Studies of the Dream

moreanimalia: astronomy-to-zoology: Blackbuck (Antilope...

sheronam — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:36:29 +0000

astronomy-to-zoology: Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

is a species of antelope native to India. They get the name blackbuck simply because the males are a chocolate/black color. They are usually found in small herds of around 20 individuals led by a dominant buck. Apparently they are very fast as well with some animals recording reaching speeds of 50 mph. Over-hunting reduced their populations in the past but the blackbuck is making a return and is currently listed as least concern.

Phylogeny: Animalia-Chordata-Mammalia-Artiodactyla-Bovidae-Antilope-cervicapra

Image Source(s)

reptilefacts: astronomy-to-zoology: Guatemalan Palm Viper...

sheronam — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:50:07 +0000

reptilefacts:

astronomy-to-zoology: Guatemalan Palm Viper (Bothriechis aurifer)

Also known as the Yellow-blotched palm-pitviper, the Guatemalan Palm Viper is a species of pit viper endemic to Mexico and Guatemala. Like most Palm vipers B. aurifer uses venom to kill its prey, the venom has been known to cause necrosis and bruising if untreated it could lead to limb loss or death. This species is usually found around 1,500m above sea level where it hunts diurnally.

Phylogeny: Animalia-Chordata-Reptilia-Squamata-Serpentes-Viperidae-Crotalinae-Bothriechis-aurifer

Image Source(s)

explosionsoflife: In honor of Valentine’s day, I bring you...

sheronam — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:39:22 +0000

explosionsoflife:

In honor of Valentine’s day, I bring you puppy love in the form of wild canid pups.

1. Coyote (Canis latrans)
2. Fennec fox (Vulpes zerda)
3. African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
4. Swift fox (Vulpes velox)
5. Golden jackal (Canis aureus)
6. Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis)
7. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
8. Gray wolf (Canis lupus)
9. Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)

rhamphotheca: Hypuronector is a genus of extinct reptile from...

sheronam — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:59:05 +0000

rhamphotheca:

Hypuronector is a genus of extinct reptile from the Triassic Period that lived in what is now New Jersey. The etymology of the name translates as “deep-tailed swimmer from the lake.” A member of the Simiosauria, Hypuronector is related to the arboreal Megalancosaurus. It was a small animal, estimated to be only 12 cm long in life. So far dozens of specimens of Hypuronector are known, but despite this, scientists have not found any complete skeletons. This makes attempts to reconstruct Hypuronector’s body or life-style highly speculative and controversial…

(read more: Wikipedia) (illustration by Smokeybjb)

rhamphotheca: Longisquama … is an extinct genus of lizard-like...

sheronam — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:49:56 +0000

rhamphotheca:

Longisquama

… is an extinct genus of lizard-like reptile. There is only one species, Longisquama insignis, known from a poorly preserved skeleton and several incomplete fossil impressions from the Middle to Late Triassic Madygen Formation in Kyrgyzstan.

Longisquama means “long scales”; the specific name insignis refers to its small size. The Longisquama holotype is notable for a number of long structures that appear to grow from its skin. These structures have been interpreted as either primitive feathers suggesting Longisquama is a close relative of birds, or as feather-like structures that have evolved independently and do not indicate a close relationship with birds.

Longisquama has been used in a heavily publicized debate on of the origin of birds. To some, Longisquama is the gliding, cold-blooded, protobird predicted by Gerhard Heilmann’s hypothetical “Proavis” in 1927, and it proves that birds are not dinosaurs. The current opinion is that Longisquama is an ambiguous diapsid and has no bearing on the origin of birds…

(read more: Wikipedia) (images: T - Nobu Tamura; B - Qilong)

moreanimalia: denizensofearth: Ring-tailed Coati, Nasua...

sheronam — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:00:38 +0000

moreanimalia:

denizensofearth: Ring-tailed Coati, Nasua nasua

Coatis are found in North, Central and South America, primarily in dense forest and jungle habitats though there are species found in grasslands, mountains and even deserts. They are medium-sized mammals related to raccoons. There are five recognized species in two genera: the White-nosed, Ring-tailed (or South American) and Cozumel Coatis of the genus Nasua, and the East and West Mountain Coatis of the genus Nasuella. There is some controversy over whether the Cozumbel Coati is merely a subspecies of the South American Coati, and whether the two genera should be merged. Very little is known about the mountain coatis.

The Ring-tailed Coati is found widely in tropical and sub-tropical South America especially in the lowlands east of the Andes. Chile is the only South American country in which this species is not found. These coatis typically live in forest and are comfortable on the ground or in the trees. They eat fruit, invertebrates, small animals and birds’ eggs. Females live in large group called bands of 15 to 30 individuals, while males are solitary except during the breeding season. They are not territorial so bands and males’ paths may cross. Females come into heat simultaneously when fruit is most readily available (during the rainy season) and leave the band to give birth to their kits. After about five weeks, the mother and her kits rejoin the band. Females typically remain in the band they are born into but males leave after a few years.

Ring-tailed Coatis are variable in color and can be tan to a reddish color; the rings on their tails are not more distinct that other species, but they lack the white nose and eye markings of the White-nosed Coati.(x)

giraffe-in-a-tree: big kiwi by tumataj on Flickr.

sheronam — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:46:28 +0000

giraffe-in-a-tree:

big kiwi by tumataj on Flickr.

moreanimalia: animals-animals-animals: Spotted Nutcracker (by...

sheronam — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:34:30 +0000

moreanimalia:

animals-animals-animals: Spotted Nutcracker (by Dennis Lorenz)

astronomy-to-zoology: Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus...

sheronam — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 06:30:34 +0000

astronomy-to-zoology:

Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)

Is a species of sea duck native to northeastern North America. Named for the males impressive blue, white and chestnut markings. Females on the other hand are a less impressive brown color. Like most sea ducks they feed in the ocean where they will either dive or dabble for a meal of crustaceans or molluscs. During breeding season the will move to inland streams where they will nest.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Aves-Anseriformes-Anatidae-Merginae-Histrionicus-histrionicus

Image source(s)

mad-as-a-marine-biologist: Nembrotha lineolata gobbling on a...

sheronam — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:47:58 +0000

mad-as-a-marine-biologist:

Nembrotha lineolata gobbling on a tunicate by Samantha Craven

giraffe-in-a-tree: Orange striped triggerfish by Mickle Huang...

sheronam — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:43:54 +0000

giraffe-in-a-tree:

Orange striped triggerfish by Mickle Huang on Flickr.

giraffe-in-a-tree: Red-and-yellow barbet couple, no longer on...

sheronam — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:43:12 +0000

giraffe-in-a-tree:

Red-and-yellow barbet couple, no longer on speaking terms … by mikel.hendriks on Flickr.

moreanimalia: fairy-wren: Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher (photo...

sheronam — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:42:52 +0000

moreanimalia:

fairy-wren: Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher (photo by dubi shapiro)

moreanimalia: alltailnolegs: crispysnakes: Taiwanese Beauty...

sheronam — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:23:33 +0000

by robferblue on Flickr

moreanimalia:

alltailnolegs:

crispysnakes:

Taiwanese Beauty Rat Snake

Looove beauties. On my list of wants, if there’s ever a good blue hatchling at the right time and place.

These photos really don’t do them justice!

giraffe-in-a-tree: ——Herons & Sunset—— by land.nick on...

sheronam — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:23:10 +0000

giraffe-in-a-tree:

——Herons & Sunset—— by land.nick on Flickr.

gyrkinlens: Octopus eggs.

sheronam — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:09:16 +0000

gyrkinlens:

Octopus eggs.

moreanimalia: ichthyologist: African Masked Weaver (Ploceus...

sheronam — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:08:04 +0000

moreanimalia:

ichthyologist: African Masked Weaver (Ploceus velatus)

Weaver birds, as their name suggests, weave intricate nests out of reeds and grasses. Nesting in colonies, males have several female partners and build around 25 nests every season.

Derek Keats on Flickr

Chris Eason on Flickr

giraffe-in-a-tree: “Where’s My Dinner” by Gordy Glen on...

sheronam — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:05:45 +0000

giraffe-in-a-tree:

“Where’s My Dinner” by Gordy Glen on Flickr.

giraffe-in-a-tree: fersurebomb: tai-kwon-joe: Sometimes, the...

sheronam — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:04:04 +0000

giraffe-in-a-tree:

fersurebomb:

tai-kwon-joe:

Sometimes, the adolescent elephant will throw itself upon the ground as a sign of extreme emotional distress, commonly known as a “tantrum.”

i am an adolescent elephant

look at him. Hes just like im 10000% done with life

moreanimalia: coelasquid: pepperonideluxe: somebody help me...

sheronam — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:44:01 +0000

moreanimalia:

coelasquid:

pepperonideluxe:

somebody help me my blog is turning into cute animal blog again.

I remember one time we went to a petting zoo and a bunch of baby goats clustered under my mom’s wheelchair and tried to eat the wiring.

And another time I went to a petting zoo with Emily and all the goats herded around me and then started moving as a uniform mass and I had to just kind of wiggle hop scoot along with them until they split apart enough for me to escape.

goats are adorable even though they will eat anything and everything