Anteater by Jeff Lipsman on Flickr.
Bioluminescence in the Gippsland Lakes
Noctiluca scintillans doing what it does best in the Gippsland Lakes, a small chain of inland lakes in Victoria, Australia.
The events that transpired to make this happen are quite miraculous; firstly there was widespread fires in Victoria that burned pretty intensely for quite some time. Then, they were followed by intense flooding that inundated many areas of Gippsland amongst others. The basic effect was that floodwaters carried nutrient-rich soil and ash from the higher reaches into the Gippsland basin, leading to a eutrophic condition in which algae and bacteria can thrive.
This gave rise to a particularly prolific cyanobacteria getting a foothold, Synechococcus. Essentiallysmothering the lake in cellular life, it gave an opportunity for some pretty special creatures to breed prolifically given an abundant food source - Noctiluca scintillans, a bioluminescent Dinoflagellate.
And so, you end up with photographs like this. A once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, captured for all to share.
Photo source: http://philhart.com/content/bioluminescence-gippsland-lakes
(via moreanimalia)
Source: philhart.com
Pictured: Short-beaked echidna & skeleton.
The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is one of four living species of echidna and the only member of the genus Tachyglossus. It is covered in fur and spines and has a distinctive snout and a specialized tongue which it uses to catch its prey at a great speed. It can eat quickly; a specimen of around 3 kg (6.6 lb) can ingest 200 g (7.1 oz) of termites in 10 minutes. Like the other extant monotremes, the short-beaked echidna lays eggs; the monotremes are the only group of mammals to do so.
This echidna has extremely strong front limbs and claws due to its mechanical advantage which allows it to burrow quickly with great power. As it needs to be able to survive underground it has a significant tolerance to high levels of carbon dioxide and low levels of oxygen. It has no weapons or fighting ability but repels predators by curling into a ball and deterring them with its spines.
Female echidnas lay one egg a year and the mating period is the only time the otherwise solitary animals meet one another. A young echidna is the size of a grape but grows rapidly on its mother’s milk, which is very rich in nutrients. Baby echidnas eventually grow too large and spiky to stay in the pouch and, at around six months of age, they leave the burrow on their own.
The species is found throughout Australia, where it is the most widespread native mammal, and in coastal and highland regions of southwestern New Guinea, where it is known as the mungwe in the Daribi and Chimbu languages.
(via moreanimalia)
Source: bone-lust
Giant Ant Eater by Scott8586 on Flickr.
so this little marine critter is the famous siphonophore (NOT A JELLYFISH) Portuguese Man O’ War
such a cute baby alien, This Physalia physalis was stranded at Olivencia beach, Bahia - Brazil, scaring misunderstood people who didnt appreciate her beauty
A Siphonophore is any of various transparent, often subtly colored marine hydrozoans of the order Siphonophora, consisting of a floating or swimming colony of polyp-like and medusa-like individuals.
Precious little thing
(via perceptur)
Source: todropscience
Draft Horses
1-4 are from http://www.kruissewegje.nl/userfiles/image/buffalo8.jpg
The rest are from http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/horse-forums/lets-see-your-draft-and-draft-crosses-461845-16.html
Brabant horse.
Check these too: Blacktiger at Flickr
(via unbadgr)
Source: dynamink
Source: Flickr / bijansarabi
The Vampire Bat is the only species of bat that has retained its ability to maneuver on land, not only can they walk on land but they can also hop and run at surprisingly fast speeds!
Oh look. Nightmare.
WHAT A CUTIE
Did you know that vampire bats are considered some of the most altruistic species on the planet? The common vampire bat has an incredibly high metabolism, and will die very quickly if it doesn’t feed enough. Colonies of vampire bats have been observed to regurgitate blood for members of the colony who have not fed recently, including non-family members.
Also, lactating female vampire bats will nurse any baby bat who requires milk, including those who are not their own, and orphans.
LIIIIZ
Yes! Good bats, such precious.
Don’t forget that the desmoteplase enzyme in their saliva is an anticoagulating agent that is being researched as an alternative to breaking up blood clots after a stroke. Right now, one of the more common ischemic stroke treatments is very time sensitive, and after a certain period it becomes more harmful than helpful. Desmoteplase only attacks the fibrin of blood clots and shows no significant sign of inducing further brain damage.
So that nightmare might save your life some day. Don’t hate.
this is really cool! i wonder how much we can infer to pterosaur land movement from bats
(via monere-lluvia)
Source: ylatayaeray
Source: Flickr / tambako
