Arctic ice floes are shrinking because of global warming, which means the numbers of walruses could decrease.
That possibility makes the breeding behavior of Jocko and his two female friends, who live at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, fascinating to scientists - to the point that one researcher is creating an artificial vagina to entice the 2,200-pound Pacific walrus into sexual acts that can be measured and quantified.
"This would be the first semen sample out of a walrus in the wild or captivity," said Holley Muraco, a specialist in marine mammal reproduction who has constructed similar body parts for horses, cows and pigs.
She said the dramatic changes likely to occur in the Arctic would affect walrus breeding, an obscure activity about which little is known, partly because it happens underwater and partly because Pacific walruses live in a remote part of the world.
"It's extremely mysterious," Muraco said. "They're very inaccessible. But we're able to study the Six Flags walruses so intimately, and they participate so fully, that we can apply that science to wild animals if we need to."
If researchers can understand and demystify walrus sex, their findings will shed light on how environmental change can influence the conditions that hurt or help breeding.
Source:
SF Chronicle
The Pink Fairy Armadillo (
Chlamyphorus truncatus) is the smallest species of armadillo (mammals of the family Dasypodidae, mostly known for having a bony armor shell). It is approximately 90-115 mm (3½-4½") long excluding the tail, and is pale rose or pink in color. It is found in central Argentina where it inhabits dry grasslands and sandy plains with thorn bushes and cacti. It has the ability to bury itself completely in a matter of seconds if frightened.(
wiki)
The photo above was found at
Nick Baker's blog. He is a naturalist and the star of a show on
Animal Planet.
To see a short video of the pink fairy armadillo in action,
visit
http://www.nickbaker.tv/Media/, select "Videos" and click "Nick Baker Video Blog."
The
Critter Litter is a collapsible, disposable litter box, which allows for an improved way to change a litter box without the scooping, heavy bags or ambient odors associated with traditional litter boxes.
This innovative product offers many benefits to the cat owner such as; a convenient and easy means for dealing with cat litter boxes, 100% biodegradable, eliminates retention of odors, no more scooping litter or heavy bags, no more plastic trays, portable unit fits today’s busy lifestyles, collapses for convenient storage and disposal after use and offered in various designs to fit different tastes and holiday themes.
The "Order" link on the
Critter Litter website is not functioning, so I have no further info on cost or availability.
(via
Inventionhome)
Using state-of-the-art visual effects and real-time 4-D ultrasound imagery,
National Geographic follows the fetal development of one wolf and three different dog breeds.
From a single cell to a complex, self-sustaining organism, an infant goes through an incredible transformation before it even takes its first breath. With ground-breaking photography, computer graphics, and 4-D imaging, "In the Womb" reveals this amazing process.
"In the Womb: Dogs" will air on the National Geographic Channel on Sunday, January 4, 2009.
(via
ohmidog!)
Zoo managers have taken Brussels sprouts off the Christmas menu after the vegetable caused an attack of flatulence in their gorillas.
The staff at Chessington Zoo fed the giant apes on the seasonal favorite as they are filled with nutritional goodness. However, they hadn't reckoned with the gassy qualities of the tiny veggies.
Now the zoo has issued an apology after guests at the zoo expressed their horror at the potent smell that started emanating from the gorillas' enclosure.
Gorilla keeper Michael Rozzi said: "We feed the gorillas brussel sprouts during the winter because they are packed with vitamin C and have great nutritional benefits.
"Unfortunately, an embarrassing side effect is that it can cause bouts of flatulence in humans and animals alike.
"However, I don't think any of us were prepared for a smell that strong."
Source:
The london paper(via
monkeys in the news)
