Author Archives: Cris

Darwin’s Frog

By | |
Leave a comment
Darwin’s Frog

Out of the mouths of Darwin’s frogs come babes.

  • Darwin’s frogs are a species of frog, native to South America’s Argentina and Chile.
  • Darwin’s frogs are also known by the names ‘Darwin’s toads’ and ‘southern Darwin’s frogs’, and their common names are reference to Charles Darwin who discovered the frogs in the 1830s.
  • The scientific name of a Darwin’s frog is Rhinoderma darwinii and it is one of two species in the family Rhinodermatidae, the family of the same name.
  • Darwin’s frogs grow to be around 2.2 to 3.5 centimetres (0.9 to 1.4 inches) in length and weigh 2 to 5 grams (0.07 to 0.17 ounces).
  • The skin of Darwin’s frogs is somewhat smooth and is usually coloured brown to green on the back, and a combination of black and white on the underside.
Darwin's Frog, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Green, Yellow, Amphibian, Animal,
A Darwin’s Frog
Image courtesy of Flavio Camus/Flickr
  • Darwin’s frogs are typically found among dead leaves in grassy or forest habitats, featuring streams or other smaller water bodies.
  • The diet of Darwin’s frogs consists primarily of insects as well as invertebrates like spiders, snails and worms, which it typically lays in wait for.
  • A Darwin’s frog has a pointed head and the frog utilises camouflage to evade predators, taking the appearance of a dead leaf when still.
  • Female Darwin’s frogs lay 30 to 40 eggs among decomposing vegetation on the forest floor, while the males keep watch over the eggs for around three weeks, and then collect them in their mouth and store up to 19 of them in their vocal sac, where they mature into tadpoles and then young frogs before being released from the adult male’s mouth after approximately six weeks.
  • Due to habitat loss and possibly disease, Darwin’s frogs are listed as vulnerable, with their population dwindling at a moderate rate.
Bibliography:
Darwin‘s Frog, 2016, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/darwins-frog/
Darwin’s Frog, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin%27s_frog
Darwin‘s Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii), n.d, Arkive, http://www.arkive.org/darwins-frog/rhinoderma-darwinii/
Linsted M, Rhinoderma Darwinii, 2000, Animal Diversity Web, http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rhinoderma_darwinii/
Rhinoderma Darwinii, 2016, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19513/0

Amazon:       

Por-Bazhyn Fortress

By | |
Leave a comment
Por-Bazhyn Fortress

MilThe intriguing Por-Bazhyn Fortress.

  • Por-Bazhyn Fortress is a construction built centuries ago, found on a lake island in the mountainous Tuva area in Siberia, Russia, and it now lays in ruins.
  • ‘Por-Bazhyn Fortress’ is also known as ‘Por Bajin Fortress’ and ‘Por-Bazhyng Fortress’, with its name from the native Tuvan language meaning ‘clay house’.
  • Por-Bazhyn Fortress encompasses an area almost the size of the small island it is situated on, so its walls are not far from the waters of the remote lake Tere-Khol.
  • Por-Bazhyn Fortress covers a rectangle-shaped area of approximately 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres) with dimensions of 162 by 215 metres (531 by 705 feet).
  • It is thought that Por-Bazhyn Fortress was built sometime between 750 to 790 AD, possibly purposed as a palace or for ritual, religious or military practices, but as of 2015, there was little evidence to support any of these suggestions.
Por-Bazhyn Fortress, Place, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Construction, Russia, Lake, AncientPor-Bazhyn Fortress
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
  • The outer wall of Por-Bazhyn Fortress currently reaches a height of up to 10 to 12 metres (33 to 39 feet), while the inner walls are 1.5 metres (5 feet) at their highest point.
  • Por-Bazhyn Fortress was initially excavated from 1957 to 1963 by S.I. Vajnstejn, a Russian archeologist, after it was explored earlier in 1891, while extensive work and studies of the site were undertaken in 2007 to 2008 by the cultural foundation of the fortress.
  • Rammed earth and clay materials were used in the construction of the walls of Por-Bazhyn Fortress, while wooden beams were utilised for support, and the site has distinct Chinese architectural features.
  • Like many other details of Por-Bazhyn Fortress, it is unknown how the fortress was actually destroyed and why it was abandoned, though earthquakes and/or fire are possible causes, and it is believed that the site was used only for a short time, if at all.
  • Only a small quantity of artifacts have been retrieved from Por-Bazhyn Fortress, and these have included footprints, burnt timber, an earring, a dagger, drawings and building materials.
Bibliography:
Holloway A, 1,300-Year-Old Fortress-Like Structure on Siberian Lake Continues to Mystify Experts, 2014, Ancient Origin, http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/1300-year-old-fortress-structure-siberian-lake-013323
Por-Bajin, 2016, Atlas Obscura, http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/por-bajin
Por-Bazhyn, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Por-Bazhyn
The Por-Bazhyn Fortress, 2016, Amusing Planet, http://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/03/the-por-bazhyn-fortress.html

Bocconcini

By | |
Leave a comment
Bocconcini

Add a touch of Italian with some bocconcini.

  • Bocconcini are a type of cheese – a fairly soft, mild-tasting Italian mozzarella with a little sweetness, made from curd.
  • The term ‘bocconcini’ is from the Italian language and translates as ‘little mouthfuls’, while ‘bocconcino’ is the singular form of the word.
  • Bocconcini were originally produced solely from water buffalo milk, however, in modern times cow’s milk is often added to the mix or used alone.
  • The colour of bocconcini are white or creamy white, and they are small and roundish in shape, having a similar appearance to peeled hardboiled eggs.
  • Bocconcini are made by stretching and kneading hot curd, which is then formed into small balls.

Bocconcini, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, White, Cheese, Curd, Italian, Culinary, Food

  • Bocconcini are typically stored and sold commercially in either whey or water to help maintain freshness, and should not be stored for long periods, though their life can be extended to three weeks if the water is salted and changed regularly.
  • Bocconcini are to some extent stretchy in consistency as well as somewhat springy to touch, and they easily take on other flavours.
  • Italy’s city of Naples in Europe is believed to be the original home of bocconcini, in the 500s AD, before it began being produced elsewhere.
  • Bocconcini are commonly eaten in salads, on crackers, and in pastas, frequently accompanied with olives and/or tomatoes, and they are also used as a melting cheese.
  • Bocconcini are high in calcium, and are a good source of vitamin A and protein, and they have significant levels of cholesterol.
Bibliography:
Bocconcini, 2015, Cheese.com, http://www.cheese.com/bocconcini/
Bocconcini, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bocconcini
Bocconcini, n.d, Taste.com.au, http://www.taste.com.au/how+to/articles/206/bocconcini
Healthy Food Database – Bocconcini, 2010, The Food Coach, http://thefoodcoach.com.au/food/?Action=View&FoodID=280
Stretched Curd Cheese, 2015, Legendairy, http://www.legendairy.com.au/dairy-foods/dairy-products/cheese/stretched-curd-cheese

Fishtail Oxalis

By | |
Leave a comment
Fishtail Oxalis

From a little bulb does a fantastic fishtail oxalis grow.

  • Fishtail oxalis is a species of perennial herb that originates in some areas of South America and Central America, as well southern parts of North America.
  • ‘Fishtail oxalis’ are also known as ‘fish-tailed oxalis’, ‘broadleaf wood sorrels’, ‘pink shamrocks’, ‘garden pink-sorrels’, and ‘sorrels’.
  • The scientific name of fishtail oxalis is Oxalis latifolia and it is from the family Oxalidaceae, the family of wood sorrels.
  • Fishtail oxalis plants reach a height of roughly 15 to 30 centimetres (6 to 12 inches), and the leaves have three leaflets that are generally shaped as a fish tail and are typically between 3 to 6 centimetres (1.2 to 2.4 inches) wide.
  • Fishtail oxalis grow from bulbs and generally shoot during autumn months if they have died off after flowering, and the plant does not usually produce seed in most countries.

Fishtail Oxalis, Trivia, Purple, Herb, Flower, Vegetation, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Fishtail oxalis usually produce 5 to 12 flowers in a group, that are of a mostly purple, pink, or white colour.
  • Fishtail oxalis spread easily from the multiplication of underground bulbs, and they can be used decoratively in the garden, particularly as a ground cover.
  • Spring months, and into summer, are the most common times for fishtail oxalis to bloom.
  • In some countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, India, and parts of Africa, fishtail oxalis are considered a major invasive weed, and they are also a pest in many other countries.
  • As a wood sorrel, fishtail oxalis are sensitive to light, and as a result the leaves and flowers close at night and sometimes during shady times of the day.
Bibliography:
Fishtail Oxalis, n.d, HerbiGuide, http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Fishtail_Oxalis.htm
Oxalis Latifolia, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxalis_latifolia
Oxalis Latifolia (Sorrel), n.d, Invasive Species Compendium, http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/38157
Oxalis Latifolia Kunth, n.d, PlantNET, http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Oxalis~latifolia

Hula Hoop

By | |
Leave a comment
Hula Hoop

Hula hoops are all worth the spin.

  • A hula hoop is a ring-shaped toy that is generally spun, thrown or rolled for entertainment or exercise.
  • Hula hoops are most commonly twirled, known as ‘hooping’, around the waist, but other parts of the body, including arms, legs and neck, are also used.
  • Most hula hoops are tubes produced from a lightweight plastic, however wooden and metal versions exist.
  • Hula hoops typically range from 75 to 107 centimetres (29 to 42 inches) in diameter, and the size varies according to the purpose or size of the person using it, or their personal preference.
  • Hula hoops date back to Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, and were used for a similar purpose as they are today, and were a popular toy in England around the 1300s, while around the same time, Native Americans also used them for dancing purposes.
Hula Hoop, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Toy, Invention, Spinning, Hooping, Twirling, Motion, Boy
A Hula Hoop
Image courtesy of Tony Fischer/Flickr
  • Originally hula hoops were made from vegetation such as willows, grasses or grapevines twisted into rings.
  • A modern hula hoop craze is said to have started in the 1950s in Australia, while the American company Wham-O produced plastic hula hoops in the late 1950s, which sparked the fad in the United States, where millions of hoops were sold over a period of two years.
  • The longest recorded duration for a single hula hoop to be hooped is 74 hours and 54 minutes, a record set in Ohio, United States by Aaron Hibbs in late 2009.
  • The term ‘hula’ in ‘hula hoops’ is derived from the Hawaiian hula dance that features similar movements to that in hooping.
  • While hula hoops have been used in fitness regimes, they are most commonly used for self-entertainment; and they have also been used skilfully to do tricks.
Bibliography:
History of Hula Hooping, 2013, Hula Hooping, http://www.hulahooping.com/history.html
Hula Hoop, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hula_hoop
Who Invented the Hula Hoop?, 2016, Wonderopolis, https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-invented-the-hula-hoop

Amazon:        

Bonobo

By | |
Leave a comment
Bonobo

A bonobo’s small size does not make it lesser than its great relatives.

  • Bonobos are a species of great ape and one of two species in Pan, the chimpanzee genus, and they are native to Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • ‘Bonobos’ are also known as ‘dwarf chimpanzees’, ‘pygmy chimpanzees’, and ‘gracile chimpanzees’.
  • The scientific name of the bonobo is Pan paniscus, and it is from the family Hominidae, the family of great apes.
  • Bonobos stand at a height of approximately 104 to 124 centimetres (41 to 49 inches) and weigh 25 to 61 kilograms (55 to 134 pounds).
  • The hair colour of bonobos is dark in colour and can be a combination of brown, black and grey, and while they have a similar appearance to their close relatives, the common chimpanzee, their hair is longer and their exposed skin is typically darker, being almost black.

Bonobo, Monkey, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Primate, Black, Chimp,

A Bonobo
Image courtesy of Ted/Flickr
  • It is thought that 30,000 to 50,000 individual bonobos exist, and they are listed as endangered, as their numbers have been decreasing, caused primarily by habitat destruction and human hunting for the pet industry, as well as for food.
  • Bonobos typically live in small groups of three to ten individuals, often as part of a large community, and they spend time on the ground, as well as in the treetops of rainforests where they make nests of leaves and branches to sleep in, and they are also adept at using tools.
  • Individual bonobos generally get along quite well with those in its troop, and there is a social hierarchy where the females are generally more dominant than males, though once mature, female young generally move to another troop; while the social hierarchy of the males is generally dependent on the individual’s mother.
  • A bonobo’s diet consists primarily of fruit, but also other parts of plants, as well as eggs and honey, the occasional meat such as small mammals, insects and earthworms.
  • Adult female bonobos give birth to one baby every four to five years, and the young are dependent on their mothers for three or more years, and they have a lifespan of 20 to 50 years, reaching the upper limit in captivity.
Bibliography:
Bonobo, 2016, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bonobo/
Bonobo, 2016, San Diego Zoo, http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/bonobo
Bonobo, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo
Williams A, Pan Paniscus, 2004, Animal Diversity Web, http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pan_paniscus/

Amazon:       

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...