Flyingfish Takes Flight
To glide upward out of the water, a flying fish moves its tail up to 70 times per second. It then spreads its pectoral fins and tilts them slightly upward to provide lift. At the end of a glide, it folds its pectoral fins to reenter the sea, or drops its tail into the water to push against the water to lift itself for another glide, possibly changing direction. The curved profile of the “wing” is comparable to the aerodynamic shape of a bird wing. The fish is able to increase its time in the air by flying straight into or at an angle to the direction of updrafts created by a combination of air and ocean currents… (read more: Wikipedia)
(photo: NOAA)
Malaysian Horned Frog (Megophrys nasutum)
by Todd Mexico
Megophrys nasuta can be found on the forest floors of Southeast Asia, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the Indo-Australian Archipelogo. They can be found on the rain forest floors, usually near small streams. Males are often substantially smaller than females (who get up to 5 in, 12.7 cm length), rarely more than half their size.
Little information is available on the natural breeding of these frogs, however captive reproduction is fairly common. They are oviparous with the females attaching the egg clusters to the underside of rocks and logs which are water swept and are partially or entirely submerged.
This is a secretive anuran. It hides among the leaf-littered ground motionless until an unsuspecting prey item passes by. They then are explosive attackers, jumping onto the prey and immediately engulfing it. Adding to the secretive nature is their call. It is soft “Ching!” which is produced only as a single note, and stops at the slightest disturbance. It is a ferocious predator. It uses it’s cryptic coloration and unusual appearance to prey on a wide variety of unsuspecting animals on the forest ground. Typically they feed on arachnids, nestling rodents, lizards and other frogs…
(read more: Animal Diversity Web) (photo: A. Jaszlics)
A good motivation is what is needed: compassion without dogmatism, without complicated philosophy; just understanding that others are human brothers and sisters and respecting their human rights and dignities. That we humans can help each other is one of our unique human capacities.
The Dalai Lama
It’s Me! I’m very new to tumblr and very disoriented and confused, so pardon my lack of knowing what to do…
