Transmitter

Elephant seals are massive animals. There's a lot of surface area on which to plant a transmitter. I wonder why the researcher chose the head of all places as the best place to afix this one. Seems inconvenient to me, but what do I know? My transmitter was firmly planted on my rump years ago and it hasn't hindered me much at all.

Unless, of course, as Rasmus pointed out, the transmitter also functions as a mind control device. I can only imagine the power one would wield with a swarm (pod, herd, school, gaggle...) of elephant seals under one's control...

As a side note, how did the photographer manage to get both mommy and baby to look at the camera? I can't get my own kids to cooperate like that, and they don't weigh enough to smother me! Regardless, that transmitter makes this otherwise touching picture look eerie and incongruous.

Thanks for the link, Rasmus.

Photo source: Deep Sea News

Public Service Announcement

This post is more of a public service. I know that many of you woke up with this morning wondering if you were at risk of encountering a vampire bat. So let me lay it out straight for you: you are at risk.* In fact, you will most likely be attacked tonight.* And you probably won't survive the encounter.* I am sorry.

Thanks for the photo, Shaina.















* This assumes that you are a livestock animal that lives in Mexico, Central or South America, near a vampire bat lair, who will spook at seeing your blood dripping from the small incision the bat makes, and then bolt onto the highway into oncoming traffic.

Deep in Contemplation

Humans tend to stroke their chins when contemplating something of great profundity. I assume that the siamang equivalent is to stroke your inflated throat sac when contemplating at whom you would like to throw your next steaming pile of excrement.

Thanks for clueing me into the siamang, Lorri. I've neglected this vine-swinging primate for far too long.

Photo source: knox9000

When the Going Gets Tough..?

This photo is too much! These two hapless fish-handlers have a hagfish in their grip. The woman is sporting a nauseated look, in contrast to her shirt...When the going gets tough...the tough get queasy?

The man, on the other hand, looks weary and resigned. Maybe he's even having an existential crisis. I can understand that. I can't imagine the scenario that would involve me handling a hagfish like this.

Thanks for the photo, Morgan

Photo source: NOAA

Fluorescing Spider

Below is a ' fluorescing spider' (that's a nifty screen name for any of you non-bloggers to sign up with...). In the science world it is known as Enoplognatha ovata. So what does one have to do to be labeled 'fluorescing?" Why, you need to glow like this under UV light (which I don't, sadly).

The BBC reports that scientists at Portland State University "discovered that many spiders from different families fluoresce. They suggest it has something to do with getting food and avoiding being eaten."

Hmm, add to that 'to assist in mating' and don't you have a complete list of what every trait of every animal is for? Sorry scientists at Portland State, but that doesn't help much. Can you narrow it down?

Thanks for the link, Rasmus.

Photo source: GrrlScientist

Toady As It Gets

This is about as toady as a toad comes. She's glistening in the flash of the camera, she has warts, and she has saggy, saggy skin. If I were a witch of yore I would be squealing with delight at such a find - there would be several potions and hexes a-brewin' in my cauldrons.

Thanks for the link, Aaron.

Photo courtesy: True Bavarian

I Tried

I must be feeling the weight of wading through so much ugly of late. Perhaps the burden I bear is one of guilt, for I feel the need to make some atonement to a beast that I have taken particular pleasure in putting on display here.

Below is a cute photo of an ugly animal - a mama warthog and her warthoglet (new word!).

Hmmm. Now that I look at it closer, I don't think it's so cute. Oh well. There goes my attempt at reconciliation. Sorry warthog. I tried.

Photo source: Yahoo!

Age-old Addage

Candied sent me this link.

This bad boy was pulled from the Congo River. It's a tiger fish, and it proves that age-old addage: Don't Swim in the Congo River.

Thanks for the photo, Candied.

Photo source: Cellar.org