Doom Watch

This photo of a hooded vulture is aptly named 'Doom Watch'. If I woke up to this face peering at me through my bedroom window, I'd know that I wasn't meant to survive the day. My only hope would be to go on some quest to the netherworld to placate the Vulture Gods. I'd probably have to wrestle Cerberus or trick Anubis into granting me one wish. I hope that never happens.

Thanks for the link, Abigail.

Photo courtesy: Jon Lucas, via DP Challenge

Not So Cute

I make it a point not to post on deformed animals. This site isn't a freakshow. But, occassionally, I do like to put the spotlight on disturbing trends, such as my post on white tigers. Lorri sent these photos of a hairless palomino foal (with mom in the bottom one). This is a sad mutation, since it results in a truncated lifespan for the afflicted horse. It is, therefore, never intentionally bred into the animal.

I'm posting on this because I thought it dovetailed nicely with an article that one of my readers, Michael, sent me. It is a New York Time's article that reports on the Japanese obsession with cute and cuddly pets. The problem with this craze is that it is fed by rampant inbreeding and puppy mills, and it results in deformed, tortured, and sickly animals.

My point is this: every new breed of animal we create invariably involves some inbreeding. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is all too often abused. Let's stay away from these Hollywood fads and bear in mind that these are living critters. For every mini chihuahua Paris Hilton carts around, there is one of its littermates that was born missing its paws, nose, or eyes, or with a brain disorder. That's not so cute.

Thanks for the photos, Lorri, and thanks for the article, Michael.

Giant Squid Caught

You're looking at one of the only photos ever taken of a live giant squid. A team of intrepid Japanese scientists laid a lure thousands of feet down and snagged this massive specimen earlier this month.

Alas, the poor beast didn't survive the capturing process. It's for the best, though. If he had survived, and then had been released back into the wild, I'm sure the other giant squids would have roughed him up for blowing their centuries-long streak of not being seen by man. You would hate to be the first squid to blow that deal.

Thanks for the link, Banno.

Photo courtesy: Reuters

Score One for the Lizards

Betsy took this photo of a land iguana while visiting the Galapagos Islands. These lizards are the red-headed step child of the Galapagos; their marine relatives get all the love and attention.

Even Darwin had his hater goggles on when he commented on them: "...they are ugly animals, of a yellowish orange beneath, and of a brownish-red colour above: from their low facial angle they have a singularly stupid appearance." Sheesh, Charles. Take it easy! But the iguanas got him back. At one point, he couldn't find a place to pitch his tent because of their ubiquitous burrows. Score one for the lizards.

Thanks for the photo, Betsy.

Prehistoric Monster Fish

This is perhaps the most appropriately named animal on the planet. A genius named this one the 'prehistoric monster fish' (aka thallasophryne amazonica). That is its actual name. I love it! They could have gone with 'spiny fin fish', or 'ambush fish', or even 'li'l amazon'. But no, they called it as they saw it. Finally, someone with some sense.

Thanks for the link, Rasmus.

Photo courtesy: Practical Fishkeeping

Bad Attitude

Behold the bactrian camel (as opposed to the dromedary). Unlike their one-humped cousins, these animals are native to cold, mountainous climates in China and Tibet. They can carry up to 600 lbs, covering 40 miles a day without water for weeks at a time. That probably explains this guy's grimace.

I'd leave him out of the caravan today (or the zoo's morning line-up). Bad attitudes have a way of being infectious.

Photo courtesy: Dave Clark

Oxymoronic Turtle

Here is a muddy long-necked turtle. That serpentine neck puts paid to the myth that all turtles are ponderously slow beasts. It's used to strike out like a snake at passing fish and tadpoles.

No matter how much I come across it, I just can't get used to the idea of a hunting turtle. It seems oxymoronic, like jumbo shrimp or ugly babies.

Photo courtesy: Cyron Masey

Spider Love

The male redback spider is drawn inexorably forward, his lady a beautiful mass of abdomen and legs. Her bulk threatens to drive him into a frenzy.














He scrambles across her web to where she waits with open appendages. Her eight eyes sparkle in the evening light. He knows where his fate lies, but he cannot withstand her.

















At last they meet. They revel in the closeness, and are captivated by one another's mouthparts and palps. He somersaults his abdomen towards her mouth. She bathes him in digestive juices...

...okay, enough.

That's disgusting, and you get the picture.















Just as with several other spider species, this male won't survive the mating process. In fact, it is only as he is being dissolved by her digestive juices that he is able to mate at all. His is a one shot deal. Bad break.

We non-spiders have a lot to be thankful for.

Photos (1, 2, & 3) courtesy: Curtis Morton.