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Weird Natural History
PHOTO:
The Quinault rainforest, Washington State, U.S.A.
"In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous."
----Aristotle
Visit here for the latest updates on weird natural history facts. Updated weekly (hopefully on Saturdays). QUESTIONS ON WEIRD NATURAL HISTORY ARE WELCOMED. SEE MY E-MAIL (radiata_5@fuse.net).
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Don't forget to check the "Gallery" for several pages of past photos and the "Facts Archive" for all the past facts (see "Facts Archive" link at bottom of page) since fall of 2007.
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August 26, 2008: Several places in the world have temperate rainforests, characterized by as much rain as the tropical rainforests, but a more temperate climate. The rainforests in Washington State, such as this one near Quinault, can have up to 130 inches of rainfall per year and be more productive than tropical rainforests.
Information from "Olympic: A Visitor's Companion" by George Wuerthner.
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August 3, 2008: Tropical rainforests are characterized by at least 80 inches of annual rainfall, location near the equator, and warm temperatures year around. They cover 1/12 of the earth's surface, comprise 50% of its forests, and are estimated to hold greater than one half of the world's animal and plant species.
From: "The Life and Mysteries of the Jungle" Ed. by Edward S. Ayensu
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July 16, 2008: Leave baby birds and animals be! Many of them, such as this fledgling MOURNING DOVE, normally leave their nests before they are able to care for themselves completely. Birds like the mourning dove leave before they are completely able to fly and the parents continue to care for them for awhile. If you approach the baby, parents will leave and it will appear that the bird is orphaned. However, parents will return when you leave. They are much better equipped to care for their young than even the most qualified animal rehabilitator. The mourning dove fledglings are more likely to be found than many other species, since they may nest during every month of the year in the southern U.S. part of their range.
Nesting info from "The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds" by John Terres.
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July 5, 2008: The hellbender is the heaviest salamander in the U.S., reaching a length of close to 30 inches. It is exceeded in length only by the greater Siren and the Amphiuma, both long narrow snakelike salamanders with tiny or missing limbs. Hellbenders inhabit fast flowing streams in the eastern and midwest U.S. and are related to the Japanese and Chinese Giant Salamanders. They are currently under study due to a reduction in range. They feed upon crayfish and other aquatic creatures and males defned the eggs. The aquatic, nocturnal hellbender is sometimes caught by surprised fishermen.
Info from "Salamanders of the United States and Canada," by James W. Petranka.
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June 24, 2008: The rubber boa is fascinating for a number of reasons. It is one of two boas native to the U.S., being found in Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. One of the smallest boas (usually 20-26 inches long), the rubber is also one of the most northerly occurring boas. I have never found an observation of a rubber boa biting anyone, they seem to have very slow metabolisms, and the tail tip mimics a head in appearance and behavior.
Inof from "Boas, Rosy and Ground" by Jerry G. Walls.
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May 28, 2008: The year 2008 has been declared "YEAR OF THE FROG" by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is estimated that more than one third of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction and that as many as one hundred species are already extinct. Possible causes include habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, siltation, water diversion, and disease, the latter possibly related to climate change.
Information from the March 2008 issue of "Connect," the publication of the AZA.
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May 6, 2008: As of the late 1990's, There were an estimated total 4600-7200 tigers in the world (all subspecies). The drastic 1960's decline was halted, but at a very low level.
Info from "Life Counts" by Gleich, Maxeiner, Miersch, and Nicolay.
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April 16, 2008: The venomous cone shells include over 500 species, making them the largest single genus of saltwater animals living today. Their venom delivering barbs allow these slow moving snails to capture fish, worms, and other mollusks. Science is studying the venoms for possible new painkilling drugs.
Information from "Bitten:Bites and Stings from around the World" by Dr. Pamela Nagami.
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