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Leaf-tail Gecko

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Leaf-tail Gecko

Hide among the vegetation like leaf-tail geckos.

  • Leaf-tail geckos are a reptile, or specifically, a gecko, native to Africa’s tropical Madagascar.
  • ‘Leaf-tail geckos’ are also known as ‘leaf-tailed geckos,’ and ‘flat-tailed geckos’.
  • There are at least 14 species of leaf-tail geckos and their scientific or genus name is Uroplatus, and they are from the family Gekkonidae, a family of geckos.
  • Leaf-tail geckos can grow to be 10 to 30 centimetres (4 to 12 inches) in length, and weigh 10 to 30 grams (0.35 to 1 ounce) in weight.
  • The skin of leaf-tail geckos can be a combination of green, brown, grey and black; and they usually have coloured patterns that mimic their surroundings, and depending on the species, they will look similar to either leaves or bark that they hide among.
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A Leaf-tail Gecko
Image courtesy of Frank Vassen/Flickr
  • Leaf-tail geckos have digits or toes, some of which have small claws, that can be used to grip onto numerous surfaces; and they have a leaf shaped tail.
  • During the day, leaf-tail geckos camouflage themselves from predators in trees or bushes, and they become active hunters during the night.
  • The diet of leaf-tail geckos primarily consists of insects, as well as worms and spiders, while other reptiles and rodents are sometimes consumed.
  • Female leaf-tail geckos generally lay between two to four eggs at a time; and the reptile has an average life span of two to nine years.
  • Leaf-tail geckos are threatened by illegal hunting for the pet industry, along with habitat loss, and some species are listed as endangered, vulnerable and near threatened.
Bibliography:
Leaf-tailed Gecko, 2013, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/leaf-tailed-gecko/
Uroplatus, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uroplatus

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Butrint

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Butrint, Roman, Ten Random Facts, Ruins, Greek, City, Flickr, Europe

See the ages of the past at Butrint.

  • Butrint is a now ruined city that existed during the times of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, and the site is part of a protected area of approximately 86 square kilometres (33.2 square miles).
  • ‘Butrint’ is also known as ‘Buthrotum’, ‘Bouthrōtón’ and ‘Buthrōtum’, the latter two being Greek and Latin respectively.
  • Butrint is located on the southern tip of Albania, in Europe, in the area of Ksamil, on a hill, and the site is almost completely surrounded by water.
  • The UNESCO World Heritage Convention declared Butrint a World Heritage Site in 1992, and a National Park of the same name was formed in the year 2000 to further protect the site.
  • Butrint is said to have been settled by Greeks as early as the 900s BC, until it had a significant Roman influence by the mid 2nd century BC, and it was later influenced by Christians and Roman Catholics.

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Part of Butrint
Image courtesy of Matias Hallberg/Flickr
  • Butrint was the site of many clashes, especially during the Middle and Modern Ages, including those with Normans and Venetians.
  • Butrint is said to have been hit by a damaging earthquake and flood, during the 200s AD and the medieval period respectively; while the latter disaster caused the occupants to cease living in the city, and never return.
  • Archaeologists have performed modern excavations on Butrint since 1928, that were initially undertaken by Italians, and were intended by the Italian government to increase their influence in the area.
  • Butrint has previously been damaged by theft and vandalism, and since protection of the site has been more prominent, further damage has diminished.
  • Butrint has many monuments and other significant sights to see, and is visited by busloads of tourists quite regularly; while the first road to the archaeological site was built in 1959.
Bibliography:
Butrint, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/570
Buthrotum, 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buthrotum
Butrint, nd, Butrint Foundation, http://butrint.com/index.php

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Pool Noodle

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Pool Noodle

Pool noodles… a toy for the pool.

  • Pool noodles are lightweight inventions for use in water for both play and supportive purposes.
  • ‘Pool noodles’ are also known as ‘water logs’, ‘woggles’, ‘noodles’ and ‘water woggles’.
  • Pool noodles are made of foam, most often polyethylene based; and they are often flexible enough to be bent, and they float in water.
  • Pool noodles are often hollow, which can allow for several to be connected together, using specified objects.
  • The standard length of a pool noodle is approximately 160 centimetres (5.25 feet), and as it is cylindrical in shape, the diameter is 7 centimetres (2.7 inches).

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  • Due to the invention’s buoyancy, pool noodles are commonly used as flotation support in water, often when the user cannot swim, however they are not to be used without supervision, as they are not a life saving device and are classified as a ‘toy’.
  • Pool noodles are believed to have been first made and invented by Steve Hartman from Industrial Thermal Polymers in Canada’s Ontario, in the early 1980s, however Rick Koster from the same province in Canada, also claims to have been the first to have invented the toy, around the same time, although neither patented the invention.
  • Pipes can be surrounded with a pool noodle as a cheap, but practical insulator; and they have also been used as part of yard games and other purposes.
  • Pool noodles have their origins as backer rods, that fill gaps in building constructions, but they were soon adapted for use as a toy in the pool, by adding colour, and they are now available in a wide variety of bright colours, that are easily spotted in water.
  • The terms ‘water woggle’ and ‘pool noodle’ are derived from some of the first brands, ‘Water Woggle’ and ‘FunNoodle’ respectively.

 

Bibliography:
Osborne R, Uncovering the History of the Pool Noodle : Meet the Inventor, 2012, Water Crunch, http://watercrunch.com/2012/08++++/pool_noodle/
Pool Noodle, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pool_noodle

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Egg (Food)

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Egg (Food)

Eggs are a staple part of cooking.

  • Eggs used for human consumption are most frequently from domesticated fowl, and they are used as a staple item in cookery and for the reproduction of the birds; while the most common animal to produce commercial eggs are chickens, primarily of the genus Gallus, with the scientific name Gallus gallus domesticus.
  • The ‘white’, ‘yolk’ and ‘shell’ are the primary components of an egg; and whites have a water portion of approximately 87%, while yolks have a 50% portion.
  • Eggs are generally an oval shape, and those produced from chickens typically range from 43 to 71 grams (1.5 to 2.5 ounces) in weight.
  • Although chicken eggs are the most common variety eaten, the produce of ostriches, turkeys, ducks, geese and quails are used in various cuisines.
  • Eggs are commonly used in main dishes, often for savoury flavour, or as a binder, especially in baked goods, and they can also be scrambled, boiled, fried, poached or pickled.

Egg, Oval, Poultry, Chicken, Variety, Brown, White, Cream, Food, Culinary, Ten Random Facts

  • Each egg sold commercially is usually graded for size and colour, inspected for cracking in the shell and other defects, and sometimes cleaned to remove residue that can cause bacteria and viruses that can be hazardous to humans; and they are best stored in the refrigerator to prevent growth of bacteria.
  • Eggs can trigger allergic reactions in humans, such as swelling, rashes, hives, breathing problems and dizziness; and around 1% to 2% of the United States’ population is affected by the allergy.
  • Eggs are very high in choline, protein, riboflavin, selenium, and vitamin B12; high in phosphorus, folate, vitamins A and D, and iron; and they also contain many other vitamins and minerals.
  • The colour of egg shells is different according to the breed or species of bird, but they typically range from brown to white, and different countries and areas have different preferences regarding the colour of the shells.
  • An egg can symbolise ‘the start’, ‘fertility’ and ‘new life’, while the latter is the reason for the poultry item being used as an Easter symbol.
Bibliography:
Egg (Food), 2015, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_%28food%29
Egg, pasture-raised, 2015, World’s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=92

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Australasian Snapper

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Australasian Snapper

A snappy Australasian snapper.

  • Australasian snappers are fish native to the ocean near Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan and New Zealand.
  • ‘Australasian snappers’ are also known as ‘silver seabreams’, ‘snappers’, ‘cocknies’, ‘pinkies’, ‘queens’, ‘schnappers’ and ‘ruggers’.
  • The scientific name of an Australasian snapper is Pagrus auratus, from the family Sparidae, the family of sea bream, and despite its common name, it is not technically a snapper.
  • Australasian snappers can be found in waters near the coast, around underwater rocky landscapes, among reefs, and in depths of up to 200 metres (656 feet).
  • The lifespan of Australasian snappers can reach from 40 to 54 years; and young females may develop into males by adulthoood, although this is not common in some areas.

Australasian Snapper, Animal, Fish, Cut, Dead, Food, Two, Pink, Ten Random Facts, New Year, Seafood, Culinary, Australia

  • Australasian snappers generally grow between 40 to 130 centimetres (16 to 51 inches) in length, and weigh between 10 to 20 kilograms (22 to 44 pounds).
  • Australasian snappers are among the most commonly eaten fish by humans in countries where they are found nearby, such as Australia.
  • The diet of Australasian snappers generally consists of crabs, shrimp, starfish, other fish, sea urchins and shellfish.
  • Australasian snappers can have scales ranging from red, pink, grey, silver or gold in colour, and mature adults develop an obvious hump on the top of their head.
  • Australasian snappers often cannot be legally caught for human consumption if they are less than 35 centimetres (14 inches) in length; and this is to prevent over-fishing so as not to damage the population of fish.
Bibliography:
Snapper, 2014, PIRSA Fisheries, http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/fisheries/recreational_fishing/target_species/snapper
Snapper, Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), 2014, Australian Museum, http://australianmuseum.net.au/Snapper-Pagrus-auratus-Bloch-Schneider-1801
Silver Seabream, n.d, FishBase, http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/summary/6426
Australasian Snapper, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasian_snapper

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Burgos Cathedral

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Burgos Cathedral

Go back in time with Burgos Cathedral.

  • Burgos Cathedral is one of Spain’s many cathedrals, and it is located in Burgos, and it is used for Roman Catholic religious purposes.
  • The construction of Burgos Cathedral was arranged by King Ferdinand III, along with the then Bishop of Burgos, Don Mauricio who was born in England.
  • The Burgos Cathedral building process began in 1221, and the building is said to be located on land that originally housed another cathedral.
  • Burgos Cathedral was completed in 1567, although an alter had been built by 1260, when it was consecrated; while the long construction period was due to a two century-long break.
  • ‘Burgos Cathedral’ is officially known as the ‘Cathedral of Saint Mary of Burgos’, or in Spanish, ‘Catedral de Santa María de Burgos’, and it is also known as ‘Our Lady of Burgos’.
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Part of Burgos Cathedral
Image courtesy of Rafael dP/Flickr
  • Burgos Cathedral was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and it is dedicated to, and named after Mary, the mother of Jesus.
  • Burgos Cathedral features significant French Gothic architecture, and includes many spires, windows and statues in the style.
  • Burgos Cathedral sits on a site that is an area of 10,300 square metres (110,870 square feet) and the tallest parts of the cathedral are the two spires on the two main towers; and they reach a height of 88 metres (289 feet).
  • Numerous artworks, including sculptures, such as a virgin Mary statue, and paintings, are featured in Burgos Cathedral, with notable works by Juan de Anchieta and Gil de Siloé.
  • Burgos Cathedral has many mass services each week and is open to tourists for a fee.
Bibliography:
Burgos Cathedral, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgos_Cathedral
Burgos Cathedral, 2015, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/316
Catedral de Burgos History, n.d., Catedral de Burgos, http://www.catedraldeburgos.es/

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