Racoon Posted May 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 3 toed sloth :) I got up close and photographed with a rare daylight sloth moving across the park ground while in Venezuela. (I need to hook up my scanner) Dude was moving SLOW! thats why their called sloths; But they're still cool! :cup: They spend almost all day sleeping upside down; and they munch on leaves. They can clock a cool 2 meters per minute. :ip: [zoom!]They are unique in that they are a mammal that is unable to keep a constant body temperature, and therefore are found only in the tropics, from Honduras to Argentina. Ever have those days you feel like a sloth? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-toed_sloth&http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/125.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drosera Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 The mudskipper! I have always been fascinated by these little critters. These brackish water fish have evolved to withstand being out of water for lengthy periods of time. Though not the only fish capable of this, they do seem the most capable when it comes to terrestrial locomotion. The design of their bodies is more suited for hopping, pulling, and even wiggling controllably to their destination. Many species can climb, and some can even form virtual suction-cups with their pectoral and pelvic fins. Breathing is said to occur both via the gills, and through the skin. The gill covers are designed to hold in water during their out of water journeys. They are also designed to allow a certain amount of movement of the water that is being held, to replenish the Oxygen levels in it. The eyes are usually squarely set on top of the head. The field of view of such species is almost a full 180 degrees for each eye. This makes them very hard to catch, and good hunters too. The eyes are also able to "blink" in a manner, which allows for the removal of dirt, which can be a constant annoyance in the sort of areas they live, usually mangrove swamps. Alternatively, they will roll in shallow water for the same effect. Mudskippers create fairly large burrows, in which only the top couple of inches or so are above the water line. Several dens within the burrow are also made. One is selected as "creche" where the eggs and young are raised. Some species of mudskippers have pelagic young, which means they leave the burrow and follow the currents until they are older. Oddly, the gas levels of these burrows have been measured, and are usually extremely low in Oxygen, and very high in more noxious gases such as Methane, Carbon dioxide, and Sulfur. This may explain more than anything why mudskippers have evolved to carry around water in their gills. Being able to leave the water for a time may simply be a bonus. The larger species tend to eat crustacea, smaller ones worms, and some even prefer algae. Overall their diets are fairly hardy, and if their regular fare isn't available, they can easily change to more available foods. Having owned some as pets, these fish never cease to amaze me with their adaptations, and their behaviours. Though odd in appearance, they have a real charm that is hard to ignore. They can even be trained to climb on your hand. And they are always interested in what you are doing. :phones: Clearly my favorite fish, and I think, as far as evolutionary "oddities" go, this one wins my vote hands down! http://members.ozemail.com.au/~thebobo/mud.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudskippers Take care! Racoon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racoon Posted May 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 sea anenome Way Cool!They look like flowers, but are meat eating animals! :evil: They come in many sizes and colors. They attach themselves to corals or rocks and wait for their food to pass by.Then they sting it with tentacles and shove it into their mouths! :hihi: sometimes they even bury themselves in mud. This site has some really cool pics, scroll down:http://animal-world.com/encyclo/reef/anemones/anemones.htm &http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_anemone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racoon Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Killer Whales Or Orcas are really neat. But they are becoming extinct like a lot of other cool animals. :shocked: They get over 20 feet long and can weigh from 7 - 10 tons.Orcas are very social and travel in pods, and form Hierarchies led by the females. and use Echolocation like dolphins to get around.They eat seals, fish, squid, turtles, penguins, and even dolphins. :hihi: Killer Whales work together when hunting, and can even eat a grey whale! They are a Big Attraction in the San Juan Islands here in the Puget Sound.And British Columbia too.But they are suffering due to water pollution! :evil: Heres a couple links. 1 has some images, although its hard to find good free images seeing how all the little kids loved Keiko. :D http://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com/Features/Photos0201/index.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racoon Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Dragonflies! I love seeing Dragonflies. :hihi: They are important for wetland wildlife. Dragonflies are beautiful and spectacular flying insects,And among the most ancient of living creatures... Here is a link to some photos, and there is Lots of info on this site too! http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/thumb/81.htm what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chacmool Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Great link, Racoon! It must have been quite a mission to take the pictures displayed on the site. Dragonflies are indeed beautiful and fascinating creatures. I didn't know there were so many different species! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedars Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Dragonflies! I love seeing Dragonflies. :hihi: They are important for wetland wildlife. Dragonflies are beautiful and spectacular flying insects,And among the most ancient of living creatures... Here is a link to some photos, and there is Lots of info on this site too! http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/thumb/81.htm what do you think? Good Pick! And they have the coolest names too!Seaside Dragonlet - Banded Pennent - Widow Skimmer and anything that ends with Meadowhawk has to be cool! I saw one catch a fly and eat it. Took about 1 minute for that dragonfly to finish its meal. I could almost hear the crunching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 All of you underestimate the coolness of the ultra powerful, the ultra omnipresent, the ultra damage potent... RAT!!! /forums/images/smilies/devilsign.gif The limitless power it has to infiltrate your humble habitat!The incomparable potential it has to cause you fear...The awesome speed and agility!The superb reflexes! Bow down mortals!!!Respect your superiors!!! Or else suffer the concequences...BITTEN CLOTHES! Damn! They destroyed my favourite shirt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akw2000 Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Beaver is the ****! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Beaver is the ****!Yeah... so um... you like em or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes Benzene Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Yeah... so um... you like em or not? Good question... Anyway, I personally like elephants. I don't know why. I just always have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Elephants?! The RAT is far superior to the fat and clumsy elephant!! BUT! Who am I to critisise your likes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chacmool Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Anyway, I personally like elephants. I don't know why. I just always have.Maybe because the elephant is the largest land mammal alive today, with the largest one ever recorded weighing 12 000kg! I also like elephants, and I once had the privilege of seeing a herd of almost 100 elephants (in the Pilanesberg nature reserve). Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racoon Posted May 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 I had a pet rat once... Brody was his name. They are smart and cute as a pet in a cage...But foul and bad in the streets and sewers; ever hear of Bubonic Plague Ronthepon?Mice droppings can spread Hunta Virus. :confused: don't get it or you are SOL! links are nice to provide so people can SEE :) even a quick wiki, like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat That sounds really neat Chacmool, about seeing the Elephants.I rode one once. and I felt bad because it was a slave. :) They can poop 250 pounds a day :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronthepon Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 ever hear of Bubonic Plague Ronthepon?Mice droppings can spread Hunta Virus. :confused: don't get it or you are SOL! Exactly... FEAR THE MIGHT OF THE RATS!!! /forums/images/smilies/devilsign.gif Respect the capacity they have to multiply! Respect the power they have to get in your house! Fear the power they have to make a hole in your favorite shirt!! PS:They can poop 250 pounds a day :)HA! HA! HA!Ever seen a pile of their droppings?Massive!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drip Curl Magic Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 I've always loved beings with big eyes.... which might be why I like the Galago so much. (aka the bush baby) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_baby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racoon Posted June 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2006 Kiwi bird Imagine a bird thats flightless. :) how strange... Kiwis are found in New Zealand and are nocturnal by nature. The have a good sense of smell, and like to eat worms and bugs...yummy! They get to be about the size of a chicken, 3 - 9 pounds.Maori Indians used their feathers for making cloaks. Its closest DNA relative is the Osterich. :warped: I wonder why a flightless bird would evolve?? Nature is amazing... more info:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi&http://www.chemistry.co.nz/kiwibird.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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