A Wildly Weird Introduction:

Creepy, crawly, slimy, or "gross", many animals have special characteristics or behaviors that never fail to amaze us! The natural world is full of animal and plant diversity; some pretty, some ugly, but all play a vital role in the health of our planet. Here we will explore some of the stranger facts of life, and meet some of nature's unsung heroes.

Wildly Wierd Creature Feature: Venus Flytrap

The venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of nature's many bug eating plants. That's right, these fascinating plants eat flies, ants, worms, or any other small bug that happens to wander into its gaping "mouth". Trigger hairs are arranged in a triangular pattern on the inner lobes of the trap. The margins of the trap are studded with bristles. When an insect steps onto the open lobes of the plant, it triggers the flytrap to instantaneously close, trapping lunch inside (clasp your hands together and interlace your fingers--get the idea?). While many carniverous plants live around the world, venus flytraps are found only in boggy areas in North and South Carolina. Once the plant closes around an insect, it secretes digestive juices to dissolve the soft parts of its meal. When finished, the trap will open up and "spit" out any undigested bug parts. YUMMM!

How Old Am I?

So how do you determine the age of a fish? One way is by its scales, which have growth rings just like trees do. Fish scales have concentric (circular) bony ridges that reflect the particular growth pattern of the individual fish. The part of the scale that is embedded in the skin contains bunches of these ridges (called "annuli"), and each cluster marks one year of the fish's growth cycle.

Sunfish

More Fish Tales...

The amazing, huge fish pictured above is an ocean sunfish (Mola mola). These incredible saltwater fish can reach up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 4,927 lbs! Their odd appearance and gentle personalities make them a true mystery of the ocean. They feed on zooplankton like small squids, shrimp, and jellyfish. Not much is known about the ocean sunfish, and marine biologists are hoping to learn more. Click here for more...

Bee-lieve it or Not!

Did you know that honey bees (Apis Mellifura) boogie? That's right, they "dance" to communicate with each other. In 1943, Karl von Frisch published his study on the "dance of the bees". The dance is a precise pattern of movement performed by worker bees returning to the hive after a hard day spent searching for food. There are two kinds of dances: the round dance (performed when food is nearby) and the waggle dance (done when food is further away). Both dances are fascinating to watch, especially the waggle dance. The bee will vigorously shake and wiggle its abdomen from side to side while buzzing its wings. So, the next time you're on the dance floor give the waggle dance a try!

Excuse Me, But I Gotta Go...

Heavy rain and flooding may force some animals to flee thier burrows, but a certain Malaysian ant has figured out another way to survive and save its nest. Bamboo nesting ants (Cataulacus muticus) like the one pictured above keep thier nests dry by "peeing" away the floodwater. That's right, when rain begins to fill thier nest, all the ants begin to drink as much water as they can. When they are full, they leave the nest to--umm--"relieve" themselves. This is the only ant in the world known to "pee" instead of flee for safety.

I Need My Beauty Sleep...

Some animals just can't get enough rest. The sleepiest mammals are armadillos, sloths, and opossums (pictured here). These creatures can spend up to 80% of thier lives either sleeping or dozing. These guys definately do not qualify as "party animals"!

Stingray and Egg Sack

Have You Seen My New Purse?

Pictured above is a stingray and its egg sack. The protective case in which the eggs are laid is often referred to as a "mermaid's purse". The leathery purse has long tendrils streaming from each corner. These help anchor the egg case in seaweed or rocks and protects the embryos developing inside. It takes between six and nine months for the eggs to hatch. Empty "purses" often wash up on beaches.

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Animal Group Names: Sharks form families, bees live in a hive, wasps swarm, trout hover, ants form colonies, lice flock, and frogs arm.