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Substancewithoutstyle's Slightly Frivolous Flora and Fauna Photo Gallery

HomesickAlien

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HomesickAlien
HomesickAlien

16 March 2014 Sunday   The Titan Arum Amorphophallus titanum   http://i.imgur.com/sAtk90F.png http://i.imgur.com/q69WGSs.png http://i.imgur.com/nRM9UdN.png http://i.imgur.com/jRegam3.png

HomesickAlien
HomesickAlien

02 May 2015 Saturday     Madagascar Leaf-Nosed Snake   This bizarre-looking snake is an arboreal species endemic to Madagascar. As their name implies, leaf-nosed snakes have bizarre nasal appendage

HomesickAlien
HomesickAlien

18 June 2014 Wednesday     Alligator Snapping Turtle       The prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and among the largest in the world. Wi

Babycat

Babycat

Posted
Posted

11 May 2015

Monday

 

 

Red River Hog

 

Instantly recognisable for its bright rufous fur, the red river hog is undoubtedly the most strikingly coloured of all wild pigs. Despite being, on average, the smallest African pig, this species possesses a stocky body with powerful shoulders, and a large, wedge shaped head, enabling it to quickly root up tough vegetation.

 

Like other wild pigs, the red river hog has a broad, omnivorous diet, and spends most of its adult life in search of food. This species is usually active at night, returning to a burrow excavated amongst dense vegetation during the day, although in forests and shaded areas individuals may also forage during the morning and evening. Food is located using the sensitive, disc-like snout, which identifies edible material by both touch and smell, and also serves as a plough for rooting up vegetation. Roots, berries, and fruits are the most common sources of food, although small mammals, reptiles, young birds eggs and carrion may all be eaten when available.

 

The red river hog is highly sociable, and forms family groups, usually of four to six individuals, led by a dominant male. Groups normally avoid one another, giving ritualised aggressive displays and occasionally fighting when encounters occur, although wandering groups of over 50 individuals have also been known to form. Frequently used paths are marked with scented secretions from facial glands as well as gouges in tree bark made with the tusks. Breeding takes place from September to April, with a peak in births during the warm, wet summer season between November and February. After a gestation period of around four months, three to four piglets are born, which are initially protected within a large nest of grass, three metres across and one metre deep. After leaving the nest the piglets join the family group and are protected by the dominant male.

 

The red river hog has a wide, but patchy, distribution extending from Senegal in the west, throughout the Guinea-Congo forest, as far east as the Albertine Rift, on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

 

 

Gorgeous coloring, and such cute babies! :heart:

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

Posted
Posted

11 May 2015

Monday

 

 

Red River Hog

 

Instantly recognisable for its bright rufous fur, the red river hog is undoubtedly the most strikingly coloured of all wild pigs. Despite being, on average, the smallest African pig, this species possesses a stocky body with powerful shoulders, and a large, wedge shaped head, enabling it to quickly root up tough vegetation.

 

Like other wild pigs, the red river hog has a broad, omnivorous diet, and spends most of its adult life in search of food. This species is usually active at night, returning to a burrow excavated amongst dense vegetation during the day, although in forests and shaded areas individuals may also forage during the morning and evening. Food is located using the sensitive, disc-like snout, which identifies edible material by both touch and smell, and also serves as a plough for rooting up vegetation. Roots, berries, and fruits are the most common sources of food, although small mammals, reptiles, young birds eggs and carrion may all be eaten when available.

 

The red river hog is highly sociable, and forms family groups, usually of four to six individuals, led by a dominant male. Groups normally avoid one another, giving ritualised aggressive displays and occasionally fighting when encounters occur, although wandering groups of over 50 individuals have also been known to form. Frequently used paths are marked with scented secretions from facial glands as well as gouges in tree bark made with the tusks. Breeding takes place from September to April, with a peak in births during the warm, wet summer season between November and February. After a gestation period of around four months, three to four piglets are born, which are initially protected within a large nest of grass, three metres across and one metre deep. After leaving the nest the piglets join the family group and are protected by the dominant male.

 

The red river hog has a wide, but patchy, distribution extending from Senegal in the west, throughout the Guinea-Congo forest, as far east as the Albertine Rift, on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

 

 

Nice . An unusual mix of the look of a few different animals there.

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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14 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

Madagascar Day Gecko

 

(Phelsuma antanosy)

 

 

A critically endangered reptile, the day gecko is found only in tiny forest fragments in southeastern Madagascar. An otherwise vibrantly green gecko, three red lines sit conspicuously on the rear of the back and two distinctive red bars, that are surrounded by a scattering of blue spots, run between the brown eyes and yellow eye-rings.

 

As its common name suggests, the day gecko is a diurnal species that locates its prey using a combination of visual and chemical cues. Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates are its main prey, but the day gecko will supplement its diet with fruit, pollen and nectar from flowers. The day gecko has also been observed forming an unlikely symbiotic relationship with plant hopper insects. The gecko repeatedly nods its head at the insect until it receives a ball of honeydew, a sugar-rich substance secreted by the insect upon which the gecko feeds. This relationship is not entirely understood; however, it is possible that the insect receives protection from predators in return for its secretions.

 

Geckos have well-developed vocal cords and, consequently, are capable of producing a large variety of chirps, clicks, growls and barks, which along with visual signals are used in communication. Most gecko species produce two hard eggs, which may be laid in shallow pits, under bark or on plant or rocky surfaces.

 

The day gecko is known from only the Ambatotsirongorongo Forest and Sainte Luce in the Tolagnaro region of southeastern Madagascar. The distribution of this island endemic is highly fragmented and it was once also found in the Petriky Forest, but has not been seen there since 1994 and is now thought to be locally extinct.

 

 

 

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Tombstone Mountain

Tombstone Mountain

Posted
Posted

14 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

 

Madagascar Day Gecko

 

(Phelsuma antanosy)

 

 

A critically endangered reptile, the day gecko is found only in tiny forest fragments in southeastern Madagascar. An otherwise vibrantly green gecko, three red lines sit conspicuously on the rear of the back and two distinctive red bars, that are surrounded by a scattering of blue spots, run between the brown eyes and yellow eye-rings.

 

As its common name suggests, the day gecko is a diurnal species that locates its prey using a combination of visual and chemical cues. Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates are its main prey, but the day gecko will supplement its diet with fruit, pollen and nectar from flowers. The day gecko has also been observed forming an unlikely symbiotic relationship with plant hopper insects. The gecko repeatedly nods its head at the insect until it receives a ball of honeydew, a sugar-rich substance secreted by the insect upon which the gecko feeds. This relationship is not entirely understood; however, it is possible that the insect receives protection from predators in return for its secretions.

 

Geckos have well-developed vocal cords and, consequently, are capable of producing a large variety of chirps, clicks, growls and barks, which along with visual signals are used in communication. Most gecko species produce two hard eggs, which may be laid in shallow pits, under bark or on plant or rocky surfaces.

 

The day gecko is known from only the Ambatotsirongorongo Forest and Sainte Luce in the Tolagnaro region of southeastern Madagascar. The distribution of this island endemic is highly fragmented and it was once also found in the Petriky Forest, but has not been seen there since 1994 and is now thought to be locally extinct.

 

 

 

 

I wonder if these guys would be happy living in Goatnut?

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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Posted

14 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

 

Madagascar Day Gecko

 

(Phelsuma antanosy)

 

 

A critically endangered reptile, the day gecko is found only in tiny forest fragments in southeastern Madagascar. An otherwise vibrantly green gecko, three red lines sit conspicuously on the rear of the back and two distinctive red bars, that are surrounded by a scattering of blue spots, run between the brown eyes and yellow eye-rings.

 

As its common name suggests, the day gecko is a diurnal species that locates its prey using a combination of visual and chemical cues. Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates are its main prey, but the day gecko will supplement its diet with fruit, pollen and nectar from flowers. The day gecko has also been observed forming an unlikely symbiotic relationship with plant hopper insects. The gecko repeatedly nods its head at the insect until it receives a ball of honeydew, a sugar-rich substance secreted by the insect upon which the gecko feeds. This relationship is not entirely understood; however, it is possible that the insect receives protection from predators in return for its secretions.

 

Geckos have well-developed vocal cords and, consequently, are capable of producing a large variety of chirps, clicks, growls and barks, which along with visual signals are used in communication. Most gecko species produce two hard eggs, which may be laid in shallow pits, under bark or on plant or rocky surfaces.

 

The day gecko is known from only the Ambatotsirongorongo Forest and Sainte Luce in the Tolagnaro region of southeastern Madagascar. The distribution of this island endemic is highly fragmented and it was once also found in the Petriky Forest, but has not been seen there since 1994 and is now thought to be locally extinct.

 

 

 

 

I wonder if these guys would be happy living in Goatnut?

 

They'd be right at home with "Toothless" the salamander. :D

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

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Posted

14 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

Madagascar Day Gecko

 

(Phelsuma antanosy)

 

 

A critically endangered reptile, the day gecko is found only in tiny forest fragments in southeastern Madagascar. An otherwise vibrantly green gecko, three red lines sit conspicuously on the rear of the back and two distinctive red bars, that are surrounded by a scattering of blue spots, run between the brown eyes and yellow eye-rings.

 

As its common name suggests, the day gecko is a diurnal species that locates its prey using a combination of visual and chemical cues. Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates are its main prey, but the day gecko will supplement its diet with fruit, pollen and nectar from flowers. The day gecko has also been observed forming an unlikely symbiotic relationship with plant hopper insects. The gecko repeatedly nods its head at the insect until it receives a ball of honeydew, a sugar-rich substance secreted by the insect upon which the gecko feeds. This relationship is not entirely understood; however, it is possible that the insect receives protection from predators in return for its secretions.

 

Geckos have well-developed vocal cords and, consequently, are capable of producing a large variety of chirps, clicks, growls and barks, which along with visual signals are used in communication. Most gecko species produce two hard eggs, which may be laid in shallow pits, under bark or on plant or rocky surfaces.

 

The day gecko is known from only the Ambatotsirongorongo Forest and Sainte Luce in the Tolagnaro region of southeastern Madagascar. The distribution of this island endemic is highly fragmented and it was once also found in the Petriky Forest, but has not been seen there since 1994 and is now thought to be locally extinct.

 

 

 

Wow! They look amazing. So colourful.

And that one looks really happy to be able to lick it's own eye

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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15 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Spanish Dancer

 

(Hexabranchus sanguineus)

 

Reaching sizes of at least 16 inches (40 cm), the Spanish Dancer is the largest nudibranch and one of the largest sea slugs on the planet.

 

Spanish Dancers are found only in the Indo-Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea, and its color usually ranges from pink to a deep rich crimson with whitish and yellow markings during the daylight, and more pinkish and blotchy at night. Like all nudibranchs, the dancer is carnivorous and feeds on sponges and hydroids like the Portuguese man-o-war, and is resilient to their toxins.

 

Unlike other nudibranchs that move by crawling, the Spanish Dancer gets its name from its ability to swim in an undulating motion, using its red “skirt” which waves about and unfurls as it propels itself through the water. The motion looks very similar to an exotic flamenco dancer. While it mostly prefers to crawl along the reef like other nudibranchs, the dancer will unfurl it “skirt” and propel itself into a swim, usually when it feels threatened.

 

The Spanish Dancer lays eggs in a ribbon shaped rose pattern on rocks and coral. The eggs of this creature are highly toxic, containing a greater concentration of poison than the adult of the species.

 

 

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

Posted
Posted

15 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Spanish Dancer

 

(Hexabranchus sanguineus)

 

Reaching sizes of at least 16 inches (40 cm), the Spanish Dancer is the largest nudibranch and one of the largest sea slugs on the planet.

 

Spanish Dancers are found only in the Indo-Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea, and its color usually ranges from pink to a deep rich crimson with whitish and yellow markings during the daylight, and more pinkish and blotchy at night. Like all nudibranchs, the dancer is carnivorous and feeds on sponges and hydroids like the Portuguese man-o-war, and is resilient to their toxins.

 

Unlike other nudibranchs that move by crawling, the Spanish Dancer gets its name from its ability to swim in an undulating motion, using its red “skirt” which waves about and unfurls as it propels itself through the water. The motion looks very similar to an exotic flamenco dancer. While it mostly prefers to crawl along the reef like other nudibranchs, the dancer will unfurl it “skirt” and propel itself into a swim, usually when it feels threatened.

 

The Spanish Dancer lays eggs in a ribbon shaped rose pattern on rocks and coral. The eggs of this creature are highly toxic, containing a greater concentration of poison than the adult of the species.

 

 

Awesome bright colours...and an unusual look

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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Posted

18 May 2015

Monday

 

 

Common Toad

 

The common toad (Bufo bufo) is surrounded by a wealth of folklore and superstition *. It can alter the tone of its skin to suit its surroundings; the upper surface may be brown, greenish or grey, and occasionally features dark markings. The most obvious feature that distinguishes the common toad from frogs is its warty skin; these dark warts secrete powerful toxins when the toad is harassed, and potential predators soon learn to avoid toads.

 

Common toads are largely nocturnal. They are found in ponds only in the breeding season; during the rest of the year they can be found far from water bodies. They have a broad diet, feeding on a huge range of prey small enough to swallow, including insects, spiders, earwigs, earthworms, snails and slugs; they have even been observed eating young toads. They feed only on land and use a 'sit-and-wait' style of hunting. Common toads are usually welcomed by gardeners, thanks to their voracious appetites and penchant for garden pests.

 

Breeding activity, which occurs between March and June, is often very frenzied in the common toad, with much competition amongst males over access to females. Males grasp females tightly prior to spawning, and there is aggressive activity amongst males who try to 'take-over' females. 'Mating-balls' may often arise, when as many as 10 males jostle for access to a single female; the female occasionally drowns or is crushed as a result. Successful pairs will spawn; females release a double-string of eggs, which the male fertilises by releasing his sperm simultaneously. The pair moves around whilst spawning, so that the jelly-coated strings of eggs become wrapped around vegetation. One female may produce up to 5,000 eggs, although the usual number is around 1,500.

 

The black tadpoles move away from the spawning areas a few days after hatching. The common toad tadpoles feed on microorganisms and usually gather in groups, which, in addition to the presence of skin toxins, probably protects them further against predation. Despite this, however, they frequently become prey for diving beetles and other species that have piercing mouthparts, and so can avoid the toxins in the skin. It takes 8 to 12 weeks for tadpoles to develop, after metamorphosis the tiny toadlets occasionally emerge en masse. Sexual maturity is reached after two to three years. Common toads can live for a very long time; some captive individuals have reached 50 years of age.

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/christian_ricci_526_zpslxqcyrox.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Female-common-toad_zpstpp9r30b.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/881027335-rough-woodlouse-swallowing-common-toad-forest-soil_zpstwj99w16.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Close-up-of-common-toads-eye_zpsebd2jkxx.jpg

 

Eggs:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Common_Toad_Spawn_zpsjdjn6swf.jpg

 

Tadpoles:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/BufoBufoTadpoles_zpsuxtknp8a.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/amphibian_bufo_bufo_common_toad_tadpole_08-06-06_2_zpseri5rly8.jpg

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/823cc768f23ce3d1b73b2ed0aeb0a0a3_zpsyjcjasnh.jpg

* "Toads had great magical power, and many magical practices used by witches, cunning folk, and ordinary people made use of toads, dried toads, powdered dried toads, toad bile, toad faeces and toad blood. The toxic liquids exuded by toads’ skin associated them with poisoning and sickness, but also with healing and health – toads were an ingredient in many magical cures for both humans and livestock. Sometimes, the mere discovery of a toad in a person’s house was treated as evidence of witchcraft."

 

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

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Posted

18 May 2015

Monday

 

 

Common Toad

 

The common toad (Bufo bufo) is surrounded by a wealth of folklore and superstition *. It can alter the tone of its skin to suit its surroundings; the upper surface may be brown, greenish or grey, and occasionally features dark markings. The most obvious feature that distinguishes the common toad from frogs is its warty skin; these dark warts secrete powerful toxins when the toad is harassed, and potential predators soon learn to avoid toads.

 

Common toads are largely nocturnal. They are found in ponds only in the breeding season; during the rest of the year they can be found far from water bodies. They have a broad diet, feeding on a huge range of prey small enough to swallow, including insects, spiders, earwigs, earthworms, snails and slugs; they have even been observed eating young toads. They feed only on land and use a 'sit-and-wait' style of hunting. Common toads are usually welcomed by gardeners, thanks to their voracious appetites and penchant for garden pests.

 

Breeding activity, which occurs between March and June, is often very frenzied in the common toad, with much competition amongst males over access to females. Males grasp females tightly prior to spawning, and there is aggressive activity amongst males who try to 'take-over' females. 'Mating-balls' may often arise, when as many as 10 males jostle for access to a single female; the female occasionally drowns or is crushed as a result. Successful pairs will spawn; females release a double-string of eggs, which the male fertilises by releasing his sperm simultaneously. The pair moves around whilst spawning, so that the jelly-coated strings of eggs become wrapped around vegetation. One female may produce up to 5,000 eggs, although the usual number is around 1,500.

 

The black tadpoles move away from the spawning areas a few days after hatching. The common toad tadpoles feed on microorganisms and usually gather in groups, which, in addition to the presence of skin toxins, probably protects them further against predation. Despite this, however, they frequently become prey for diving beetles and other species that have piercing mouthparts, and so can avoid the toxins in the skin. It takes 8 to 12 weeks for tadpoles to develop, after metamorphosis the tiny toadlets occasionally emerge en masse. Sexual maturity is reached after two to three years. Common toads can live for a very long time; some captive individuals have reached 50 years of age.

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/christian_ricci_526_zpslxqcyrox.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Female-common-toad_zpstpp9r30b.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/881027335-rough-woodlouse-swallowing-common-toad-forest-soil_zpstwj99w16.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Close-up-of-common-toads-eye_zpsebd2jkxx.jpg

 

Eggs:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Common_Toad_Spawn_zpsjdjn6swf.jpg

 

Tadpoles:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/BufoBufoTadpoles_zpsuxtknp8a.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/amphibian_bufo_bufo_common_toad_tadpole_08-06-06_2_zpseri5rly8.jpg

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/823cc768f23ce3d1b73b2ed0aeb0a0a3_zpsyjcjasnh.jpg

* "Toads had great magical power, and many magical practices used by witches, cunning folk, and ordinary people made use of toads, dried toads, powdered dried toads, toad bile, toad faeces and toad blood. The toxic liquids exuded by toads’ skin associated them with poisoning and sickness, but also with healing and health – toads were an ingredient in many magical cures for both humans and livestock. Sometimes, the mere discovery of a toad in a person’s house was treated as evidence of witchcraft."

 

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060612193010/muppet/images/c/cc/Rygel.jpg

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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Posted (edited)

18 May 2015

Monday

 

 

Common Toad

 

The common toad (Bufo bufo) is surrounded by a wealth of folklore and superstition *. It can alter the tone of its skin to suit its surroundings; the upper surface may be brown, greenish or grey, and occasionally features dark markings. The most obvious feature that distinguishes the common toad from frogs is its warty skin; these dark warts secrete powerful toxins when the toad is harassed, and potential predators soon learn to avoid toads.

 

Common toads are largely nocturnal. They are found in ponds only in the breeding season; during the rest of the year they can be found far from water bodies. They have a broad diet, feeding on a huge range of prey small enough to swallow, including insects, spiders, earwigs, earthworms, snails and slugs; they have even been observed eating young toads. They feed only on land and use a 'sit-and-wait' style of hunting. Common toads are usually welcomed by gardeners, thanks to their voracious appetites and penchant for garden pests.

 

Breeding activity, which occurs between March and June, is often very frenzied in the common toad, with much competition amongst males over access to females. Males grasp females tightly prior to spawning, and there is aggressive activity amongst males who try to 'take-over' females. 'Mating-balls' may often arise, when as many as 10 males jostle for access to a single female; the female occasionally drowns or is crushed as a result. Successful pairs will spawn; females release a double-string of eggs, which the male fertilises by releasing his sperm simultaneously. The pair moves around whilst spawning, so that the jelly-coated strings of eggs become wrapped around vegetation. One female may produce up to 5,000 eggs, although the usual number is around 1,500.

 

The black tadpoles move away from the spawning areas a few days after hatching. The common toad tadpoles feed on microorganisms and usually gather in groups, which, in addition to the presence of skin toxins, probably protects them further against predation. Despite this, however, they frequently become prey for diving beetles and other species that have piercing mouthparts, and so can avoid the toxins in the skin. It takes 8 to 12 weeks for tadpoles to develop, after metamorphosis the tiny toadlets occasionally emerge en masse. Sexual maturity is reached after two to three years. Common toads can live for a very long time; some captive individuals have reached 50 years of age.

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/christian_ricci_526_zpslxqcyrox.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Female-common-toad_zpstpp9r30b.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/881027335-rough-woodlouse-swallowing-common-toad-forest-soil_zpstwj99w16.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Close-up-of-common-toads-eye_zpsebd2jkxx.jpg

 

Eggs:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Common_Toad_Spawn_zpsjdjn6swf.jpg

 

Tadpoles:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/BufoBufoTadpoles_zpsuxtknp8a.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/amphibian_bufo_bufo_common_toad_tadpole_08-06-06_2_zpseri5rly8.jpg

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/823cc768f23ce3d1b73b2ed0aeb0a0a3_zpsyjcjasnh.jpg

* "Toads had great magical power, and many magical practices used by witches, cunning folk, and ordinary people made use of toads, dried toads, powdered dried toads, toad bile, toad faeces and toad blood. The toxic liquids exuded by toads’ skin associated them with poisoning and sickness, but also with healing and health – toads were an ingredient in many magical cures for both humans and livestock. Sometimes, the mere discovery of a toad in a person’s house was treated as evidence of witchcraft."

 

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060612193010/muppet/images/c/cc/Rygel.jpg

 

Edited by substancewithoutstyle
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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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19 May 2015

Tuesday

 

 

Caracal

 

The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a slender, graceful cat with a short, dense coat and distinctive, long, black-tufted ears. The body colour varies from reddish-brown to tawny-grey, but occasionally entirely black “melanistic” individuals may occur.

 

Possessing tremendous speed and agility, the caracal is a formidable predator capable of tackling prey two to three times its size. Its long, powerful hind legs enable it to make incredible leaps up to three metres high and catch birds in flight by batting them from the air with its large paws. In the past, this ability led to many caracals being trained to hunt game birds for the Persian and Indian royalty. The caracal is also the fastest cat of its size, and uses its speed to run down prey such as hyraxes, hares and small antelopes. This species is superbly adapted for life in arid environments and requires very little water, apparently getting adequate supplies from its food.

 

Caracals are usually solitary, and maintain territories which may vary between 5 and 48 square kilometres in South Africa, and up to 1,116 square kilometres in the Middle East. In the arid regions of Africa, the average home range size is around 316.4 square kilometers. Male caracals possess the largest territories, which usually encompass the home ranges of several females. The caracal appears to breed throughout the year, although breeding is known to peak between October and February in South Africa. After a gestation period of around 68 to 81 days, the female may give birth to as many as six young, though three are most commonly produced.

 

The caracal has a large range, including much of Africa, and also extending through the Arabian and Anatolian Peninsula, and southwestern and central Asia, as far as Kazakhstan and central India.

 

 

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Your_Lion

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19 May 2015

Tuesday

 

 

Caracal

 

The caracal (Caracal caracal) is a slender, graceful cat with a short, dense coat and distinctive, long, black-tufted ears. The body colour varies from reddish-brown to tawny-grey, but occasionally entirely black “melanistic” individuals may occur.

 

Possessing tremendous speed and agility, the caracal is a formidable predator capable of tackling prey two to three times its size. Its long, powerful hind legs enable it to make incredible leaps up to three metres high and catch birds in flight by batting them from the air with its large paws. In the past, this ability led to many caracals being trained to hunt game birds for the Persian and Indian royalty. The caracal is also the fastest cat of its size, and uses its speed to run down prey such as hyraxes, hares and small antelopes. This species is superbly adapted for life in arid environments and requires very little water, apparently getting adequate supplies from its food.

 

Caracals are usually solitary, and maintain territories which may vary between 5 and 48 square kilometres in South Africa, and up to 1,116 square kilometres in the Middle East. In the arid regions of Africa, the average home range size is around 316.4 square kilometers. Male caracals possess the largest territories, which usually encompass the home ranges of several females. The caracal appears to breed throughout the year, although breeding is known to peak between October and February in South Africa. After a gestation period of around 68 to 81 days, the female may give birth to as many as six young, though three are most commonly produced.

 

The caracal has a large range, including much of Africa, and also extending through the Arabian and Anatolian Peninsula, and southwestern and central Asia, as far as Kazakhstan and central India.

 

 

Beautiful...even when trying to look scary

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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20 May 2015

Wednesday

 

 

Box Jellyfish

 

They may not look dangerous, but the sting from a box jellyfish could be enough to send you to Davy Jones's locker-a watery grave, that is. Box jellyfish belong to the class Cubozoa, and are not a true jellyfish (Scyphozoa), although they show many similar characteristics.

 

Box jellyfish, named for their body shape, have tentacles covered in biological booby traps known as nematocysts - tiny darts loaded with poison. People and animals unfortunate enough to be injected with this poison may experience paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death, all within a few minutes of being stung.

 

While box jellyfish are found in warm coastal waters around the world, the lethal varieties are found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia. This includes the Australian box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), considered the most venomous marine animal. Chironex fleckeri is the largest of the box jellyfish, with body sizes reaching up to one foot in diameter and thick, bootlace-like tentacles up to 10 feet long.

 

Box jellyfish have traits that set them apart from other jellyfish. Most notably, box jellyfish can swim—at maximum speeds approaching four knots—whereas most species of jellyfish float wherever the current takes them, with little control over their direction. Box jellyfish can also see. They have clusters of eyes on each side of the box. Some of these eyes are surprisingly sophisticated, with a lens and cornea, an iris that can contract in bright light, and a retina. Their speed and vision leads some researchers to believe that box jellyfish actively hunt their prey, mainly shrimp and small fish.

 

Box jellyfish are transparent and pale blue in colour, which makes them pretty much invisible in the water. So much so that for years nobody knew what was causing swimmers such excruciating pain, and sometimes killed them.

 

Stings of Chironex fleckeri have several very severe consequences, due to its cardiotoxic (effect on the heart), neurotoxic (damage to the nerves) and dermatonecrotic (effect on the skin) components. It is not uncommon for victims who have had extensive contact (three metres of tentacles touching the skin can be enough to be fatal) to experience cardiac arrest within minutes. Even if that is not the case, the pain from a sting is so excruciating and overwhelming that a victim can immediately go into shock, fatal if the victim is swimming alone. Someone stung while swimming will rarely be able to make it back to shore on their own.

 

 

 

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

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Posted

20 May 2015

Wednesday

 

 

Box Jellyfish

 

They may not look dangerous, but the sting from a box jellyfish could be enough to send you to Davy Jones's locker-a watery grave, that is. Box jellyfish belong to the class Cubozoa, and are not a true jellyfish (Scyphozoa), although they show many similar characteristics.

 

Box jellyfish, named for their body shape, have tentacles covered in biological booby traps known as nematocysts - tiny darts loaded with poison. People and animals unfortunate enough to be injected with this poison may experience paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death, all within a few minutes of being stung.

 

While box jellyfish are found in warm coastal waters around the world, the lethal varieties are found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia. This includes the Australian box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), considered the most venomous marine animal. Chironex fleckeri is the largest of the box jellyfish, with body sizes reaching up to one foot in diameter and thick, bootlace-like tentacles up to 10 feet long.

 

Box jellyfish have traits that set them apart from other jellyfish. Most notably, box jellyfish can swim—at maximum speeds approaching four knots—whereas most species of jellyfish float wherever the current takes them, with little control over their direction. Box jellyfish can also see. They have clusters of eyes on each side of the box. Some of these eyes are surprisingly sophisticated, with a lens and cornea, an iris that can contract in bright light, and a retina. Their speed and vision leads some researchers to believe that box jellyfish actively hunt their prey, mainly shrimp and small fish.

 

Box jellyfish are transparent and pale blue in colour, which makes them pretty much invisible in the water. So much so that for years nobody knew what was causing swimmers such excruciating pain, and sometimes killed them.

 

Stings of Chironex fleckeri have several very severe consequences, due to its cardiotoxic (effect on the heart), neurotoxic (damage to the nerves) and dermatonecrotic (effect on the skin) components. It is not uncommon for victims who have had extensive contact (three metres of tentacles touching the skin can be enough to be fatal) to experience cardiac arrest within minutes. Even if that is not the case, the pain from a sting is so excruciating and overwhelming that a victim can immediately go into shock, fatal if the victim is swimming alone. Someone stung while swimming will rarely be able to make it back to shore on their own.

 

 

 

YIKES!!! :scared: I think I'll stay out of the water

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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22 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Moss Balls

 

Moss Balls, also known as Lake Balls or Marimo in Japan, are balls of algae. Specifically, a branching, filamentous algae called Aegagropila linnaei.

 

It's much more typical for them to grow like a carpet or as little tufts, either floating just above the sediment or attached to rocks, depending on local conditions. Everything has to be just right to achieve Moss Balls: light levels, sediment, and undercurrents.

 

The round shape of the Marimo is maintained by gentle wave action that occasionally turns it. The balls are green all the way round which guarantees that they can photosynthesize no matter which side is turned upwards. Inside, the ball is also green and packed with dormant chloroplasts which become active in a matter of hours if the ball breaks apart. The wave action also cleans the balls of detritus. It takes more than 100 years for Marimo algae to grow to a diameter of 10cm.

 

Marimo were declared a Japanese Natural Treasure in 1921, and then in 1952 became a Special Japanese Natural Treasure. Lake Akan is the most commonly known lake containing the balls, but they can also be found in Lakes Shiranitoro, Toro, Kawaguchi and Sai, all in the Iloklaido district of Japan.

 

Every October, the Marimo Festival is held on the shores of Lake Akan, which includes lectures on the growth of Marimo and field trips to their habitat.

 

 

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

Posted
Posted

22 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Moss Balls

 

Moss Balls, also known as Lake Balls or Marimo in Japan, are balls of algae. Specifically, a branching, filamentous algae called Aegagropila linnaei.

 

It's much more typical for them to grow like a carpet or as little tufts, either floating just above the sediment or attached to rocks, depending on local conditions. Everything has to be just right to achieve Moss Balls: light levels, sediment, and undercurrents.

 

The round shape of the Marimo is maintained by gentle wave action that occasionally turns it. The balls are green all the way round which guarantees that they can photosynthesize no matter which side is turned upwards. Inside, the ball is also green and packed with dormant chloroplasts which become active in a matter of hours if the ball breaks apart. The wave action also cleans the balls of detritus. It takes more than 100 years for Marimo algae to grow to a diameter of 10cm.

 

Marimo were declared a Japanese Natural Treasure in 1921, and then in 1952 became a Special Japanese Natural Treasure. Lake Akan is the most commonly known lake containing the balls, but they can also be found in Lakes Shiranitoro, Toro, Kawaguchi and Sai, all in the Iloklaido district of Japan.

 

Every October, the Marimo Festival is held on the shores of Lake Akan, which includes lectures on the growth of Marimo and field trips to their habitat.

 

 

Cool! That top picture could pass for one of Storm Thorgerson's album cover designs

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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23 May 2015

Saturday

 

 

Southern Ground Hornbill

 

Found in southern and eastern Africa, The southern ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is the largest hornbill in the world and features a striking red facial and throat skin that contrasts with its black plumage. This species is named for its habit of walking on the ground as it feeds, and it is less often seen in flight.

 

The southern ground-hornbill is long-lived, reaching 50 or even 60 years old. It has a varied diet, mainly consisting of arthropods found on the ground. During the dry season, amphibians and lizards are also eaten, and larger species including snakes, hares and tortoises have also been recorded in its diet. The southern ground-hornbill also occasionally eats carrion, fruit and seeds, and will groom common warthogs for parasites which it then consumes.

 

Mating in the southern ground-hornbill occurs between September and December, and two eggs are usually laid in tree or cliff hollows. The first egg is laid three to five days before the second and the first chick invariably outcompetes its younger sibling. As only one chick usually survives to fledge the reproductive rate of this species is therefore fairly slow. The eggs of the southern ground-hornbill hatch after an incubation period of about 40 days. The young fledge at around 85 days old, but are dependent on the adults for several more months.

 

The southern ground-hornbill sometimes lives as a single breeding pair, but more commonly in a co-operative breeding group in which the dominant breeding pair is assisted by other members of the group. Groups contain around 2 to 11 individuals, and defend a territory of up to 100 square kilometres.

 

 

 

Edited by substancewithoutstyle
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Babycat

Babycat

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14 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

Madagascar Day Gecko

 

(Phelsuma antanosy)

 

 

A critically endangered reptile, the day gecko is found only in tiny forest fragments in southeastern Madagascar. An otherwise vibrantly green gecko, three red lines sit conspicuously on the rear of the back and two distinctive red bars, that are surrounded by a scattering of blue spots, run between the brown eyes and yellow eye-rings.

 

As its common name suggests, the day gecko is a diurnal species that locates its prey using a combination of visual and chemical cues. Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates are its main prey, but the day gecko will supplement its diet with fruit, pollen and nectar from flowers. The day gecko has also been observed forming an unlikely symbiotic relationship with plant hopper insects. The gecko repeatedly nods its head at the insect until it receives a ball of honeydew, a sugar-rich substance secreted by the insect upon which the gecko feeds. This relationship is not entirely understood; however, it is possible that the insect receives protection from predators in return for its secretions.

 

Geckos have well-developed vocal cords and, consequently, are capable of producing a large variety of chirps, clicks, growls and barks, which along with visual signals are used in communication. Most gecko species produce two hard eggs, which may be laid in shallow pits, under bark or on plant or rocky surfaces.

 

The day gecko is known from only the Ambatotsirongorongo Forest and Sainte Luce in the Tolagnaro region of southeastern Madagascar. The distribution of this island endemic is highly fragmented and it was once also found in the Petriky Forest, but has not been seen there since 1994 and is now thought to be locally extinct.

 

 

 

 

He's just beautiful! :heart: And the vivid colors! :D And what a smile! :ebert:

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

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23 May 2015

Saturday

 

 

Southern Ground Hornbill

 

Found in southern and eastern Africa, The southern ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is the largest hornbill in the world and features a striking red facial and throat skin that contrasts with its black plumage. This species is named for its habit of walking on the ground as it feeds, and it is less often seen in flight.

 

The southern ground-hornbill is long-lived, reaching 50 or even 60 years old. It has a varied diet, mainly consisting of arthropods found on the ground. During the dry season, amphibians and lizards are also eaten, and larger species including snakes, hares and tortoises have also been recorded in its diet. The southern ground-hornbill also occasionally eats carrion, fruit and seeds, and will groom common warthogs for parasites which it then consumes.

 

Mating in the southern ground-hornbill occurs between September and December, and two eggs are usually laid in tree or cliff hollows. The first egg is laid three to five days before the second and the first chick invariably outcompetes its younger sibling. As only one chick usually survives to fledge the reproductive rate of this species is therefore fairly slow. The eggs of the southern ground-hornbill hatch after an incubation period of about 40 days. The young fledge at around 85 days old, but are dependent on the adults for several more months.

 

The southern ground-hornbill sometimes lives as a single breeding pair, but more commonly in a co-operative breeding group in which the dominant breeding pair is assisted by other members of the group. Groups contain around 2 to 11 individuals, and defend a territory of up to 100 square kilometres.

 

 

 

Very interesting looking faces. I love the bright red.

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Babycat

Babycat

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15 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Spanish Dancer

 

(Hexabranchus sanguineus)

 

Reaching sizes of at least 16 inches (40 cm), the Spanish Dancer is the largest nudibranch and one of the largest sea slugs on the planet.

 

Spanish Dancers are found only in the Indo-Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea, and its color usually ranges from pink to a deep rich crimson with whitish and yellow markings during the daylight, and more pinkish and blotchy at night. Like all nudibranchs, the dancer is carnivorous and feeds on sponges and hydroids like the Portuguese man-o-war, and is resilient to their toxins.

 

Unlike other nudibranchs that move by crawling, the Spanish Dancer gets its name from its ability to swim in an undulating motion, using its red “skirt” which waves about and unfurls as it propels itself through the water. The motion looks very similar to an exotic flamenco dancer. While it mostly prefers to crawl along the reef like other nudibranchs, the dancer will unfurl it “skirt” and propel itself into a swim, usually when it feels threatened.

 

The Spanish Dancer lays eggs in a ribbon shaped rose pattern on rocks and coral. The eggs of this creature are highly toxic, containing a greater concentration of poison than the adult of the species.

 

 

 

That's just stunning! :D

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Babycat

Babycat

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18 May 2015

Monday

 

 

Common Toad

 

The common toad (Bufo bufo) is surrounded by a wealth of folklore and superstition *. It can alter the tone of its skin to suit its surroundings; the upper surface may be brown, greenish or grey, and occasionally features dark markings. The most obvious feature that distinguishes the common toad from frogs is its warty skin; these dark warts secrete powerful toxins when the toad is harassed, and potential predators soon learn to avoid toads.

 

Common toads are largely nocturnal. They are found in ponds only in the breeding season; during the rest of the year they can be found far from water bodies. They have a broad diet, feeding on a huge range of prey small enough to swallow, including insects, spiders, earwigs, earthworms, snails and slugs; they have even been observed eating young toads. They feed only on land and use a 'sit-and-wait' style of hunting. Common toads are usually welcomed by gardeners, thanks to their voracious appetites and penchant for garden pests.

 

Breeding activity, which occurs between March and June, is often very frenzied in the common toad, with much competition amongst males over access to females. Males grasp females tightly prior to spawning, and there is aggressive activity amongst males who try to 'take-over' females. 'Mating-balls' may often arise, when as many as 10 males jostle for access to a single female; the female occasionally drowns or is crushed as a result. Successful pairs will spawn; females release a double-string of eggs, which the male fertilises by releasing his sperm simultaneously. The pair moves around whilst spawning, so that the jelly-coated strings of eggs become wrapped around vegetation. One female may produce up to 5,000 eggs, although the usual number is around 1,500.

 

The black tadpoles move away from the spawning areas a few days after hatching. The common toad tadpoles feed on microorganisms and usually gather in groups, which, in addition to the presence of skin toxins, probably protects them further against predation. Despite this, however, they frequently become prey for diving beetles and other species that have piercing mouthparts, and so can avoid the toxins in the skin. It takes 8 to 12 weeks for tadpoles to develop, after metamorphosis the tiny toadlets occasionally emerge en masse. Sexual maturity is reached after two to three years. Common toads can live for a very long time; some captive individuals have reached 50 years of age.

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/christian_ricci_526_zpslxqcyrox.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Female-common-toad_zpstpp9r30b.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/881027335-rough-woodlouse-swallowing-common-toad-forest-soil_zpstwj99w16.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Close-up-of-common-toads-eye_zpsebd2jkxx.jpg

 

Eggs:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/Common_Toad_Spawn_zpsjdjn6swf.jpg

 

Tadpoles:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/BufoBufoTadpoles_zpsuxtknp8a.jpg

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/amphibian_bufo_bufo_common_toad_tadpole_08-06-06_2_zpseri5rly8.jpg

 

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/823cc768f23ce3d1b73b2ed0aeb0a0a3_zpsyjcjasnh.jpg

* "Toads had great magical power, and many magical practices used by witches, cunning folk, and ordinary people made use of toads, dried toads, powdered dried toads, toad bile, toad faeces and toad blood. The toxic liquids exuded by toads’ skin associated them with poisoning and sickness, but also with healing and health – toads were an ingredient in many magical cures for both humans and livestock. Sometimes, the mere discovery of a toad in a person’s house was treated as evidence of witchcraft."

 

 

Ribbit! :P

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