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Substancewithoutstyle's Slightly Frivolous Flora and Fauna Photo Gallery

HomesickAlien

By HomesickAlien,
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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

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Posted

28 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

Mata Mata Turtle

 

Matamata is a rural New Zealand town that was the shooting location for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings. The mata mata turtle originates on the other side of the world, in South America's Amazon and Orinoco basins.

 

The mata mata inhabits slow moving blackwater streams, stagnant pools, marshes, and swamps ranging into northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern and central Brazil. It is a strictly aquatic species that prefers staying in shallow water, where its snout can easily reach the surface to breathe.

 

Mata matas have a large, triangular and flattened head, covered by numerous tubercles and flaps of skin. The snout is long and tubular and resembles a horn. The snorkel-like snout allows the animal to lie fully submerged while breathing, with the least possible disturbance of the water surface. Overall, the body of this strange animal gives an appearance that resembles a piece of bark, whereas its head resembles fallen leaves.

 

They are sedentary animals, spending most of the day under water, and rarely bask. Mata mata turtles spend most of their time motionless in the water. They are very well camouflaged and simply wait for prey to come close by. Then, they simply thrust out their head and open the large mouth as wide as possible, creating a low-pressure vacuum that sucks prey into the mouth. The mouth is then shut and the water is slowly expelled; prey is swallowed whole. These strange animals are strictly carnivorous, consuming exclusively aquatic invertebrates and fish.

 

 

What an interesting looking Turtle. That second picture really does look like something Jim Henson would design

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HomesickAlien
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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

HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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29 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Giant Vinegaroon

 

Giant vinegaroons look like scorpions in many ways, but are actually more closely related to spiders. Their pedipalps are modified into two large claws. They also have two front legs that are held above the ground, and six legs that are used for walking. They have a thin, flexible tail at the end of their abdomen, which gives them the common name 'whip scorpions'.

 

They are native to the dry, desert habitats of the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, as well as parts of Mexico.

 

Giant vinegaroons are nocturnal, hunting during the night and taking shelter during the daylight, when temperatures are warm. Adults are usually solitary, staying in their burrows or shelters alone. While some take shelter between rocks or under debris, many giant vinegaroons dig their own burrows. They use their large claws to dig, and carry the extra dirt away from the burrow to one pile that they use throughout the digging process. Some burrows are temporary, while others are used for several months. Giant vinegaroons often sit motionless in their burrow, and their tunnels and chambers are only big enough for them to turn around. Sometimes prey will fall inside the burrow opening, giving them an easy meal. They feed primarily on insects such as cockroaches and crickets, as well as millipedes, and other arachnids. They have even been seen feeding on small frogs and toads. They use their large claws to hold prey, while their mouthparts tear and bite the prey.

 

Female giant vinegaroons provide significant care for their offspring. The eggs are laid in an egg sac that females carry from their abdomen for two months. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs cling to their mother's back and stay there until their first molt.

 

To defend themselves from predators, giant vinegaroons can spray a vinegar-like substance from a gland at the end of their body by the base of their tail. This vinegar spray is why they are called 'vinegaroons'. The spray is very effective at keeping predators away.

 

 

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

Posted
Posted

29 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Giant Vinegaroon

 

Giant vinegaroons look like scorpions in many ways, but are actually more closely related to spiders. Their pedipalps are modified into two large claws. They also have two front legs that are held above the ground, and six legs that are used for walking. They have a thin, flexible tail at the end of their abdomen, which gives them the common name 'whip scorpions'.

 

They are native to the dry, desert habitats of the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, as well as parts of Mexico.

 

Giant vinegaroons are nocturnal, hunting during the night and taking shelter during the daylight, when temperatures are warm. Adults are usually solitary, staying in their burrows or shelters alone. While some take shelter between rocks or under debris, many giant vinegaroons dig their own burrows. They use their large claws to dig, and carry the extra dirt away from the burrow to one pile that they use throughout the digging process. Some burrows are temporary, while others are used for several months. Giant vinegaroons often sit motionless in their burrow, and their tunnels and chambers are only big enough for them to turn around. Sometimes prey will fall inside the burrow opening, giving them an easy meal. They feed primarily on insects such as cockroaches and crickets, as well as millipedes, and other arachnids. They have even been seen feeding on small frogs and toads. They use their large claws to hold prey, while their mouthparts tear and bite the prey.

 

Female giant vinegaroons provide significant care for their offspring. The eggs are laid in an egg sac that females carry from their abdomen for two months. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs cling to their mother's back and stay there until their first molt.

 

To defend themselves from predators, giant vinegaroons can spray a vinegar-like substance from a gland at the end of their body by the base of their tail. This vinegar spray is why they are called 'vinegaroons'. The spray is very effective at keeping predators away.

 

 

I was wondering where the name 'Vinegaroon' came from, then it all became clear. That's a neat defence mechanism.

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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30 May 2015

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Troodon

 

Troodon was a small coelurosaurian dinosaur from the Cretaceous Period—a member of the same evolutionary group to which modern birds belong. Fossilized remains have been discovered of nesting parents and egg clutches. These finds shed some light on reproductive strategies that resemble those of both crocodilians and birds.

 

Troodon produced a pair of eggs at periodic intervals and then incubated them in earth nests, sometimes sitting on them and warming them with body heat. Such behavior suggests that these dinosaurs could be an important link on the evolutionary chain, bridging the gap between their earlier relatives (crocodilians) and their later relatives (birds).

 

It had a large brain for its relatively small size and was probably among the smartest dinosaurs. Its brain is proportionally larger than those found in living reptiles, so the animal may have been as intelligent as modern birds, which are more similar in brain size.

 

Troodon walked (and ran) on two long, hind legs. It probably ate small lizards, mammals, and invertebrates. The animal's rotatable forearms, which sported three-fingered hands, likely aided Troodon's hunting prowess. The dinosaur also had large, forward-facing eyes that granted it keen vision for hunting, even at night.

 

 

 

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Babycat

Babycat

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28 May 2015

Thursday

 

 

Mata Mata Turtle

 

Matamata is a rural New Zealand town that was the shooting location for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings. The mata mata turtle originates on the other side of the world, in South America's Amazon and Orinoco basins.

 

The mata mata inhabits slow moving blackwater streams, stagnant pools, marshes, and swamps ranging into northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern and central Brazil. It is a strictly aquatic species that prefers staying in shallow water, where its snout can easily reach the surface to breathe.

 

Mata matas have a large, triangular and flattened head, covered by numerous tubercles and flaps of skin. The snout is long and tubular and resembles a horn. The snorkel-like snout allows the animal to lie fully submerged while breathing, with the least possible disturbance of the water surface. Overall, the body of this strange animal gives an appearance that resembles a piece of bark, whereas its head resembles fallen leaves.

 

They are sedentary animals, spending most of the day under water, and rarely bask. Mata mata turtles spend most of their time motionless in the water. They are very well camouflaged and simply wait for prey to come close by. Then, they simply thrust out their head and open the large mouth as wide as possible, creating a low-pressure vacuum that sucks prey into the mouth. The mouth is then shut and the water is slowly expelled; prey is swallowed whole. These strange animals are strictly carnivorous, consuming exclusively aquatic invertebrates and fish.

 

 

 

Fascinating and unusual all at once. :)

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Babycat

Babycat

Posted
Posted

29 May 2015

Friday

 

 

Giant Vinegaroon

 

Giant vinegaroons look like scorpions in many ways, but are actually more closely related to spiders. Their pedipalps are modified into two large claws. They also have two front legs that are held above the ground, and six legs that are used for walking. They have a thin, flexible tail at the end of their abdomen, which gives them the common name 'whip scorpions'.

 

They are native to the dry, desert habitats of the southwestern United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, as well as parts of Mexico.

 

Giant vinegaroons are nocturnal, hunting during the night and taking shelter during the daylight, when temperatures are warm. Adults are usually solitary, staying in their burrows or shelters alone. While some take shelter between rocks or under debris, many giant vinegaroons dig their own burrows. They use their large claws to dig, and carry the extra dirt away from the burrow to one pile that they use throughout the digging process. Some burrows are temporary, while others are used for several months. Giant vinegaroons often sit motionless in their burrow, and their tunnels and chambers are only big enough for them to turn around. Sometimes prey will fall inside the burrow opening, giving them an easy meal. They feed primarily on insects such as cockroaches and crickets, as well as millipedes, and other arachnids. They have even been seen feeding on small frogs and toads. They use their large claws to hold prey, while their mouthparts tear and bite the prey.

 

Female giant vinegaroons provide significant care for their offspring. The eggs are laid in an egg sac that females carry from their abdomen for two months. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs cling to their mother's back and stay there until their first molt.

 

To defend themselves from predators, giant vinegaroons can spray a vinegar-like substance from a gland at the end of their body by the base of their tail. This vinegar spray is why they are called 'vinegaroons'. The spray is very effective at keeping predators away.

 

 

 

Whoa! She looks bite-y! :scared:

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Babycat

Babycat

Posted
Posted

30 May 2015

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Troodon

 

Troodon was a small coelurosaurian dinosaur from the Cretaceous Period—a member of the same evolutionary group to which modern birds belong. Fossilized remains have been discovered of nesting parents and egg clutches. These finds shed some light on reproductive strategies that resemble those of both crocodilians and birds.

 

Troodon produced a pair of eggs at periodic intervals and then incubated them in earth nests, sometimes sitting on them and warming them with body heat. Such behavior suggests that these dinosaurs could be an important link on the evolutionary chain, bridging the gap between their earlier relatives (crocodilians) and their later relatives (birds).

 

It had a large brain for its relatively small size and was probably among the smartest dinosaurs. Its brain is proportionally larger than those found in living reptiles, so the animal may have been as intelligent as modern birds, which are more similar in brain size.

 

Troodon walked (and ran) on two long, hind legs. It probably ate small lizards, mammals, and invertebrates. The animal's rotatable forearms, which sported three-fingered hands, likely aided Troodon's hunting prowess. The dinosaur also had large, forward-facing eyes that granted it keen vision for hunting, even at night.

 

 

 

 

What a fascinating creature. :)

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

Posted
Posted

30 May 2015

 

Paleontology Saturday

 

 

Troodon

 

Troodon was a small coelurosaurian dinosaur from the Cretaceous Period—a member of the same evolutionary group to which modern birds belong. Fossilized remains have been discovered of nesting parents and egg clutches. These finds shed some light on reproductive strategies that resemble those of both crocodilians and birds.

 

Troodon produced a pair of eggs at periodic intervals and then incubated them in earth nests, sometimes sitting on them and warming them with body heat. Such behavior suggests that these dinosaurs could be an important link on the evolutionary chain, bridging the gap between their earlier relatives (crocodilians) and their later relatives (birds).

 

It had a large brain for its relatively small size and was probably among the smartest dinosaurs. Its brain is proportionally larger than those found in living reptiles, so the animal may have been as intelligent as modern birds, which are more similar in brain size.

 

Troodon walked (and ran) on two long, hind legs. It probably ate small lizards, mammals, and invertebrates. The animal's rotatable forearms, which sported three-fingered hands, likely aided Troodon's hunting prowess. The dinosaur also had large, forward-facing eyes that granted it keen vision for hunting, even at night.

 

 

 

A smart dinosaur. Cool. I love the part about sneaking it's eggs into a larger dinosaur's nest. clever.

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Babycat

Babycat

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I wonder how this turtle attracts a mate...cause it's fugly!

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a587/Sean81A/i1f5FYL_zpscjzviyce.jpg

I don't think I've ever seen a creature quite like this one before. He's fascinating. :)

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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25 October 2015

 

 

Tomato Frog

 

Endemic to Madagascar, tomato frogs (Dyscophus antongilii) live up to their name by possessing a vibrant, orange-red colour. Females are much larger than males and have brighter tones of red or orange on their back, with a pale undersurface. Some individuals also have black spots on the throat. It is thought that the brilliant colours of the tomato frog act as a warning to potential predators that these frogs are toxic; a white substance secreted from the skin acts as a glue to deter predators (such as colubrid snakes) and can produce an allergic reaction in humans.

 

It is a species adapted to live in quite open spaces, usually in marshes and still-water channels. It does not occur within rainforests, although it needs humid sites. Like other representatives of the family, it is terrestrial and fossorial, and is mainly active during rainfalls.

 

Tomato frogs breed in February to March following heavy rainfall; the sounds of males calling to attract females can be heard around small water bodies in the dark Malagasy night. Following copulation, females will lay a clutch of 1,000 to 15,000 eggs on the surface of the water. Tadpoles hatch from these small black and white eggs about 36 hours later; they are only around six millimetres long and feed by filter-feeding. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis into yellow juveniles, and this stage is completed around 45 days after the eggs were laid.

 

Ambushing potential prey, adult tomato frogs feed on small invertebrates. When threatened, these frogs can inflate themselves, giving the appearance of greater size.

 

Numbers of the tomato frog have been declining as a result of habitat degradation, pollution, and the over-collection of these brightly coloured amphibians for the pet trade.

 

Further information: Amphibiaweb

 

For insomniacs and the hopelessly bored: Longevity and body size in three populations of Dyscophus antongilii, the tomato frog from north-eastern Madagascar.

 

http://i.imgur.com/w4c97m6.jpg

 

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

http://i.imgur.com/qVaDR0j.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/sFoeFar.gif

 

Range in Northeastern Madagascar:

 

http://i.imgur.com/rYXZCR9.png

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Crimsonmistymemory

Crimsonmistymemory

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25 October 2015

 

 

Tomato Frog

 

Endemic to Madagascar, tomato frogs (Dyscophus antongilii) live up to their name by possessing a vibrant, orange-red colour. Females are much larger than males and have brighter tones of red or orange on their back, with a pale undersurface. Some individuals also have black spots on the throat. It is thought that the brilliant colours of the tomato frog act as a warning to potential predators that these frogs are toxic; a white substance secreted from the skin acts as a glue to deter predators (such as colubrid snakes) and can produce an allergic reaction in humans.

 

It is a species adapted to live in quite open spaces, usually in marshes and still-water channels. It does not occur within rainforests, although it needs humid sites. Like other representatives of the family, it is terrestrial and fossorial, and is mainly active during rainfalls.

 

Tomato frogs breed in February to March following heavy rainfall; the sounds of males calling to attract females can be heard around small water bodies in the dark Malagasy night. Following copulation, females will lay a clutch of 1,000 to 15,000 eggs on the surface of the water. Tadpoles hatch from these small black and white eggs about 36 hours later; they are only around six millimetres long and feed by filter-feeding. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis into yellow juveniles, and this stage is completed around 45 days after the eggs were laid.

 

Ambushing potential prey, adult tomato frogs feed on small invertebrates. When threatened, these frogs can inflate themselves, giving the appearance of greater size.

 

Numbers of the tomato frog have been declining as a result of habitat degradation, pollution, and the over-collection of these brightly coloured amphibians for the pet trade.

 

Further information: Amphibiaweb

 

For insomniacs and the hopelessly bored: Longevity and body size in three populations of Dyscophus antongilii, the tomato frog from north-eastern Madagascar.

 

http://i.imgur.com/w4c97m6.jpg

 

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

http://i.imgur.com/qVaDR0j.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/sFoeFar.gif

 

Range in Northeastern Madagascar:

 

http://i.imgur.com/rYXZCR9.png

You say Tomahto I say Tomayto :LMAO:

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Babycat

Babycat

Posted
Posted

25 October 2015

 

 

Tomato Frog

 

Endemic to Madagascar, tomato frogs (Dyscophus antongilii) live up to their name by possessing a vibrant, orange-red colour. Females are much larger than males and have brighter tones of red or orange on their back, with a pale undersurface. Some individuals also have black spots on the throat. It is thought that the brilliant colours of the tomato frog act as a warning to potential predators that these frogs are toxic; a white substance secreted from the skin acts as a glue to deter predators (such as colubrid snakes) and can produce an allergic reaction in humans.

 

It is a species adapted to live in quite open spaces, usually in marshes and still-water channels. It does not occur within rainforests, although it needs humid sites. Like other representatives of the family, it is terrestrial and fossorial, and is mainly active during rainfalls.

 

Tomato frogs breed in February to March following heavy rainfall; the sounds of males calling to attract females can be heard around small water bodies in the dark Malagasy night. Following copulation, females will lay a clutch of 1,000 to 15,000 eggs on the surface of the water. Tadpoles hatch from these small black and white eggs about 36 hours later; they are only around six millimetres long and feed by filter-feeding. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis into yellow juveniles, and this stage is completed around 45 days after the eggs were laid.

 

Ambushing potential prey, adult tomato frogs feed on small invertebrates. When threatened, these frogs can inflate themselves, giving the appearance of greater size.

 

Numbers of the tomato frog have been declining as a result of habitat degradation, pollution, and the over-collection of these brightly coloured amphibians for the pet trade.

 

Further information: Amphibiaweb

 

For insomniacs and the hopelessly bored: Longevity and body size in three populations of Dyscophus antongilii, the tomato frog from north-eastern Madagascar.

 

http://i.imgur.com/w4c97m6.jpg

 

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

http://i.imgur.com/qVaDR0j.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/sFoeFar.gif

 

Range in Northeastern Madagascar:

 

http://i.imgur.com/rYXZCR9.png

 

It's a beautiful species, even though I've not heard of it.

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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26 October 2015

 

 

Death Cap Mushroom

 

No mushroom is worthier of fear than the terribly poisonous Death Cap (Amanita phalloides). This single, widespread species of mushroom is solely responsible for the majority of fatal and otherwise serious mushroom poisoning cases worldwide. Indeed, one might argue that the Death Cap's notorious, relatively frequent victimization of Homo sapiens is far and away the best explanation (or rationalization) for the widespread fear of edible wild mushrooms.

 

Although native to Europe, the Death Cap has been introduced to North America, South Africa, and Australia, with oak trees imported from Europe.

 

All parts of the fungus are deadly, and it should never be eaten. The cap is typically yellowish to olivaceous green, sometimes paling almost to white, usually with darker streaks radiating outwards. It is convex at first, but becomes flattened as it ages, and may develop a sickly sweet smell. The gills underneath the cap are white, and the white stem has a distinct ring, although this may become damaged or lost. The base of the stem bulges into a 'bulb', which is covered by a white sheath known as a volva . The death cap grows either singly or in groups, and typically occurs between July and October in Europe and North America, and from March to July in South Africa and Australia.

 

The symptoms are slow to show themselves and often do not appear until 10-16 hours (or even longer) after eating. The first symptoms are stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. These may continue for a day or two, after which there is typically an easing of symptoms and apparent recovery. The "recovery" period may last for 2 or 3 days. Then the terminal phase of 3-5 days starts, with the recurrence of stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea - accompanied by jaundice. Without effective, early medical intervention, coma and death occur between one and two weeks after eating the mushroom. Death is caused by liver failure, often accompanied by kidney failure. There is no specific antidote for cases of poisoning, and treatment may require liver transplantation.

 

http://i.imgur.com/drkEKL3.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/5vTyYtj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tSVnZj8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YLRz8Gu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ANSO3fy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Vcjuxwa.png

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

 

 

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Crimsonmistymemory

Crimsonmistymemory

Posted
Posted

26 October 2015

 

 

Death Cap Mushroom

 

No mushroom is worthier of fear than the terribly poisonous Death Cap (Amanita phalloides). This single, widespread species of mushroom is solely responsible for the majority of fatal and otherwise serious mushroom poisoning cases worldwide. Indeed, one might argue that the Death Cap's notorious, relatively frequent victimization of Homo sapiens is far and away the best explanation (or rationalization) for the widespread fear of edible wild mushrooms.

 

Although native to Europe, the Death Cap has been introduced to North America, South Africa, and Australia, with oak trees imported from Europe.

 

All parts of the fungus are deadly, and it should never be eaten. The cap is typically yellowish to olivaceous green, sometimes paling almost to white, usually with darker streaks radiating outwards. It is convex at first, but becomes flattened as it ages, and may develop a sickly sweet smell. The gills underneath the cap are white, and the white stem has a distinct ring, although this may become damaged or lost. The base of the stem bulges into a 'bulb', which is covered by a white sheath known as a volva . The death cap grows either singly or in groups, and typically occurs between July and October in Europe and North America, and from March to July in South Africa and Australia.

 

The symptoms are slow to show themselves and often do not appear until 10-16 hours (or even longer) after eating. The first symptoms are stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. These may continue for a day or two, after which there is typically an easing of symptoms and apparent recovery. The "recovery" period may last for 2 or 3 days. Then the terminal phase of 3-5 days starts, with the recurrence of stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea - accompanied by jaundice. Without effective, early medical intervention, coma and death occur between one and two weeks after eating the mushroom. Death is caused by liver failure, often accompanied by kidney failure. There is no specific antidote for cases of poisoning, and treatment may require liver transplantation.

 

http://i.imgur.com/drkEKL3.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/5vTyYtj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tSVnZj8.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YLRz8Gu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ANSO3fy.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Vcjuxwa.png

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

 

 

Sounds like BAD trip mushrooms to me ;)

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x1yyz

x1yyz

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Posted

26 October 2015

 

 

Death Cap Mushroom

 

No mushroom is worthier of fear than the terribly poisonous Death Cap (Amanita phalloides). This single, widespread species of mushroom is solely responsible for the majority of fatal and otherwise serious mushroom poisoning cases worldwide.

Sounds like BAD trip mushrooms to me ;)

 

FINAL trip mushrooms, for sure.

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

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27 October 2015

Tuesday

 

 

American Bittern

 

The American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is a stocky wading bird best known for the male’s unique, loud, guttural call which has led to it being given a number of nicknames, including ‘thunder pumper’, ‘water belcher’ and ‘mire-drum’. This call, most frequently heard at dusk during the spring mating season, is produced from a specialised oesophagus (food pipe) and has a particularly powerful ‘booming’ quality.

 

The American bittern is cryptically-coloured, which aids its ‘stand and wait’ hunting behaviour – like most bitterns this species is often observed standing motionless in tall emergent vegetation, with the bill held horizontal and the eyes focused downwards to spot prey.

 

American bitterns consume insects, crayfish, and small fish. Its primary foraging strategy is ‘stealth hunting’, whereby it remains motionless in a camouflaged area, and then strikes with the bill. It typically inhabits freshwater wetlands. When breeding, it prefers ephemeral wetlands and marshlands, but will also forage along shorelines and in wet meadows, often showing a preference for areas with much open water and plant cover.

 

Pair bonding begins in early April as the American bittern arrives at its breeding grounds. Males reach the breeding grounds first and begin defending a territory. Egg-laying typically occurs in May and June. Multiple nests are frequently found in a single territory, which suggests that male American bitterns are polygamous.

 

A single clutch of two to seven eggs is laid and incubated for about four weeks. The female feeds the nestlings through repeated regurgitation for one to two weeks, until the nestlings are able to leave the nest. The mother continues to feed the young after they leave the nest, but the role of the male is unknown.

 

The American bittern is distributed widely across North and Central America. In the summer months it is found as far north as Alaska, and in Newfoundland and the Canadian Provinces, to central British Columbia. In the winter, the American bittern migrates as far south as Central America and the northern Caribbean islands.

 

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

 

http://i.imgur.com/7lb4XIl.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/t2WYsrp.jpg

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

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

http://i.imgur.com/n7ZjWeU.jpg

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

 

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Babycat

Babycat

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Posted

26 October 2015

 

 

Death Cap Mushroom

 

No mushroom is worthier of fear than the terribly poisonous Death Cap (Amanita phalloides). This single, widespread species of mushroom is solely responsible for the majority of fatal and otherwise serious mushroom poisoning cases worldwide. Indeed, one might argue that the Death Cap's notorious, relatively frequent victimization of Homo sapiens is far and away the best explanation (or rationalization) for the widespread fear of edible wild mushrooms.

 

Although native to Europe, the Death Cap has been introduced to North America, South Africa, and Australia, with oak trees imported from Europe.

 

All parts of the fungus are deadly, and it should never be eaten. The cap is typically yellowish to olivaceous green, sometimes paling almost to white, usually with darker streaks radiating outwards. It is convex at first, but becomes flattened as it ages, and may develop a sickly sweet smell. The gills underneath the cap are white, and the white stem has a distinct ring, although this may become damaged or lost. The base of the stem bulges into a 'bulb', which is covered by a white sheath known as a volva . The death cap grows either singly or in groups, and typically occurs between July and October in Europe and North America, and from March to July in South Africa and Australia.

 

The symptoms are slow to show themselves and often do not appear until 10-16 hours (or even longer) after eating. The first symptoms are stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea. These may continue for a day or two, after which there is typically an easing of symptoms and apparent recovery. The "recovery" period may last for 2 or 3 days. Then the terminal phase of 3-5 days starts, with the recurrence of stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea - accompanied by jaundice. Without effective, early medical intervention, coma and death occur between one and two weeks after eating the mushroom. Death is caused by liver failure, often accompanied by kidney failure. There is no specific antidote for cases of poisoning, and treatment may require liver transplantation.

 

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Yikes! :scared:

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Babycat

Babycat

Posted
Posted

27 October 2015

Tuesday

 

 

American Bittern

 

The American bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is a stocky wading bird best known for the male’s unique, loud, guttural call which has led to it being given a number of nicknames, including ‘thunder pumper’, ‘water belcher’ and ‘mire-drum’. This call, most frequently heard at dusk during the spring mating season, is produced from a specialised oesophagus (food pipe) and has a particularly powerful ‘booming’ quality.

 

The American bittern is cryptically-coloured, which aids its ‘stand and wait’ hunting behaviour – like most bitterns this species is often observed standing motionless in tall emergent vegetation, with the bill held horizontal and the eyes focused downwards to spot prey.

 

American bitterns consume insects, crayfish, and small fish. Its primary foraging strategy is ‘stealth hunting’, whereby it remains motionless in a camouflaged area, and then strikes with the bill. It typically inhabits freshwater wetlands. When breeding, it prefers ephemeral wetlands and marshlands, but will also forage along shorelines and in wet meadows, often showing a preference for areas with much open water and plant cover.

 

Pair bonding begins in early April as the American bittern arrives at its breeding grounds. Males reach the breeding grounds first and begin defending a territory. Egg-laying typically occurs in May and June. Multiple nests are frequently found in a single territory, which suggests that male American bitterns are polygamous.

 

A single clutch of two to seven eggs is laid and incubated for about four weeks. The female feeds the nestlings through repeated regurgitation for one to two weeks, until the nestlings are able to leave the nest. The mother continues to feed the young after they leave the nest, but the role of the male is unknown.

 

The American bittern is distributed widely across North and Central America. In the summer months it is found as far north as Alaska, and in Newfoundland and the Canadian Provinces, to central British Columbia. In the winter, the American bittern migrates as far south as Central America and the northern Caribbean islands.

 

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Beautiful bird and very cute chicks! :)

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HomesickAlien

HomesickAlien

Posted
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Posted

29 October 2015

 

 

Witches Butter

 

Witches butter (Tremella mesenterica) is a cosmopolitan jelly fungus broadly distributed in temperate regions of the world. It appears from May through November throughout most of North America, Europe, Northern Africa, and parts of Asia.

 

Often found on rotting hardwood, it is shiny, bright yellow-orange, lobed and convoluted, with an appearance somewhat like the surface of the brain (a gelatinous mass) once fully developed. It typically appears after a heavy rainfall.

 

Most jelly fungi are edible. They have no odor and are flavourless, adding a distinctive texture to many dishes (soups mostly). It is reported in China that jelly fungi are thought to improve circulation and breathing. In addition, chemicals found in certain species of jelly fungus are thought to have a blood thinning effect.

 

According to Eastern European legend, the occurrence of this fungus on wooden house entrances (gates or doors) was thought to indicate that the house was under the spell of a witch. To counteract this spell, the fungus had to be punctured to allow the ‘evil juices’ inside the fungus to leak out.

 

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Your_Lion

Your_Lion

Posted
Posted

25 October 2015

 

 

Tomato Frog

 

Endemic to Madagascar, tomato frogs (Dyscophus antongilii) live up to their name by possessing a vibrant, orange-red colour. Females are much larger than males and have brighter tones of red or orange on their back, with a pale undersurface. Some individuals also have black spots on the throat. It is thought that the brilliant colours of the tomato frog act as a warning to potential predators that these frogs are toxic; a white substance secreted from the skin acts as a glue to deter predators (such as colubrid snakes) and can produce an allergic reaction in humans.

 

It is a species adapted to live in quite open spaces, usually in marshes and still-water channels. It does not occur within rainforests, although it needs humid sites. Like other representatives of the family, it is terrestrial and fossorial, and is mainly active during rainfalls.

 

Tomato frogs breed in February to March following heavy rainfall; the sounds of males calling to attract females can be heard around small water bodies in the dark Malagasy night. Following copulation, females will lay a clutch of 1,000 to 15,000 eggs on the surface of the water. Tadpoles hatch from these small black and white eggs about 36 hours later; they are only around six millimetres long and feed by filter-feeding. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis into yellow juveniles, and this stage is completed around 45 days after the eggs were laid.

 

Ambushing potential prey, adult tomato frogs feed on small invertebrates. When threatened, these frogs can inflate themselves, giving the appearance of greater size.

 

Numbers of the tomato frog have been declining as a result of habitat degradation, pollution, and the over-collection of these brightly coloured amphibians for the pet trade.

 

Further information: Amphibiaweb

 

For insomniacs and the hopelessly bored: Longevity and body size in three populations of Dyscophus antongilii, the tomato frog from north-eastern Madagascar.

 

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Range in Northeastern Madagascar:

 

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Love the colour :cool:

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