Enough to go on

Is this photo enough to go on to identify this creature? I'm assuming its a mollusk of some sort - snail? All I know is that its eyestalks have antennae. That's a handy upgrade.

UPDATE: Booge has discovered that this is a conch. Well done, booge.

Photo source: Knuttz.net

Vultur Gryphus

Here's one of my favorite vultures: the Andean Condor (vultur gryphus). These New World carrion-eaters nearly became extinct due to aggressive hunting. But they are making a dramatic comeback due to equally aggressive conservation and captive-breeding efforts.

They can have a wingspan of ten feet and live for fifty years. This particular bird looks to be a male, given the waddle and fine-looking flesh crest above his beak. The folds and ridges on his head make me wonder if there is any Klingon in his ancestry. I wouldn't put breeding with a carrion-eater past a Klingon.

Photo source: Frank Wouters

Camelid Transport

What do you do when you have a pair of camels to move and all you've got is a small truck? I'm not sure, but at least check the suspension on your Peugeot.

Photo source: Knuttz




















Or, what if you have a well-groomed alpaca to take down the road, and all you have is a economy sedan? Do the right thing and roll down the windows.


















I guess different parts of the world have different standards when it comes to moving livestock.

Fruit and Feet

Here's a pair of elderly chimpanzees eating their fruit with abandon. What a nice, healthy diet. High in fiber, beta-carotene, your vitamins and minerals.

But, I have to admit, if I could use my feet to assist in my eating, like this apple-toting chimp can do, then I would be even pudgier than I am. I would have twinkie filler and burger grease between my toes, along with a pizza cheese trail following me wherever I went.

Photo source: Knuttz

Coffee Fiends

It's a little known fact that banana slugs are coffee fiends. Rick encountered them trying to sneak drinks from his thermos three days in a row. Here is culprit # 3, who was satisfied with licking the dried coffee on the lip of the lid.

I can only assume that once Starbucks catches wind of this they'll begin an intensive study of the banana slug to see exactly what causes such cravings, and then have that chemical added to our drinking water. If in a few months you find yourself upping your coffee consumption and secreting a protective slime coat, then you'll know I'm right.

Thanks, Rick. Not everyone has the presence of mind to take a picture of the slugs drinking their coffee.

Running the Gauntlet

I have a particularly strong phobia when it comes to garden spiders, or any of your orb weavers. So when Heather sent me this photo of one she found in her doorway the other morning, I had to pass it along to you.

Right now these spiders are running rampant all over my property. Not only do they show up in my car, but I have to walk down the walk way from my house with my hands in front of me to ensure that I don't get a mouthful of unseen web (I leave for work before the sun comes up). Yes, every morning is a 'running-the-gauntlet' moment for me. It wakes me up.

Thanks for the photo, Heather.

On a Chain

Hmm. Well. So, I've got this hyena on a leash. Yep. Now I guess I'll just...well. My options are limited, cuz I've got a hyena leash in my hand. I'll just go ahead and, er--

What's that saying about catching a tiger by its tail?

Photo source: Knuttz

For Dinner

Check out dermatonotus muelleri, better known as Mueller's Termite Frog. I'm having a hard time finding anything out about this amphibian aside from the fact that it probably eats termites. That's a good thing (unless you're a termite). But that bottom photo looks disturbingly like a trio of frogs set in 9x13 pan. I hope there's no casserole planned for dinner.

Thanks for the links, Rasmus.

Photo from: LivingUnderworld.org


















Photo from: Theta