Denizens of Earth

Silver Gull juveniles by ~SirTimid Silver gulls are the most...

Sat, 18 May 2013 09:01:19 -0500

Silver gulls are the most common gull in Australia and are often simply known as seagulls there. They can be found inland as well as on the coasts. Silver gull nests are saucer-shaped and constructed of seaweed, roots and plant stems, built on the ground in low vegetation on islets, rocks, salt-piles, jetties, and sometimes old boats. Parents share incubation duties, and after hatching the chicks are independent after about six weeks. The juveniles have brown patterning on their plumage as camouflage to hide them from predators.

Gulls are chiefly scavengers and will follow fishing boats to feed on the offal of gutted fish. They will sometimes dive for live fish, and will also eat marine worms and young birds, including those of its own kind. Gulls can drink both salt and fresh water and eliminate excess salt through a pair of glands located above the eyes.(x)(x)

xbiocorex: wtfevolution: Good evolutionary defense mechanisms:...

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:01:32 -0500

xbiocorex:

wtfevolution:

Good evolutionary defense mechanisms: Running very fast. Hiding really well. Being full of poison. Having wicked spikes.

Questionable evolutionary defense mechanisms: … whatever this is.

AWWWWWW. X3

It’s like something out of pikmin!

This squeaky fella is a Namaqua Rain Frog (Breviceps namaquensis), found in subtropical and tropical shrubland and sandy shores in South Africa. These frogs inflate themselves when disturbed and let loose that squeak for all they’re worth. Apparently this does somehow deter predators. They spend most of their time underground, though, only emerging when it’s sufficiently rainy (hence their name). They’re also only two inches long. D’awwww.(x)(x)

fairy-wren: Grey Peacock Pheasant (photos by Alex Vargas) Also...

Thu, 16 May 2013 09:01:10 -0500

fairy-wren:

Grey Peacock Pheasant

(photos by Alex Vargas)

Also known as the Burmese Peacock and the Chinquis Peacock-Pheasant, this bird is found in lowland forests in most of mainland Southeast Asia and Assam (a northeastern state of India) excluding most of Indochina. Their diet consists of seeds, termites, fruit, and other invertebrates such as snails, worms, insects and larvae, etc. Females lay two eggs per clutch but may lay multiple clutches in one breeding season.(x)(x)

astronomy-to-zoology: Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus...

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:01:19 -0500

astronomy-to-zoology:

Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)

..is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asia and the Middle East. Like other hedgehogs the long-eared hedgehog is an insectivore and will feed mostly on insects and other small invertebrates. As you might of guessed this species of hedgehog sports fairly long ears which help them them with heat radiation in the harsh desert, they also grant them excellent hearing.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Erinaceomorpha-Erinaceidae-Hemiechinus-auritus

Image Source(s)

nemertea: Why is the shingleback so grouchy? Why does it hate...

Tue, 14 May 2013 09:02:05 -0500

nemertea:

Why is the shingleback so grouchy? Why does it hate everything in the world?

Probably because it has tiny, stubby legs, and gives birth to huge pinecone babies.

Cheer up, shingleback. I love you.

The Shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosa) is also known as the Bobtail, Pinecone lizard, Sleepy lizard, or Stump-tailed skink. It is common in the dry woodlands and plains of southern Australia. Its broad, stumpy tail is designed to mimic its head so that a predator may attack it instead, allowing the skink to make a break for it. It can also detach its tail as a distraction. This behavior is a last resort because the tail houses vital fat stores that the skink uses for nourishment in the winter. Its first move is usually to stick out its bright blue tongue and hiss, which can startle or distract a predator and allow the Shingleback to escape. Shinglebacks eat fruit, insects, snails, carrion, and grasses. Once them pinecone babies are born, they stick around their parents for several weeks, though they do not receive food or other care from the parents. They then disperse to establish a home territory. Shinglebacks may live for up to twenty years in the wild.(x)(x)

Manta rays are some of my favorite marine animals (along with...

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:01:12 -0500

Manta rays are some of my favorite marine animals (along with nudibranches and cutflefish.) They’re well known for their large size, docile nature and for their “flying” movement in the water. There are actually two recognized species of manta ray—Manta birostris (known as the Common Manta Ray) and M. alfredi. Mantas usually found near coral reefs and along continental shelves, although the Common Manta also traverses the open ocean along with the currents. Mantas are filter feeders and have plates in their mouths which they sieve water through to extract tiny plankton and crustaceans, similar to how baleen whales feed. Female rays carry their eggs until the pups are ready to hatch—several species of rays and sharks do this. Female mantas give birth to only one or two pups and do not always breed every year. This slow reproductive rate means that mantas are very vulnerable to overfishing (which causes a lack of food) and pollution. They are also accidentally caught in fishermen’s nets.(x)(x)(x)

nemertea: velociraptor-hands: brittaniethekid: festivaloffucke...

Sun, 12 May 2013 15:32:47 -0500

nemertea:

velociraptor-hands:

brittaniethekid:

festivaloffuckery:

honesttoblarg:

The Potoo - Either the most unphotogenic or the most ridiculous looking bird in the world.

unphotogenic? these are my favorite pictures of any bird ever

Holy Jesus it makes a crazy sound. The whole vid is cool but skip to the end if you want to hear it.

omg it ROARS?

This is like the bird version of me.

It’s like a muppet come to life

Perfect animal.

I thought that Tawny Frogmouths were the derpiest birds. MY LIFE IS A LIE

fairy-wren: gyrfalcon (photo by jiri michal) The gyrfalcon...

Sun, 12 May 2013 09:01:22 -0500

fairy-wren:

gyrfalcon

(photo by jiri michal)

The gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the largest of all falcon species. They breed in the arctic and subartic regions of the northern hemisphere and winters in lower latitudes. They prefer to nest near water and sometimes bathe in the runoff of frozen rivers. Gyrfalcons prey upon many kinds of large birds, including gulls, ducks, geese, hawks, and small owls, but their most common food source is the ptarmigan (a kind of grouse). During the breeding season gyrfalcons will store some of their kills in caches near their nest. They have several techniques for catching their prey: 1) flying low and surprising prey on ground; 2) pursuing prey over long distances, forcing it low or high and exhausting it; 3) hovering and making short stoops to force prey out of cover; 4) flying straight up to strike at birds overhead. They are popular birds for the sport of falconry, and were associated with royalty in medieval times, and was also prized by the Vikings.(x)(x)

katobus: Wip. #art, #lizard, #Gekko, #scientific illustration,...

Sat, 11 May 2013 09:01:22 -0500

katobus:

Wip. #art, #lizard, #Gekko, #scientific illustration, #illustration, #wildlife, #watercolor, #winsorandnewton

Since the artist didn’t label the common name of this cutie…this is a Crested Gecko!:3 It was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994. It’s native to New Caledonia, an island in the Melanesia region off the eastern coast of Australia.

lizardking90: Say hello to the ‘Butterfly of the Sea’ also...

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:01:39 -0500

lizardking90:

Say hello to the ‘Butterfly of the Sea’ also known as a Sea Robin or Gurnard.

An odd looking fish, this species is a bottom dweller, they live on the sea floor and can actually “walk” along underwater by alternatively moving its pelvic fins and short pectoral fin rays. It’s not related to flying fish, nor do they glide in air, the large pectoral fins are normally held against the body but are spread out when threatened to put off predators.

Epiclabtime

rhamphotheca: Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) by DC...

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:01:21 -0500

rhamphotheca:

Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)

by DC Birds Blog

At just 8 inches in length, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is one of the smallest owl species in North America. Like most owls, this species possesses short legs, rounded wings, large yellow eyes, and a disk-shaped face. Apart from its small size, it may best be identified by its brown body spotted with white above and streaked below as well as on the face.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl primarily breeds in Southern Canada and the northern tier of the United States. Breeding populations also exist at higher elevations in the western U.S.and in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains in the southeast. During the winter, this species expands its range southward and into lower elevations, including the coastal southeast, the Great Plains, and the southwest.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl inhabits forests across the northern part of the continent. In particular, this owl prefers forests that are composed either entirely of evergreen trees or of a mix of evergreen and deciduous tree species. In winter, individuals which have moved south are less tied to a particular habitat type, relocating as new sources of prey become available. Like most owls, the Northern Saw-whet Owl hunts small mammals, including mice, shrews, and voles.

This owl uses its excellent hearing to locate prey on the ground in order to fly down and capture it with its talons. Also, like most owls, this species hunts almost exclusively at night, making it difficult to observe. Northern Saw-whet Owls are most visible roosting high in trees during the day or while producing toot-like calls at dusk.

(via: http://eol.org/pages/915740/overview)

(photos: TL - Kameron Perensovich; TR - Kent McFarland; B - juveniles - Kathy and Sam from beaverton, OR, USA)

meehighmeelo: mad-as-a-marine-biologist: The Oatmeal captures...

Wed, 08 May 2013 09:01:24 -0500

meehighmeelo:

mad-as-a-marine-biologist:

The Oatmeal captures perfectly the stories behind what I love about marine life.

Someone hold me

This is usually a srs blog, but…this is pretty great. However, there are several animals that have more than one penis, although I cannot attest to the number of balls they have. There are snakes, for example, that have double penises. (I’m not going to say “all” because I don’t know and there is almost always an exception to things, so.) Echidnas have penises with four heads. There are probably some more examples, but they aren’t coming to me at the moment.

amnhnyc: A sperm whale’s head is actually an oversized nose...

Tue, 07 May 2013 09:01:41 -0500

amnhnyc:

A sperm whale’s head is actually an oversized nose (which in mature males can make up a third of the animal’s body!). Sperm whales use their uniquely shaped nose to generate sound. Here’s how.

© AMNH/5W Infographics

astronomy-to-zoology: Mexican Burrowing Toad (Rhinophrynus...

Mon, 06 May 2013 09:01:20 -0500

astronomy-to-zoology:

Mexican Burrowing Toad (Rhinophrynus dorsalis)

…is a unique species of burrowing toad found only in Mexico, parts of southern Texas and Central America. As its common name suggests the Mexican burrowing toad is fossorial and spends most of its time in underground burrows feeding on insects like ants and termites. Like the purple frog the burrowing toad often emerges from its den after long periods of rain and mates. Also like the unrelated purple frog when threatened or calling the Mexican burrowing toad can inflate its body.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Amphibia-Anura-Mesobatrachia-Rhinophrynidae-Rhinophrynus-dorsalis

Image Source(s)

rhamphotheca: Boyd’s Forest Dragon (Hypsilurus boydii), from...

Sun, 05 May 2013 09:01:19 -0500

rhamphotheca:

Boyd’s Forest Dragon (Hypsilurus boydii), from various locations around Queensland, Australia

- family Agamidae. endemic to northern Queensland. found in rainforests, both lowland and high elevation. avg adult length of up to 16 cm (snout vent), 32.5 cm (total length). males are larger, with more block like heads, more pronounced crests (pic 2nd from bttm is female). predominantly insectivorous, small vertebrates and fruits sometimes consumed.

(photo: T/ML - Peter Nijenhuis; MR - Matt Clancy; midB - Paul Khadim; bttm - Zoharby)

rhamphotheca: animaltoday: Brush Tailed Porcupine (Atherurus...

Sat, 04 May 2013 09:01:00 -0500

rhamphotheca:

animaltoday:

Brush Tailed Porcupine (Atherurus Africanus/Macrourus) -

There are two species of porcupine within the genus, Atherurus. The African brush tailed and the Asiatic brush tailed. Brush tailed porcupines are nocturnal and typically live in the higher, forested areas of their respective regions. They live and sleep underground or in rocky caves.

Unlike other types of porcupine, these are smaller and more rat-like. Their size and quills which are shorter and lighter, allow for quicker movement. At the end of their ~8 inch tails, there is a brush like group of small, thin quills. They use this as a rattle and stomp their feet to intimidate predators. If the attacker remains, the porcupine will raise their quills to enhance size, and back up quills first into the predator.

Asiatic porcupines will live with about 3 members per burrow, and African porcupine families can be about 8. All members of the group help raise the porcupettes.

They are often poached and sold for meat.

P.S.A.: I love you

Fri, 03 May 2013 22:35:00 -0500

Seriously I haven’t been at the top of my game with this blog lately since i’m basically two weeks away from finals and I haven’t been doing any of my own posts…last time this happened I lost a bunch of followers but as far as I can tell, I’ve gained a few! You guys are fantastic. Things should pick up by the end of or mid-May, you’ll be up to your ears in original content! Or well, by original content I mean stuff I find on the internet and not stuff I reblogged from someone.

giraffe-in-a-tree: Is it a mini-sloth? A tree-loving...

Fri, 03 May 2013 09:01:13 -0500

giraffe-in-a-tree:

Is it a mini-sloth? A tree-loving finger-monkey? Well actually, this is the smallest (and the cuddly-est) anteater. The Silky or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus), is a tree-dwelling mammal native to Central and South America. It is the only living member of Cyclopedidae. They only grow to a total length ranging from 36 to 45 centimeters (14 to 18 in), and weigh anything from 175 to 400 grams (6.2 to 14 oz). Now compare that to the 7 ft (2 m), 90 lb (40 kg), Giant Anteater.

Staying true to their name, they eat between 700 and 5,000 ants everyday. They can also sometimes eat termites and tiny beetles. Due to an astounding lack of Fiber One bars in the tropical forests of Central and South America, the Silky Anteater’s metabolism can only manage one poop a day.

They only have 1 baby at a time, up to twice a year (THE BABIES COME OUT FURRY). With the exceptions of raising young and mating, the Silky Anteater is a lone wolf so-to-speak, living in solitude. They raise their babies in nests in tree holes, rather than carrying them on their back like other Anteaters.

They will often hide in Silk Cotton Trees during the day as it’s great camouflage which thereby protects them from turning into a Harpy Eagle’s lunch. Like a pro-boxer, the Silky Anteater will rear up on it’s hind-legs with its forefeet positioned in front of its face when threatened. That way it appears larger and more intimidating, while simultaneously preparing itself to give any bird of prey a left hook straight in the face with razor sharp claws.

fairy-wren: Secretary Bird (photo by tom uhlman) The Secretary...

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:01:52 -0500

fairy-wren:

Secretary Bird

(photo by tom uhlman)

The Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is a terrestrial bird of prey found in much of Africa south of the Sahara in woodland, savanna and steppe environments. While they do spend most of their time on the ground, they are quite capable fliers and roost in acacia trees at night. They hunt in pairs or small family groups for small mammals, reptiles, birds, and large insects. They are particularly well known for hunting snakes, including venomous ones. The bird’s scientific name even means “The archer of snakes.” Secretary birds may cover up to 20 miles while hunting and roost in the shade during the hottest part of the day. To catch prey, they chase it down and then strike with their bill or stomp on it until it is stunned. When attacking, secretary birds spread their wings and raise the crest on the back of its head. This can be a useful distraction against venomous snakes, because a bite to the bird’s hollow feathers won’t hurt it at all.(x)

astronomy-to-zoology: Mission Golden-eyed Tree Frog...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:01:33 -0500

astronomy-to-zoology:

Mission Golden-eyed Tree Frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix)

Also known as the blue or Amazon milk frog, the mission golden-eyed tree frog is a large species of tree frog native to the Amazon Rainforest in South America. This species gets the name ‘milk frog’ because when stressed the frog will excrete a milky fluid from its pores. The milk frog like other tree frog frequents humid rainforests, usually in vegetation or near moving water. Like most frogs the milk frogs diet consists of insects and small arthropods. They have also been introduced into the pet trade as they are relatively easy to care for.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Amphibia-Anura-Hylidae-Trachycephalus-resinifictrix

Image Source(s)