Animalia
grrlscientist | February 18, 2010tags: whale, humpback whale, seabirds, Whale Versus Bird, Vancouver Aquarium, British Columbia, education, streaming video
Imagine you're a bird, you're minding your own business, leading your flock, when out of nowhere -- Humpback Whale tail! Either the Humpback has a serious dislike for birds, or while feeding this coincidence occurred. This video was shot in Juan Perez Sound, British Columbia, within the boundaries of Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site.
Hat tip to my spouse, Bob O'Hara, who is celebrating his birdday today. Be sure to give him the gift of a cheap thrill by…
grrlscientist | September 18, 2009tags: nature, animals, streaming video
This video points out that people are not the center of the universe, as so many of us think we are. And one of those animals that are superior to humans are the penguins. Can you think of why that might be?
grrlscientist | April 18, 2009tags: HR669, pets, exotic animals, invasive species, pet animal trade, PetSmart, politics
As expected, PetSmart has officially spoken out against HR 669. As a large corporation, you KNOW PetSmart has a flock of lawyers who are studying legislation such as this to make sure that laws are not enacted that would damage them or their clients. While PetSmart supports the primary aim of this bill -- to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive nonnative animal species into this country -- they point out that HR 669, as written, will damage the pet industry and harm pet owners ("pet parents…
grrlscientist | April 18, 2009tags: HR669, pets, exotic animals, invasive species, ornamental fish trade, aquaculture, New England Aquarium, politics
This morning, I was contacted by Scott Dowd, a biologist who specializes in studying fishes in the Amazon with the New England Aquarium. Scott sent this letter, written yesterday by Bud Ris, the President and CEO of the New England Aquarium, regarding their official position on HR 669. Scott gave permission for me to share the text of the letter here, which appears below the fold, and I also have permission to share the PDF of the letter with interested others.…
grrlscientist | March 25, 2009tags: new species, Papua New Guinea, Zoology, Biodiversity
A large brilliant green tree frog, Nyctimystes species, with enormous eyes, was discovered by scientists next to a clear-running mountain river.
Image: Steve Richards/Conservation International.
A brilliant green tree tree frog with giant black eyes, tentatively classified as a Nyctimystes species, is one of 56 new species of animals discovered during a 2008 expedition to the remote island of Papua New Guinea.
This species of frog is specially adapted to its habitat of rushing freshwater rivers: females lay their eggs underneath…
grrlscientist | March 3, 2009tags: human-chimp hybrid, humanzee, chuman, science, streaming video
Humans and chimps have DNA that is something close to 99% identical, so could there ever be a human-chimpanzee hybrid -- a Humanzee? Watch this video to learn the answer to this question [2:28]
grrlscientist | February 4, 2009tags: Golden Rays, cow nosed rays, Rhinoptera steindachneri, Sandra Critelli, image of the day
Golden (cow nosed) Rays, Rhinoptera steindachneri, gathering off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, near the coast of Mexico. This spectacular scene was captured as the magnificent creatures made one of their biannual mass migrations to more agreeable waters.
Image: Sandra Critelli [larger view].
Looking like giant leaves floating in the sea, thousands of Golden Ray s are seen here gathering off the coast of Mexico. The spectacular scene was captured as the magnificent creatures made one…
grrlscientist | January 24, 2009tags: Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis, Joel Sartore, National Geographic, image of the day
Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis.
195 animals remaining (Estimated U.S. population is fewer than 100 wild, 95 captive).
Image: Joel Sartore/National Geographic [larger view].
The photographer writes;
Wild ocelots are gone from all U.S. states except Texas, driven out by human development. The elusive cats still roam the wilds of Central and South America, but there's little reliable data on their true numbers.
Joel Sartore has shared some of his work on this blog before, so I am thrilled to tell you that…
grrlscientist | December 24, 2008tags: Central Park, NYC, racoon, image of the day
Central Park Racoon.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George [larger view].
The photograher writes:
I am offering this image from my "Almost Too Cute For Words File." Last year my holiday offering was also of a Raccoon. That's not surprising as they are one of my favorite photographic subjects. I am not well acquainted with this particular critter though I have reason to believe that we did meet when he or she was extremely young. I had lost track of a female I knew had a newborn cub when she abandoned her den after a storm deposited broken…
grrlscientist | December 18, 2008tags: California Raisins, holidays, funny, humor, parody, streaming video
Are you in the Holiday Spirit yet? No? Well watch this silly video and maybe this will help you get there ... [2:54]
grrlscientist | December 17, 2008tags: animal christmas, funny, humor, parody, streaming video
This hilarious little video is filled with lots of animals who are wishing you a happy christmas! How can you not watch this? [1:20]
grrlscientist | December 13, 2008tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, snow leopard, nature, image of the day
Snow leopard, Panthera uncia.
Image: Stephen Oachs, United States [larger view].
My friends at National Geographic have provided permission for me to share some of the images from their recent 2008 International Photography Contest.
Nature Winner.
The photographer writes;
The incredibly beautiful snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is indigenous to the mountains of Central Asia. Their dense coats and snowshoe-like paws are ideally suited for their cold, dry, rocky native environment.…
grrlscientist | December 11, 2008tags: National Geographic, 2008 International Photography Contest, dolphins, nature, image of the day
Image: Andrew Wong [larger view].
Nature Honorable Mention.
The photographer writes;
Dolphins are known to jump out the back of big waves as they break against the shores. This pod of bottlenose dolphins was leisurely surfing in the waves as the offshore wind blew against the incoming waves, creating an atmosphere that was most unique and magical. At a place called Waterfall Bluff in the Transkei, South Africa.
grrlscientist | November 5, 2008tags: politics, Nellie gets the news, image of the day
Nellie Gets The News.
Image: Bob Levy, author of Club George, 2008 [larger view].
The photographer writes: Central Park Raccoons do not have the luxury of cable news or NPR. It was my honor to be the one to break the news to Nellie.
grrlscientist | October 4, 2008tags: Hebridean Black-faced Sheep, Scotland, Image of the Day
Hebridean Black-faced Sheep near Arnol (Isle of Lewis, Scotland)
Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].
grrlscientist | October 3, 2008tags: Gray Seal, Halichoerus grypus, Wildlife of Scotland, Image of the Day
Image: Dave Rintoul, Summer 2008 [larger view].
Gray Seal, Halichoerus grypus, at the ferry dock in Uig (Isle of Skye, Scotland).
The translation of the scientific name for this species is "hook-nosed sea pig".
grrlscientist | July 30, 2008tags: flamingos, baboons, nature, streaming video
This streaming National Geographic video shows a group of hungry baboons in Kenya's Lake Bogoria that find themselves surrounded by a million unsuspecting, and unprotected, flamingos. I am sure you can guess what happens next. [2:40]
grrlscientist | July 28, 2008tags: twin baby moose, sprinkler, Anchorage Alaska, streaming video
Here's a sweet little video showing twin baby moose playing in a sprinkler in the back yard of a resident of Anchorage, Alaska. Mom also gets in on the fun. June 2008. [3:52]
grrlscientist | July 1, 2008tags: Underwater Astonishments, marine biology, evolution, streaming video
David Gallo shows jaw-dropping footage of amazing sea creatures, including a shape-shifting cuttlefish, a pair of fighting squid, and a mesmerizing gallery of bioluminescent fish that light up the blackest depths of the ocean. He focuses on the work of two scientists: Edith Widder at the Ocean Research & Conservation Association, and Roger Hanlon at the Marine Biological Lab. [6:01]
grrlscientist | May 30, 2008tags: mountain cow, Baird's tapir, Tapirus bairdii, mammals, streaming video
This streaming video shows you a little bit about the mountain cow .. the tapir. In this case, the Baird's Tapir, Tapirus bairdii, the state animal of Belize, a country in Central America. This animal, which is endangered, is not a cow at all, but is related to horses and rhinoceros [1:47].
There is one mistake on this video. When a person discovers a new species they cannot name it after themselves -- that's a rule.