The story of the Animal world

Two new scorpion species found in Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Two new species of scorpions have been discovered in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh. Dr. Pham Dinh Sac from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources and Dr. Wilson Lourenco from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris have just discovered a species of scorpions, scientifically named as “Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenco & Pham”, or “bo cap thien duong” (Thien Duong scorpion), in Thien Duong Cave located in the park.

They announced their discovery in C.R.Biologies, no. 335, an international monthly magazine that covers all biological and medical research fields, earlier this year. In 2010, the two scientists also found another species of scorpions, named as “Vietbocap canhi Lourenco & Pham”, in Tien Son Cave, also located in the park. These two species of scorpions belong to the Pseudochactidae family. Only four species of scorpions of this family have been found in the world including Trogloghammousnanus in Laos, Pseudochatas in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and the two newly discovered species in Vietnam. Scientists have also discovered a new bird species and ten new species of plants in the park.

Tigers Butchered for Trade at "Zoos" in China?

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:01:00 +0000

December 29, 2009--Tourists feed tigers at the Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Park, a private zoo in Guillin, China, in an undated photograph.

Many such tourist attractions secretly operate as fronts for illegal tiger farming, butchering captive tigers for their parts, National Geographic magazine reports in the January 2010 story "Asia's Wildlife Trade."

On the eve of 2010--the Year of the Tiger in Chinese astrology--the big cats remain highly coveted. A dead adult male can sell for U.S. $10,000 or more on the black market. Tiger bones and penises are often used in traditional medicines, and some restaurants serve tiger meat, including, a recent DNA test suggests, the restaurant at Xiongsen Bear and Tiger Park, according to the National Geographic magazine article.

Rare Monkeys Spotted in Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:56:00 +0000

The survival of a subspecies may be riding on these monkeys' backs. The largest known troop of gray-shanked douc langurs (above left)—among the world's most endangered primates, has been discovered in central Vietnam. (See Vietnam map.)

About a thousand of these tree-dwelling, tangerine-tinted animals, first identified in 1997, are thought to exist. Some live in captivity, such as the douc pictured above (right).

Until the recent expedition, led by a team of WWF and Conservation International scientists, only one other population with more than a hundred individuals had been recorded.

Since the team began the survey in 2005, they have counted at least 116 monkeys—and they estimate about 180 make up the newfound population.

But the scientists have surveyed just a small section of Quang Nam Province—meaning it's possible more endangered monkeys lurk in these forests.

"To put it into a human perspective, this discovery is like finding a new country with over one billion people in it," Ben Rawson, a Conservation International wildlife biologist, said in a statement.

"We now have a much greater opportunity to overcome the very serious threats faced by this species and prevent its disappearance from our planet."

Hundreds of Rare Gibbons Found in Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:50:00 +0000

A male northern white-cheeked gibbon (left) and a mother carrying her baby hang out in a treetop in Vietnam's Pu Mat National Park in a recent picture.

The animals are part of a newfound population of more than 400 of the gibbons, which are deemed critically endangered in Vietnam and Laos by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The gibbons, which have declined due to widespread hunting and logging of their habitat, are likely extinct in China.

Conservation International had been searching for the rare primates since 2008, finding only a few scattered groups—until now. New auditory sampling surveys—during which researchers record the calls of gibbon "families"—have revealed that Pu Mat is home to 130 gibbon groups, for an overall population of roughly 455 individuals.

The discovery of such a large gibbon population may mean the species has a better chance of long-term survival, the scientists say.

Video about Javan Rhino Extinct in Mainland Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:37:00 +0000

Javan Rhino Extinct in Mainland Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:35:00 +0000

The Javan rhinoceros is extinct in mainland Asia, conservationists announced this week.

An adult female Javan rhino was shot and killed in a Vietnamese forest last year—leaving just one wild population left of the species in the world, a group of fewer than 50 individuals in a small park in Indonesia.

"The last Javan rhino in Vietnam has gone," Tran Thi Minh Hien,Vietnam director of the nonprofit WWF, said in a statement. (Watch a video of the Javan rhino's road to extinction.)

In April 2010 park rangers discovered the remains of the female rhino, which appeared to have died only a few months before.

"A veterinary pathologist estimated that the animal was an adult—but not elderly—individual, probably 15 to 25 years old," Nick Cox, manager of WWF's Species Programme in the Greater Mekong, said in an email.

A DNA comparison of skin taken from the corpse and from nearby rhino dung showed the DNA belonged to the same individual—quashing hopes that there might have been more than one rhino in the area. Poaching was the likely cause of death, WWF said, as a bullet was found in the animal's leg and its horn had been removed.

The horn of the Javan rhino is highly prized in Vietnam and China, where it's ground into a powder and sold as a purported cure for ailments such as fever, arthritis, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Rhino Conservation Hopes Dashed

According to historical records, herds of Javan rhinos once roamed Southeast Asia, and the animals were plentiful enough to be considered agricultural pests.

But habitat loss and widespread hunting slashed their numbers, so that by the latter half of the 20th century, the animal was believed to be extinct on mainland Asia.

In 1988, a population of 15 or fewer individuals was found in the Cat Tien region of Vietnam. Conservationists were hopeful that this population, though tiny, could recover, based on the success of Africa's southern white rhino.

Southern white rhinos had been poached to only about 20 individuals by the late 19th century, but due to intense conservation efforts, the population now numbers close to 20,000 animals.

Hopes were dashed, however, when a 2004 survey suggested that the Cat Tien population had been reduced to two individuals, both of them female.

A more thorough survey involving dung-sniffing dogs in late 2009 and early 2010 turned up 22 fecal samples, but a DNA analysis showed the droppings had been left by only a single individual. Sometime between 2004 and 2009, one of the rhinos had died or been killed—leaving only the female found dead in 2010.

Rhino Extinction a Wakeup Call for Vietnam

Conservationists are sure that no more Javan rhinos exist in Vietnam.

"We thoroughly searched the only area that has supported a rhino population in the last 20 years," Cox said.

The animal's local extinction should be a wakeup call to Vietnam to protect its other endangered animals, such as tigers and elephants, he added.

"It's a question of mourning the loss but making sure we learn the lessons, and creating an even greater sense of urgency for those species that still remain," Cox said.

We want to see the "government invest more in law enforcement and protection in national parks so that Vietnam does not lose any more of its enigmatic and globally important species."

Video about Ornithoptera

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:58:00 +0000

World of Insect Giants: Giant Butterfly

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:55:00 +0000

The largest winged insect in the world is the Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterfly, with females being the larger of the species having a wingspan of up to 12 inches (30cm). Female Ornithoptera alexandra (the scientific name for these giant butterflies) are not as brightly colored as the exotic males, which have iridescent scales of green, lavender, and blue. Not only are these magnificent creatures extraordinarily beautiful, they are also very rare. Queen Alexandra birdwings are found living only in remote jungles of Papua New Guinea.

Queen Alexandra birdwing butterflies are truly an exotic species; they live in the tropical jungles, they occur in only one location in the world, and they are highly specialized with very specific adaptations to their native ecosystem. Alexandras are rarely seen by people, even in their native habitat, because they spend much of their short life span in adult form (about 3 to 4 months) floating above the jungle canopy. Like all butterflies, Alexandras do not have mouths with teeth, but rather a straw-like "tongue' used for sipping nectar out of flowers. They play an important part in their ecosystem, helping to pollinate flowering plants that are out of the reach of other insects and animals. Also, like many exotic species living in the tropics, Alexandras are poisonous. They don't have stingers or fangs, but their bodies contain highly toxic fluids that deter other animals from eating them. The bright colors on the wings serve as a warning to potential predators - "I taste really bad, and I'll probably make you sick".

Female Queen Alexandra Birdwing

Male

Unfortunately, none of these adaptations have made them resistant to humans. Deforestation in Papua New Guinea is causing loss of habitat for these rare butterflies, and their spectacular size and exotic beauty make them especially attractive to people who collect butterflies and insects. Queen Alexandras can no longer legally be collected from the wild because they are a protected species.

This gigantic moth is called a Hercules or Atlas Moth and it has been known to grow up to 11 inches (27cm). Like the Queen Alexandra butterfly, the Hercules moth is an exotic species living in the tropical climates of Southeast Asia. The males and females of this moth species have the same coloring and markings, which are quite elaborate. The outer tips of the forewings have the shape of a snake's head from the side, complete with an artificial "eye". This is probably to scare off birds that might consider eating the moth, but would have second thoughts if it looked enough like a snake.

Is it a Moth or Is It a Butterfly?

Some moths are so brilliantly colored and fancy that it would be easy to confuse them with a butterfly. The way you tell the difference between moths and butterflies is; moths have very specialized antennae, which look feathery. Butterfly antennae are thin, narrow, and generally end in a "club", or swollen tip. When moths land, they hold their wings open and folded over the back while resting, and they tend to be active at night. Butterflies are usually active during the day, and when they land to rest, they hold their wings erect and closed. What is a Giant walking stick..?

Biggest Insect Ever

Scientists have looked at fossil records dating back to the beginning of earth and have found the largest insects that ever lived existed during the time of the dinosaurs. The biggest insect in prehistoric times was a dragonfly called Meganeura monyi that had a wingspan measuring over three feet (1m). The biggest dragonflies today only grow wings up to 8 inches (20cm) across.

Video about Giant Tarantula

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:47:00 +0000

Biggest Spider: Goliath Tarantula

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:44:00 +0000

Goliath Tarantulas are Fearsome Predators

There's something about spiders that gives most people the creeps, instilling a sense of fear and loathing upon seeing one. It's as though there's a part of the human brain that perceives the form of a spider as dangerous or threatening. Perhaps those deep dark feelings we get when we see a spider are echoes of an ancient human behavioral response known as instinct. Most of the thousands of species of spiders on this earth carry a venom that is virtually harmless to humans, but there are a few species which carry a deadly venom.

Based on primitive human experiences a permanent message has been embedded in our genetic make-up, one that warns us that spider = danger. And when we see a spider that is as large as a dinner plate, we get the creeps big time (or maybe it's just me).

But the goliath bird-eating spider is pretty harmless to humans, as are most species of tarantulas. The biggest one on record was just over 11 inches across - as big as a dinner plate! They do carry venom in their fangs and have been known to bite humans when threatened, but the venom just causes swelling and mild pain for a few hours (like a wasp sting). Tarantula bites to humans are usually in self-defense and don't always contain spider venom - what is known as a "dry bite".

The most dangerous thing about the goliath bird-eater is its ability to flick urticating hairs from its body at any creature it perceives as a threat, including humans. This is not a species of tarantula you'd keep as a pet. The tiny, almost invisible hairs that it voluntarily sends floating through the air are extremely irritating to our skin, and can cause real problems if they got into delicate mucous membranes around eyes and mouth.

As hunters, tarantulas can be fearsome predators. Tarantulas don't have any special techniques, such as building intricate webs, or leaping great distances, for hunting their prey. They use good, old-fashioned stealth and strength, very much like wild cats. They sneak up on their prey and pounce on the unsuspecting victim, inflicting a fatal bite with venomous fangs.

One fascinating feature of goliath bird-eaters, as well as some other tarantula species, is their ability to make noise. We don't normally associate spiders with noise, like we do with dogs, cats, birds, etc. We are accustomed to seeing spiders silently, stealthily crawling across walls, floors, and the sidewalk. But when feeling threatened, the goliath bird-eater is capable of making a pretty loud hissing noise by rubbing bristles on its legs together. Called stridulation, it can be loud enough to be heard up to 15 feet away!

Creepy Crawlers

Tarantulas use their fangs for subduing their prey and carrying it to their dens (or to a safe location) for devouring at their leisure. They don't have teeth for tearing and chewing their meals so they regurgitate digestive juices onto their victim. These digestive juices break down the soft tissues so that the spider can slurp up its meal. All that's left when the spider has finished its meal is bones, skin, fur and/or feathers. The goliath bird-eating spider has been known to take young birds from their nests for its mealtime pleasure - hence the name "bird-eater". Tarantulas eat frogs, small snakes, beetles, lizards, and even bats.

You think that's creepy? Believe it or not there are people in South America who eat tarantulas. Many of us in developed countries are repulsed by the idea of eating insects or spiders, but it actually makes sense if you think about it. They are the most plentiful living things on earth and they are a good source of protein. I've heard tarantulas roasted in their own skins over a campfire are pretty tasty. I think I'll pass...

Oldest Living Organism: Ancient Bacteria

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:39:00 +0000

Of all the world records profiled on Extreme Science this one has proved to be the most elusive and tricky to keep updated. It seems there are a number of different organisms that hold the record for the "longest lived" and their exact ages are still under investigation. In fact, the only thing we can report for certain is that the records listed here will probably be upstaged by a new discovery in the near future. Below is a listing of what is currently in the literature as some of the oldest organisms still living today:

October, 1999; 250-million-year-old bacteria were found in ancient sea salt beneath Carlsbad, New Mexico. The microscopic organisms were revived in a laboratory after being in 'suspended animation', encased in a hard-shelled spore, for an estimated 250 million years. The species has not been identified, but is referred to as strain 2-9-3, or B. permians.

May, 1995; 40-million-year-old bacteria (Bacillus sphaericus) were found in the stomach of a bee encased in amber. These bacteria were also found in a state of suspended animation and were re-animated in a laboratory.

1997; King's Holly (Lomatia tasmanica) - found in the rainforests of Tasmania. Scientists estimated the age of the plant using a nearby fossil of an identical plant. It was found to be over 43,000 years old! The plants appear to be sterile - incapable of producing flowers and viable seeds. Lomatia is triploid, that is, it has three sets of chromosomes instead of two. Because of this it is unable to sexually reproduce. The clonal thickets reproduce vegetatively by root suckering. Fossil leaves found in a late Pleistocene deposit may be genetically identical to present-day plants. The plant is a rare freak of nature whose origins and age are as yet unknown.

August, 1999; Box Huckleberry (Gaylussacia brachycera) - researchers in Pennsylvania have discovered a living plant that is a remnant of the last Ice Age. Using the known rate of growth if this self-sterile plant, they estimated that this 1/4-acre colony is over 13,000 years old. Researchers are still trying to verify the growth rate to determine is that age is an accurate measure.

March, 2004; Eucalyptus recurva. Also known as "Mongarlowe Mallee" or "Ice Age Gum" it is the rarest Eucalypt in Australia or the world, and is known from only 5 individual specimens. Scientists in Australia are undertaking analyses to determine the exact age of one specimen that is estimated to be 13,000 years old. This aging method also relies on determining the plant's growth rate. Scientists are stilly verifying the growth and performing genetic analyses of neighboring specimens to determine if they are from the same organism.

April, 1980; Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). Scientists discovered a giant, and very ancient clone of the creosote bush in the Mojave Desert in California they estimated to be between 11,000 and 12,000 years old.

In the photo above are specimens of the 250-million year old bacteria, B. permians. If it can be verified that these were re-animated from a long, long period of suspended animation then they hold the record for world's oldest living organism.

Oldest Living Creature: Madagascar Radiated Tortoise

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:37:00 +0000

A Madagascar radiated tortoise presented to the Tongan royal family by the British explorer Captain Cook in either 1773 or 1777 lived to the age of at least 188 years old! The animal was called Tui Malila. The venerated tortoise appears in the photo at right taken in 1953 when Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Tongan royal family.

Madagascar radiated tortoises are an endangered species found living only in the extreme south of the Island of Madagascar. They are called radiated tortoises because of the unique pattern of coloring on their shells, where yellow streaks radiate from the the 'scales' on the top shell - the carapace.

The Secret to Long Life

Tortoises can live extra long lives because their vital systems do not weaken with age, as ours do. They can also survive for very long periods without water or food, living off of their 'reserves'. If you've ever watched a tortoise move you know that they are extremely S-L-O-W. They can go for very long periods without moving, too. An animal that can go without food or moving for a long time has very low energy requirements. In other words, it doesn't take much to keep these tough guys going, and going and going...

Most Ferocious: Piranha

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:35:00 +0000

From the moment tiny baby piranhas hatch from their microscopic eggs, they come into the world armed and dangerous. Baby piranha will feast on tiny crustaceans, fruits, seeds, and aquatic plants. Once they reach about 1.5 inches in length they begin feeding on the fins and flesh of other fish that wander too closely. As they grow larger they begin to venture out in groups (shoals) of about 20 fish where they use a variety of hunting strategies to kill and eat their prey. Heck, they don't kill their prey first, they just start eating the victim alive - that's what makes them so ferocious. Adult piranha have been known to eat their own babies. Talk about brutal!

When a school of piranha are in a feeding frenzy the water appears to boil and churn red with blood. They attack with such ferocity that they strip an animal of its flesh within a matter of minutes, even taking bites out of each other in the process.

There are approximately 20 species of piranha found living in the Amazon River, with only four or five of them posing any danger. Most piranha species are quite harmless and docile, but the ones with the nasty reputation for aggressive behavior are the red-bellied piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri.

A sick and dying cow had been taken down and finished off by a school of ravenous piranha during the dry season when they are notoriously aggressive.

Adult piranha will eat just about anything - other fish, sick and weakened cattle, even parts of people. Sickly cattle that have stooped their heads down to drink from the river have been grabbed by the mouth and nose and pulled into the water, completely devoured minutes later. As wicked as it all sounds, piranha have a useful function in the Amazonian jungles just like any other predators in the wild. They are part of the checks and balances Mother Nature employs to eliminate the weak and sick so only the strong survive.

Razor Sharp Teeth

Piranhas are world-famous for their razor-sharp teeth. Native peoples of South America will catch the piranha and use their teeth to make tools and weapons. Even the fisherman who catch these vicious little predators have to be careful when the fish is out of water. A single piranha out of water is still dangerous enough to take off the flesh, or the odd toe, from an unwary fisherman.

Predator Becomes Prey

As ferocious and fearsome as the piranhas are, they are not invulnerable. As young the piranhas are a tasty part of many other creatures' diet. As voracious adults the piranha feed on young herons that fall from the trees while learning to fly, or young caimans (a type of small alligator) that are too little to defend themselves. When the floodplains of the Amazon run dry during the dry season the piranha are stranded in isolated lagoons, where they languish and die from lack of oxygen. The adult herons will then feed on the piranha that once ate their young. Caimans will feast on the piranhas that ate their young kin, as they lay dying in their shrinking pools. Such is the circle of life.

Pet Piranhas?

Believe it or not, there are people who actually keep piranhas as "pets". Piranhas aren't good pets in the traditional sense because you can't hold or pet them, and they aren't affectionate. Piranha owners still must be extremely careful of the fish's sharp teeth and aggressive nature. Keeping them well fed is probably the key to keeping them mellow.

People who fancy piranhas as pets may be more attracted to the grisly reputation and aggressive manner of these world-class predators, perhaps keeping them for their "entertainment" value. That's O.K. - it's human nature to be fascinated with morbid and gruesome creatures. But piranhas are also very beautiful fish. As long as anyone desires to take a creature out of the wild and bring into captivity they must take the responsibility of treating it with respect and good care.

Largest North American Cat: Mountain Lion (Cougar)

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:33:00 +0000

Mountain lions are generally secretive, solitary and elusive. Most people never see this animal in the wild. In fact, both field biologists and outdoor recreationists rarely see mountain lions, even in habitats that support relatively dense populations. That is why it has come to be known as the "Ghost Cat". The fact that this animal is rarely seen by humans in its native habitat gives the false impression that there are very few of them, when quite the opposite is true. The California Department of Fish and Game puts their numbers at about 5,100 adults ranging over a habitat of about 80,000 square miles

As their numbers increase we are beginning to see more of them encroaching in areas used or inhabited by humans as more of them are pushed to the fringes of their range seeking new territories. It appears that the available habitat for this native carnivore is approaching critical densities.

Adult cougars stand about 60 to 76 centimeters (2.0 to 2.5 ft) tall at the shoulders. The length of adult males (toms) is around 2.4 meters (8 ft) long nose to tail. Males typically weigh 53 to 90 kilograms (115 to 198 pounds), averaging 62 kg (137 lb). On rare occasions, there have been cats as large as 120 kg (264 lb). Females typically weigh between 29 and 64 kg (64 and 141 lb), averaging 42 kg (93 lb)

A mountain lion can drop silently from a height of 60 feet and land running. They can leap 15 feet upward and on

An adult male lion requires up to a 100 square mile area for its range and habitat. There are as many as 10 lions per 100 square miles along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California.

A scientific review of records on attacks by mountain lions on humans in the United States and Canada from 1890 through 1990 indicated there were 53 mountain lion attacks on humans during this period; nine attacks resulting in 10 human deaths, and 44 non-fatal attacks.

The largest carnivorous cat in north America is known by many names; mountain lion, cougar, puma, and panther, catamount, painter and by its scientific name - Puma concolor. In fact, it holds the Guinness World record for the most number of names - 64 names, including many in other languages

Puma concolor is the largest of the 'small cats' and is not included with the 'big cats' because of its inability to roar. Mountain lions make little noise in the woods. They make vocalizations, but they are more similar to the sounds domestic cats make, such as purrs, chirps, whistles, hisses, and growls

Largest Carnivore on Land - Polar Bear

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:26:00 +0000

Polar Bears are Cool

These guys seriously know how to pose for the camera! Not only are they cool in front of the camera, but they live in the coolest places on the planet - literally. Arctic sea ice, water, islands, and continental coastlines around the arctic circle are home to these massive carnivores. The temperatures where these bears live ranges from an average -29°F/-34°C in winter and 32°F/0°C in summer. The coldest area in winter is northeastern Siberia, where the temperature has been recorded as low as -92°F/-69°C. Not so great for people, but fine if you're a polar bear with an extremely dense fur coat.

Massive Carnivores

The average adult male weighs between 850-900 lbs/380-400 kgs, but one killed in 1960 weighed 2,210 lbs/995 kgs! He was 12 feet long. That's the size of a family car! Polar bears live only in northern climates, in the Arctic circle and can be found in Canada, Alaska, Norway and northern Russia.

Polar bears spend a lot of time moving great distances in search of their favorite food - seals. The range of these bears can vary from 20,000 to as many as 135,000 square miles. They hunt for seals through the winter ice that forms over the ocean, where the seals spend most of their time (to get away from the bears). When the ice over the sea melts in summer the polar bears can't hunt for the seals as easily, so they fast all summer long. In order to survive an entire summer without food they eat a LOT of seals in winter building up fat stores until half of their body mass is pure fat. That enormously thick layer of fat also helps to keep

Polar Bear vs. Walrus

During the summer months when the sea ice melts they will roam as far south as Hudson Bay, where they hang out and "chill" until the sea ice forms again in the fall. The warmest areas in summer are inland regions of Siberia, Alaska, and Canada where temperatures can reach as high as 90°F/32°C, which is pretty comfortable for folks without fur coats (you and me).

The coat of fur on an average polar bear is about 1-2 in./2.5 to 5 cm thick. A dense, wooly, insulating layer of underhair is covered by a relatively thin layer of stiff, shiny, guard hairs. Believe it or not, their fur isn't actually white. If you got up real close to a polar bear and plucked one of his hairs you would see that the polar bear's coat is made of clear, colorless hairs (and you would probably find out how powerful the bear is). The hairs scatter light, making it appear white (or sometimes yellow, depending upon the angle of the sun). If you were to pull out all of the polar bear's hairs (which would really be stupid) you would see black skin underneath all that white fur. In the photo (below, at left) where the bear's fur is thinnest on the snout you can see the black skin beneath.

The bears' black skin absorbs the heat from the sun and the six-inch layer of fat under their skin insulates them from the extreme cold of the Arctic circle. You and I would be miserably cold living outside all the time above the Arctic circle, but polar bears are quite comfortable. In fact, polar bears are so well insulated against the brutal cold of their environment that they have a tendency to get overheated. How do they cool off? Usually by going for a swim.

Polar bears are excellent swimmers. Researchers have tracked polar bears swimming for several hours straight, as much as 100 kilometers in a single stretch. They can only hold their breath for about two minutes, but they can close their nostrils (without having to pinch their noses,

Another physical adaptation of the polar bear to its icy habitat is its enormous paws. Polar bears' paws are massive compared to their body size if you compare them with other bears. Their large, rounded paws give the bears increased surface area for walking over snow and ice - kind of like built-in snowshoes.

A male polar bear can weigh two to three times as much as a female bear. Male polar bears are called boars and female bears are called sows, while their babies are called cubs. Males and females only get together during mating season. When female polar bears are pregnant they go into a modified hibernation state - it's not a deep hibernation because their body temperatures remain high. They have to in order to facilitate the growth and nourishment of their developing cubs.

When pregnant a female polar bear will dig a den in a southward-facing snowbank and crawl inside to rest for up to eight months or more. She will give birth to one or two, two-pound cubs while she is hibernating. Polar bear cubs are too tiny at first to tolerate the extreme cold of their native habitat. She and her babies will stay holed up inside the den alternating between sleeping and nursing. Mama bear will not eat while caring for her tiny babies. She will devote herself exclusively to nursing her cubs, her body providing nourishment for them by drawing from her fat stores. It takes a tremendous amount of energy for a female polar bear to bear, give birth to, and nourish cubs for the better part of a year. In the spring she will emerge from her den and begin to hunt for seals to provide meat for her growing cubs. Polar bear cubs will stay with their mother for as long as 30 months before she, or a prospective mate, will drive them away to fend for themselves.

Largest Land Animal: African Elephant

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:22:00 +0000

The largest African elephant weighed 13.5 tons (27,000 pounds) The world record holder weighed this much and stood 13ft/4m tall at the shoulder. There are other species of elephants, namely the Asian and the Indian, but they are much smaller than the African. The African elephant is the king among the giants on land. No other land animal comes close to the size of these creatures. It would take 165 full-grown men to make up the same weight as the world's record African elephant. The noise of an elephant digesting its food (when its tummy's growling) can be heard up to 600ft/183m away. Elephants actually have control over their digestive processes because they are able to stop the sounds of digestion when they sense danger. Here are some other cool elephant factoids:

· In one year an elephant can drink 15,000 gal/57,000 liters of water

· Male elephants usually weigh about 16,500 lbs/7,425 kgs and are about 20 ft/6.1m long

· Elephants have only four teeth, which they can lose and replace up to six times

· Elephants are herbivores, meaning they eat only plants and vegetation

· African elephants can live as long as 70 years

· Female gestation (length of pregnancy) in elephants is 22 months - almost 2 years!

· Both male and female elephants have ivory tusks, which they use to dig for water, strip bark off trees, and the males used to 'spar' with each other

An Elephant Never Forgets

Elephants are very intelligent animals, with a sophisticated system of communicating. Like whales, they can create sounds that are outside the range of human hearing (called subsonic* sound). By blowing air through large chambers in their nasal passages they can create low rumbling sounds that can carry as far as five miles (8kms). No matter how loudly you screamed, even through a megaphone or a public address microphone, you couldn't be heard by another person five miles away! Being able to communicate with other groups of elephants helps the elephants to detect danger and warn others, as well as to find water, which is extremely scarce in some parts of Africa. African elephants are intelligent enough to be able to detect water flowing underground and have been seen digging up water in a riverbed that has run dry. Elephants really are amazing animals!!!!

Largest Invertebrate: The Colossal Squid

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:19:00 +0000

Scientists have known about the existence of a species of squid that is reported to be significantly larger than the giant squid, but had not seen or collected a complete specimen of the Colossal squid, named Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni. This species of squid was first identified in 1925 after two arms were recovered from a sperm whale's stomach. In 2003 a virtually intact specimen of this never-before-seen colossal squid had been brought up in Antarctic waters from an estimated depth of 2,000 to 2,200 meters. And recently, in February of 2007 a live colossal squid was brought to the surface in Antarctic waters by a New Zealand fishing boat. This time video was taken and the squid was captured for scientific study. This enormous squid, which was determined to be a male of the species, was 10 meters (32.8 feet), and weighed 1,089 pounds, making it the largest squid (the largest invertebrate) ever captured. What was even more astonishing is that, from what scientists know about squid species in general, there is great sexual dimorphism in squids, with females being significantly larger than the males. If that holds true for the Colossal squid, this male specimen that was captured could very well be dwarfed by a much larger female of the species.

Colossal squid are known to inhabit the abyssal depths of the ocean primarily in the Southern Ocean that circumnavigates Antarctica. Evidence of their existence has been obtained from the stomachs of the largest predatory carnivore in the sea - the mighty sperm whale. Many Sperm whales carry scars on their backs believed to be caused by the hooks of Colossal Squid. One of the significant morphological differences between the giant squid and the colossal squid is the existence of swiveling hooks on each of the sucker discs in the clubs at the ends of the colossal squids' feeding tentacles. The giant squid merely have a circular, serrated row of 'teeth' inside each of their sucker discs. Either way, both of these species of squid make for formidable and terrifying predators of the deep.

Colossal Squid are a major prey item for Antarctic sperm whales feeding in the Southern Ocean; 14% of the squid beaks found in the stomachs of these sperm whales are those of the Colossal Squid, which indicates that Colossal Squid make up 77% of the prey consumed by these whales.

Not only are the Colossal squid the largest invertebrates in the world, they have the largest eyes of any living on earth - even bigger than the blue whale. Much of the evidence of these squids that has been gathered from the stomachs of sperm whales have been the enormous beaks of the colossal squid.

Here is an excellent page on the colossal squid, including close-up photos showing the wicked, lethal swiveling hooks of the colossal squid Giant Squid and Colossal Squid Fact Sheet

Biggest Mammal: Blue Whale

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:17:00 +0000

Big in Every Way

Blue whales are so big they are the biggest creature ever to have lived on earth - even bigger than the biggest dinosaurs! The largest whale ever measured was a female weighing 171,000 kgs and measuring over 90ft./27m long. The longest whale measured in at over 110ft./33m. If you laid him out on the ground he would take up the length of nine family-sized cars! The heart of a blue whale is the size of a car and their blood vessels are so large you could swim through them.

Blue Whales are True Giants

Imagine if you were sailing the ocean for the first time, venturing into a place you'd never seen before, and you look over the side of your boat into the water and see the creature in the photo at left. Imagine that you know almost nothing about what lives in the sea, or what to expect from any creatures you might see. This strange creature swimming near the surface is longer than the ship you are sailing on. You might be a little scared, especially having never seen it before and not knowing what it is capable of. You might even be worrying about whether this creature eats humans. The sheer size of it makes you wonder if it can capsize your ship in pursuit of a meal. But you have nothing to fear for this enormous animal is merely a whale.

For many, many years ancient sailors had rare encounters with these gigantic ocean mammals and were terrified by their overwhelming size and powerful tails. You can understand a little of the fear and trepidation they might have felt upon seeing these huge, mysterious creatures for the first time. Today we know them to be virtually harmless to humans and that they have quite a bit in common with us – they, too are warm-blooded mammals that must breathe air. They are highly social animals with complex languages and intelligence. Most importantly, they are not monsters at all, but gentle giants we’ve come to respect, admire and protect.

Gentle Giants

In scary movies the gigantic creature that swims in the ocean, or the huge beast that roams the streets, are evil monsters bent on harm and destruction. But in nature, the very largest of the large creatures have been virtually harmless to humans. In fact, magnificent creatures such as the great blue whale have suffered most at the hands of humans bent on destruction. Blue whales, as well as many other whale species, have been hunted to the brink of extinction by people from all over the world for centuries. It's only recently, in this century, that we have begun to appreciate the value of all living creatures. We have come to feel that wiping any species of animal off the face of the earth forever is an evil thing for humans to do. Blue whales have been put on the United States' endangered species list. Whalers in the 19th and 20th centuries hunted this giant nearly to extinction, killing as many as 29,000 in 1931, probably the peak year.

Blue whales diet consists mainly of krill, a tiny shrimp that lives in tremendously large schools in almost every ocean of the world. Krill is probably one of the most plentiful food species anywhere on earth. It's gotta be to keep up with the blue whales' big appetite. A big blue can eat over a thousand krill at one time swallowing them with a tongue that weighs as much as an elephant! Blue whales eat the krill using a special type of filter on their mouths called a baleen. By gulping enormous amounts of sea water containing the live krill the blue whale closes its mouth and flushes the sea water back out through the filter leaving the krill behind for it to swallow. Small fish and plankton are also favorite food items of the whale. It takes about 8,000 lbs/3600kg of fresh seafood a day to keep the blue whale well fed.

Probably the most spectacular thing about blue whales that's bigger than big is the sounds they make. If you have speakers on your computer you can listen to a recording of "blue whale speech" by clicking on the 'play' button in the audio box above. Scientists have measured the low-frequency sounds they make when they communicate with each other by using a decibel meter. Some of their vocalizations have been recorded as loud as 188 decibels and can be heard as far as 530 mi/848km away. To give you an idea of just how loud 188 decibels is a commercial jet taking off makes a sound of 120 decibels. That makes whales, by far, the loudest living organism on earth.

Why is the Blue Whale So Big?

Scientist don't really know for sure, but they are sure of one thing - as big as the ancient dinosaurs were they were never as big as the blue whale is. The blue whale is the largest creature to have ever lived on earth! One of the most important reasons that whales have become so large is they have more space - more room to roam. Remember: over 70% of the earth is covered in ocean water.

Another nice thing about living in the oceans, besides all the real estate, is the weightlessness effect of water. If you like to swim or SCUBA dive you know how it feels to be in the water - almost like floating in space. (In fact, NASA sometimes trains their astronauts inside huge tanks of water to get familiar with working in a zero-gravity environment.) It's the weightlessness of the ocean environment that allows whales to maintain such huge proportions. Instead of relying on a skeleton to support the weight of its massive bulk the buoyancy of the surrounding ocean water supports the weight of the whale's body tissues. If a blue whale were to be removed from the ocean it would smother under its own weight - a result of the effects of gravity.

Fastest Animal on Land: Cheetah

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:13:00 +0000

Cheetahs are, without a doubt, the fastest creatures in the world on land. (There's probably some wickedly fast creatures in the ocean that we still don't even know about). Why would a cheetah need to be able to run so fast? The only animal that comes in a close second to the Cheetah's amazing speed is its favorite prey, the gazelle. In order to catch up with a meal that's as swift as the wind, the cheetah had to develop the ability to run as fast, or faster than the gazelle, or face the alternative - starvation. Pretty strong motivation for practicing their wind sprints. These cats can run 70mph/112kph. Try to picture one running alongside your car the next time you're driving down the freeway!

Cheetahs are Specialized Cats

The range of these fast casts isn't anywhere what it used to be. They are now found mostly in East Africa. They're also found in some places in the Middle East, in Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and once upon a time in India. Cheetahs are an excellent example of the effects of natural selection on creating a super fast, aerodynamic hunting cat. There are several species of large cats in the world, including leopards, lions, jaguars, mountain lions, ocelots, and tigers, but none of them can match the speed of the cheetah. Natural selection works when those creatures having the best physical ability, body design, and behaviors to adapt to their environment and survive, where other creatures without those "cool features" will not survive to pass on their genes to another generation. There are many other large wild cats who look and behave very differently from the cheetah, but have adapted to survive in their environments in other ways. Look at the cool features;

· it has a long, super streamlined body with long, powerful legs - longer legs mean fewer strides from point A to point B

· the cheetah's head is small in proportion to its body (compare it to other large cats) - part of its aerodynamic styling for less resistance for greater speed

· the long, powerful tail helps the cheetah to maintain balance when changing direction at extremely high speeds

· did you know that cheetahs can "bark"? They make several different types of vocalizations, but they don't growl

· cheetahs have characteristic dark lines that look like "tears", believed to absorb glaring sunlight for better vision during the day

Although the Cheetah is one fast runner, he can only maintain that incredible velocity for about 200 to 300 yards/274 meters. These high speeds only allow the cat to overtake its prey within short distances, so cheetahs must still rely on stealth, sneaking, and the element of surprise to get close enough to the gazelle before giving chase.

Fastest on Earth: Peregrine Falcon

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:09:00 +0000

The relationship between Peregrine Falcons and humans goes back thousands of years. Once highly prolific and widespread throughout the world, Peregrine Falcons were commonly used throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East in the practice of Falconry. Peregrines are naturally docile and easily lent themselves to taming by humans who saw the Falcon's hunting prowess as an asset in hunting for food. The Peregrine’s magnificent speed and power also made it the favorite bird for falconers in the Middle Ages. The female, which is slightly larger and more powerful than the male, was preferred, and only she is given the title of “falcon.” A male Peregrine is referred to as a “tiercel” meaning third. Although falconry has fallen out of favor, there are still those who practice it today.

Masters of the Hunt

Peregrine Falcons are raptors, which means they are birds that hunt and kill for food. They are very well adapted to the hunt; with strong, sharp, curved beaks for tearing flesh; large, keen eyes for viewing prey at great distances; and sharp, powerful claws (called talons) for clutching and grasping their quarry.

Other birds, such as pigeons, blackbirds, ducks, and pheasants, are the falcons' usual prey. Peregrines' incredible speed is the primary weapon used to kill their prey during the hunt. When they get ready to strike, they close their talons and strike the bird in a plunging dive, usually knocking the bird unconscious with a single blow. The force of the initial strike is so severe that the bird is usually killed on impact. As the victim falls through the air the falcon circles back and picks its prey out of the air with its claws. If the bird survives the initial blow, the Peregrine will break its neck with a quick ’s spine.

Fascinating Facts

The Peregrine Falcon is easily recognizable as distinct from other raptors. It has black feathers on its head, sort of in the pattern of a helmet, with dark feathers around its beak that look kind of like a dark mustache (remember "mutton chops" in the 1970s?) You could say it looks like a "biker hawk". The feathers on its back are dark, with a bluish cast. The tips of the falcon's wings are very sharply "pointed", making a striking and unique silhouette during flight.

The peregrine is the fastest bird on record reaching horizontal cruising speeds of 65-90 kph ( 40-55 mph) and not exceeding speeds of 105-110 kph (65-68 mph). When stooping, the peregrine flies at much greater speeds, however, varying from 160-440 kmh (99-273 mph)!

Pairs of Peregrines mate for life, usually setting up housekeeping high in the cliffs. Since we're running out of cliffs in Europe and the U.S., Peregrines have taken to building their nests up on top of high-rise buildings in large cities. Peregrine nests are called scrapes, or eyries and baby falcons are called eyasses. Although they have a high mortality rate, Peregrines have been known to live as long as 15 years.

If you don't believe the stories about the incredible speed of the Peregrine Falcon, then watch the video demonstration of a falcon being clocked at diving speeds of over 200mph!

Fastest in the Sea: Sailfish

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 07:04:00 +0000

The sailfish is related to other "billed" fish, such as Marlin and Swordfish, which are all very fast. But the sailfish has them all beat by clocking in at speeds up to 68mph. Sailfish live in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in warm waters.

Sailfish are a very well-known species of fish (you've probably heard of them, and maybe even seen one mounted) because of their popularity among sport fishermen. They are world-renowned for the challenge they provide even the most experienced anglers. In fact, there isn't much science knows about this species of fish, except what observations fishermen have gathered from encounters with it.

Over-fishing of this magnificent fish has led to a noticeable decline in their numbers, so that many people who fish for them are putting them back after they've caught them (called "catch and release"). Even as well known as they are, sailfish are a difficult species to study because they are highly migratory and are typically found many hundreds of miles from shore. These two factors make it very difficult for scientists to locate, tag, and collect data on specimens. Cooperation from sport fishermen who prize this species is essential for scientists to learn more about the sailfishes' range and behavior.

What little we do know about the sailfish is limited to its range, habitat, growth, and diet.

Range and Habitat:

Sailfish are found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans with different scientific names assigned to the fish in either ocean (Pacific - Istiophorus albicans; Atlantic - Istiophorus platypterus). However, scientists now believe that these fish are actually the same species, the only difference being the ocean in which they live and their size - the Pacific ocean sailfish tend to grow significantly larger (up to 10 feet). Based on catch rates and water temperature, it has been determined that sailfish prefer to live in warm waters (approximately 79°F), although they have been caught as far north in the Atlantic as Cape Cod.

Growth: Some studies have been done to examine the growth rate of the fish with some pretty amazing findings. After a female sailfish lays her eggs they hatch 36 hours later! They are also a fast growing species, where a hatchling can grow up to six feet long in one year's time. How big do they get? The average length is 6 to 8 feet, but the world's record holder caught in 1994 weighed 141 pounds and was over ten feet long.

Diet: They eat flying fish and squid, preferring tunas, mackerels, jacks and other fish that swim near the ocean’s surface. Divers have reported seeing several sailfish work together to corral their prey, using their high fins to create a wall that keeps the smaller fish from escaping, as well as scaring them into smaller, denser groups. They've also been observed using their long, sharp bills to stun and skewer their prey. Scientists have also photographed them hunting in groups, flashing brilliant colors on their bodies when excited by their predatory behavior during feeding.

Why Study this Fish?

A sailfish leaping from the ocean with its large sail-like dorsal fin retracted against its body. Sailfish usually raise their sails when they are excited or swimming on the surface.

When you first look at a picture of this fish there are lots of questions that come to mind; "Why the tall fin? Tell us all about that big fin!"; "Why the long beak?", "How did it get to be so fast and why is it so fast?". If scientists can study this fish more closely, many of these questions can be answered. Most importantly, we study this fish, and all other fishes, to learn more about their contribution to their ecosystem (the ocean environment) and how they affect all other creatures, including humans. Since we put significant pressure on this particular species of fish by fishing for them for sport and for food, we need to learn as much as we can about them to protect their numbers. Once we have a better understanding of how sailfish live, how often they breed, how quickly they grow, the best conditions for them in the ocean, what they need to eat to stay healthy and robust, we can work to ensure that the numbers of sailfish we take from the oceans isn't more than the species can sustain without a decline in population.

Deepest Fish - Snailfish

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:59:00 +0000

In 2008, a team of researchers exploring the Japan trench with a remotely operated vehicle filmed footage of the deepest-known species of fish. The fish, known as snailfish, had never been seen alive before. Scientists had only five pickled specimens that had been dredged up from the deep and preserved for study. The biologists who discovered these live fish had expected to find fish living at these extreme depths (25,272 ft) to be very slow and sluggish to conserve energy in this extremely low-energy environment. But the video clearly shows a large group of them very actively moving and feeding.

Because the fish live in complete darkness, they use vibration receptors on their snouts to navigate the ocean depths and to locate food. Their eyes appear to be virtually nonexistent. Eyes in most organisms are designed for gathering light in the creature's visual field and transmitting it to the brain - giving it useful information about its environment. In a world where no sunlight ever penetrates there's probably little use for eyes. The researchers on this project have said they expect to find fish living even deeper than these!

The Hadeep project, which began in 2007, is a collaboration between the University of Aberdeen's Oceanlab and the University of Tokyo's Ocean Research Institute and aims to expand our knowledge of biology in the deepest depths of the ocean. The researchers have been looking at the Hadal zone - the area of ocean that sits between 6,000 and 11,000m (20,000-36,000ft). It consists of very narrow trench systems, most of which are found around the Pacific Rim.

Biggest Ocean Carnivore: Sperm Whale

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:49:00 +0000

The winner of the title of the Largest Ocean Carnivore goes to the Sperm whale - the largest of the toothed whale species in the world. Adult males can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh 40 tons (80,000 pounds!). Males are usually about twice as large as the females. They have a pretty long life span, about as long as people, living up to 70 years. Sperm whales have been found living in every ocean in the world.

Just like you and me, the sperm whale is born without teeth. They drink milk from their mother's mammary glands, just like baby people do. They finally grow teeth in their massive jaws when reaching sexual maturity. Sperm whales have strong conical (cone-shaped) teeth on their lower jaw and only remnants of teeth in the upper jaw. The largest teeth are 11 inches long! That's about as long as an adult human's forearm. Can you imagine? One tooth from the mouth of this massive creature is as big as your arm. Do you think he could eat you? It's not likely you'll find yourself being eaten by a sperm whale, they don't eat people. Their favorite food is giant and colossal squid.

Listen to the song of the sperm whale

It takes a lot of food to keep a big sperm whale happy - about a ton of food a day. Scientists have measured them diving down as deep as 3,000 meters and holding their breath for two hours to go after the squid that they love to eat so much. They also feed on other creatures, such as octopus and fish. But sperm whales have been the stuff of legends because of their massive size and predatory nature and because of the telltale markings left on their bodies by the giant squid they stalk and hunt in the great ocean depths. Scientists have recovered huge beaks from the stomachs of sperm whales that came from colossal squid that were bigger than any specimen ever captured by humans, dead or alive. These discoveries beg the question, "Just how big can a colossal squid get?"

This great ocean carnivore has been known to eat another great ocean carnivore - the great white shark! So the sperm whale really is the baddest of them all!

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:46:00 +0000

A Fungus Among Us

People have known about the "honey mushroom" for some time, but were not aware of how large and invasive this species of fungus could be. The fungus was investigated more closely by researchers when they realized that it was responsible for killing large groves of evergreen trees. When foresters cut into an infected tree they would find spreading white filaments, mycelia, which draw water and carbohydrates from the tree to feed the fungus. Researchers collected samples of the fungus from a widespread area and analyzed the DNA. A large sample of the specimens they collected turned out to be from a single organism.

Humongous Fungus

Until August of 2000 it was thought that the largest living organism was a fungus of the same species (Armillaria ostoyae) that covered 1,500 acres (600 hectares) found living in the state of Washington. But then mycology experts surmised that if an Armillaria that large could be found in Washington, then perhaps one just as large could be responsible for the trees dying in the Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Researchers were astonished at the sheer magnitude of the find. This most recent find was estimated to cover over 2,200 acres (890 hectares) and be at least 2,400 years old, possibly older.

To go into the forest where this giant makes its home you would not look at it and see a huge, looming mushroom. Armillaria grows and spreads primarily underground and the sheer bulk of this organism lies in the earth, out of sight. Occasionally, during the fall season, this specimen will send up golden-colored "honey mushrooms" (see photo, above left) that are the visible evidence of its hulking mass beneath. Scientists have not yet begun to attempt to estimate the weight of this specimen of Armillaria.

How is it possible for a single fungus to get so big? Scientists who study this species of fungus have postulated that the huge size may be a function of the dry climate in eastern Oregon. Spores have a hard time establishing new organisms, making room for the old-timers to spread. Without competition from other specimens this enormous Armillaria has been able to grow and spread unchecked.

The fungus, also known as the honey mushroom, spreads below ground by sending out these stringy rhizomorphs.

And yes, the honey mushrooms are supposedly edible, but apparently not very tasty. Several Extreme Science readers wrote to complain that yes, in fact, the Honey mushrooms are very tasty. Good taste is a matter of opinion and if you will allow me an opinion, I don't care for any mushrooms, honey or otherwise.

Arctic Lion's Mane

noreply@blogger.com (Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:40:00 +0000

As a species jellies have been around for a very long time. They appeared in the oceans about 650 million years ago, before the dinosaurs. They still populate our oceans today in a profusion of sizes and shapes. Jellyfish are incredible creatures - it's amazing that they are living things. Check it out...their bodies are made up of 95% water, they have no bones or cartilage, no heart or blood, and no brain! (Talk about a real 'no-brainer'). They are one of earth's simpler and more primitive life forms. The picture you see at left is a much smaller specimen of a lion's mane jelly. The world-record holder was found dead, washed up on a beach. It had a bell over seven feet across and its tentacles were over 120 feet long. That's even longer than the blue whale.

Scientists have determined that some jellies have eyes that can detect light from dark and even some movement of objects in their field of vision. It doesn't seem possible that any living creature could have eyes, but NO BRAIN. The brain is where the processing of visual stimuli happens in most higher-order species. How does the procedure work in jellies with eyes and no brains? Scientists don't really know for sure, but by studying jellies they can learn a lot about how vision works and what role the brain plays in processing visual input.

Silent Predators

The Arctic Lion's Mane, like most jellies, is a predator - it kills and eats other living creatures from the animal kingdom. (Even though water buffaloes and hippopatomi eat living things (plants), they are not considered predators.) That means that this giant jelly stalks, pursues, catches, kills and consumes its prey. What does it like to eat? Fish, plankton, and even other jellies. It's pretty hard to picture a jellyfish stalking and killing its prey, but they really do (watch what fast and powerful swimmers they are in the video, at right)..

Usually, an unsuspecting fish will swim into the almost invisible tentacles of the jellyfish, which are loaded with millions of nematocysts (stinging capsules contained within cells called cnidocytes located along the tentacles). When the fish contacts the tentacles a paralyzing venom is immediately injected into the victim. Then the jelly can eat its quarry at its leisure. Lion's Mane jellies can also pursue and kill other jellies for food. But then, there are also other creatures in the sea which eat the Lion's Mane.

If a human were to get stung by a Lion's Mane jelly it could be fatal, provided enough poison had been absorbed by the body. The venom can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles so the victim would die from suffocation. Don't expect to go swimming at the beach and see a huge Lion's Mane jelly - this big guy probably lived way out in the open ocean, way down deep. Many of this species of jellyfish are found in frigid, Arctic waters.