'/> Amazing Animals: 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

10 Fascinating Birds with Spectacular Tails

They may not be the most colorful birds around. But these fascinating birds sure have spectacular tails. Check them out.

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant

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The Lady Amherst’s Pheasant (Chrysolophus amherstiae) is a ruffed pheasant endemic to China, Myanmar, and Tibet. These birds prefer dense, dark forests as natural habitat. They roost in trees at night, but search for food on the ground — feeding mostly on grain, leaves and small invertebrates. The species are listed is as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Females are less showy and carry a duller overall plumage, but males have striking silver with black barring tails. Males have black head, short metallic green crown, crimson crest and black throat with metallic green spots. Overall body plumage is metallic bluish green. Adult male measures around 100-120 cm in length, with a 80 cm long tail and weigh about 740 g.

Ribbon-tailed Astrapia

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The Ribbon-tailed Astrapia (Astrapia mayeri) is a medium-sized, velvet black Bird-of-Paradise endemic to sub-alpine forests in central Papua New Guinea. The species feeds on insects and fruits. Also known as Shaw Mayer’s Astrapia, this spectacular bird is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

As with all Birds-of-Paradise, the males are more colorful than females. Males have shiny black bodies, and sport shining green, bronze and blue feathers around their heads. Males have jet black heads and dark green tuft sits at the top of the beak. They can reach 32 to 35 centimeters (12.6 to 13.8 inches) long, but can grow up to a meter long ribbon-like white tail feathers!

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise

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The Raggiana Bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana), also called Count Raggi’s Bird-of-paradise, is the national bird of Papua New Guinea. The species inhabit the tropical forests of eastern New Guinea. A colorful bird has red to orange plumes and a very spectacular pair of long black tail wires. The male has dark emerald-green throat, yellow crown, greyish-blue bill, and yellow collar. It has blackish upper breast feathers. and greyish-brown feet. Adults measure about 34 cm long. It feeds mainly on fruits and arthropods. The Raggiana Bird-of-paradise is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise

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The Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus respublica) is a colorful passerine bird native only to Waigeo and Batanta islands in Indonesia. The species inhabit forested hill areas and lowland rainforests where they feed on fruits and small insects. Adult male grows to about 16 cm long and weighs between 53 – 67 g. It is easily distinguished by its red and black feathers and a spectacular two curved violet tail feather.

Also, the male has a naked blue head, brilliant turquoise crown, yellow cape, light green mouth, and velvet green breast. The Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise is Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List.

Exclamatory Paradise Whydah

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The Exclamatory Paradise Whydah (Vidua paradisaea) or the Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, is a small brown sparrow-like bird endemic to native to Eastern Africa. This colorful bird is known for its spectacular elongated black tail feathers, which can grow up to 36 cm long. During mating season, male sports rusty brown breast, black head and back with dazzling yellow nape, and white belly plumes. The Exclamatory Paradise Whydah is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Blue-crowned Motmot

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The Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota) is another colorful bird species widespread in woodlands and rainforests of Mexico, Central America, and most of South America. All species except the blue-crowned subspecies have a black crown laced with blue band. A blue-crowned Motmot has a large head, black face, red eyes, black eye mask, and short, down curved beak. Overall, it has shades of green and blue feathers. This passerine bird is also known for its distinctive “racquet” tail with spectacular greenish blue center tail feathers. Depending on the species, the Blue-crowned Motmot measures around 38–48 cm (15–19 in) long.

Golden Pheasant

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The Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) also called “Chinese Pheasant” is a gorgeous pheasant species endemic to the mountains of Central China. The Golden Pheasant is commonly found in zoos and aviaries. Both sexes have golden-yellow legs and yellow bills. However, males are easily recognized by their red body, scarlet breast, golden crest and rump. Females have duller mottled brown plumage.

An adult male can measure between 90–105 cm long, with a tail about for two-thirds its total length. One of the worlds brightest birds, the Golden Pheasant feeds mainly on berries, seeds and leaves. The average lifespan of Golden Pheasants can live up to 6 years in the wild, but those in captivity could live 15 or even 20 years.

Scarlet Macaw

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The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) is a large, colorful South American parrot endemic to evergreen forests of South America. Two subspecies of scarlet macaw are recognized: Ara Macao, Macao, and Ara Macao cyanoptera. These beautifully colored birds is about 90 cm (35 inches) long and weigh about 1 kilogram (2.2 lb). Overall the species have bright scarlet-red feathers with patches of blue, green and yellow. The long tail has vibrant red plumage. It has a creamy white, almost featherless face and a strong, curved beak. The Scarlet Macaws’ diet includes fruit, nuts, and seed. Scarlet Macaws mate for life and has a lifespan of 40 to 50 years.

Resplendent Quetzal

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The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is another vibrantly colored bird found in Montane cloud forests from southern Mexico to western Panama. There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis. The iridescent color of its plumage appears green or blue, according to the changes of daytime light. The male owns g eyes, a helmet-like crest and yellow bill. During mating season, males showcase their long, glossy emerald-green tail feathers that could reach a meter (three feet ) long. This species measures 36–40 cm (14–16 in) long and weighs about 210 g (7 oz).

Indian Peafowl

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The Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), also known as Blue Peafowl is a large pheasant endemic to South Asia. The species is mostly found on the ground in open forest and woodlands. Males have mostly blue plumage with blue head, neck and breast. Also, males have dark brown tails with wire-like feathers where the “train” feathers end with an elaborate blue-green eye-spot. Adult males measure 195 to 225 cm (78 to 90 inches) from beak to tail and weigh 4–6 kg (8.8-13.2 lbs). The species feeds mainly on grains and berries, but at times prey on small rodents, lizards and snakes.

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Friday, December 13, 2013

Narwhal – Unicorn of The Sea

Narwhal – Is it a mythical creature or just a strange animal? Read on to unlock the "Unicorn of the Sea’s" real secret!

The Narwhal (Monodon monoceros)may look like a mythical creature or a legendary animal, but it’s not. This is rarely seen whale is said to be the unicorn of the sea. The narwhal is a medium-sized, pale-colored whale found in the icy waters of the Arctic seas. It has a round head, small mouth and a cylindrical body (lacking in dorsal fin). Male narwhals can grow to be about 4 – 9 m long and weigh up to 1,600 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller, growing to about 4 m long and weigh around 1,000 kilograms.

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The most eye-catching feature of the male narwhal is its single long tusk growing to about 2–3 meter long. This tusk commonly growing in a spiral fashion, is actually an incisor tooth sticking out on the left side of the upper jaw. The tusk’s function is uncertain; some theories suggest that tusk is used in determining social rank, in obtaining food, or a formidable tool during courtship. However, the tusk is not used for fighting or in hunting.

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Narwhals are so sensitive to climate change that they exhibit seasonal migrations. During summer, they are seen gathering in shallow waters, but go offshore, in deeper water as winter approaches. Narwhals have a specialized diet that includes a Greenland flatfish, Gonatus squids, shrimps, Arctic cod, and other marine animals. They are considered the deepest divers amongst mammals. Records showed that they can dive to a depth of about 800 meters over 15 times per day. Each dive may last from 7-25 minutes.

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Narwhals can live up to a maximum of 50 years. Currently, their estimated population is between 10,000 to 45,000 individuals. Since hunting narwhals are legal. their main predators are polar bears and orcas.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Animals with Astonishing Powers – Part Two

10 more animals gifted with astonishing powers.

Here are 10 more animals with exceptional powers! From the fastest land animals, to the fastest flying bird down to a weird-looking mammal using electroreception to hunt prey, they are truly marvels of Nature. Read to know more about them.

Cheetah- Superb Speed on Land

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With lightning-like speed, the Cheetah is the fastest land animal on earth! For the record, here is our cool cat’s speed credentials: it can attain a top speed of 112 to 120 km/h; it can sprint up to 500 m; and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hour in just three seconds. Incredible speed, isn’t it?

However, speed has also its drawback; during a long chase, its body temperature rises up and to cool it down and to catch its breath, this long-legged sprinter needs to rest for half an hour. A poor climber, cheetah hunts by vision, stalking its prey within 10–30 m, then chased and tripping its prey with a fatal bite to the neck. Cheetahs diet includes: gazelles, impalas, hare, and other small animals.

Perigrine Falcon: The Super Flyer

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Superman gets lost! The Super Flyer is in town. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest-flying bird on planet Earth. Equipped with razor-sharp beak, this Raptor can attain a top speed of 320 km/HR! The peregrine falcons known for their “moustache”, are medium-sized bird of prey sporting blue-gray upperparts and white belly.

Averaging 34 to 58 centimeters in body length and a wingspan of about around 80 to 120 centimeters, this super flyer of a bird, hunts its prey by dropping down on them from high altitude. Its diet consists of medium-sized birds like pigeons, waders and occasionally insects, reptiles and small mammals.

Octopus: Best Line of Defense

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How can this large blue-blooded mollusk, measuring to as much as 7 meters from one tip end to another tip end hides from its predator? The answer – by shape-shifting and invisibility. This soft-bodied creatures can make itself invisible from possible predators, using specialized skin, muscles that can instantly adopt the color and texture of its environment.

Next in its defense arsenals, is the black ink which it spews to make a fast escape from attackers. And lastly, when under threat, this big-eyed mollusk can spare an arm to distract a predator’s grasp, but is able to re-grow it later.

Gecko: Anti-gravity Suction Toes

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Nature’s original Spiderman – the Gecko – a small to medium-sized lizard is not only good at vocalizations but have many powers in his arsenal. Aside from the ability to shed its brittle tail as a deviation to escape a potential predator, it has also anti-gravity suction toes that adhere to most surfaces aiding it to climb up ceilings or vertical surfaces with relative ease.

These sticky toe pads have thousands of microscopic hairs (called setae) which aid it to do these amazing stunts even on smooth surfaces or hanging upside down. If an adult gecko is allowed to make contact with smooth glass even with one toe, it can support a weight of 133 kg or about eight times its body weight! How’s that for a tiny lizard with no eyelids.

Rhinoceros Beetle: Incredible strength

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A black beetle that can compete with Hercules in a weightlifting match? Got to believe that – Rhino Beetle is the world’s strongest animals, body proportion wise. Famous for their horn on the top of the head, these fierce-looking but gentle beetles can lift a 65 ton object or up to 850 times their own body weight. Among the largest of beetles, Rhino beetles average 50 – 60 millimeters in length when fully grown.

Spittle bug: World’s greatest leaper

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A leap worthy of an Olympic gold medal – the Spittle Bug or Froghopper can do such feat! The adult, just under half an inch in size can toss itself a monstrous 28 inches! Accomplishing such gigantic leap requires a force 400x greater than gravity. Spittle bugs are best known for their larvae stage, where the nymphs cover themselves in foamed-up plant saps to elude predators. Spittle bugs are typically dull green, gray or brown in color with a head resembling that of a frog. Most species of spittle bugs eat plants and shrubs.

Moth: Hypnotic Scent

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Searching for love – forget about Cupid’s arrows nor love spells, instead, why not bring along with you a moth. Numbering about 250,000 species, these winged insects emit a chemical called pheromones, a very special scent reaching miles away with a message – I’m in the mood for love! Moths too have astonishing defense mechanisms against probable predators.

Camouflage is one – adapting to objects in the surroundings, some moth resembles lichen, while others appear like bark of trees. Mimicry is another thing – creating markings on their wings to mimic other imposing animals like birds of prey or that of venomous snakes.

Sea Star: Spineless Wonder

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Sea stars or Starfish is echinoderms numbering to about 2,000 species, found in major marine environment worldwide. They come in different sizes, colors and shapes. Though most sea stars have five arms, other species with 10, 20, and even 30 arms exist. These “spineless wonders” have two remarkable features – the ability to regenerate injured, mutilated or cut off the arms and the remarkable ability to pry open bivalve shells, using their suction-cupped tube feet and digesting its prey by inserting its thin tongue into the opened shell. They feed mostly on clams, mussels, oysters, and occasionally small fish.

Dolphins: Ultrasonic hearing

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Dolphins are social marine mammals that have bonded well with humans. But what is so special about these affable, gentle toothed whales? They have acute eyesight and a highly developed sense of hearing! Though possessing small ear opening, dolphins have the ability to hear frequencies 10 times more sensitive than human ears.

Add to this remarkable hearing power – they hear with their teeth using a complex hearing process called echolocation. This process involved the release of instantaneous series of clicks done with the lower jaw, through the dolphin’s blow-hole. Also, dolphins have a good sense of touch, but very poor sense of smell.

Platypus: Electroreception!

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A bizarre-looking egg-laying mammal native to Australia, platypus owns an astonishing sixth sense: electroreception. Having poor vision, the web-footed platypus relies solely on electroreception to hunt for prey, These electroreceptors are located in the bill, which sense probable prey by detecting electric current produced by muscle movement.

Even on a totally dark surroundings, platypus can precisely pinpoint its victim! Also, the male platypus carries fatal venom that can kill small animals, or cause severe pain among humans.

Check Out Part 1 here:

Friday, November 29, 2013

10 Fascinating Animals Whose Names Begin with The Letter S

Sifaka, Spring Peeper, and Stoat – what do these animals have in common? They are some of the fascinating animals whose names begin with the letter S. Read on to know more about the other seven animals that made the list.

They may not be the popular ‘S’ animals that we know, but these fascinating creatures deserved to be included on the list of animals whose names begin with the letter S. read on to learn more about them.

Sculpin

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A Sculpin is a fish that belongs to the large family Cottidae that contains about 756 species. Most of the species live in salt water and widespread along shoreline and deep water. It is a small fish with spiny head and short, narrow body. Sculpin comes in light brown to yellow brown in color. The upper body is marked with patches and the with darker mottling and the belly is yellow-white to pure white. Sculpin is characterized by its huge pectoral fins resembling butterfly wings. It averages about 16 inches long and weighs over three pounds. It feeds on shrimps and crabs.

Sheltie

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The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a small to medium herding dog. The breed measures between 200–250 mm in height and weighs around 5–14 kilograms. They are double coated (two layers of fur that make up their coat) and colors vary from sable/white, Blue Merle and tri-color (black, white, and tan). They are intelligent, vocal, playful, agile, sturdy and energetic dogs. It is fairly active indoors and can live in an apartment. They require lots of exercise and a regular jog. They have a life expectancy of about 12-15 years. The Sheltie is prone to eye disease and hip dyspepsia.

Sifaka

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Sifakas are medium-sized lemurs found only on the island of Madagascar. There are three extant species: the Coquerel’s sifaka, the diademed sifaka, and the golden-crowned sifaka. They spend most of their time in the trees. Typically sifakas’ limbs and bodies come in varieties of colors – their heads show patches of white, gray, black, or golden-colored fur. They have round, hairless head and have long tails. Adults average between 40 to 55 centimeters in body length and weigh around 3 to 6 kilograms. These primates are herbivores and feed mainly on eating leaves, flowers and fruits. Due to habitat loss, all species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.

Skunk

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Skunks are famous legendary for their horrible-smelling spray used as defense against predators. Skunks (with 12 known species) belong to the family Mephitidae are found mostly in the western hemisphere, with two species inhabit Indonesia and the Philippines. Typically, these mammals are black and white; and depending on the species, they vary in size from about 40 to 94 cm in length and from about 0.50 kg to 8.2 kg in weight. All skunks are striped; have a long snout, short legs and a bushy tail. Skunks omnivores and feed on birds, earthworms, eggs, frogs, fish, insects, reptiles, rodents and small mammals. They also eat berries, fungi, grasses, leaves, nuts and roots.

Skylark

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The Skylark (Alauda arvensis)is a small passerine songbird found in Europe (except in the Mediterranean area). It is grayish-brown in color and measures between 16 to 18 centimeters long. The upper body shows a brown streaked and a pure white belly. Known for the melodious song of the courting males, skylark has short, solid crest on the head, short broad wings, short tail and sturdy legs. A bird of open farmland, this passerine bird makes a grass nest on the ground where three to six eggs are laid in June. It feeds on insects and seeds.

Spoonbill

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Spoonbill is the common name for six species of large, long-legged wading bird found over much of the world. All species have long, large, flat bill with a tip like a flattened spoon. The bill is used to capture small aquatic animals by wading through shallow water. Prey includes small fish, crustaceans or insects. They prefer lagoons, marshes, and mudflats. Adults measure between 76 to 86 cm tall. They have long necks, and thin legs. Most species are white with patches of other colors.

Spring Peeper

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The Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) are small, well-camouflaged frogs found throughout the eastern part of Canada and the United States. These amphibians known for their high-pitched peeping sounds inhabit forests and wooded areas near ponds, streams and swamps. With the distinctive dark lines that form an X on their backs, these tree frogs are tan or brown in color. Adults grow to about 25 mm to 38 mm in body length and weigh between 3.1 g to 5.1 g. Spring Peepers are nocturnal carnivores; diet includes ants, beetles, flies, spiders and worms.

Stoat

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The Stoat (Mustela erminea),or Short-tailed Weasel, is a small sized mammal widespread across Europe, Asia and North America. Its habitats include farms, woodlands, farms and coastal areas. This territorial animal has long, thin body with thick brown fur that turns white during winter. It has a slim body, small ears and short legs. It can grow to about 30 centimeters in height and weighs around 200 grams. An opportunistic predator with a good sense of smell, it hunts other small animals, including chicken, birds, mice, rabbits, voles, and also eat bird eggs. It can live up to seven years.

Sugar Glider

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The Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small furry possum native to Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. This arboreal (tree-dwelling) and nocturnal marsupial prefers forests and rainforests with eucalyptus trees. Known for its amazing gliding acts, adult male sugar glider measures about 24 to 30 cm long from the nose to the tip of the tail and weighs about 115-160 g.

Typically, it sports a soft, blue-grey fur coat mark with a black stripe running from its nose to midway of its back. It has a squirrel-like body with its belly, chest, and throat coming in cream color. It has a characteristic membrane that stretches from the fifth finger to the first toe. Sugar gliders feed on the sweet sap of certain trees and also prey on insects and small vertebrates.

Surf Scoter

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The Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata)is a large black-and-white sea duck widespread on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts in winter. Males are typically black in color mark with white patch on the forehead and white triangular patch on the nape. Females carry a much paler color mark with light patches on side of head. Males have pale blue-gray eyes while females have pale brown or yellow eyes. Males have reddish orange feet, while females have yellow to brownish-red feet. Adult males average 48 cm long and weigh 1050 grams. Males are larger than females. The surf Scoter diet includes aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish; as well as muskgrass, pondweeds, and wild celery.

Check out the entire Animal Alphabet list here:
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Animals with Astonishing Powers - Part One

Meet Nature’s Super Animals: From the Pufferfish pack with deadly poison, to the Leafcutter ants with amazing strength, to the hummingbirds that flaps its wings with lightning speed; the natural world is full of animals with astonishing skills and amazing powers.

Tarsier- Precise Night Vision

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Possessing enormous eyes that are larger than its brain case and also its stomach, the Philippine Tarsier truly deserves to be called a “Super Animal”. An excellent night hunter, it makes use of its eyes to hunt for prey such as insects, worms, lizards and other small animals. Though, its eyes are fixed in the skull, the neck is flexible and can rotate almost 360°.

Also, it has acute hearing due to its oversized ears. Endemic to the Philippines, this miniscule primate measures about 85-160 mm in height and weighs 113-142 grams. It has rough gray fur, narrow tail about 13 to 28 cm long, padded finger and toes, sharp teeth and elongated ankle bone. The Philippine tarsier is arboreal and solitary animal, spending its entire life in trees.

Pufferfish – Inflatable Body, Deadly poison

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Don’t be deceived by its charming face. The pufferfish, mostly found in tropical waters, comprises about 120 species. Small to medium in size, and sporting bright colors, pufferfish are known to be slow swimmers or movers. But what it lacks in speed and agility, is compensated by its unique and potent natural defenses.

In addition to its pointed spines, puffers have the ability to inflate its elastic stomach with water to intimidate or escape from potential predators. Though a popular delicacy in Japan, most species of pipefish are highly poisonous. Its skin contains tetrodoxin, a potent and paralyzing poison, which is said to be up to 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide!

Chameleon – Invinsibility

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If there is an award for the “Best in Costume” in the animal world, then, the chameleon is a crowd favorite. This highly specialized lizard can easily blend its appearance to its surroundings. It can easily change its color from green, yellow, orange, brown, black, blue, gold and even pink. That is what we call perfect adaptability! In so doing, chameleon seems to be invisible to its potential prey and predator.

Most of chameleons are found in sub-Saharan Africa, although some species are found in the Middle East, Europe and parts of Southeast Asia. They inhabit savannahs, rain forests and even deserts They vary in size from as small as 3.3 cm to 68.5 cm. Chameleons are expert climbers and have excellent visions, aiding them to see clearly their target. One remarkable trait chameleons have been their long, sticky tongue used in catching prey.

Sea Dragon – Natural Disguise

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To potential predators, this question always arises, Is it flora or fauna? One of the animal kingdom’s most flamboyantly camouflaged creatures; sea dragons with their leaf-shaped appendages eludes predators by floating alongside leafy weeds on the ocean floor. Sea dragons are found in waters off south and east Australia feeding mostly on amphipods and larval fishes. Most sea dragons sport yellow to brown body color. On average sea dragons are about 35 – 46 cm long, thin snouts and thin tails. Like their seahorse cousins, the males carry and incubates the eggs until they hatch.

Flying Squirrel – Long Distance Glider

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Sky’s the limit! Flying, yes, this is what flying squirrels really love. Though these arboreal rodents don’t really fly – they do their tree-to-tree hoping activities by gliding. These glides from tree to tree. Their amazing gliding flight has been recorded to have reached 90 meters. How do they do it? A parachute-like membrane keeps the gliding motion; the midair direction and speed are controlled by its arms and legs; and the fluffy tail serves as a stabilizer while in flight and act as landing brakes.

Flying squirrels have thick fur. Big brown eyes and a flat tail. They sport light brown upper body color and white color underneath. These nocturnal rodents feeding on seeds, flowers, tree shrubs, insects, spiders, small birds, snails and slugs.

Archerfish – Reliable Markman

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We can call them, the “robin hood” of the seas. This zebra-like fish is an excellent marksman, preying on land-based insects. Archerfish has a unique way of catching its prey – shooting down its target with water droplets up to two meters away. Archerfish creates a powerful stream of water out of its mouth using its tongue and strong gills.

Also, its keen eyesight enables Archerfish to properly target its prey. If unsuccessful in several tries, it jumps out of the water to catch its prey. Archerfish is found in brackish waters of Australia and Southeast Asia. Typically, Archerfish is about 10-25 cm long, weigh around 750 g with laterally compressed bodies.

Sea Cucumber – Body Liquification

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Sea cucumbers are cylinder-shaped echinoderms inhabiting the world’s ocean floors. These marine vertebrates grow to about 10-30 cm long with an elongated body with a leathery skin. Sea cucumbers have flexible bodies which they can tighten or loosen if the need arises, thus allowing them to pass to small cracks and squeeze into narrow passages.

These they do to search for foods like tiny marine animals, algae or even ocean garbage. Also, when this echinoderm senses danger or threaten, it melts – literally!. When the sea cucumber senses danger, it melts – literally. When threatened, they emit a sticky substance to trap predators or break down their bodies into pieces which can regenerate later on.

Bats – Ultrasonic Echolocation Power

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Besides being the only flying mammal – bats have the distinct ability to navigate through dark caves or pitch black surroundings using ultrasonic echolocation power. By emitting sound to create an echo, then measuring the reflected sound – bats are able to calculate the precise location of potential prey. There are over a thousand known bats found in the world except the polar ice caps of Antarctic and Arctic regions.

These eco-friendly mammals are divided into two types - microbats which feed primarily on insects and megabats or the fruit bats.. Bats have fur-covered bodies and webbed-forelimbs that acts as wings. Bats range in size – from the smallest Kitti’s Hog-nosed Bat that measures about 29–34 mm to the largest Giant Golden-crowned Flying-fox that grows to about 336–343 mm.

Leafcutter Ant – Herculean Strength

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These tiny creatures are the Mighty Hercules of the animal world. Unbelievable strength of small ants about 0.1 to 0.5 inch long to carry up to 20 times their own weight! In addition, these fungus-growing ants have powerful jaws that could tear and chew the leaves with relative ease. With 47 known extant species, Leafcutter ants are found in the tropical forests of South and Central America. Leafcutter ants, color vary from red to brown to orange to brown.

Electric Eel -High Voltage Electric Shocks

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Electric eels are not true ells but are electric fish. They inhabit swamps, creeks, and rivers of South America. They have an elongated body without scales and average 2 m long and weigh 20 kg. Electric eels feed on invertebrates, paralyzing their prey using electric shocks. Also, these lethal electric shocks are used for defense against predators. So powerful are these electric shocks that it generates up to 500 volts – so that is lethal enough to kill an adult human.

Hummingbird – Backward-flying and Helicopter hover flight

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So small and yet so fast – a good description of these 7.5–13 cm long hummingbirds. These nectar-sipping birds have the distinction of the being the only bird who can fly backwards. Not only that, hummingbirds can hover in midair flapping their wings so fast – up 90 times per second! Too many astonishing feats for a very small bird. How they cope up with their activities? Hummingbirds must consume nectar every 10 minutes.

Check out Part 2 here:

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Cats Behaving Wildly

You may at times find cats cute, gentle or amazing. But what about, if you see them behaving wildly? Will you still want to own one? See the pictures below and decide for yourself.

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Wake up, Sleepy.. you’ve got to see today’s Battle Royale…

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C’mon Siamese twin… Will both of you just shut up. I’m having my catnap.

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Five bucks.. Jacky Cat will not last the distance!Wanna bet, Whitie?

Make it 10 bucks and you got a deal. Bruce Cat will come out the winner.

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Jacky Cat: This is what I call… Kung Fu’s Praying Mantis style.

Bruce Cat: And this is my signature Enter the Dragon pose!

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Gee, this place is a war zone.. Another UFC fight is about to explode. It’s a good thing, my boss put me here.

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Hey You, Felix… This is the end of the road for you…

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Tell that to the Marines… I’m not intimidated by your look.. C’mon, gimme your best shot.

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I am facing my ultimate challenge… Deal Ghost Cat his first ever lose!

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GHOST.. This is a job for Spider Cat..

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Get me down!! I don’t want to have a piece of this violent stuff. Help! help!.. Someone is molesting me..