Category Archives: Animals

Siamese Fighting Fish

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Siamese Fighting Fish

Who would know that such a small fish, such as the Siamese fighting fish, could be so aggressive?

  • A Siamese fighting fish is a small freshwater fish that is native to the Mekong river system of Southeast Asia.
  • The ‘Siamese fighting fish’ is also known as ‘betta fish’, while the Thai and Khmer know it as ‘pla-kad’ and ‘trey krem’ respectively.
  • The scientific name of a Siamese fighting fish is Betta splendens and it is from the family Osphronemidae, the family of gouramis.
  • Siamese fighting fish grow to be 6 to 8 centimetres (2.4 to 3.1 inches) in length, and they are commonly kept in domestic aquariums.
  • In the wild, Siamese fighting fish are most commonly brown, silver, grey or green in colour, while the more brightly coloured ones that include red, white, green, blue or pink are specifically bred, often with large flowing tails and fins of various shapes.
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Siamese Fighting Fish
Image courtesy of h080/Flickr
  • Male Siamese fighting fish are usually more brightly coloured than the females, and while the female produces the 10 to 45 eggs, they are cared for by the male in a nest that he makes from bubbles, primarily due to the female’s tendency to eat her eggs.
  • Male Siamese fighting fish commonly duel each other for territorial reasons, which can be fatal for them, and they show off their fins by splaying them out, and in some countries, this aggressive behaviour is taken advantage of for gambling purposes.
  • Siamese fighting fish have a unique respiratory system that allows them to breath air from above water when necessary.
  • Due to their aggressiveness, Siamese fighting fish are commonly thought to be incompatible in aquariums, although this is not always true, as they often leave less colourful and visually different fish alone, especially species larger than themselves.
  • The diet of Siamese fighting fish consists primarily of plankton, shrimp and insects, and they generally live to be two to three years of age, although they may live for five or more years.
Bibliography:
Siamese Fighting Fish, 2015, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/siamese-fighting-fish/
Siamese Fighting Fish, 2015, Burke’s Backyard, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/pets/pet-road-tests/fish/siamese-fighting-fish/
Siamese Fighting Fish, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_fighting_fish

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Biting Midges

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Biting Midges

Biting midges are awful irritators – or amazing, depending on the way you look at it.

  • Biting midges are flying insects that are considered pests due to their habit of consuming human blood, and they are also known as ‘no-see-ums’, ‘midgies’, ‘midges’, ‘punkies’, and somewhat incorrectly as ‘sandflies’, although they are a technically a fly.
  • Ceratopogonidae, is the family of biting midges, while those in the Culicoides genus number greater than one thousand, and they are generally found in areas near water or in mountainous regions.
  • There are more than 200 biting midges in the Culicoides genus, the most common found in Australia, and they are native to moist, muddy or mass-vegetated habitats often in coastal areas, particularly those in northern Australia (especially the tropics), although other midges in the genus are found around the world.
  •  The size of a biting midge is extremely small, ranging from 1 to 3 millimetres (0.04 to 0.12 inches) in length and the insect consumes nectar from plants as part of its diet.
  • Some biting midges cause significant irritation in humans after biting, which is caused by chemicals in the insect’s saliva, although not all midges are human pests; and it is often thought that their urine is what creates the burning irritation on one’s skin, however this is false.
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A Biting Midge
Image courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
  • Blood is collected only by female biting midges, to supply adequate nutrients for egg reproduction, and for this reason, males are harmless.
  • The larvae of biting midges moult four times with the final time being the pupa stage, emerging as an adult two to three days later, with the entire process taking 3 to 22 weeks according to species, and it can also be dependent upon the moon and tide cycles.
  • Biting midges are generally most active at dawn and dusk, when the females tend to bite, but they can also be a pest during the night and occasionally in overcast weather, however, they are generally less active when it is windy, and more active around full and new moons.
  • The bites of biting midges are typically itchy and/or painful, and red swelling may be evident and grow to multiple centimetres in diameter, depending on one’s immunity, which can build over time, and unlike mosquitoes, midges in Australia are not known to spread disease among humans, though disease spread among animals and humans in other countries is evident.
  • Biting midges tend to stay low to the ground, so they are not typically a pest in high-set buildings, and humans are best protected from their bites by being fully covered by clothing, with the addition of chemical insect repellents on uncovered areas, while the consumption of vitamin B1 (as suggested by some) is ineffective.
Bibliography:
Biting Midges, 2015, Merck Manuals, http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/integumentary_system/flies/biting_midges.html
Biting Midges or “Sandflies” in the NT, 2003, Northern Territory Government, http://www.education.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/3713/BitingMidge.pdf
Biting Midges or Sandflies, 2009, Government of Western Australia, http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/2658/2/biting%20midges%20or%20sandflies.pdf
Culicoides spp., 2013, University of Florida, http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/aquatic/biting_midges.htm

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Kangaroo

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Kangaroo

Any person could attribute a kangaroo to Australia.

  • Kangaroos are marsupials that are very symbolic of Australia, their native home, and the animal even features in the country’s coat-of-arms.
  • Macropodidae is the family of kangaroos, while the scientific name of the animal is Macropus, however, the smaller animals in the genus are called ‘wallabies’, and some are known as ‘wallaroos’.
  • There are four species in the Macropus genus called ‘kangaroos’ –  the ‘Red’ (Macropus rufus); ‘Western Grey’ (Macropus fuliginosus); ‘Eastern Grey’ (Macropus giganteus); and the lesser known ‘Antilopine’ (Macropus antilopinus) which is sometimes called a ‘wallaby’ or a ‘wallaroo’; while the ‘tree kangaroo’ belongs to a different genus.
  • The diet of kangaroos consists of a variety of vegetation including grasses, flowers, fungi, seeds and shrubs, which is often chewed multiple times as cud; and they have fur that ranges from brown, tan, red or grey in colour, which varies according to the species, and the common names of the various species is generally indicative of the colour of their fur.
  • Kangaroos range in height from 0.8 to 2.1 metres (2.6 to 6.9 feet) in height and have a weight that ranges from 18 to 90 kilograms (40 to 200 pounds), while those in the ‘red’ (rufus) species are the largest extant marsupials.

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Kangaroo
Image courtesy of Val Laird
  • Kangaroos are notable for having feet and a tail of significantly large size, which are useful for keeping the animal stable, especially when they move, and they can jump distances that can reach 8 metres (24 feet) in length and 2 metres (6.6 feet) in height, and can move at speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour (37 miles per hour).
  • Kangaroos may fight for dominance or simply for entertainment, fighting somewhat like a boxer or kicking with their potentially dangerous feet, and they will use these movements as defence against predators like dingoes.
  • The young of a kangaroo, known as a ‘joey’, spends around two thirds of a year in the pouch of its mother, where it grows as a neonate, poking its head out after about six months.
  • Kangaroos are mostly nocturnal and as a result, are particularly susceptible to being startled by vehicle noises and headlights, and they often jump in front of vehicles in confusion, which can be fatal for the animal and sometimes the occupants of the vehicle.
  • The meat of kangaroos has traditionally been eaten by indigenous Australians, and it is becoming quite popular among others, especially for its high protein and low fat properties.
Bibliography:
Kangaroo, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo
Kangaroo, 2015, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/kangaroo/
Kangaroo Facts, 2015, Outback Australia Travel Guide, http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/kangaroo-facts.html

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Puss Moth

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Puss Moth

Puss moths are an example of grey-scale beauty.

  • Puss moths are a species of moth of a medium size, native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia.
  • The scientific name of a puss moth is Cerura vinula and it is from the family Notodontidae, a family of moths known as ‘prominents’.
  • Puss moths have wings that are predominantly a white, grey or cream colour, that are patterned with black coloured marble styled markings, and the body is similar in colouring.
  • The wingspan of a puss moth is roughly 5 to 8 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) in length, though they may be larger, while the length of the caterpillar is approximately 8 centimetres (3 inches).
  • Puss moth caterpillars are primarily green in colour when mature (black when juvenile) and have small white spots, and their head is surrounded by a red coloured ring that is decorated with two black spots so that it appears to be a face.
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Puss Moth
Image courtesy of Ben Sale/Flickr
  • Puss moth caterpillars strike a defence pose when feeling threatened, which involves intimidation with its pretend ‘face’ and the two red tipped projections on its rear.
  • As a method of protection, puss moth caterpillars may excrete formic acid which is sprayed out when they are further threatened, a feature that makes it one of the more dangerous caterpillars in the United Kingdom.
  • The diet of puss moth caterpillars mainly consists of vegetation from poplars and willow trees, and once hatched, they have an average lifespan of three to five months.
  • Puss moths have a soft furry texture that is comparable to the fur of a cat, which is the reason for the moth’s common name, and they are said to be threatened in some areas due to continuous woodland destruction and pollution.
  • Puss moth caterpillars construct hard waterproof cocoons that are considered one the strongest among moth species, and once the metamorphosis process has concluded, the moth releases a liquid to soften the cocoon so that it can be liberated.
Bibliography:
Cerura Vinula, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerura_vinula
Puss Moth, 2013, Buglife, https://www.buglife.org.uk/bugs-and-habitats/puss-moth
Puss Moth, 2015, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/puss-moth/

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Music Stand

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Music Stand

Music stands were once an item of little importance, and now they are a musical necessity.

  • Music stands are an invention used to hold music books or sheet music during a musical performance or practice.
  • Most often music stands are made of a metal material, although they are occasionally made of plastic or wood.
  • Music stands are commonly engineered with the ability to fold and collapse, particularly for compact storage or transport purposes.
  • A music stand is typically a central pole with legs, with a flat rectangle shaped head at the top which holds the music, and the head may be a solid rectangle, or one that has gaps or holes and is possibly collapsible.
  • Music stands range greatly in size, from small, portable versions used in marching bands, to larger versions reaching human height and used in orchestras.

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  • It is thought that music stands originated in 200 BC in Ancient China, although they were not commonly used until the 1300s by European musicians from Germany and Switzerland.
  • Often a small shelf is part of the head of a music stand, which helps to hold the music on the stand and also allows for a pencil or other small items to rest there, while others have clips or other mechanisms to attach the music to the stand.
  • Generally music stands used for professional purposes are coloured black in a matte finish so that they are inconspicuous during a performance, however stands can be coated with chrome, or painted in a glossy black colour, or other alternative.
  • The column of a music stand is often adjustable in height, and the head is often tilted at an angle so the musician can view the music clearly and easily.
  • Music stands are available in different versions, from lightweight ones often used by amateurs, to heavy duty sturdy ones that are typically used by professionals and are able to hold heavy books.
Bibliography:
Music Stand, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_stand
What is a Music Stand?, 2015, WiseGEEK, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-music-stand.htm

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Tasmanian Devil

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Tasmanian Devil

Australia is full of iconic animals such as Tasmanian devils.

  • Tasmanian devils are small nocturnal animals that are marsupials native to Australia, and they are now found solely in Tasmania.
  • The scientific name of a Tasmanian devil is Sarcophilus harrisii, and it is from the family Dasyuridae, a family of mostly Australian marsupials.
  • As the largest extant marsupials that eat meat since the extinction of thylacines, the length of Tasmanian devils ranges from 57 to 65 centimetres (22 to 26 inches) and they weigh 6 to 8 kilograms (13 to 18 pounds).
  • Despite its relatively small size, the clamping of a Tasmanian devil’s jaw produces forces of up to 533 newtons, which is useful for bone crushing and is enough to snap wire made from thick metal, and the jaw is able to open at 75 to 80 degree angle.
  • Tasmanian devils have tails that are particularly thick, mainly due to storing fat, and an animal in good health will have a fatter tail; and the tail is useful for balance and also contains a scent gland.
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Tasmanian Devil
Image courtesy of Travis/Flickr
  • The fur of Tasmanian devils ranges from a dark grey, brown to a black colour, and they generally have a white strip across the underside of there neck.
  • A Tasmanian devil’s diet consists of a variety of animals including rodents, birds, rabbits, wombats, some livestock, insects and already dead animals, and they generally live alone and have an average lifespan of five to eight years.
  • It is believed that Tasmanian devils became extinct on mainland Australia thousands of years ago, and the current population in Tasmania is listed as endangered and is decreasing, due to hunting, habitat loss and disease.
  • It is a common myth that Tasmanian devils attack people on a regular basis, however, in reality they are generally quite fearful and passive, although biting may occur as a last resort.
  • Numerous young are produced by a female Tasmanian devil at a single time, however, only two to four infants survive and live in their mother’s pouch for approximately four months.
Bibliography:
Tasmanian Devil, 2010, Australian Reptile Park, http://www.reptilepark.com.au/animalprofile.asp?id=154
Tasmanian Devil, 2015, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/tasmanian-devil/
Tasmanian Devil, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_devil

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