IanBambi and Thumper Do Exist!
February 15th 2010 01:12
| 27 |
| Vote |
Add Comments
Charles Darwin Photography
December 14th 2009 01:19
The incredible variation of life forms across our planet inspired Charles Darwin to devise his theory of natural selection. This biodiversity is celebrated each year with the Darwin photographic competition. As reported in The Guardian, below are this year's winners. Read the full article here.
'A small tree frog posing on some lichen. Very cute little fella, only an inch and a half in size'
'As part of an ongoing ape behavioural research and conservation project, I was following this wild adult male who was starting to develop cheek pads. As he moved towards a tree in fruit, a dragonfly flew past at eye level; he paused to watch its flight before slowly moving on'
'A male garden spider (Araneus diadematus) approaches a female in an attempt to mate with her. His attempt was unsuccessful, she killed him shortly after this and wrapped him in silk'
'Exploring the Sulawesi Seas I discovered a beautifully camouflaged crocodile fish. In awe and admiration, I felt compelled to immortalise it'
'A white crab spider (Thomisus spectabilis) sucking the juices out of an unfortunate bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). This may seem odd because the spider is white and the lavender is purple but the bee can only see in ultraviolet and from the bees eyes the spider is perfectly camouflaged'
Overall winner: Tree Frog by Simon Roberts
Orang-utan Contemplating Invertebrate Life by Dr Susan M Cheyne
Deadly Love by Michael Hin
Crocodile Fish by Richard Hutchinson
Bee Meets His Maker by Tim Protheroe
| 40 |
| Vote |
Life in Extreme Environments
December 4th 2009 07:05
The speculation of life on other planets is rife, although no proof has been found as yet. When life is discovered somewhere other than Earth it will be an exciting day indeed.
To help up decide where to look for life, we can start on our own planet where some conditions are so extreme they are similar to other known worlds in the solar system. Surprisingly, these harsh environments can be teeming with life. Thanks to Mental_Floss here are some severe environments and life forms which can handle them. Read more here.
The Dead Sea has such a high saline content that pillars of salt form on its banks. Yet Halobacterium salinarum lives in its waters. Halobacterium is one of the most ancient of microbes, and depends more on light for survival than on oxygen. It adjusts its own needs according to the available light and oxygen.
Sinkholes deep beneath the Great Lakes have a very different chemical makeup from the water above. These pockets are filled with salt, acid, and sulfur, but have purple cyanobacteria that use sulfur instead of oxygen for photosynthesis. Other species that live too deep for sunlight to penetrate live on sulfur without photosynthesis.
The Socompa volcano is 20,000 feet high in the Andes mountains. Conditions there include little oxygen, lack of water, ultraviolet radiation, and methane. But scientists have found moss, algae, and over a hundred species of bacteria living in the shadow of Socompa. The area has been compared to Mars in its ability to sustain life.
Water Bears or Tardigrades are able to survive in extreme environments that would kill almost any other animal. Tardigrades occur over the entire world, from the high Himalayas (above 6,000 m), to the deep sea (below 4,000 m) and from the polar regions to the equator.
Some can survive temperatures of -273°C, close to absolute zero, temperatures as high as 151 °C (303 °F), 1,000 times more radiation than other animals such as humans, more than a century without water, and even the vacuum of space. In September 2007, tardigrades were taken into low Earth orbit on the and for 10 days were exposed to the vacuum of space. After they were returned to Earth, it was discovered that many of them survived and laid eggs that hatched normally, making these the only animals shown to be able to survive the vacuum of space.
Two miles beneath the ice of Vostok Research Station in Antarctica, a huge freshwater lake has been isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years. The water is below freezing temperature, but stays liquid because of the pressure from the ice above. Researchers have not yet broken through to the water, but samples of ice just above the lake reveal the presence of microbe fossils. The lake is saturated with oxygen due to the temperature and pressure, and has been compared with the environments of Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. There are plans to send down a probe called a cryobot, but extreme care will be taken to preserve the pristine conditions of the isolated lake.
To help up decide where to look for life, we can start on our own planet where some conditions are so extreme they are similar to other known worlds in the solar system. Surprisingly, these harsh environments can be teeming with life. Thanks to Mental_Floss here are some severe environments and life forms which can handle them. Read more here.
The Dead Sea
So Deep, Light Can't Penetrate
High-altitude Volcanos
Water Bears
Some can survive temperatures of -273°C, close to absolute zero, temperatures as high as 151 °C (303 °F), 1,000 times more radiation than other animals such as humans, more than a century without water, and even the vacuum of space. In September 2007, tardigrades were taken into low Earth orbit on the and for 10 days were exposed to the vacuum of space. After they were returned to Earth, it was discovered that many of them survived and laid eggs that hatched normally, making these the only animals shown to be able to survive the vacuum of space.
Beneath Antarctica?
| 15 |
| Vote |
Bee Beards
November 25th 2009 01:50
Animal Oddities
October 9th 2009 06:58
Every now and then mother nature produces something a little different. While some animals will die because of these defects, others will go on to lead full and happy lives. Thanks to weirdworm.com, from pink dolphins to four legged ducks, here are some freaks of nature. See the full set here.
Six legged frogs are found all over the country and they are believed to be developing that way due to water run off from farms, which contains poison and pesticides.
Albino alligators are a rarity to see, but are fascinating nonetheless.
Two faced kittens are born and can live to be full grown cats.
The hot pink dolphin off of the Gulf of Mexico
Six Legged Frog
Albino Alligator
Two faced kitten
Four legged duckling
| 31 |
| Vote |
Comments (1) Unusual Animal Friendships
September 11th 2009 08:26
The Daily Telegraph produced an article called Best friends fur-ever which looked at the most unexpected animal friendships that have blossomed all over the world. Below is a select few.
Eight-month-old orphan elephant Themba, whose name means 'hope' in Xhosa, who has struck up a friendship with a sheep called Albert at the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa [ Click here to read more ]
| 24 |
| Vote |
Read More When Animals Pay Unexpected Visits To The City
September 4th 2009 02:41
Wild animals and urban areas don't mix, for a variety of reasons. When they do it can end in tears - for all those involved.
However sometimes unusual animals live in the city as pets, and will turn a few heads when taken for a walk! Today the Daily Telegraph takes a look at urban animals of all shapes, sizes and origins. See a few more pictures here.
[ Click here to read more ]
However sometimes unusual animals live in the city as pets, and will turn a few heads when taken for a walk! Today the Daily Telegraph takes a look at urban animals of all shapes, sizes and origins. See a few more pictures here.
| 21 |
| Vote |
Animal Birthdays
August 17th 2009 02:39
Like humans animals have birthdays too, and they're just as partial to a slice of cake!
[ Click here to read more ]
| 48 |
| Vote |
Deadly Animals
July 22nd 2009 02:40
If going on summer holidays, especially to a country you're not familiar with, it's important to gain un understanding of the local wildlife and dangers associated with them.
AMOG.com has put together a list containing 10 Animals to Watch Out For This Summer (Because They Might Kill You). Here is a sample of what to look out for in and around the water.
[ Click here to read more ]
AMOG.com has put together a list containing 10 Animals to Watch Out For This Summer (Because They Might Kill You). Here is a sample of what to look out for in and around the water.
| 44 |
| Vote |
Lost Cat Reward With A Difference
April 22nd 2009 03:43
| 65 |
| Vote |
Thristy Koala
April 10th 2009 02:51
This little guy was suffering so much he hailed a cyclist to give him a drink!
Then scored one for his efforts[ Click here to read more ]
Then scored one for his efforts
| 31 |
| Vote |
Giant Rabbits
March 25th 2009 06:30
| 84 |
| Vote |
Zoo Babies
March 18th 2009 07:04
Thanks to Boston.com, here are some of the most adorable zoo babies from all over the world. Many more can be seen here.
[ Click here to read more ]
| 55 |
| Vote |
Animals Kissing
March 13th 2009 09:33
Animals aren't caught kissing very often, so these are rare shots indeed!
[ Click here to read more ]
| 30 |
| Vote |
Ian's Blogs
Moderated by Ian
