The document discusses various interesting facts about the fastest, largest, rarest, and other record-holding animals across different species. Some key facts include:
- The fastest animal on land is the cheetah, which can run up to 109 km/hr but only for short distances before exhaustion. The fastest over long distances is the pronghorn antelope.
- The fastest animal in air is the peregrine falcon, which can dive at speeds up to 200 km/hr. The fastest in water is the sailfish, which can reach 100 km/hr despite the greater resistance of water.
- The largest animal is the blue whale, which can grow to over 25 meters and weigh up to
All the information regarding Crabs that are present in the sea and oceans,their various types,what they eat where they live have been explained briefly.
All the information regarding Crabs that are present in the sea and oceans,their various types,what they eat where they live have been explained briefly.
Fish are all members of the phylum Chordata, sub-phylum Vertebrata. Fish are generally spindle-shaped, oval in section, and flattened either sideways or dorsal-ventrally. The skin is covered in protective scales, with some exceptions (lampreys, ocean sunfish). All fins have fins of some sort, all the size, number, and shape vary. Fish breathe through gills, and only a very few have actual lungs. Most fish have a special organ known as a swim bladder that prevents them from sinking, and, in some cases, aids in respiration. The common name "fish" refers to four different classes, depending on the person classifying them (there are numerous different ways to classify fish). Bony fish also have special adaptations that allow them to remain buoyant. A special organ called a swim bladder housed under the bony skeleton is a gas filled chamber that allows the bony fish to remain floating in the water. Some fish have a connection between this organ and the digestive tract to allow the extraction of oxygen. Another special adaptation is the operculum, a flap on each side of the fish that covers the chambers housing the gills. A bony fish is able to breathe without swimming simply by moving the operculum. Other hallmarks of these fish are paired fins, many teeth, dermal scales in the skin (in most species), and numerous vertebrae. Most bony fish are ray-finned fish, meaning that they have thin, flexible skeletal rays. Lobe-finned fish, the other type of bony fish, have muscular fins supported by bones. Only one species of lobe-finned fish, the coelacanth, still lives. However, it was the lobe-finned fish that made possible the colonization of land.
Crocodiles are carnivores, which mean they eat only meat. In the wild, they feast on fish, birds, frogs and crustaceans. At the zoo, they eat small animals that have already been killed for them, such as rats, fish or mice. They also eat live locusts.
crocodiles are the only reptiles having 4 chambered heart,flattened tail and body covered with scutes.hind limb is webbed and in this ppt you can discover all the facts about crocodile..hope you can enjoy
Crocodilians-Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans, and GharialsVinay Parikh
These reptiles are in the family of crocodilians. I have provided statistics of each and every crocodile, alligator, caiman, and gharial existing on preset day Earth. They list the scientific name, mass, length, distribution, and conservation status of each crocodilian.
Fish are all members of the phylum Chordata, sub-phylum Vertebrata. Fish are generally spindle-shaped, oval in section, and flattened either sideways or dorsal-ventrally. The skin is covered in protective scales, with some exceptions (lampreys, ocean sunfish). All fins have fins of some sort, all the size, number, and shape vary. Fish breathe through gills, and only a very few have actual lungs. Most fish have a special organ known as a swim bladder that prevents them from sinking, and, in some cases, aids in respiration. The common name "fish" refers to four different classes, depending on the person classifying them (there are numerous different ways to classify fish). Bony fish also have special adaptations that allow them to remain buoyant. A special organ called a swim bladder housed under the bony skeleton is a gas filled chamber that allows the bony fish to remain floating in the water. Some fish have a connection between this organ and the digestive tract to allow the extraction of oxygen. Another special adaptation is the operculum, a flap on each side of the fish that covers the chambers housing the gills. A bony fish is able to breathe without swimming simply by moving the operculum. Other hallmarks of these fish are paired fins, many teeth, dermal scales in the skin (in most species), and numerous vertebrae. Most bony fish are ray-finned fish, meaning that they have thin, flexible skeletal rays. Lobe-finned fish, the other type of bony fish, have muscular fins supported by bones. Only one species of lobe-finned fish, the coelacanth, still lives. However, it was the lobe-finned fish that made possible the colonization of land.
Crocodiles are carnivores, which mean they eat only meat. In the wild, they feast on fish, birds, frogs and crustaceans. At the zoo, they eat small animals that have already been killed for them, such as rats, fish or mice. They also eat live locusts.
crocodiles are the only reptiles having 4 chambered heart,flattened tail and body covered with scutes.hind limb is webbed and in this ppt you can discover all the facts about crocodile..hope you can enjoy
Crocodilians-Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans, and GharialsVinay Parikh
These reptiles are in the family of crocodilians. I have provided statistics of each and every crocodile, alligator, caiman, and gharial existing on preset day Earth. They list the scientific name, mass, length, distribution, and conservation status of each crocodilian.
Organisms have different methods of reproduction. To tell the truth, these different reproductive methods are the factors that divide animals into two categories: viviparous and oviparous animals. But more on that in a bit, here's a blog on the many different animals that lay eggs!
Do you want to know about animals that lay eggs?
Nature's way of maintaining the ecological balance on earth is something special. For example, Mother Nature has endowed living animals with the ability to go through the process of labor to directly give birth to their own kind.
Whereas, oviparous animals lay eggs that give birth to young as soon as they hatch.
Now, if you are stuck wondering because nature has allocated different reproductive processes to different animals, then we are just as clueless as you!
However, you can acknowledge the fact that every process created by nature is purposeful. For example, if nature has given birds the ability to lay eggs to produce their offspring, it may be for their own benefit.
The main reason for this is that birds cannot fly while carrying the weight of their young. By laying their eggs in a remote location, they thereby safeguard both themselves and their offspring.
We also understand how interested you are in learning about the ovoid animal species.
So, read on to know more about the complex egg-laying process and a description of the top 13 animals that lay eggs.
Animals That Lay Eggs
If we were to list all oviparous animals, you would get tired of reading the never-ending list!
A large number of prominent species in the animal kingdom are oviparous, including insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and even some mammals.
So, if you are ready to know about 13 animals that lay eggs, connect with us!
Birds
Birds are the first members of our list of animals that lay eggs. Birds are the most lively and colorful species of the animal kingdom, somewhat related to the ancient family of reptiles, the dinosaurs.
They are a very unique creation of nature because they are the only animals with feathers that are known to exist on Earth. These warm-blooded vertebrates are also known to be closest to reptiles due to the rough shape of their feet.
The largest birds alive today are the North African ostriches, which can reach 9 feet in height and weigh up to 350 pounds. The ostrich egg is the largest of any other bird species.
On the other hand, the smallest extant birds are Cuban native hummingbirds weighing less than 3 grams.
Also, the bird's feathers make them stand out among every other species.
However, having wings does not guarantee a bird's ability to fly. There are several flightless birds, including penguins, kiwis and ostriches, which, although they have wings, cannot fly due to some evolution that took place over the years.
Also, bird eggs have a hard shell that ensures safety and are laid in secluded areas like bird nests, such as a treetop or an abandoned room. The parents fulfill the responsibility of taking care it...
This ppt contains the information about the ocean life. The description about the ocean layers then animals stays in ocean in different layers etc...This may be very interesting.
Threat of sea turtle Rajeev raghavan Kufos kerala Ashish sahu
Sea turtles, sometimes called marine turtles, are reptiles of the order Testudines and of the suborder Cryptodira. The seven existing species of sea turtles are the green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Kemp's ridley sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, flatback sea turtle, and leatherback sea turtle.
Sea turtle, any of seven species of marine turtles belonging to the families Dermochelyidae (leatherback sea turtles) and Cheloniidae (green turtles, flatback sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, hawksbills, and ridleys).
Seven different species of sea (or marine) turtles grace our ocean waters, from the shallow seagrass beds of the Indian Ocean, to the colorful reefs of the Coral Triangle, and even the sandy beaches of the Eastern Pacific. WWFs work on sea turtles focuses on five of those species: green, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback and olive ridley.
See more on worldwildlife.org
Explore natural remedies for syphilis treatment in Singapore. Discover alternative therapies, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes that may complement conventional treatments. Learn about holistic approaches to managing syphilis symptoms and supporting overall health.
- Video recording of this lecture in English language: https://youtu.be/lK81BzxMqdo
- Video recording of this lecture in Arabic language: https://youtu.be/Ve4P0COk9OI
- Link to download the book free: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/nephrotube-nephrology-books.html
- Link to NephroTube website: www.NephroTube.com
- Link to NephroTube social media accounts: https://nephrotube.blogspot.com/p/join-nephrotube-on-social-media.html
These simplified slides by Dr. Sidra Arshad present an overview of the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory tract.
Learning objectives:
1. Enlist the non-respiratory functions of the respiratory tract
2. Briefly explain how these functions are carried out
3. Discuss the significance of dead space
4. Differentiate between minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation
5. Describe the cough and sneeze reflexes
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 39, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 34, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
3. Chapter 17, Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
4. Non-respiratory functions of the lungs https://academic.oup.com/bjaed/article/13/3/98/278874
Report Back from SGO 2024: What’s the Latest in Cervical Cancer?bkling
Are you curious about what’s new in cervical cancer research or unsure what the findings mean? Join Dr. Emily Ko, a gynecologic oncologist at Penn Medicine, to learn about the latest updates from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2024 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Dr. Ko will discuss what the research presented at the conference means for you and answer your questions about the new developments.
These lecture slides, by Dr Sidra Arshad, offer a quick overview of physiological basis of a normal electrocardiogram.
Learning objectives:
1. Define an electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrocardiography
2. Describe how dipoles generated by the heart produce the waveforms of the ECG
3. Describe the components of a normal electrocardiogram of a typical bipolar leads (limb II)
4. Differentiate between intervals and segments
5. Enlist some common indications for obtaining an ECG
Study Resources:
1. Chapter 11, Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition
2. Chapter 9, Human Physiology - From Cells to Systems, Lauralee Sherwood, 9th edition
3. Chapter 29, Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th edition
4. Electrocardiogram, StatPearls - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549803/
5. ECG in Medical Practice by ABM Abdullah, 4th edition
6. ECG Basics, http://www.nataliescasebook.com/tag/e-c-g-basics
Title: Sense of Smell
Presenter: Dr. Faiza, Assistant Professor of Physiology
Qualifications:
MBBS (Best Graduate, AIMC Lahore)
FCPS Physiology
ICMT, CHPE, DHPE (STMU)
MPH (GC University, Faisalabad)
MBA (Virtual University of Pakistan)
Learning Objectives:
Describe the primary categories of smells and the concept of odor blindness.
Explain the structure and location of the olfactory membrane and mucosa, including the types and roles of cells involved in olfaction.
Describe the pathway and mechanisms of olfactory signal transmission from the olfactory receptors to the brain.
Illustrate the biochemical cascade triggered by odorant binding to olfactory receptors, including the role of G-proteins and second messengers in generating an action potential.
Identify different types of olfactory disorders such as anosmia, hyposmia, hyperosmia, and dysosmia, including their potential causes.
Key Topics:
Olfactory Genes:
3% of the human genome accounts for olfactory genes.
400 genes for odorant receptors.
Olfactory Membrane:
Located in the superior part of the nasal cavity.
Medially: Folds downward along the superior septum.
Laterally: Folds over the superior turbinate and upper surface of the middle turbinate.
Total surface area: 5-10 square centimeters.
Olfactory Mucosa:
Olfactory Cells: Bipolar nerve cells derived from the CNS (100 million), with 4-25 olfactory cilia per cell.
Sustentacular Cells: Produce mucus and maintain ionic and molecular environment.
Basal Cells: Replace worn-out olfactory cells with an average lifespan of 1-2 months.
Bowman’s Gland: Secretes mucus.
Stimulation of Olfactory Cells:
Odorant dissolves in mucus and attaches to receptors on olfactory cilia.
Involves a cascade effect through G-proteins and second messengers, leading to depolarization and action potential generation in the olfactory nerve.
Quality of a Good Odorant:
Small (3-20 Carbon atoms), volatile, water-soluble, and lipid-soluble.
Facilitated by odorant-binding proteins in mucus.
Membrane Potential and Action Potential:
Resting membrane potential: -55mV.
Action potential frequency in the olfactory nerve increases with odorant strength.
Adaptation Towards the Sense of Smell:
Rapid adaptation within the first second, with further slow adaptation.
Psychological adaptation greater than receptor adaptation, involving feedback inhibition from the central nervous system.
Primary Sensations of Smell:
Camphoraceous, Musky, Floral, Pepperminty, Ethereal, Pungent, Putrid.
Odor Detection Threshold:
Examples: Hydrogen sulfide (0.0005 ppm), Methyl-mercaptan (0.002 ppm).
Some toxic substances are odorless at lethal concentrations.
Characteristics of Smell:
Odor blindness for single substances due to lack of appropriate receptor protein.
Behavioral and emotional influences of smell.
Transmission of Olfactory Signals:
From olfactory cells to glomeruli in the olfactory bulb, involving lateral inhibition.
Primitive, less old, and new olfactory systems with different path
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE.pdfAnujkumaranit
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. It encompasses tasks such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI technologies are revolutionizing various fields, from healthcare to finance, by enabling machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Flu Vaccine Alert in Bangalore Karnatakaaddon Scans
As flu season approaches, health officials in Bangalore, Karnataka, are urging residents to get their flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu, while common, can lead to severe health complications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Vidisha Kumari, a leading epidemiologist in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. "The flu vaccine is our best defense against the influenza virus. It not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in our communities," he says.
This year, the flu season is expected to coincide with a potential increase in other respiratory illnesses. The Karnataka Health Department has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the significance of flu vaccinations. They have set up multiple vaccination centers across Bangalore, making it convenient for residents to receive their shots.
To encourage widespread vaccination, the government is also collaborating with local schools, workplaces, and community centers to facilitate vaccination drives. Special attention is being given to ensuring that the vaccine is accessible to all, including marginalized communities who may have limited access to healthcare.
Residents are reminded that the flu vaccine is safe and effective. Common side effects are mild and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Healthcare providers are also stressing the importance of continuing COVID-19 precautions. Wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing are still crucial, especially in crowded places.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Together, we can help keep Bangalore healthy and safe this flu season. For more information on vaccination centers and schedules, residents can visit the Karnataka Health Department’s official website or follow their social media pages.
Stay informed, stay safe, and get your flu shot today!
Couples presenting to the infertility clinic- Do they really have infertility...Sujoy Dasgupta
Dr Sujoy Dasgupta presented the study on "Couples presenting to the infertility clinic- Do they really have infertility? – The unexplored stories of non-consummation" in the 13th Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE 2024) at Manila on 24 May, 2024.
The prostate is an exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system
It is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system and is located in front of the rectum and just below the urinary bladder
Function is to store and secrete a clear, slightly alkaline fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the seminal fluid that along with the spermatozoa, constitutes semen
A healthy human prostate measures (4cm-vertical, by 3cm-horizontal, 2cm ant-post ).
It surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder. It has anterior, median, posterior and two lateral lobes
It’s work is regulated by androgens which are responsible for male sex characteristics
Generalised disease of the prostate due to hormonal derangement which leads to non malignant enlargement of the gland (increase in the number of epithelial cells and stromal tissue)to cause compression of the urethra leading to symptoms (LUTS
Ethanol (CH3CH2OH), or beverage alcohol, is a two-carbon alcohol
that is rapidly distributed in the body and brain. Ethanol alters many
neurochemical systems and has rewarding and addictive properties. It
is the oldest recreational drug and likely contributes to more morbidity,
mortality, and public health costs than all illicit drugs combined. The
5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5) integrates alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single
disorder called alcohol use disorder (AUD), with mild, moderate,
and severe subclassifications (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
In the DSM-5, all types of substance abuse and dependence have been
combined into a single substance use disorder (SUD) on a continuum
from mild to severe. A diagnosis of AUD requires that at least two of
the 11 DSM-5 behaviors be present within a 12-month period (mild
AUD: 2–3 criteria; moderate AUD: 4–5 criteria; severe AUD: 6–11 criteria).
The four main behavioral effects of AUD are impaired control over
drinking, negative social consequences, risky use, and altered physiological
effects (tolerance, withdrawal). This chapter presents an overview
of the prevalence and harmful consequences of AUD in the U.S.,
the systemic nature of the disease, neurocircuitry and stages of AUD,
comorbidities, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, genetic risk factors, and
pharmacotherapies for AUD.
1. The World of animals is full of many interesting & truly amazing facts. A detailed study
of the fascinating animal kingdom which leaves anyone speechless. The incredible ways in which
different animals carry on their daily lives makes us marvel at the miracle of nature. Here, I have
chosen some examples of the interesting records and facts to illustrate how wonderful Nature is &
how it empowers animals to survive against tremendous odds.
1. FASTEST ANIMAL ON THE GROUND: The “Cheetah” with speed up to 109Km/hr.
the cheetah can however maintain this high speed for short distance, only of a few hundred
meters. After this it is totally exhausted and out of breath & must stop to get rest for several
minutes. The cheetah is one of the 37 different species of the family ‘Felidae’. Compare to
other species of cats like tiger, lions, leopards, a Jaguar (Carnivore with black spots) the
cheetah is not a very strong animal physically. It must, therefore, rely on its high speed
mostly to catch prey. There is one thing that is different about the cheetah from other cats;
its claws are non-retractable. In other words, the claws of cheetah are always extruded
unlike other cats who can draw their claws into sheath & expose only when required.
The fastest animal over a long distance is the “Pronghorn”, a type of antelope found in
North America. (NOTE: Cheetah = Left pic, Central pic = Pronghorn, Sailfish = right pic)
2. FASTEST ANIMAL IN AIR: The “Peregrine Falcon” when diving, achieves a speed of
up to 200Km/hr. The speed of birds is difficult to measure for a number of reasons i.e the
wind speed, the altitude at which a bird is flying, the ambient temperature, age, sex of a
bird and other factors make comparison between birds difficult. However the
aforementioned bird is generally accepted.
3. FASTEST ANIMAL IN SEA: The “Sailfish” achieves a speed of
100Km/hr considering the fact that the drag or resistance of water is
Much more than air, the speed of the sailfish is truly quite phenomenal.
4. BIGGEST ANIMAL ON PLANET: The “Blue whale” having length
Up to 25.5 meters (86 ft) and weight up to 120 tons. It is much larger
Than the largest pre-historic dinosaurs. This gigantic creature eats mainly
A kind of small shrimp or crustaceans called Krill.
Right upper = Peregrine Falcon, Right Lower = Krill, Left = Blue whale
2. 5. RAREST MAMMAL: So many species are critically endangered today that several may
qualify for this distressing record. Still the “Javan Rhino” found only one the island of
Java, Indonesia, and perhaps also in the dense rainforests of South-East Asia and may be
the rarest mammal species today an estimate of less than 5 species left in the World.
6. TALLEST ANIMAL: The “Giraffe” takes this record easily with large male being up to
5.55 meters (18 ft) tall. Giraffes are found exclusively in Africa.
7. MOST POISONOUS ANIMAL: Not the Scorpion, nor any snake, but the “Box Jelly
Fish” found in the coastal waters of the Northern Australia and parts of South-East Asia,
a large box jelly fish has enough poison or venom to kill 60 human adults.
8. STRONGEST SENSE OF SMELL: The “Male Emperor moth” can smell a female up
to 11Km away, making it the champion in the strongest sense of smell stake. Most animals
have a fairly keen sense of smell which either helps them to find prey or to avoid predators.
As the majority of animals in the World are nocturnal i.e active by night, a strong sense of
smell can be very useful after dark.
9. LONGEST LIVING: The “Tortoises” can reach an age beyond 150 years
10. HIGHEST LIVING MAMMAL: The “Himalayan Yolk” found in the Himalayas has
been found living at a height of 6200 meters (over 20,000 ft). This animal found in the
high mountains of Asia including Pakistan, has a very thick & shaggy coat, a thick skin
and layers of fat underneath which enables it to survive in the extremely low temperatures
of its habitat.
11. DOGS: They have sense of hearing 400 times more than human & sense of smell 90,000
times more than human. Their benefits are; sense of smell to track a culprit, sense of
hearing even at 40 ft away they can hear the sound produced by the fallen leaves pressed
under the foot of a suspicious person, and used as a companion animal.
Box jelly Fish Himalayan Yolk Giraffe
Javan Rhino Male emperor moth
3. A number of mammals have very specialized diet;
Panda eats bamboo almost exclusively
Koala, which looks like a special teddy bear but is not from the bear family, is perhaps
most specialized eater amongst mammals. Out of 500 species of Eucalyptus tree, it eats
leaves of only 6 species. Not only this, it will prefer one tree of the same species to
another and even one leaf to another. It is not that known how it decides which leaf to
eat & which to ignore.
Blue whale, the largest animal on planet Earth, does not eat any of the thousands of fish species
present in ocean, instead its diet is almost exclusively a small shrimp-like creature called Krill.
It eats up to 4 tons of Krill every day. This is equivalent n height to a fully grown African male
Elephant.
There is a great variation in size and shape amongst all animal groups. The Smallest mammal
(Kitti’s Hog Nosed Bat) weigh 2 grams and Largest mammal (Blue Whale) weigh up to 120
tons or 60 million times more than the smallest mammal
Panda Koala Kitti’s Hog Nosed Bat
Birds are a class of animals characterized by the possession of feathers, the laying of eggs
from which the young hatch and ability to fly. This ability has been lost during evolution by a
handful of birds. Flightless birds are known as Ratites, they include Ostrich of Africa, Rhea of
South America, Emu & Cassowary of Australia, the Kiwi of New Zealand and of course the
special species of Penguins.
The smaller the birds, the faster the wing beat. The record holder is the Hummingbird of
South America which has a wing beat of up to 90 beats per second. This incredible speed creates
the humming sound from which the bird has been given its name. This speed enables the
hummingbird to remain virtually motionless in one place in midair as it sucks nectar from flowers.
4. Some birds spend considerable time in the air, without needing to land on either land or
water. Among land-based birds, the Common Swift will spend 2-4 years continuously in the air,
eating, drinking & sleeping. Even more extraordinary is the Sooty tern, which is reputed to stay
airborne from 3 year up to 10 years continuously, over tropical oceans. Even to feed, it does not
settle on the ocean surface, but dives to catch fish from the water surface.
Many birds are high flyers, surviving at altitude at which no mammal could remain alive
owing to the lack of oxygen. Whooping Crane have been recorded at 8,230 meters (2,700 ft).
Bar-headed Geese have been seen flying over the Himalayas at an altitude of nearly 9,000 meters
(over 29,000 ft).
Birds, especially the birds of prey (also called raptors) have excellent vision. For example
the Peregrine Falcon can spot a pigeon at a distance of over 8Km (5 miles).
Whooping Crane Sooty tern
Ostrich Rhea Emu Penguins
Cassowary Kiwi Hummingbird Bar-headed geese
Whooping Crane Sooty Tern Common Swift
5. Reptiles include some 22 species of Crocodiles and Alligators, 265 species of Turtles and
Tortoises, about 2700 species of Snakes and some 3800 species of Lizards.
Crocodiles can shut their jaws by tremendous power. By contrast the muscles for opening
the jaws are extremely weak out. The jaws of a crocodile, up to 2 meters in length, can literally be
kept close with just a rubber band.
Out of 2700 species of Snake, only about 700 are poisonous (less than 26%) and even out
of these, 1/3rd
are harmless for human.
Turtles and Tortoises, as a group, have the longest lives of any land animal. The record is
152 years for a male “Marion’s Tortoise”. The extinct Dinosaurs were also reptiles.
Crocodile Alligator Dinosaurs
There are some 24,000 species of Fish in the World and about 100 new species are discovered
every year. Considering that nearly 80% of the species of planet in water, it is not surprising that
many new fish species are discovered every year. There are some remarkable facts concerning
fish.
A lot of fish hunt & eat insects for food. The “Archer Fish”, found in India, Malaysia and
Northern Australia, hunts insects sitting on leaves and brushes hanging over the water, by spitting
water droplets at them. The archer fish is able to do this with amazing accuracy and force, which
makes the insects fall in the water where it is promptly eaten.
It is generally believed that fish cannot survive out of water. However, some fish are capable
of staying out of water for long periods. For example, the “Lung Fish” lives in swamps which
often dry out. The fish then switches from gill breathing to lung breathing, burrows into the sand
6. and waits up to 4 years in a state of dormancy for the rains to come & convert the dry sand into a
wet swamp again.
Similarly, some fish stay out of water by resorting to “Flying”. This action is not true-flight,
but rather skimming over the surface. Some species of flying fish can stay out of water in this
manner for up to 40 seconds, jumping to a height of 10 meters (33 ft) or a 3 stories building &
covering a distance of 400 meters (1,300 ft) in the process.
Not all fish lay eggs. Some species like Sharks give birth to live young like mammals. Such
fish are called viviparous fish.
But of course the vast majority of fish lay eggs. For example, The “Sunfish” may lay as many
as 300 million eggs at a time. The need for laying large number of eggs is to improve the chances
of reproduction. As for most fish, there may be no direct contact between male & female fish. And
the fertilization of at least some eggs is insured by the sheer numbers of eggs laid.
Archer Fish Lung Fish Sunfish
Shark
7. Amphibians are animals which live both on land & in water. They include some 3,800 species
of Frogs and toads, about 355 species of Newts and Salamanders, and about 170 species of
Caecilians, animals that look like large earthworms. The last named are found only in the tropics
& subtropics. Whereas the other groups are found all over the World.
Two species of Frog, both found in Australia, are only animals in the World which give birth
to their young inside the female stomach. The “Female Eungella gastric brooding frog” and the
“Female Platypus gastric brooding frog” swallow their own fertilized eggs which develops into
tadpoles and the froglets inside the stomach, then the female gives birth through her mouth.
Throughout this period of 5-7 week, the female does not feed herself. Both the frog species have
not been seen since mid-1980 and in feared that these species may already be extinct.
Though all frogs & toads, have lungs, they are also able to absorb oxygen through their skin
either from air or water. This means that a frog can stay under water for its whole life if it so
desires.
Some frogs secrete a toxic substance from their skin, the “Golden Poison Dart Frog” of the
Columbian rainforests carries enough poison to kill 1000 human. These poisonous frogs are always
very brightly colored, which in Nature’s way of warning other species to stay away from them.
The longest gestation period (pregnancy) of any vertebrate is that of black colored “Alpine
Salamander”, found in the Switzerland, Bosnia, Croatia and Albania, this animal has a gestation
period of 2-3 year.
Eungella frog Platypus frog Golden Poison Dart Frog
Alpine Salamander