jpg The black mamba is a big, black, long, quick, and deadly type of snake. It is recorded as the world’s fastest snake and the second longest venomous snake. Its can move at the speed of 14 miles per hour and it has an average length of 8.2 feet. The effect of the black mamba’s snakebite can be felt in 30 minutes to an hour. It can mean death by heart attack or respiratory failure. Fortunately, an anti-venom has already been created to prevent deaths from the black mamba’s snakebite. Its venom has a 0.05 LD50. RUSSELL'S VIPER http://i.imgur.com/75iQrBo.jpg The Russell’s Viper is another deadly snake to avoid. What makes it more dangerous than the other types of snakes is that it thrives in open fields and bushy areas, or the places where people live because of its strong attraction to rodents. Some of the common victims of the Russell’s Viper would be outdoor workers. This snake is commonly found in India, Thailand, and Burma. In Burma alone, it accounts for 90% of snakebite deaths. Some effects of its snakebite include extensive bleeding, necrosis, swelling, pain, and vomiting. It can kill you through cardiac, respiratory, or kidney failure. Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for its snakebite as its venom’s properties are different, depending on the area where the snake is found. It has a deadly venom toxicity with an LD50 of 0.03. TAIPAN http://i.imgur.com/b8WIrwg.jpg The taipan is also called a fierce snake due to the fierceness of its venom. Contrary to its alternate name, the taipan is actually reclusive and shy. After biting its prey, it would normally retreat first to wait for its prey to die before returning to feed on it. It is recorded as the world’s most venomous land snake. The taipan is normally found in Australia. Its venom clots the blood and blocks blood vessels. While an anti-venom has been invented, the recovery period from a taipan’s snakebite can still be painful and slow. Its venom’s toxicity can range from an LD50 of 0.03 to as low as 0.01. :outtahere: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 03 June 2014Tuesday Poisonous Snakes Snakes are probably one of the scariest animals around. By merely hearing someone say snake, you could probably imagine its hissing sound and you can get some goose bumps already. What makes snakes even scarier is the fact that they can be very scheming. You might not see them easily and when they attack you, you will never know what hit you. There are different types of snakes, some more dangerous than the others. Here are some poisonous snakes based on the amount of venom necessary to kill mice tested in a laboratory. This is called the LD50 or the median lethal dose. The lower the dose needed, the deadlier the snake is. TIGER SNAKE http://i.imgur.com/fbKS0wh.jpg The tiger snake is striped like real tigers. There are several varieties of this snake that can be found in different places but it is predominantly present in Australia. Some of its favorite spots are coastal areas and creeks. The median lethal dose for the tiger snake varies from an LD50 of 0.4 for the Chappell Island tiger snake variety and it can go as low as 0.12 for the peninsular tiger snake. A tiger snakebite that remains untreated can rapidly cause problems in breathing, paralysis, and even death 60% of the time. COMMON KRAIT http://i.imgur.com/TElExkg.jpg The common krait usually feeds on lizards, small mammals, and other snakes. What makes this snake very dangerous is that it often attacks you in your sleep. You might not even realize that a snake bit you because its bite is painless. You may think that you were only bitten by a mosquito or an ant. The common krait’s venom takes several hours to take effect but it can be fatal through respiratory failure. This snake is commonly found in India. It is one of the species that causes the most number of snakebite cases in South Asia. The common krait has an LD50 of 0.09. BOOMSLANG http://i.imgur.com/5kwvDWQ.jpg The boomslang is a small, beautiful, and brightly colored snake. Its venom is released through its fangs at the rear of its jaw rather than at the front. The effect of the snakebite will normally be felt after several hours. It can cause internal and external bleeding since the blood clotting process is disabled. The boomslang is normally found in Africa. It is not as aggressive as other types of snake as it would prefer to retreat than to attack. While deaths caused by a boomslang’s bite are relatively rare, it still remains dangerous with a high venom toxicity of 0.07 LD50. BLACK MAMBA http://i.imgur.com/P6dSXY3.jpg The black mamba is a big, black, long, quick, and deadly type of snake. It is recorded as the world’s fastest snake and the second longest venomous snake. Its can move at the speed of 14 miles per hour and it has an average length of 8.2 feet. The effect of the black mamba’s snakebite can be felt in 30 minutes to an hour. It can mean death by heart attack or respiratory failure. Fortunately, an anti-venom has already been created to prevent deaths from the black mamba’s snakebite. Its venom has a 0.05 LD50. RUSSELL'S VIPER http://i.imgur.com/75iQrBo.jpg The Russell’s Viper is another deadly snake to avoid. What makes it more dangerous than the other types of snakes is that it thrives in open fields and bushy areas, or the places where people live because of its strong attraction to rodents. Some of the common victims of the Russell’s Viper would be outdoor workers. This snake is commonly found in India, Thailand, and Burma. In Burma alone, it accounts for 90% of snakebite deaths. Some effects of its snakebite include extensive bleeding, necrosis, swelling, pain, and vomiting. It can kill you through cardiac, respiratory, or kidney failure. Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for its snakebite as its venom’s properties are different, depending on the area where the snake is found. It has a deadly venom toxicity with an LD50 of 0.03. TAIPAN http://i.imgur.com/b8WIrwg.jpg The taipan is also called a fierce snake due to the fierceness of its venom. Contrary to its alternate name, the taipan is actually reclusive and shy. After biting its prey, it would normally retreat first to wait for its prey to die before returning to feed on it. It is recorded as the world’s most venomous land snake. The taipan is normally found in Australia. Its venom clots the blood and blocks blood vessels. While an anti-venom has been invented, the recovery period from a taipan’s snakebite can still be painful and slow. Its venom’s toxicity can range from an LD50 of 0.03 to as low as 0.01.A cool, but scary bunch. Although, I'd prefer it if a poisonous snake didn't have the word "Common" in it's name 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 (edited) 03 June 2014Tuesday Poisonous Snakes Snakes are probably one of the scariest animals around. By merely hearing someone say snake, you could probably imagine its hissing sound and you can get some goose bumps already. What makes snakes even scarier is the fact that they can be very scheming. You might not see them easily and when they attack you, you will never know what hit you. There are different types of snakes, some more dangerous than the others. Here are some poisonous snakes based on the amount of venom necessary to kill mice tested in a laboratory. This is called the LD50 or the median lethal dose. The lower the dose needed, the deadlier the snake is. TIGER SNAKE http://i.imgur.com/fbKS0wh.jpg The tiger snake is striped like real tigers. There are several varieties of this snake that can be found in different places but it is predominantly present in Australia. Some of its favorite spots are coastal areas and creeks. The median lethal dose for the tiger snake varies from an LD50 of 0.4 for the Chappell Island tiger snake variety and it can go as low as 0.12 for the peninsular tiger snake. A tiger snakebite that remains untreated can rapidly cause problems in breathing, paralysis, and even death 60% of the time. COMMON KRAIT http://i.imgur.com/TElExkg.jpg The common krait usually feeds on lizards, small mammals, and other snakes. What makes this snake very dangerous is that it often attacks you in your sleep. You might not even realize that a snake bit you because its bite is painless. You may think that you were only bitten by a mosquito or an ant. The common krait’s venom takes several hours to take effect but it can be fatal through respiratory failure. This snake is commonly found in India. It is one of the species that causes the most number of snakebite cases in South Asia. The common krait has an LD50 of 0.09. BOOMSLANG http://i.imgur.com/5kwvDWQ.jpg The boomslang is a small, beautiful, and brightly colored snake. Its venom is released through its fangs at the rear of its jaw rather than at the front. The effect of the snakebite will normally be felt after several hours. It can cause internal and external bleeding since the blood clotting process is disabled. The boomslang is normally found in Africa. It is not as aggressive as other types of snake as it would prefer to retreat than to attack. While deaths caused by a boomslang’s bite are relatively rare, it still remains dangerous with a high venom toxicity of 0.07 LD50. BLACK MAMBA http://i.imgur.com/P6dSXY3.jpg The black mamba is a big, black, long, quick, and deadly type of snake. It is recorded as the world’s fastest snake and the second longest venomous snake. Its can move at the speed of 14 miles per hour and it has an average length of 8.2 feet. The effect of the black mamba’s snakebite can be felt in 30 minutes to an hour. It can mean death by heart attack or respiratory failure. Fortunately, an anti-venom has already been created to prevent deaths from the black mamba’s snakebite. Its venom has a 0.05 LD50. RUSSELL'S VIPER http://i.imgur.com/75iQrBo.jpg The Russell’s Viper is another deadly snake to avoid. What makes it more dangerous than the other types of snakes is that it thrives in open fields and bushy areas, or the places where people live because of its strong attraction to rodents. Some of the common victims of the Russell’s Viper would be outdoor workers. This snake is commonly found in India, Thailand, and Burma. In Burma alone, it accounts for 90% of snakebite deaths. Some effects of its snakebite include extensive bleeding, necrosis, swelling, pain, and vomiting. It can kill you through cardiac, respiratory, or kidney failure. Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for its snakebite as its venom’s properties are different, depending on the area where the snake is found. It has a deadly venom toxicity with an LD50 of 0.03. TAIPAN http://i.imgur.com/b8WIrwg.jpg The taipan is also called a fierce snake due to the fierceness of its venom. Contrary to its alternate name, the taipan is actually reclusive and shy. After biting its prey, it would normally retreat first to wait for its prey to die before returning to feed on it. It is recorded as the world’s most venomous land snake. The taipan is normally found in Australia. Its venom clots the blood and blocks blood vessels. While an anti-venom has been invented, the recovery period from a taipan’s snakebite can still be painful and slow. Its venom’s toxicity can range from an LD50 of 0.03 to as low as 0.01.A cool, but scary bunch. Although, I'd prefer it if a poisonous snake didn't have the word "Common" in it's name Rhys-Davies as Gimli would have been the first one into the pit. http://media.tumblr.com/f6452d299ac947bc683800fd061829ec/tumblr_inline_mw2m4gbuot1sohk3w.gif Edited June 4, 2014 by substancewithoutstyle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 03 June 2014Tuesday Poisonous Snakes Snakes are probably one of the scariest animals around. By merely hearing someone say snake, you could probably imagine its hissing sound and you can get some goose bumps already. What makes snakes even scarier is the fact that they can be very scheming. You might not see them easily and when they attack you, you will never know what hit you. There are different types of snakes, some more dangerous than the others. Here are some poisonous snakes based on the amount of venom necessary to kill mice tested in a laboratory. This is called the LD50 or the median lethal dose. The lower the dose needed, the deadlier the snake is. TIGER SNAKE http://i.imgur.com/fbKS0wh.jpg The tiger snake is striped like real tigers. There are several varieties of this snake that can be found in different places but it is predominantly present in Australia. Some of its favorite spots are coastal areas and creeks. The median lethal dose for the tiger snake varies from an LD50 of 0.4 for the Chappell Island tiger snake variety and it can go as low as 0.12 for the peninsular tiger snake. A tiger snakebite that remains untreated can rapidly cause problems in breathing, paralysis, and even death 60% of the time. COMMON KRAIT http://i.imgur.com/TElExkg.jpg The common krait usually feeds on lizards, small mammals, and other snakes. What makes this snake very dangerous is that it often attacks you in your sleep. You might not even realize that a snake bit you because its bite is painless. You may think that you were only bitten by a mosquito or an ant. The common krait’s venom takes several hours to take effect but it can be fatal through respiratory failure. This snake is commonly found in India. It is one of the species that causes the most number of snakebite cases in South Asia. The common krait has an LD50 of 0.09. BOOMSLANG http://i.imgur.com/5kwvDWQ.jpg The boomslang is a small, beautiful, and brightly colored snake. Its venom is released through its fangs at the rear of its jaw rather than at the front. The effect of the snakebite will normally be felt after several hours. It can cause internal and external bleeding since the blood clotting process is disabled. The boomslang is normally found in Africa. It is not as aggressive as other types of snake as it would prefer to retreat than to attack. While deaths caused by a boomslang’s bite are relatively rare, it still remains dangerous with a high venom toxicity of 0.07 LD50. BLACK MAMBA http://i.imgur.com/P6dSXY3.jpg The black mamba is a big, black, long, quick, and deadly type of snake. It is recorded as the world’s fastest snake and the second longest venomous snake. Its can move at the speed of 14 miles per hour and it has an average length of 8.2 feet. The effect of the black mamba’s snakebite can be felt in 30 minutes to an hour. It can mean death by heart attack or respiratory failure. Fortunately, an anti-venom has already been created to prevent deaths from the black mamba’s snakebite. Its venom has a 0.05 LD50. RUSSELL'S VIPER http://i.imgur.com/75iQrBo.jpg The Russell’s Viper is another deadly snake to avoid. What makes it more dangerous than the other types of snakes is that it thrives in open fields and bushy areas, or the places where people live because of its strong attraction to rodents. Some of the common victims of the Russell’s Viper would be outdoor workers. This snake is commonly found in India, Thailand, and Burma. In Burma alone, it accounts for 90% of snakebite deaths. Some effects of its snakebite include extensive bleeding, necrosis, swelling, pain, and vomiting. It can kill you through cardiac, respiratory, or kidney failure. Unfortunately, there is no anti-venom for its snakebite as its venom’s properties are different, depending on the area where the snake is found. It has a deadly venom toxicity with an LD50 of 0.03. TAIPAN http://i.imgur.com/b8WIrwg.jpg The taipan is also called a fierce snake due to the fierceness of its venom. Contrary to its alternate name, the taipan is actually reclusive and shy. After biting its prey, it would normally retreat first to wait for its prey to die before returning to feed on it. It is recorded as the world’s most venomous land snake. The taipan is normally found in Australia. Its venom clots the blood and blocks blood vessels. While an anti-venom has been invented, the recovery period from a taipan’s snakebite can still be painful and slow. Its venom’s toxicity can range from an LD50 of 0.03 to as low as 0.01.A cool, but scary bunch. Although, I'd prefer it if a poisonous snake didn't have the word "Common" in it's name Oooo...asps. Very deadly. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 4, 2014 Author Share Posted June 4, 2014 04 June 2014Wednesday Bullet Ant Found in lowland rainforests from Nicaragua to Paraguay, the bullet ant is so named because the long, retractable syringe on its abdomen injects an incredibly painful neurotoxic peptide, poneratoxin, and it is poneratoxin that makes the bullet ant the stuff of legend among entomologists and myrmecologists. Just how painful is a bullet ant’s poneratoxin? Well, in simple layman’s terms, it hurts like hell. More scientifically stated, it tops the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, coming in at 4.0+ on a scale of 1 to 4, which means that the pain of a bullet ant sting is literally off the charts, and makes one wonder if the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could use some revising. In its present form, the Schmidt Sting Pain Index is the brainchild of Justin Schmidt, an entomologist who subjected himself to the bites and stings of horrible insects in his very favorite taxonomic order, Hymenoptera (mainly wasps, bees and ants), in an effort to classify the pain numerically. Schmidt characterized the sting of a single bullet ant as ‘pure, intense, brilliant pain’ and suggested (from self-imposed experience) that it was about 30 times more painful than the sting of a common wasp. And so, the bullet ant holds the title of both world’s most hurtful insect and the world’s most hurtful invertebrate, while Schmidt himself remains ranked as the coolest entomologist. http://i.imgur.com/hfeQQ6g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W5eBgZ9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hvFjpeO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JMS0yCN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Zv9VWB.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 04 June 2014Wednesday Bullet Ant Found in lowland rainforests from Nicaragua to Paraguay, the bullet ant is so named because the long, retractable syringe on its abdomen injects an incredibly painful neurotoxic peptide, poneratoxin, and it is poneratoxin that makes the bullet ant the stuff of legend among entomologists and myrmecologists. Just how painful is a bullet ant’s poneratoxin? Well, in simple layman’s terms, it hurts like hell. More scientifically stated, it tops the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, coming in at 4.0+ on a scale of 1 to 4, which means that the pain of a bullet ant sting is literally off the charts, and makes one wonder if the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could use some revising. In its present form, the Schmidt Sting Pain Index is the brainchild of Justin Schmidt, an entomologist who subjected himself to the bites and stings of horrible insects in his very favorite taxonomic order, Hymenoptera (mainly wasps, bees and ants), in an effort to classify the pain numerically. Schmidt characterized the sting of a single bullet ant as ‘pure, intense, brilliant pain’ and suggested (from self-imposed experience) that it was about 30 times more painful than the sting of a common wasp. And so, the bullet ant holds the title of both world’s most hurtful insect and the world’s most hurtful invertebrate, while Schmidt himself remains ranked as the coolest entomologist. http://i.imgur.com/hfeQQ6g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W5eBgZ9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hvFjpeO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JMS0yCN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Zv9VWB.jpgTough little critter...and that Schmidt certainly was dedicated to his research :o 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 04 June 2014Wednesday Bullet Ant Found in lowland rainforests from Nicaragua to Paraguay, the bullet ant is so named because the long, retractable syringe on its abdomen injects an incredibly painful neurotoxic peptide, poneratoxin, and it is poneratoxin that makes the bullet ant the stuff of legend among entomologists and myrmecologists. Just how painful is a bullet ant’s poneratoxin? Well, in simple layman’s terms, it hurts like hell. More scientifically stated, it tops the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, coming in at 4.0+ on a scale of 1 to 4, which means that the pain of a bullet ant sting is literally off the charts, and makes one wonder if the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could use some revising. In its present form, the Schmidt Sting Pain Index is the brainchild of Justin Schmidt, an entomologist who subjected himself to the bites and stings of horrible insects in his very favorite taxonomic order, Hymenoptera (mainly wasps, bees and ants), in an effort to classify the pain numerically. Schmidt characterized the sting of a single bullet ant as ‘pure, intense, brilliant pain’ and suggested (from self-imposed experience) that it was about 30 times more painful than the sting of a common wasp. And so, the bullet ant holds the title of both world’s most hurtful insect and the world’s most hurtful invertebrate, while Schmidt himself remains ranked as the coolest entomologist. http://i.imgur.com/hfeQQ6g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W5eBgZ9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hvFjpeO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JMS0yCN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Zv9VWB.jpg Holy Moses! :o 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted June 4, 2014 Share Posted June 4, 2014 04 June 2014Wednesday Bullet Ant Found in lowland rainforests from Nicaragua to Paraguay, the bullet ant is so named because the long, retractable syringe on its abdomen injects an incredibly painful neurotoxic peptide, poneratoxin, and it is poneratoxin that makes the bullet ant the stuff of legend among entomologists and myrmecologists. Just how painful is a bullet ant’s poneratoxin? Well, in simple layman’s terms, it hurts like hell. More scientifically stated, it tops the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, coming in at 4.0+ on a scale of 1 to 4, which means that the pain of a bullet ant sting is literally off the charts, and makes one wonder if the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could use some revising. In its present form, the Schmidt Sting Pain Index is the brainchild of Justin Schmidt, an entomologist who subjected himself to the bites and stings of horrible insects in his very favorite taxonomic order, Hymenoptera (mainly wasps, bees and ants), in an effort to classify the pain numerically. Schmidt characterized the sting of a single bullet ant as ‘pure, intense, brilliant pain’ and suggested (from self-imposed experience) that it was about 30 times more painful than the sting of a common wasp. And so, the bullet ant holds the title of both world’s most hurtful insect and the world’s most hurtful invertebrate, while Schmidt himself remains ranked as the coolest entomologist. http://i.imgur.com/hfeQQ6g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W5eBgZ9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hvFjpeO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JMS0yCN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Zv9VWB.jpgIt sounds horrendous. :o Why is that person letting one crawl around on his hand?!? That's crazy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 04 June 2014Wednesday Bullet Ant Found in lowland rainforests from Nicaragua to Paraguay, the bullet ant is so named because the long, retractable syringe on its abdomen injects an incredibly painful neurotoxic peptide, poneratoxin, and it is poneratoxin that makes the bullet ant the stuff of legend among entomologists and myrmecologists. Just how painful is a bullet ant’s poneratoxin? Well, in simple layman’s terms, it hurts like hell. More scientifically stated, it tops the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, coming in at 4.0+ on a scale of 1 to 4, which means that the pain of a bullet ant sting is literally off the charts, and makes one wonder if the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could use some revising. In its present form, the Schmidt Sting Pain Index is the brainchild of Justin Schmidt, an entomologist who subjected himself to the bites and stings of horrible insects in his very favorite taxonomic order, Hymenoptera (mainly wasps, bees and ants), in an effort to classify the pain numerically. Schmidt characterized the sting of a single bullet ant as ‘pure, intense, brilliant pain’ and suggested (from self-imposed experience) that it was about 30 times more painful than the sting of a common wasp. And so, the bullet ant holds the title of both world’s most hurtful insect and the world’s most hurtful invertebrate, while Schmidt himself remains ranked as the coolest entomologist. http://i.imgur.com/hfeQQ6g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W5eBgZ9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hvFjpeO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JMS0yCN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Zv9VWB.jpgIt sounds horrendous. :o Why is that person letting one crawl around on his hand?!? That's crazy! That's what I was thinking. I thought perhaps it was dead and posed that way , but it's very much alive. Here's a link to the article associated with the photo: http://www.myrmecos....the-bullet-ant/ http://myrmecos.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/clavata9.jpg "And just how dangerous is the infamous bullet ant? Actually, not so much as you’d think. Stories of people coming to permanent harm or death from Paraponera stings are rare. Mostly, the experience just hurts a lot. Or so I’m told. In taking these photographs not once did any of the ants try to sting me, even when walking on my hand." 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 04 June 2014Wednesday Bullet Ant Found in lowland rainforests from Nicaragua to Paraguay, the bullet ant is so named because the long, retractable syringe on its abdomen injects an incredibly painful neurotoxic peptide, poneratoxin, and it is poneratoxin that makes the bullet ant the stuff of legend among entomologists and myrmecologists. Just how painful is a bullet ant’s poneratoxin? Well, in simple layman’s terms, it hurts like hell. More scientifically stated, it tops the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, coming in at 4.0+ on a scale of 1 to 4, which means that the pain of a bullet ant sting is literally off the charts, and makes one wonder if the Schmidt Sting Pain Index could use some revising. In its present form, the Schmidt Sting Pain Index is the brainchild of Justin Schmidt, an entomologist who subjected himself to the bites and stings of horrible insects in his very favorite taxonomic order, Hymenoptera (mainly wasps, bees and ants), in an effort to classify the pain numerically. Schmidt characterized the sting of a single bullet ant as ‘pure, intense, brilliant pain’ and suggested (from self-imposed experience) that it was about 30 times more painful than the sting of a common wasp. And so, the bullet ant holds the title of both world’s most hurtful insect and the world’s most hurtful invertebrate, while Schmidt himself remains ranked as the coolest entomologist. http://i.imgur.com/hfeQQ6g.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W5eBgZ9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hvFjpeO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JMS0yCN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/4Zv9VWB.jpgIt sounds horrendous. :o Why is that person letting one crawl around on his hand?!? That's crazy! That's what I was thinking. I thought perhaps it was dead and posed that way , but it's very much alive. Here's a link to the article associated with the photo: http://www.myrmecos....the-bullet-ant/ http://myrmecos.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/clavata9.jpg "And just how dangerous is the infamous bullet ant? Actually, not so much as you’d think. Stories of people coming to permanent harm or death from Paraponera stings are rare. Mostly, the experience just hurts a lot. Or so I’m told. In taking these photographs not once did any of the ants try to sting me, even when walking on my hand."Interesting. I suppose if you know what you're doing :haz: I still wouldn't let one crawl around on my hand. That's just tempting fate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 05 June 2014Thursday Sloths Sloths are extremely slow-moving mammals found in the rainforest canopies of Central and South America. There are two groups of sloths: two-toed and three-toed, classified into 6 species. Most sloths are about the size of a small dog and they have short, flat heads. Their hair is grayish brown, but at times they look grey-green in color because they move so slowly that tiny camouflaging algae grow all over their coats. Some sloths stay in the same tree for years. Their huge hooked claws and long arms allow them to spend most of their time hanging upside-down from trees. Since they have a slow metabolism, they need very little food. They feed on fruit, leaves, buds, and young twigs. Sloths also sleep upside-down for up to 18 hours at a time. Mothers also give birth to babies upside-down. Babies cling to their mothers until they are able to take care of themselves. Sloths are nocturnal and sleep curled up with their head placed between the arms and the feet drawn close together. This disguises them as part of a tree so that its enemies like the jaguar do not see them. Sloths rarely climb down from the trees and can live for up to 30 years. http://i.imgur.com/0bCD1C9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/y1rPzgQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgJCEJX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xN7pBpY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/2htw711.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K7dtrb0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/s716U9m.jpg 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 05 June 2014Thursday Sloths Sloths are extremely slow-moving mammals found in the rainforest canopies of Central and South America. There are two groups of sloths: two-toed and three-toed, classified into 6 species. Most sloths are about the size of a small dog and they have short, flat heads. Their hair is grayish brown, but at times they look grey-green in color because they move so slowly that tiny camouflaging algae grow all over their coats. Some sloths stay in the same tree for years. Their huge hooked claws and long arms allow them to spend most of their time hanging upside-down from trees. Since they have a slow metabolism, they need very little food. They feed on fruit, leaves, buds, and young twigs. Sloths also sleep upside-down for up to 18 hours at a time. Mothers also give birth to babies upside-down. Babies cling to their mothers until they are able to take care of themselves. Sloths are nocturnal and sleep curled up with their head placed between the arms and the feet drawn close together. This disguises them as part of a tree so that its enemies like the jaguar do not see them. Sloths rarely climb down from the trees and can live for up to 30 years. http://i.imgur.com/0bCD1C9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/y1rPzgQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgJCEJX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xN7pBpY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/2htw711.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K7dtrb0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/s716U9m.jpgGreat pictures. Their faces are so full of character...who cares if they're one of the seven deadly sins...Sloths are fantastic!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 05 June 2014Thursday Sloths Sloths are extremely slow-moving mammals found in the rainforest canopies of Central and South America. There are two groups of sloths: two-toed and three-toed, classified into 6 species. Most sloths are about the size of a small dog and they have short, flat heads. Their hair is grayish brown, but at times they look grey-green in color because they move so slowly that tiny camouflaging algae grow all over their coats. Some sloths stay in the same tree for years. Their huge hooked claws and long arms allow them to spend most of their time hanging upside-down from trees. Since they have a slow metabolism, they need very little food. They feed on fruit, leaves, buds, and young twigs. Sloths also sleep upside-down for up to 18 hours at a time. Mothers also give birth to babies upside-down. Babies cling to their mothers until they are able to take care of themselves. Sloths are nocturnal and sleep curled up with their head placed between the arms and the feet drawn close together. This disguises them as part of a tree so that its enemies like the jaguar do not see them. Sloths rarely climb down from the trees and can live for up to 30 years. http://i.imgur.com/0bCD1C9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/y1rPzgQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgJCEJX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xN7pBpY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/2htw711.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K7dtrb0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/s716U9m.jpgGreat pictures. Their faces are so full of character...who cares if they're one of the seven deadly sins...Sloths are fantastic!!! They're amazing! :D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 05 June 2014Thursday Sloths Sloths are extremely slow-moving mammals found in the rainforest canopies of Central and South America. There are two groups of sloths: two-toed and three-toed, classified into 6 species. Most sloths are about the size of a small dog and they have short, flat heads. Their hair is grayish brown, but at times they look grey-green in color because they move so slowly that tiny camouflaging algae grow all over their coats. Some sloths stay in the same tree for years. Their huge hooked claws and long arms allow them to spend most of their time hanging upside-down from trees. Since they have a slow metabolism, they need very little food. They feed on fruit, leaves, buds, and young twigs. Sloths also sleep upside-down for up to 18 hours at a time. Mothers also give birth to babies upside-down. Babies cling to their mothers until they are able to take care of themselves. Sloths are nocturnal and sleep curled up with their head placed between the arms and the feet drawn close together. This disguises them as part of a tree so that its enemies like the jaguar do not see them. Sloths rarely climb down from the trees and can live for up to 30 years. http://i.imgur.com/0bCD1C9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/y1rPzgQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vgJCEJX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/xN7pBpY.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/2htw711.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/K7dtrb0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/s716U9m.jpgGreat pictures. Their faces are so full of character...who cares if they're one of the seven deadly sins...Sloths are fantastic!!! They're amazing! :DThey are amazing. They look so happy... for being sin incarnate. Wonderful post, SWS. It's nice to see things that don't want to hurt me. It reminds me of the Far Side cartoon with the sloth...well, the sloth got him. Ol' Hank never was a quick draw. :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 Wonderful post, SWS. It's nice to see things that don't want to hurt me. :) Well, I don't know what you'll think of the next entry. . . if it's any consolation I had it prepared before I read your post. Maybe something cute and fuzzy tomorrow. :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 6, 2014 Author Share Posted June 6, 2014 06 June 2014Friday Portuguese Man of War Anyone unfamiliar with the biology of the venomous Portuguese man-of-war would likely mistake it for a jellyfish. Not only is it not a jellyfish, it's not even an "it," but a "they." The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together. The man-of-war comprises four separate polyps. It gets its name from the uppermost polyp, a gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, which sits above the water and somewhat resembles an old warship at full sail. Man-of-wars are also known as bluebottles for the purple-blue color of their pneumatophores. The tentacles are the man-of-war's second organism. These long, thin tendrils can extend 165 feet (50 meters) in length below the surface, although 30 feet (10 meters) is more the average. They are covered in venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze and kill fish and other small creatures. For humans, a man-of-war sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly. But beware—even dead man-of-wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting. Muscles in the tentacles draw prey up to a polyp containing the gastrozooids or digestive organisms. A fourth polyp contains the reproductive organisms. Man-of-wars are found, sometimes in groups of 1,000 or more, floating in warm waters throughout the world's oceans. They have no independent means of propulsion and either drift on the currents or catch the wind with their pneumatophores. To avoid threats on the surface, they can deflate their air bags and briefly submerge. http://i.imgur.com/yNi4cWR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BatHlgK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hobTUpV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/azoKmfi.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EUhCxzL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qlJuKy3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rjr7PLE.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 06 June 2014Friday Portuguese Man of War Anyone unfamiliar with the biology of the venomous Portuguese man-of-war would likely mistake it for a jellyfish. Not only is it not a jellyfish, it's not even an "it," but a "they." The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together. The man-of-war comprises four separate polyps. It gets its name from the uppermost polyp, a gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, which sits above the water and somewhat resembles an old warship at full sail. Man-of-wars are also known as bluebottles for the purple-blue color of their pneumatophores. The tentacles are the man-of-war's second organism. These long, thin tendrils can extend 165 feet (50 meters) in length below the surface, although 30 feet (10 meters) is more the average. They are covered in venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze and kill fish and other small creatures. For humans, a man-of-war sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly. But beware—even dead man-of-wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting. Muscles in the tentacles draw prey up to a polyp containing the gastrozooids or digestive organisms. A fourth polyp contains the reproductive organisms. Man-of-wars are found, sometimes in groups of 1,000 or more, floating in warm waters throughout the world's oceans. They have no independent means of propulsion and either drift on the currents or catch the wind with their pneumatophores. To avoid threats on the surface, they can deflate their air bags and briefly submerge. http://i.imgur.com/yNi4cWR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BatHlgK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hobTUpV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/azoKmfi.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EUhCxzL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qlJuKy3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rjr7PLE.jpgNice! A Creature that's like like it was designed by Roger Dean 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 06 June 2014Friday Portuguese Man of War Anyone unfamiliar with the biology of the venomous Portuguese man-of-war would likely mistake it for a jellyfish. Not only is it not a jellyfish, it's not even an "it," but a "they." The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together. The man-of-war comprises four separate polyps. It gets its name from the uppermost polyp, a gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, which sits above the water and somewhat resembles an old warship at full sail. Man-of-wars are also known as bluebottles for the purple-blue color of their pneumatophores. The tentacles are the man-of-war's second organism. These long, thin tendrils can extend 165 feet (50 meters) in length below the surface, although 30 feet (10 meters) is more the average. They are covered in venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze and kill fish and other small creatures. For humans, a man-of-war sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly. But beware—even dead man-of-wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting. Muscles in the tentacles draw prey up to a polyp containing the gastrozooids or digestive organisms. A fourth polyp contains the reproductive organisms. Man-of-wars are found, sometimes in groups of 1,000 or more, floating in warm waters throughout the world's oceans. They have no independent means of propulsion and either drift on the currents or catch the wind with their pneumatophores. To avoid threats on the surface, they can deflate their air bags and briefly submerge. http://i.imgur.com/yNi4cWR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BatHlgK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hobTUpV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/azoKmfi.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EUhCxzL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qlJuKy3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rjr7PLE.jpg How beautiful - but I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of those stinging thingies..! :o 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 06 June 2014Friday Portuguese Man of War Anyone unfamiliar with the biology of the venomous Portuguese man-of-war would likely mistake it for a jellyfish. Not only is it not a jellyfish, it's not even an "it," but a "they." The Portuguese man-of-war is a siphonophore, an animal made up of a colony of organisms working together. The man-of-war comprises four separate polyps. It gets its name from the uppermost polyp, a gas-filled bladder, or pneumatophore, which sits above the water and somewhat resembles an old warship at full sail. Man-of-wars are also known as bluebottles for the purple-blue color of their pneumatophores. The tentacles are the man-of-war's second organism. These long, thin tendrils can extend 165 feet (50 meters) in length below the surface, although 30 feet (10 meters) is more the average. They are covered in venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze and kill fish and other small creatures. For humans, a man-of-war sting is excruciatingly painful, but rarely deadly. But beware—even dead man-of-wars washed up on shore can deliver a sting. Muscles in the tentacles draw prey up to a polyp containing the gastrozooids or digestive organisms. A fourth polyp contains the reproductive organisms. Man-of-wars are found, sometimes in groups of 1,000 or more, floating in warm waters throughout the world's oceans. They have no independent means of propulsion and either drift on the currents or catch the wind with their pneumatophores. To avoid threats on the surface, they can deflate their air bags and briefly submerge. http://i.imgur.com/yNi4cWR.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/BatHlgK.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/hobTUpV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/azoKmfi.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EUhCxzL.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/qlJuKy3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/rjr7PLE.jpgit's not even an "it," but a "they."That's just freaky... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 07 June 2014Saturday As promised, something cute and fuzzy. Koalas Though often called the koala "bear," this cuddly animal is not a bear at all; it is a marsupial, or pouched mammal. After giving birth, a female koala carries her baby in her pouch for about six months. When the infant emerges, it rides on its mother's back or clings to her belly, accompanying her everywhere until it is about a year old. Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. In fact, they rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. During the day they doze, tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, sleeping for up to 18 hours. When not asleep a koala feeds on eucalyptus leaves, especially at night. Koalas do not drink much water and they get most of their moisture from these leaves. Each animal eats a tremendous amount for its size—about two and a half pounds (one kilogram) of leaves a day. Koalas even store snacks of leaves in pouches in their cheeks. A special digestive system—a long gut—allows koalas to break down the tough eucalyptus leaves and remain unharmed by their poison. Koalas eat so many of these leaves that they take on a distinctive odor from their oil, reminiscent of cough drops. These plump, fuzzy mammals were widely hunted during the 1920s and 1930s, and their populations plunged. Helped by reintroduction, they have reappeared over much of their former range, but their populations are smaller and scattered. Koalas need a lot of space—about a hundred trees per animal—a pressing problem as Australia's woodlands continue to shrink. http://i.imgur.com/IWWmkYW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5Nuiwu7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/wMO63a0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lAQ4sQQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ULXK7w3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/b5ixWOM.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jHt9nTq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/MR1CqlJ.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 07 June 2014Saturday As promised, something cute and fuzzy. Koalas Though often called the koala "bear," this cuddly animal is not a bear at all; it is a marsupial, or pouched mammal. After giving birth, a female koala carries her baby in her pouch for about six months. When the infant emerges, it rides on its mother's back or clings to her belly, accompanying her everywhere until it is about a year old. Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. In fact, they rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. During the day they doze, tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, sleeping for up to 18 hours. When not asleep a koala feeds on eucalyptus leaves, especially at night. Koalas do not drink much water and they get most of their moisture from these leaves. Each animal eats a tremendous amount for its size—about two and a half pounds (one kilogram) of leaves a day. Koalas even store snacks of leaves in pouches in their cheeks. A special digestive system—a long gut—allows koalas to break down the tough eucalyptus leaves and remain unharmed by their poison. Koalas eat so many of these leaves that they take on a distinctive odor from their oil, reminiscent of cough drops. These plump, fuzzy mammals were widely hunted during the 1920s and 1930s, and their populations plunged. Helped by reintroduction, they have reappeared over much of their former range, but their populations are smaller and scattered. Koalas need a lot of space—about a hundred trees per animal—a pressing problem as Australia's woodlands continue to shrink. http://i.imgur.com/IWWmkYW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5Nuiwu7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/wMO63a0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lAQ4sQQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ULXK7w3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/b5ixWOM.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jHt9nTq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/MR1CqlJ.jpgAwww...they are very cute. Thanks, SWS. :) They smell like cough drops? Who knew? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your_Lion Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 07 June 2014Saturday As promised, something cute and fuzzy. Koalas Though often called the koala "bear," this cuddly animal is not a bear at all; it is a marsupial, or pouched mammal. After giving birth, a female koala carries her baby in her pouch for about six months. When the infant emerges, it rides on its mother's back or clings to her belly, accompanying her everywhere until it is about a year old. Koalas live in eastern Australia, where the eucalyptus trees they love are most plentiful. In fact, they rarely leave these trees, and their sharp claws and opposable digits easily keep them aloft. During the day they doze, tucked into forks or nooks in the trees, sleeping for up to 18 hours. When not asleep a koala feeds on eucalyptus leaves, especially at night. Koalas do not drink much water and they get most of their moisture from these leaves. Each animal eats a tremendous amount for its size—about two and a half pounds (one kilogram) of leaves a day. Koalas even store snacks of leaves in pouches in their cheeks. A special digestive system—a long gut—allows koalas to break down the tough eucalyptus leaves and remain unharmed by their poison. Koalas eat so many of these leaves that they take on a distinctive odor from their oil, reminiscent of cough drops. These plump, fuzzy mammals were widely hunted during the 1920s and 1930s, and their populations plunged. Helped by reintroduction, they have reappeared over much of their former range, but their populations are smaller and scattered. Koalas need a lot of space—about a hundred trees per animal—a pressing problem as Australia's woodlands continue to shrink. http://i.imgur.com/IWWmkYW.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/5Nuiwu7.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/wMO63a0.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lAQ4sQQ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ULXK7w3.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/b5ixWOM.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/jHt9nTq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/MR1CqlJ.jpgI don't think it would be possible to find a more cuddly animal 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 08 June 2014Sunday Tasmanian Devil http://i.imgur.com/daUrz7S.gif As comical as it is, the familiar Looney Tunes portrayal of a Tasmanian devil as a seething, snarling, insatiable lunatic is, at times, not all that far from the truth. Tasmanian devils have a notoriously cantankerous disposition and will fly into a maniacal rage when threatened by a predator, fighting for a mate, or defending a meal. Early European settlers dubbed it a "devil" after witnessing such displays, which include teeth-baring, lunging, and an array of spine-chilling guttural growls. These famously feisty mammals have a coat of coarse brown or black fur and a stocky profile that gives them the appearance of a baby bear. Most have a white stripe or patch on their chest and light spots on their sides or rear end. They have long front legs and shorter rear legs, giving them a lumbering, piglike gait. The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest carnivorous marsupial, reaching 30 inches (76 centimeters) in length and weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kilograms), although its size will vary widely depending on its specific range and the availability of food. Its oversize head houses sharp teeth and strong, muscular jaws that can deliver, pound for pound, one of the most powerful bites of any mammal. Devils are solitary and nocturnal, spending their days alone in hollow logs, caves, or burrows, and emerging at night to feed. They use their long whiskers and excellent sense of smell and sight to avoid predators and locate prey and carrion. They'll eat pretty much anything they can get their teeth on, and when they do find food, they are voracious, consuming everything—including hair, organs, and bones. Once abundant throughout Australia, Tasmanian devils are now indigenous only to the island state of Tasmania. Their Tasmanian range encompasses the entire island, although they are partial to coastal scrublands and forests. Biologists speculate that their extinction on the mainland is attributable to the introduction of Asian dogs, or dingoes. Efforts in the late 1800s to eradicate Tasmanian devils, which farmers erroneously believed were killing livestock (although they were known to take poultry), were nearly successful. In 1941, the government made devils a protected species, and their numbers have grown steadily since. Tragically, though, a catastrophic illness discovered in the mid-1990s has killed tens of thousands of Tasmanian devils. Called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), this rapidly spreading condition is a rare contagious cancer that causes large lumps to form around the animal's mouth and head, making it hard for it to eat. The animal eventually starves to death. Animal health experts are sequestering populations where the disease has not yet appeared and are focusing on captive breeding programs to save the species from extinction. Because of the outbreak, the Australian government has listed Tasmanian devils as vulnerable. http://i.imgur.com/WHQZswz.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/HfPcPC9.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/KfiRDEn.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/CBxuR3a.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/iiBj6ca.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/3zxQNZa.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LTaTtpI.jpg 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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