Happy Great Dane Puppy Wags Her Tail While She Sleeps
Raven is a beautiful soul who is living her best life. She lives on a sprawling country property where she runs free whenever she steps outside. Her humans also take her for daily hikes in the nearby forest where she explores and sniffs trees until she's had her fill. She has dog beds and couches throughout the house, allowing her to peacefully slumber in the afternoon sun after she tires herself out each day.
Raven often enjoys the company of a dog friend or two when family and friends bring their pups to join her on the forest hikes. Raven loves her forest time even more when she has friends along for the fun.
After a particularly long hike with a golden retriever named Aurora, Raven climbed up on her couch and fell asleep happily. Likely dreaming of the day's events, Raven thumped her tail happily while she snoozed. Few things are as adorable as a happy dog. To think that Raven was enjoying a dream wonderful enough to make her tail wag is heart warming.
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Huge moray eel comes at scuba diver for a close inspection
Moray eels are among the ocean's most misunderstood creatures. Up to 2m (6 feet) long, with large heads and fearsome jaws, these animals are widely feared. They are known to have a second jaw, located in the throat, referred to as a pharyngeal jaw. These jaws move forward to seize prey and pull it deep into the moray eel's throat. Moray eels are the only animals known to use pharyngeal jaws to actively capture and restrain prey.
Despite their reputations as ferocious beasts, moray eels rarely bite humans, and in the rare cases where it has happened, the incidents have been related to irresponsible feeding and misunderstanding. Moray eels have poor eyesight and can mistake a hand for food if they are being fed by scuba divers.
Hollywood movies that depict these animals as aggressive contribute to the misconceptions. Although the eels are capable of inflicting serious wounds with their large teeth, they demonstrate no desire to bite people.
Eels are more intelligent than they are given credit for. They have been found to engage in cooperative hunting with groupers. Groupers will approach the eel and perform a head shaking behaviour, communicating to the eel that they are ready to hunt. The eels can work their heads into crevices where fish hide, flushing out the prey and giving the grouper the opportunity to catch them.
For scuba divers who understand these beautiful creatures, they are a welcome sight. This eel was seen swimming in the open. It was as curious about the scuba divers as they were about it.
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Venomous lion fish continuously tries to eat photographers subjects
Lion fish are an invasive species in Caribbean waters, having been introduced by accident to a world where they have no predators. They destroy reefs by devouring huge quantities of small reef fish, upsetting the delicate balance that keeps everything in check. But here, in the waters around Fiji, lion fish like this one are part of that balance.
This lion fish can be seen extending its highly venomous spines to coral small fish in its attempt to inhale them. It is following this scuba diver as she makes her best effort to photograph some of the small fish on a night dive. The lion fish is a crafty fellow and he knows that he can use the diver to help with the attempt to back the small fish into a corner. He is also hoping that the lights give him an advantage as they make it difficult for the prey to see him closing in.
The scuba diver must be careful to avoid the sharp points on the fins. Each one can deliver enough venom to cause intense pain, swelling, and possible respiratory difficulty. In most cases, the sting is not life threatening, but in rare cases, it can require immediate medical treatment to avoid dangerous complications.
Lion fish are beautifully ornate when their fins are extended. Their markings are striking, with contrasting orange, white and black stripes. In the Caribbean, the fish are a menace and scuba divers are encouraged to kill them whenever possible. The meat of the lion fish is delicious and flaky, making them a very appealing source of food. Harvesting lion fish in many places is necessary for the survival of the reef.
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The beautiful and fascinating strawberry nudibranch
Strawberry nudibranchs, are a species of marine gastropod mollusks. These captivating sea slugs are widely distributed throughout Indo-Pacific coral reefs, where they play a unique role in the marine ecosystem.
Characterized by their vibrant colors and intricate patterns, strawberry nudibranchs are relatively small, measuring around 1 to 2 centimeters in length. Their name is derived from their striking resemblance to strawberries, as their bodies feature shades of red, pink, and orange, often accompanied by white or yellow markings. This vivid coloration serves as a form of camouflage, helping them blend into their coral reef habitats.
The frilly, tassel-like structures on the back of the nudibranch are the gills. These external gills allow them to filter oxygen from the sea water. Nudibranchs are slow moving, can swim or be propelled along either by muscular contraction or by millions of tiny hairs on the bottom of a fleshy "foot". They have a voracious appetite and feed with a rasp like tongue.
Strawberry nudibranchs primarily feed on soft corals. Unlike some other nudibranch species that utilize stinging cells (nematocysts) from their prey for defense, strawberry nudibranchs are known to incorporate these nematocysts into their own tissues. This unique adaptation provides them with a level of protection against potential predators.
These sea slugs have a fascinating reproductive strategy. They are hermaphroditic, meaning each individual possesses both male and female reproductive organs. During mating, two nudibranchs exchange sperm with each other, and later, each one lays a ribbon-like egg mass on the coral substrate. The eggs develop into veliger larvae, eventually settling onto the coral reef and metamorphosing into the adult nudibranch form.
The presence of strawberry nudibranchs in coral reef ecosystems contributes to the overall biodiversity and ecological balance. They play a role in controlling soft coral populations, helping to maintain a healthy coral reef environment.
Scientists continue to study these captivating creatures to better understand their behavior, ecology, and the intricate relationships they have with their surroundings. As coral reefs face numerous threats, including climate change and habitat degradation, the study of species like the strawberry nudibranchs becomes crucial in the conservation efforts aimed at preserving these fragile marine ecosystems.
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Mighty leopard caches deer in a tree to keep it safe for later
Life in Africa is a complex balance. Each day, the sun rises and paints the landscape with golden sunlight. The dawn brings with it, promise and hope, but also danger. The predators here wake up hungry and ready to chase down their meal in order to survive. If they fail, they may weaken and die of starvation.
For the prey animals, the sunrise signals threat and the need to run to survive. If they falter, it may be their last day. Such is life here, and all over the world. Life is never easy or guaranteed. This deer saw its last sunrise as the scene unfolded on the plain. A leopard snuck up close enough to catch the deer unaware and it made the kill with speed and precision. But the leopard cannot waste time, even after securing its meal. Other cats and hyenas smell the blood and close in on the carcass, threatening the leopard in their eagerness to steal the food. The leopard eats as quickly as it can to fill its belly before the predators and scavengers team up to rob it. The leopard knows that the hyenas cannot climb the trees. Even the lions are not as capable of reaching the higher branches.
Leopards have adapted for climbing. They are strong cats with muscle attachments designed for puling heavy weights up high in the trees. Here, they will be able to defend the meat more easily, keeping the uneaten portion safe for their next meal. It is a tragic day for the deer, but victory for the leopard. It will possibly be a week or more before the leopard has its next successful hunt. Consuming dozens of kilograms of meat in this feeding is essential to survival between feedings.
This incredible footage was captured on a wildlife refuge in Kenya, Africa. Safe from poachers, these animals live as nature intended. But nature does not promise anyone an easy life, as we see here.
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Close up look at the most high powered eyes on the planet
Mantis shrimp are believed to have the most sophisticated and complex eyes in the animal kingdom. They have the most complex visual system ever discovered. Humans have three photoreceptors that allow us to see red, green, and blue light. In comparison, the mantis shrimp has an astonishing 16 photoreceptors. They are able to see visible light, UV light, and polarized light. They are even capable of detecting circularly polarized light, being the only animal on earth that can do this.
Mantis shrimp are capable of depth perception using only one eye, a task that requires two eyes for any other animal to accomplish.
The eyes of the mantis shrimp are made up of rows of specialized cells, with each row having unique structure and capabilities. The mantis shrimp is constantly moving its eyes and scanning its surroundings to obtain an accurate picture of what is around them. This movement also gives them a very large field of view.
The mantis shrimp is famous for its ability to strike with incredible speed and power. Its strike is the fastest of any marine creature and it happens so fast that it actually cavitates the water around it, creating a second impact that is powerful enough to stun or kill its prey if it misses with the actual strike. But, as astonishing as this is, the visual powers of the mantis shrimp are even more remarkable. Despite the knowledge that these little animals have such amazing visual superpowers, there is surprisingly little research on the matter. This is yet another example of how little we understand the world around us.
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Old world pomegranate juice vendor has been serving fresh juice here for 50 years
A pair of Canadians tourists in Istanbul, Türkiye came across an old world pomegranate vendor outside a small restaurant on a busy side street. Smiling and happy, this gentleman is surrounded by oranges and pomegranates that are piled almost as high as he is tall. His office work space is the small counter that is barely big enough for his cutting board. At the center of his counter is a press that he uses to wring out all the juice he can from each piece of fruit.
With the few words that he knows in English and the few words that the Canadian knows in Turkish, the two enjoy an exchange that is as sweet as the juice itself. The smiles and friendliness are hard to miss as this gentleman serves up the freshest juice possible.
This happy man has been serving his juice on this street for more than 50 years. He started with his own cart and then partnered with the restaurant where he now offers orange, pomegranate, pineapple, lemonade, or any combination his customers ask for.
Witnessing the fun and seeing how much of a crowd pleaser this vendor is, his business partner comes out and offers a bag of fruit as a gift for the tourists. The Canadians walked away happy with the juice and the gesture. The following day, the Canadians saw the vendor again and the tour guide who was leading them on a tour of the city explained the history behind this juice stand. Imagine 50 years of working at the same profession and showing this level of pride and satisfaction after all those years!
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Dramatic sunset footage of ominous lightning storm approaching harbor
Lake Ontario is one of North America's five Great Lakes. It is a massive body of water that stretches out past the horizon. Just like the ocean, storms form and grow over the water on Lake Ontario, pressing toward land with a force that cannot be ignored. Thunderheads roll in and lightning cracks, reminding all those on the water that it is foolhardy to delay heading for shore.
This is the marina harbour in Cobourg, Ontario. As the thunder boomed and the pressure dropped, the winds increased their strength. Boats were suddenly racing for shelter as the storm threatened to strike. When rain comes down hard on the lake, visibility becomes so poor that finding shore is challenging. The waves can appear out of nowhere and small vessels can be tossed without mercy. These fishermen knew that time was running out. Even the geese flying past seemed to sense the need to find shelter on the shore.
While this storm was brewing, a drone was capturing the sights, recording lightning, thunderheads, and a dramatic sunset. The wind was strong enough that flying the drone was difficult and rain threatened to begin at any moment. Weather like this can easily knock a drone out of the sky, but the colour and the spectacle was too beautiful to ignore.
As the sky darkened suddenly under the looming clouds, the last fisherman reached safety in the harbour and the drone was brought in for a landing. Within minutes of the final clip, rain pelted down, making it impossible to see even the breakwater from the beach. The wind bent the trees. Lightning cracked loudly and the skies opened up for almost an hour. These last moments truly were the calm before the storm.
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Chickens happily enjoy a feast on farm in Kenya, Africa
Naomy is a hardworking farmer who lives in Kenya, Africa. She rents a small plot of land where she grows corn, beans, carrots and a few other crops. She uses the harvest to feed her family and she sells the extra vegetables at the market to make a few dollars. She also raises a few cows, goats and chickens to put food on the table. This is a good way to use any of the scraps or spoiled vegetables that cannot be eaten by her family.
Here, we see what happens when the chickens are set free in the morning and their breakfast is set out. The chickens know the routine and they run for the food to get their share as quickly as they can. They squawk and peck happily at the beans, corn, strawberries and greens that she provides them.
Noamy lives with her grandparents who raised her from childhood. She cares for them and also for her adopted son, Emmanuel who helps Naomy with the chores. Ten year old Emmanuel records the sights and the animals around his home with an old phone and his videos are uploaded here, providing the family with a few extra dollars per month. The average wage in Kenya is less than $100 per month and this resourceful family works very hard to stretch each dollar as far as it will go.
Emmanuel is currently attending school, which is a luxury in his village because the cost of schooling is unaffordable for most people. Emmanuel's videos have been helping him keep up with the cost of lessons, meaning that this 10 year old is actually running a little videography business to pay his way through school.
If anyone would like to assist Naomy and Emmanuel, donations are gratefully accepted through this link.
https://gofund.me/2df5dc08
Further info is also available through David McNab at mojo_videos@hotmail.com
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Flash flood washes out road in Kenya, Africa
The rains in Kenya, Africa are a welcome sight, especially after months of drought that leave crops wilted and fields parched. But the rains can come on with a vengeance and a river can suddenly swell where only a trickle or a dry gravel bed stood moments before. These people near Kisii Village use this road to travel from the village to schools, places of work, and between homes. Runoff from a torrential rain reached this crossing and washed it out in minutes, leaving people standing on both sides, hesitant to cross. As they stood, considering their options, a few of the more adventurous ones linked arms and waded across.
Washouts can erode the dirt beneath very quickly, causing deep depressions that people can fall into. Losing your footing in a fast moving stream like this one could see a person swept away and struggling to get out without injury. The water quickly became faster and the washed out section became deeper. The rain began again, adding to the runoff and making it obvious that things would get worse before they got better.
As these people lined up, waiting for things to subside, or contemplating their choices, one of the children headed for school recorded the scene to show his teacher why he was late. The result is fascinating footage that shows the power of nature after one brief, but heavy rain.
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Orioles are one of the most vividly colored birds in North America
Orioles are adorned with beautiful orange and black plumage. The bright orange contrasts sharply with the dark wings and head. The males are brighter orange and starker black than the females. The females have patches that are almost brown. Their beauty makes them a welcome sight at back yard bird feeders.
Each year, orioles migrate to warmer climates, returning each spring to the northern climates.
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Pacific green turtle calmly eats as scuba diver watches enthralled
Pacific green turtles are truly beautiful animals. They are among the favourite creatures of all that scuba divers encounter in the ocean. This is a Pacific green sea turtle, one of the larger sea turtles. It spends a good part of its day eating the aquatic vegetation that grows around the corals. But they also spend a good part of their day sleeping. They descend to the bottom in shallow areas, approximately 10-15 metres (30-45 feet) in depth where they seek a good place to rest. They can hold their breath and slow their oxygen consumption, allowing them to stay down more than 30 minutes before they rise to the surface for a few breaths of air.
Often, before settling down for a snooze, green turtles will scratch their shells and their belly on the coral. They can be found under ledges or on coral protrusions, rocking back and forth, scraping their hard shells or leathery armpits as if they are itchy.
Sea turtles also find their food at depth and they happily munch away on sea grasses and algae. This turtle lives on the reef near Komodo Island in Indonesia. Scuba diving here requires that all people keep a respectful distance away from the animals. A responsible scuba diver will avoid startling or affecting any of the creatures in the ocean.
The largest recorded green turtle reached a weight of 395kg (871 lbs). The females of the species nest in the sand on beaches along many coasts in tropical and subtropical waters. They venture ashore during the night, dig a deep hole, deposit their eggs and then make their way to the sea, never seeing the hatchlings when they emerge. Baby turtles dig their way out of the nest after several months incubation. Only a few survive the treacherous trek to the water, and many more are eaten by predators before they reach shelter in the ocean. Sea turtles are among the most beloved of all the creatures in the ocean. Truly gentle creatures, they are a beautiful sight to see.
#greenturtle #Komodo #Indonesoia #animal
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Badlands salt flats look like an alien landscape when seen from the air
The badlands of Saskatchewan, Canada are full of breath taking scenery, unique geographic features, and salt flats that appear like something from an alien landscape. A drone, taking flight over the area surrounding Chaplin Lake filmed the salt and the Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals plant that collects salt here. Chaplin Lake is a series of lakes that makes up the second largest saline lake in Canada and the fourth largest in North America.
Sodium sulphate has been mined here since 1947. In the 1980s, the importance of this area was recognized when migratory bird populations were declining. Chaplin Lake is an important stopover for birds in the spring. Researchers approached Saskatchewan Minerals about preserving habitat for the migrating birds. Water levels are maintained so that drought does not cause the lake to dry up and flooding does not cause elevated lake levels. Thirty species and more than one hundred thousand individuals visit the lake each year. One hundred and fifty species make this area their home. Populations of brine shrimp attract the birds to this area. Preservation of the grasslands around the area is also an important part of protecting the bird populations that rely on this part of North America.
The mining operation produces sodium sulphate which is used as a filler in the manufacture of powdered home laundry detergents. It is also required for paper pulping. Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals is one of the world's largest producers of anhydrous sodium sulphate.
Seen from the air, this salt reservoir looks like a frozen ice field, or the surface of an alien planet. Water from the the factory lagoons flow outward along a river, with crystals on the banks that appear like ice crystals. The encrusted flats resemble lakes frozen in the dead of winter. These salt flats are as stunning as they are crucial to the animals, and to our own existence. The preservation of habitat amid the mining emphasizes understanding of the delicate balance involved here.
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Gigantic humpback whale rises beside mesmerized swimmer in Tonga
Humpback whales are beautiful creatures. They are immense animals, larger than anything that has ever lived on earth, with the exception of a few larger whale species. They never leave the water, but they breath air, using a vent hole in the top of their heads. Humpbacks can hold their breath for long periods of time, resting on the ocean bottom and surfacing for a breath or two approximately every 11-12 minutes.
This thrilled swimmer was enjoying the warm waters of Tonga, between the islands when a bull humpback rose beside him and took a few breaths. It looked curiously at the small and clumsy human as it nonchalantly bobbed on the surface. Humpbacks have no reason to fear people and they will often regard swimmers with interest. They even seem careful around people, as if they are aware of their power and size and the possibility of hurting someone. This gentle nature is beautiful and touching and something that we have not returned in kind.
Humpback whales come to the waters of Tonga to mate and to bear their young. They are safe from predators here, especially orcas, one of the biggest threats to humpback calves. Females spend several months feeding their calves before leading them north to colder waters for feeding in the winters. Males follow the females, competing for breeding rights and providing a safety escort during their vulnerable times.
To see humpback whales in their own environment is a breath taking and unforgettable sight.
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Pelican shows off his impressive fishing skills and huge beak
Pelicans are incredible birds with unique skills and unique physical characteristics that make them very good at catching their prey. Pelicans lunge at fish and scoop them up, along with a beak full of water. They allow the water to drain out of their beaks, leaving their food to be swallowed. The pelican has the largest beak of any bird.
Clumsy on land, yet graceful and smooth in the air and in the water, pelicans are bulky looking birds. But the pelican is lighter than it appears, due to the air pockets in its bones and the air sacs beneath its skin. Air pockets make bones lighter, yet sturdy. The air sacs make the pelican extremely buoyant, giving it the ability to float higher in the water. The air sacs may also act as cushioning, protecting the bird as it impacts the water while diving for prey.
The pelican is a beautiful sight when it skims just above the surface of the water. This low level flight is more efficient, as well as spectacular. Pelicans can fly up to 150km in search of feeding grounds.
Pelicans are endearing in their appearance and their behaviour. They are found in many warm climates around the world, following schools of fish along the shoreline.
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Sanctuary goats go crazy for green bananas from guests
This sanctuary in the Galapagos Islands takes in goats, horses, donkeys, chickens and any other animal that need a safe home. It provides the animals with food, shelter, safety, and a chance to interact with guests who come here. The sanctuary relies on donations and the money generated from the tours so they can give the animals the care they deserve.
This family has brought their Canadian friends for a tour and the girls show them how the goats go crazy for bananas. The animals get lots of hay and other food, but the bananas are a special treat. The bananas hang outside the fence to allow guests to interact and feed the animals. This goat has learned how to stick his head out over the fence and show his pleading eyes for the maximum effect on the soft hearted guests.
Goats will eat almost anything and these ones are no exception. They are particularly fond of the banana skins as well as the fruit inside.
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One of the the ocean's most bizarre animals; the beaded sea cucumber
The beaded sea cucumber is one of the most bizarre animals in the ocean. They resemble giant worms more than they do sea cucumbers. When stretched out, they can reach a length of more than one meter (3 feet).
Beaded sea cucumbers move along the ocean floor, extending their 15 feeding tentacles in front of them. The feathery appendages collect their food and pull it into their mouth opening. in the center of the tentacles. They consume algae, aquatic invertebrates like plankton, and waste particles that are found near the bottom. They are omnivores. Sea cucumbers are like mini ocean janitors that clean and filter the waste and debris out of the water.
Beaded sea cucumbers have no internal respiratory system. They have no feet or appendages capable of locomotion. They contract and expand muscles on the body wall, moving forward through these actions.
Beaded sea cucumbers come in many different shapes and sizes. With their unusual movement and alien looking tentacles, the beaded sea cucumber looks like a creature from another world.
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Tiny finches feast on leftover airport pizza in the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a remote and isolated part of the world where animals and people have reached an understanding for each other. People here have a healthy respect for the wildlife. The wildlife has also learned to trust the humans. They coexist with an ease and beauty that all the world could learn from. And although the people and even the visitors here do their best to avoid interfering with the animals, the wildlife has learned that they can occasionally find an opportunity for food where humans can be found.
These tiny finches have taken up residence at the airport that serves Santa Cruz Island. They find their way in and out at the airport restaurant and they wait patiently for people to leave uneaten food on their tables. As soon as the coast is clear, these daring little birds swoop in and scramble to get their share. They seem to understand very well that time is of the essence as they peck at these pizza crusts. We see the restaurant staff coming to get the table cleared before they've had their fill. But the next meal is only minutes away as the guests constantly come and go, usually leaving something delicious behind.
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Smooth green snake is one of the most beautiful in North America
Smooth green snakes are a brilliant emerald green. Born brown or bluish gray, they begin life with a drab coloured skin until the first shed. They emerge from this shed with the vibrant colour that this young snake displays. Found on a small island in Ontario, Canada, this snake enjoys life in a beautiful location with access to insects and spiders, ants, slugs, and caterpillars.
But life on the this island comes with the same risks that other snakes face. It will have to avoid predation from foxes, hawks, herons, raccoons, and even bears. Another risk for this snake is overcollection for commercial sale. The appealing colour makes it highly desirable for the pet trade, but these snakes do not survive well in captivity.
One of the greatest threats to these beautiful snakes is the application of pesticides. Because the snakes rely completely on insects for food, they are greatly affected by the toxins in the food chain. They are also greatly affected by the reduction of available food.
When the smooth green snake hunts, it turns its head from side to side, finding prey with its tongue. The flicking of the tongue gathers air near the snake's head. It has an organ on the roof of its mouth that it uses to detect airborne pheromones and chemical signals. The green snake has no ears, relying on vibrations to figure out its surroundings. Due to the stretchy ligaments in its jaw, it can swallow prey whole, even prey that is larger than its own body diameter.
The smooth green snake sheds its skin as often as every four to five weeks to allow for growth.
Understanding the importance of animals such as these to the delicate balance of nature is the first step in helping us avoid losing them forever.
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Venomous emperor sea urchin is one of the most ornate sea creatures
Emperor sea urchins are inactive and nearly invisible by the light of day, but when the sun sets, they come out on the coral to to graze on the algae that grows there. Algae would overpower the coral if it were not kept in check by the animals that feed on it, such as sea urchins.
These emperor sea urchins were found on a night dive in the waters of Indonesia, near Komodo Island, the land known as the home of the largest and most deadly lizards in the world. The urchins are highly venomous to humans, inflicting a considerable wound and searing pain if they are handled or stepped on. Their light sensitivity allows them to sense a threat and angle their spines defensively. The bright colours and the large size make these urchins very obvious and accidental contact is uncommon.
The spines of the sea urchin are used for locomotion, as well as defense. The mouth of the sea urchin is on the underside, centrally located. Five sharp teeth converge in the centre of the mouth, allowing the urchin to scrape surfaces to remove coral. Emperor sea urchins are a sepctacular and welcome sight for scuba divers due to their colour and ornate appearance.
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Olive baboons show their ferocious teeth as they playfight
Olive baboons are large, solid primates that can reach 70cm (28 inches) in height and an impressive weight of 50kg (110lbs). They are one of the largest monkey species and one of the most widely spread. Not surprisingly, their teeth are also among the largest of the monkeys. These two olive baboons engage in a friendly playfight in the sunshine, possibly vying for dominance in the troop. As they do so, they display a fearsome set of teeth that are obviously capable of causing severe damage, if the baboon chooses. They have elongated, dog-like muzzles and powerful jaws.
The social structure of these baboons is complex, and fascinating. The troops consist of 15-150 individuals with more females than males. There are dominant males within the troop, and also higher ranking females. The higher ranking females are more likely to reproduce, but the whole process of reproduction involves surprising behaviours.
A female who is pregnant is highly likely to be harassed by males in an apparent attempt to cause miscarriage of offspring that do not belong to the male perpetrator. This creates an opportunity for the male to mate with that female earlier, as well as a higher likelihood of passing on his genes. Following delivery of an infant, males in the troop will protect her and the infant, especially those who are allowed to mate with her. This means that the male is better to focus his attention on pregnant females who do not have the protection of their male allies.
Male olive baboons are highly aggressive with each other in their attempts to mate with females. Younger males are constantly trying to increase their rank in an effort to gain breeding rights. Baboons will often form alliances and coalitions within the troop,
This display could be a matter of complex social interaction for many reasons, but it is clear to see that a fully grown baboon is a force to be reckoned with for any animal.
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Endangered hawksbill turtle casually eats as scuba divers look on
Hawksbill sea turtles are the most ornate and beautiful of the sea turtles. They are so beautiful that they have been hunted for their shells and they came perilously close to extinction in the past century. Conservation laws and education have helped to stop the slaughter of these peaceful animals and their numbers are slowly increasing now.
Hawksbills feed on soft corals, sponges, and the algae that grows on them. They cruise over the reefs looking for places to feed. They are carnivores, unlike many other sea turtles, although the sponges that they feed on are misunderstood and not always recognized as being animals.
These scuba divers were lucky enough to see two of these beautiful animals in one spot. The turtles slowly circle each other before one swims off in search of another area to graze. Capable of diving to considerable depths for food, these turtles grazed on the vertical wall and the top of a coral head.
Scuba divers are delighted to see one of these endangered species on a dive, and even more so when they see more than one. Having the turtles act so casually while they were feeding made for a very peaceful and memorable experience.
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Surprising footage captured by child on African bus ride
Naomy is a farmer who lives in Kenya, Africa. She works hard to support her grandparents who raised her, as well as Emmanuel, her adopted son. Life in Kenya is full of challenges and Naomy struggles to grow enough food to feed the family. She sells any extra produce for needed supplies and also to pay for Emmanuel's school fees.
Naomy became friends with a Canadian named David who was fascinated with life in Kenya. As Naomy and David compared their experiences and shared pictures and videos, the two began to understand the cast difference in their worlds. They began to work together to share Namoy and Emmanuel's videos. The small income that these two make with the uploads helps to pay for Emmanuel's education and it brings the world an inside look at life on the other side of the globe.
Naomy lives with her grandparents but the soil and climate are not conducive to growing crops. She rents a small plot in an area that is many miles away. It takes her several hours to travel each way on the public transportation that makes this crossing weekly. Naomy works and stays at the farm and comes home when she can.
Naomy told David that she was about to journey back home with Emmanuel and she mentioned that she had seen a few animals on the last journey. David asked Naomy to have Emmanuel record the sights and send them to him in Canada.
These are the highlights from the bumpy and dusty ride across Kenya as young Emmanuel documents what catches his eye. This young businessman is ten years old and he is building his future with his camera work. If you care to help him, any donations are gratefully accepted.
https://gofund.me/2df5dc08
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Anemone fish can live where few other fish can
Sea anemones are predatory animals that anchor to the coral and sway in the ocean current as they search for food. Their tentacles can resemble the long leaves of a plant as they grasp at fish and small animals that serve as food for the sea anemone. In some species, the tentacles are much shorter. The tentacles contain stinging cells that are equipped with an external sensory hair. When triggered, the cells fire a harpoon-like barb and inject a toxin. This can be used as defense or for hunting. Small fish and other marine animals become paralyzed and are then devoured by the sea anemone.
But there are fish that are immune to the sting of the sea anemone. Clown fish and anemone are well known exceptions, with their mucous that prevents the activation of the sea anemone's stingers. Clown fish are the best known, but not the only fish with the ability to produce this mucous. There are a few other species that are referred to as anemone fish. These two are the Fiji anemone fish. They live among the deadly anemones, taking cover at the slightest sign of a threat. Predators don't dare follow the anemone fish into the tentacles and the small fish are safe within.
These fish continuously rub up against the tentacles, even when predators are not near. The contact with the anemone helps them accumulate mucous which combines with their own mucous to produce the substance that masks their presence from the stinging cells.
The anemone benefits from the fish in a perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. The anemone fish becomes aggressive and chases other fish away that might nibble at the tentacles of the anemone. The fish excrement provides the anemone with nutrients. The entire arrangement is a win-win situation for both animals.
Anemone fish are loyal to an anemone, remaining in the same location and protecting their host. Often found in groups, there will be one breeding male and one breeding female. If the female dies, the male will turn into a female and the largest non-breeding male will assume the role of being the male breeder.
Anemone fish feed primarily on zooplankton that drift past on the ocean currents. As expected, these fish were found on the reef surrounding an island in the Republic of Fiji.
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Child giggles with delight as she sails over a waterfall in Ecuador
Johanita is a seven year old child who greets the world with no fear or hesitation. Every day is an adventure and she smiles and laughs readily. Even though she has faced some medical challenges, she embraces life and all of the joy that each day brings her.
Here in Ecuador, Johanita visits a beautiful waterfall in a place called Cascada El Manta de la Novia (Waterfall Veil of the Girlfriend) with her family from Ecuador and her extended family from Canada. They stopped to take in the breath taking view from the top of the canyon. But the experience of flying over the canopy along the zipline was too beautiful to pass up. Strapped into a harness that took them out over the treetops and the river, Johanita extended her arms like a bird. Her emotions flow naturally and beautifully. She is overcome with joy as she soars more than one kilometre on the thin cable. Her laughter tells us that she is loving every moment. This is how Johanita lives her life. She captures the heart of everyone who meets her. We should all approach life as Johanita does.
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