More Wildlife Photo Winners

Below are some photos from National Geographic's "Best Wildlife Photos" for 2006.

In this picture, the turtle is getting a full-body cleaning and massage from the fish at Turtle Pinnacle near Kailua Kona, Hawaii. The photographer noted that turtles that come there rarely have to wait long for such a treatment from the fish, though some get more attention than others depending on how much algae they have on them. The algae-eaters are colorful yellow tang and goldring surgeonfish, a species found only around the Hawaiian Islands. Also indigenous to the region is the saddleback wrasse, seen underneath, which feeds on dead and damaged skin.



The below picture features the rare Indo-Malayan mimic octopus, a species that was first described only a year ago. The mimic octopus is a master of disguise. When the photographer first saw the octopus, it was pretending to be an eel. As he swam along with it, he saw it go on to assume the appearance of a sole, a ray, and then a sea snake. Its "repertoire" of disguises are used for both hunting and hiding, and also include such shapes as hermit crabs, jellyfish, and sea cucumbers. In the picture, the 1.5-foot-long octopus is mimicking a feather star, an animal related to the sea star, or starfish.

Grow your own Luffa sponge!

Check out this how-to article on growing your own Luffa sponge. Below are some of the pictures from the article:

NWF Photo Contest

Below are some pictures from the National Wildlife photo contest. The picture of the owl was the winner, and was taken right before the photographer ducked out of the way.

Why are Venus flytraps so fast?

A team of scientists and engineers has discovered how the carnivorous Venus flytrap is able to close its leaves around an insect in 0.04 seconds.

Unlike animals, plants have no muscles or brains and are not known for their ability to move quickly. However, the secret has been revealed: The flytrap's leaves snap from convex to concave the same way that a contact lens can flip inside out.

The team cut up leaves to study their natural curls, and also painted fluorescent dots on intact leaves to track their insect-devouring action with high-speed cameras. Like most lenses, Venus flytrap leaves are doubly curved, that is, curved in two directions, which allows the leaves to store elastic energy.

The question of what initiates the snap buckling remains unanswered. It starts when stiff hairs on the leaves’ edges are touched. Scientists suspect some high-pressure movement of water through the leaves makes them start to curl in a way that initiates the snap buckling.

Humpback whales have 'human' brain cells

Humpback whales have been found to have a type of brain cell seen only in humans, the great apes, and other cetaceans such as dolphins.

This might mean such whales are more intelligent than they have been given credit for, and suggests the basis for complex brains either evolved more than once, or has gone unused by most species of animals.

The finding may help explain some of the behaviors seen in whales, such as intricate communication skills, the formation of alliances, cooperation, cultural transmission and tool usage.

Are fish stupid?

Contrary to the popular assumption that fish are stupid, scientists have discovered that they are actually adept learners, with distinct personalities that change as they pick up information about the world.

The study found that rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) remember experiences so well that they alter their behavior in line with what they learn, and that they have contrasting personalities. Some are bold and some are shy. The bold fish take risks, they are quick to learn, more aggressive and active. Shy fish are cautious and timid, and spend more time under cover.

7,500 Miles On $5 In Gas, Veggie Oil

A high school student in Atlanta named Bill Bridgers has converted his diesel pickup truck to run almost exclusively on used vegetable oil. He has been driving across the country with his father and a friend, informing people about alternative fuel possibilities along the way. He is chronicling his journey at VegTheUsa.com.

Bridgers uses a large filter to get food particles and impurities out of the oil, which is then heated to 180 degrees and pumped into the truck's engine. He says he has lots of friends in the restaurant business who give him their used oil, which is just a waste product to them. Gasoline is only used when the truck is first turned on, then just before it's turned off.

So far Bridgers says he and his companions have driven 7,500 miles and spent just $5 on gas. The rest of the time, his truck has been running on the vegetable oil.

Nature on an 8.5x11 Sheet of Paper

What Tree is That?

Most trees can be identified by studying their leaves, seeds, and fruit. This website contains a glossary of tree terms, as well as a flash animation that will help you learn to identify these characteristics and take a step-by-step approach to arrive at the name of your tree.

Dolphin with "Remains of Legs"

Researchers in Japan captured a bottlenose dolphin that has an extra set of fins that could be the remains of back legs (see picture). This discovery may provide further evidence that dolphins once lived on land.

Fossil remains show dolphins and whales were four-footed land animals about 50 million years ago and share the same common ancestor as hippos and deer. Scientists believe they later transitioned to an aquatic lifestyle and their hind limbs disappeared.

Though odd-shaped protrusions have been found near the tails of dolphins and whales captured in the past, researchers say this was the first time one had been found with well-developed, symmetrical fins.

Bug Gallery

Check out this gallery of neat bug pictures. Below are a few samples:

Elephants are Self-aware

Elephants can recognize their reflection, placing them in an elite group of self-aware animals that includes humans, apes and dolphins.

Scientists made the discovery after setting up a mirror in front of three female elephants at Bronx Zoo in New York. The animals used it to watch themselves eat and used their trunks to examine inside their mouths.

One repeatedly touched an X painted on her forehead with her trunk. The mark could be seen only in the mirror.