[MandiePoo]

I thought this would be neat to do.

Post a photo of an animal you like, any animal, or even one you don't like (except cockroaches, EW no one please post a photo of roaches, blech ) and tell a small fact about it. It can be a normal fact, or something most people wouldn't know.

Hint: If you are looking for info, try googling "animal facts" or "weird animals"

To start us off:

These are called Nudibranch.

A nudibranch /ˈnjuːdɨbræŋk/[1] is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage.[2] They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms. The clade Nudibranchia is the largest clade within the heterobranchs, with more than 3,000 described species.

Interesting right?

[roads]

The Tibetan Mastiff is a rare breed seldom found outside of its homeland. One, a neutered male, recently purchased from a breeder by an admirerer in Florida, is rumored to have cost at least $170,000.
The mastiff, though gentle with its own human family, will defend its terrain. It is documented to slay as many as four wolves in a single fight.

[lizardlady]

What a neat idea Mandiepoo!

This is a nutria. They were imported to Louisianna in the 1930's for their fur and meat. They escaped or were released, no one knows for sure which. They breed like crazy and are destroying the marshes on the state's coastline.

[MandiePoo]

YAY i wondered if this would catch on. THanks you guys, very interesting.

Here is another marvelous creature:

These are COUGAR KITTENS

Wook at the Widdle Fwace!!!


Totally adorable, right?



The problem is THAT turns into:

Mountain lions (Felis concolor), also known as cougars and pumas are one of the most widespread mammals of the western hemisphere. They live from Patagonia at the southern end of South America to the Yukon Territory in northern Canada. They are found throughout the wilderness areas and even within some urban areas. Exploding human population has brought more people into contact with cougars. A few years ago, sport hunting advocates tried to legalize the slaughter of mountain lions in California. The proposal, Proposition 197, was defeated in March 1996. It is estimated that between 4,000 and 6,000 cougars live in California.

[RubenRawr]

Although the word dinosaur means "terrible lizard," the name is somewhat misleading, as dinosaurs were not lizards. Rather, they were a separate group of reptiles with a distinct upright posture not found in lizards. Through the first half of the 20th century, most of the scientific community believed dinosaurs were sluggish, unintelligent, and cold-blooded. Most research conducted since the 1970s, however, has indicated that dinosaurs were active animals with elevated metabolisms and numerous adaptations for social interaction, and many groups (especially the carnivores) were among the most intelligent organisms of the time.

[MandiePoo]

I am a huge fan of the Apatosaurus. Such gentle giants.

WARNING: I have a large bug for you today!



















This is a giant Weta! Giant Wetas are only found on an island off the coast of New Zealand, and are considered the largest insect in the entire world.

[mel80]

awsum pic mandiepoo of the giant wta.They are still found in parts of the north island in bushlands north of Auckland.Yes they are also on an off shore island but on saturday the local wildlife service is transfurring 20 male and female giant weta's to another off shore island just in case something happens to the other weta's.Beautiful insects these and the tree and cave weta's.

[lizardlady]

The real Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is an animal only native to Tasmania. It is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world after the extinction of the Tasmanian Tiger in 1936. They were given their unique name by European explorers who were initially terrified by their "hellish" sounding growls and screeches. They are roughly the size of a small dog with about the same proportions as a pitbull and have tremendous jaw strength being able to crunch through bones with ease!
Today, devils are endangered in Tasmania by a recently discovered illness commonly known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease.