Thursday 29 May 2014

News From Me

Hey every one I was just going to let you all know that I have been writing my own book since February 2013 last year, and have successfully finished it, I just needed some help on publishing, so please could you comment on the bottom of this post, I would be much obliged. 

Also I would like it if you could subscribe to my website and like my posts, and to those who have I'm most grateful.

Thank you :)  


Wish me luck.

The Common Sand piper / Actitis hypoleucos

The Common Sandpipers
 
The Common sand piper is very agile on land, but awkward flyers, they poke the sand for bugs or insects and that is probably the meaning for their names.
These birds are carnivores and that dine on crustaceans, insects, worms, and other coastal creatures. They retrieve them by meticulously pecking and probing with their short bills.

In flight, common sandpipers have a stiff-winged style and typically stay close to the water or ground. When airborne they tend to be vocal animals. They sound off with a distinctive three-note, piping-like cry—often represented as "twit-wie-wie-wie."

The bird is a European and Asian species, but is closely related to the similar-looking spotted sandpiper of the Americas.  The common sandpiper has a brown upper body and a white underside. When at rest its wing-tips reach halfway back to its tail. 

Sandpipers are familiar birds that are often seen running near the water's edge on beaches and tidal mud flats.

Size relative to cup:
Illustration: Sandpiper compared with tea cup

Thank you for reading.

Common Octopus / Octopus vulgaris

The Common Octopus

The common octopus can blend into it's surroundings to hide from predators and prey.The octopus has a massive bulbous head, large eyes, and eight distinctive arms ( like a spider)  But by far the most striking characteristic of the octopus is the wide array of techniques it uses to avoid it's attackers.

the common octopus can almost instantaneously match the colours, patterns, and even textures of its surroundings. Predators such as sharks, eels, and dolphins swim by without even noticing it!

Octopuses can release black ink, which is a distinctive smell that distracts predators, allowing the octopus to escape, they are also fast swimmers, And their soft bodies can squeeze into impossibly small cracks and crevices where predators can't follow.

If all else fails, an octopus can lose an arm to escape a predator's grasp and regrow it later with no permanent damage!
 They also have beak-like jaws that can deliver a nasty bite, and venomous saliva, used mainly for subduing prey.

Considered the most intelligent of all invertebrates, the common octopus is found in the tropical and temperate waters of the world’s oceans. They eat crabs, crayfish, and molluscs, and will sometimes use their ink to disorient their victims before attacking. 

Size relative to man:
Illustration: Octopus compared with adult man
I always thought that the common octopus was huge!

Common octopuses will collect crustacean shells and other objects to construct fortresses, or "gardens," around their lairs, also the octopus is an invertebrate and lives for only 1-2 years! they are carnivorous.

Two scenes from pirates the Caribbean - dead man's chest.

Wednesday 28 May 2014

10 New Species / 2014

The Top 10 New Species Of This Year ...

1. Photo of the olinguito. olinguito 

2. Photo of a new species of Leaf-tailed Gecko on a tree trunk. Gecko

3. The Skeleton Shrimp, Liropus male. skeleton of shrimp 

 4. A leaf-tailed Geckon, Saltuarius eximius. leaf tailed gecko

5. A Domed Land Snail, Zospeum tholussum. domed land snail

6. Detail of capitate region of the holotype, detailing the globelike, central structure and the radiating tracts of spiculeson. Ameboid protist

7. A Kaweesak's Dragon Tree. kaweesaks dragon tree (12 ft)

8. Tinkerbell Fairyfly, Tinkerbella nana, scanning electron micrograph of a female. Tinkerbell fairy fly

9. Clean Room Microbes, Tersicoccus phoenicis. clean room microbes

10. Orange Penicillium. orange penicillin 

Common Loon / Gavia immer

The Common Loon

The common loons are named for their clumsy, awkward appearance when walking on land. 
What a Loony. 

Their unusual cries, which vary from wails to tremolos to yodels, are distinct to individuals and can be heard at great distances. Loons have striking red eyes, black heads and necks, and white striping, checked, and spotting on their backs. They grow up to three feet, are invertebrates and live off mainly just fish.

Their predators are diverse and can strike from all directions as they include birds like gulls, ravens, and crows, fish such as pike, and land mammals such as raccoons, weasels, and skunks. They nest lakeside and incubate their eggs for 27 to 30 days. 

These birds are carnivores and live for 30 years, Loons can dive down to 200 ft!

There are many Native American legends about common loons. And to this day the Inuit legally hunt over 4,500 a year for subsistence. Loon populations are currently stable, but a number of threats loom, including human encroachment and pollution.

Size relative to man:
Illustration: Loon compared with adult man

Only video I can find of the Loon walking.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

The cockatiel /

The Cockatiel
 
History:

  • The Cockatiel was first discovered in Australia in 1770. It did not become popular until the Australian gold rush in the nineteen hundreds!
  •  In the wild, you'll see immense flocks of cockatiels circling the sky in search of large bodies of water where they can rest, breed, and escape from the Australian heat.
  • The cockatiel life span can reach up to 22 years, though the standard is 15 years. This life span is based on proper care, nutrition and environment where your tiel lives.
  • Male cockatiels are better are talking and whistling than female cockatiels. In the wild the male cockatiel use sounds to attract females.

Pets:

  • Also you must be careful with the fumes emitted from cookware coated with Teflon, because it can kill your Cockatiel.
  • Cockatiels are very sociable birds and will get depressed if they are left alone for long periods of time. They may hit their heads against cages, pull their feathers, refuse to eat, or become angry. It’s best to get a pair of cockatiels if you know you’ll be out of your house for long periods of time.

  • Cockatiels can be considered as the most widely kept parrot other than parakeet or budgie.
  •  Hand fed cockatiels are more likely to talk than the parent fed ones.
  • Drafty areas in your house can be very bad for your cockatiel, it can even kill them by making your tiel very sick. 
  • Don't place the cage anywhere there might be a direct or indirect draft like air conditioning vents. If you want to find out if there is a draft you are not aware of, place a candle in the area you are thinking of placing the cage. It if flickers, there's a draft there, so find another area for your cage.


    I myself have a pet cockatiel, called 'Birdy' my Dad bought him when I was a year old, I named him Birdy too ehehehe. 
    Here is an image of him...

    Common Earthworm / Lumbricus terrestris

    The Common Earthworm
      

    Some people may find this kind of subject disgusting but it isn't really a thing you can escape... anyway why be afraid they are HARMLESS.

    The reddish-grey-coloured common earthworm, often called a night crawler in the United States, is familiar to anyone with a fishing rod or a garden. They are indigenous to Europe, but are now abundant in North America and western Asia.

    Earthworms are a source of food for numerous animals, like birds, rats, and toads, and are frequently used in residential composting and as bait in commercial and recreational fishing. Their numbers are strong throughout their range, and sometimes pests in some areas.

    Earthworms’ bodies are made up of ring-like segments called annuli. These segments are covered in setae, or small bristles, which the worm uses to move and burrow.

    Worms are invertebrate, herbivores and can live for 6 years.

    Size relative to cup:
    Illustration: Earthworm compared with tea cup
    Worms are said to be blind, or their eyes are just very sensitive to light, so only come out at night, they are also like snails and slugs as they only come out in damp areas or they can dry up ... oh no.

    Coelacanth / Latimeria chalumnae

    The Coelacanth

    Photo: An endangered coelacanth fish

    In 1938 fossils were found by scientists, which means this fish is long extinct, they were thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

    They were thought to have been carnivores, because of their primitive appearance, they could also live up to 60 years and in groups names schools.

    Although you may think this fish is small from the image it is actually quite large!
    Illustration: Coelacanth compared with adult man

    Many scientists believe that the unique characteristics of the coelacanth represent an early step in the evolution of fish to terrestrial four-legged animals like amphibians. Other unique characteristics include a hinged joint in the skull which allows the fish to widen its mouth for large prey; an oil-filled tube, called a notochord, which serves as a backbone; thick scales common only to extinct fish; and an electro-sensory rostral organ in its snout likely used to detect prey.

    Their population numbers are, predictably, not well known, but studies in the Comoros suggest only about 1,000 remain there. They are considered an endangered species.




    Wednesday 7 May 2014

    Clown Anemonefish / Amphiprion percula

    The Clown Anemonefish


    Anyone who has seen the movie 'Finding Nemo'  probably thinks they know all there is to know about the clown anemonefish, or, most known as , clown-fish
    What they may not know is that the heroes of Finding Nemo are actually called false anemone fish. True anemone fish, Amphiprion percula, are nearly identical, but have subtle differences in shape and live in different habitats.

    Clown-fish perform an elaborate dance with an anemone before taking up residence, gently touching its tentacles with different parts of their bodies, they are a bright orange and have 3 black and white streaks down their sides.

    These fish are carnivore and live up to 6-10 years together they are called a school.
    Ironically, Finding Nemo, a movie about the anguish of a captured clown-fish, caused home-aquarium demand for them to triple.

    Size relative to cup:
    Illustration: Clown anemonefish compared with tea cup
    Surprisingly, all clown-fish are born male. They have the ability to switch their sex, but will do so only to become the dominant female of a group. The change is irreversible!
     Thanks for reading :)

    Monday 5 May 2014

    Clouded Leopards / Neofelis nebulosa

    The Clouded Leopard

    The clouded leopard... another of the many beautiful big cats, they live in the tropical forests of south-east Asia, this beautiful Asian cat, is named for its spotted coat.

    Most cats are good climbers, but the clouded leopard is near the top of its class. These big cats can even hang upside down beneath large branches, using their large paws and sharp claws to secure a good grip. Clouded leopards have short, powerful legs equipped with rotating rear ankles that allow them to safely down climb in a head first posture—much like a common squirrel. 

    Their sharp eyesight helps them judge distances well, and the cats use their long tails to maintain balance, Scientists believe that they do most of their hunting on the ground, feasting on deer, pigs, monkeys, and smaller fare such as squirrels or birds. They have the largest canine teeth of all wild cats.

     They are probably solitary animals, like most cats. Females give birth to a litter of one to five cubs every year, and the young leopards remain dependent upon their mother for about ten months.

    These mammals are carnivore and in groups are named leaps, they are vulnerable animals in the wild.

    The Cicada / Magicicada septendecim

    The Cicada
    There are more than 1,500 species of cicada, but one of the best known is the periodical cicada that emerges from the ground every seventeen years.

    Cicadas are probably best known for their buzzing and clicking noises, which can be amplified by multitudes of insects into an overpowering hum, males create a loud vibration from their abdomen.  When young cicada nymphs hatch from their eggs, they dig themselves into the ground to suck the liquids of plant roots. They spend several early life stages in these underground burrows before surfacing as adults. 

    Periodical cicadas do not create destructive plagues, as some locusts do, though tens or hundreds of thousands of insects may crowd into a single acre. Large swarms can overwhelm and damage young trees by feeding and laying eggs, but older trees usually escape without serious damage.
     
    The swarms look very scary and disgusting to me.
      

    they are distinguished by their stout bodies, broad heads, clear-membrane wings, and large compound eyes.

    The insect's amazing lifestyle has been a source of fascination since ancient times. Several cultures, such as the ancient Chinese, regarded these insects as powerful symbols of rebirth. The Chinese people also used their shells for their hair!

    Size relative to a small paper clip:
    Illustration: Cicada compared with paper clip

    These bugs are herbivores and survive for up to 17 years! In groups they are called either clouds or plagues.

    Friday 2 May 2014

    Elephant Calls!


    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/news-features/what-elephant-calls-mean/

    Check out the cool link above.
    Elephant calls

    Thursday 1 May 2014

    Chipmunk / Tamias

    The Chipmunk

      

     Their pudgy cheeks, large, glossy eyes, stripes, and bushy tails have made them a favorite among animators, and landed them a series of starring roles in Hollywood, known in the movie 'Alvin and the chipmunks'.

    Chipmunks,are the smallest members of the squirrel family, they feed on nuts, berries, seeds, and grains. They stuff food into their cheek pouches and carry it to their burrows to store. They are omnivores and give birth to live young, they live up to 1-2 years.

    Depending on species, chipmunks can be grey to reddish-brown in colour with contrasting dark and light stripes on the sides of their face and across their back and tail. 

    Chipmunks generally gather food on the ground in areas with under-brush, rocks, and logs, where they can hide from predators like hawks, foxes, coyotes, weasels, and snakes. They feed on insects, nuts, berries, seeds, fruit, and grain which they stuff into their generous cheek pouches and carry to their burrow or nest to store. Chipmunks hibernate, but instead of storing fat, they periodically dip into their cache of nuts and seeds throughout the winter.

    Although chipmunks hibernate, they do not store fat. Instead they slowly gnaw away at their summer bounty throughout the winter. 

    Size relative to man:


    Thank you for reading.

    Tuesday 29 April 2014

    Chimpanzee / Pan troglodytes

    The Chimpanzee

    Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing more than 98 percent of our genetic blueprint. Humans and chimps are also thought to share a common ancestor who lived some four to eight million years ago.

    Chimps also known as chimpanzees are found in African rainforests and live in mainly woodland, trees, or grassland. Chimps are generally fruit and plant eaters, but they also consume insects, eggs, and meat, including carrion. They have a tremendously varied diet that includes hundreds of known foods.

    These mammals are carnivores and live up to 45 years approx. 

    Females can give birth at any time of year, typically to a single infant that clings to its mother's fur and later rides on her back until the age of two. Females reach reproductive age at 13, while males are not considered adults until they are 16 years old.

    Size relative to man:
    Illustration: Chimpanzee compared with adult man

    Although chimps and humans are closely related, the apes have suffered much at human hands. These great apes are endangered and still threatened by bush-meat hunters and habitat destruction. These Apes are lovely if you treat them right, don't believe what the government says in the movies such as 'Dawn of the planet of Apes' they are not that vicious, like anything, if you annoy them, they will attack.

    Saturday 26 April 2014

    Cheetah / Acinonyx jubatus

    The Cheetah

    Cheetahs are one of the fastest land mammals, in the world, they could easily leave a car in the dust as they can speed from 0-60 miles an hour in only 3 seconds! 
    These big cats are quite nimble at high speed and can make quick and sudden turns in pursuit of prey.

    This big cat is a daylight hunter that benefits from stealthy movement and a distinctive spotted coat that allows it to blend easily into high, dry grasses.
    When the moment is right a cheetah will sprint after its quarry and attempt to knock it down. 

    Most wild cheetahs are found in eastern and south-western Africa. Perhaps only 7,000 to 10,000 of these big cats remain, and those are under pressure as the wide-open grasslands they favour are disappearing at the hands of human settlers.

    Female cheetahs typically have a litter of three cubs and live with them for one and a half to two years. Young cubs spend their first year learning from their mother and practising hunting techniques with playful games.

    These mammals are carnivores and they can live up to 10 to 12 years, their protection status is vulnerable at the moment.

    Size relative to man:
    Illustration: Cheetah compared with adult man

    Cheetahs eyes are normally, brown, orange or blue.