The Wonderful Spotted Cleaner Shrimp of the Caribbean
Majestic in purple, a spotted cleaner shrimp in the waters off Bonaire Island in the Caribbean works hard for its customers. Continue Reading »
Archive for November, 2009
The Unusual Chinese Softshell Turtle
Recognition
There is a marginal ridge on the oval, slightly longer than wide, carapace (to 25 cm). Juveniles exhibit longitudinal rows of blunt tubercles, but the adult carapace is smooth, except for one to a few enlarged, blunt knobs on the anterior rim above the neck. No preneural bone is present and only a single neural bone separates the anterior of the eight pairs of costals. The 8th costals meet at the midline. Carapacial bones are finely pitted. Continue Reading »
The Uniquely Colored Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Physical characteristics: The body of a peacock mantis shrimp reaches a length of 6.7 inches (170 millimeters). Males and females are distinctively colored. Mature males are bright green with crimson and blue appendages; females are more olive or brown. Young individuals are bright yellow. Continue Reading »
The See-through Pederson’s Shrimp
The scientific name of this species of pretty and transparent shrimp is Periclimenes pedersoni and belongs to Palaemonidae family. This creature is mainly carnivores that eat small invertebrates and can be found in any aquatic habitat except the deep sea. This shrimp will most likely look elegant in an aquarium. — gomestic.com
The Pig-nosed Turtle - One of the Most Interesting Species Inhabiting Australia
This freshwater turtle is undoubtedly the most interesting of all Australian species. It is unique among the freshwater Chelonians in that its limbs are in the form of flippers, resembling those of the marine turtles. It is the sole member of the family Carettochelyidae and until recently was believed to be restricted to the south coast of New Guinea, where it is known by the common names Fly River or Pitted-shell Turtle. Continue Reading »
The Odd and Shy Harlequin Shrimp
Other Common Names:
Clown Shrimp, Painted Shrimp, and Dancing Shrimp.
Scientific Name:
Hymenocera picta or Hymenocera elegans. Continue Reading »
The Giant Squid - Myth or Reality?
The French dispatch steamer Alecton was cruising off the Canary Islands late in November of 1861 when its crew spotted something unusual in the water. It looked like a large sea monster with many arms and a long tail. The gunboat, firing cannon and musket at the strange apparition, pursed it until they could get close enough to throw harpoons into it’s body. Continue Reading »
The Blue Whale - Also Known As Balaenoptera Musculus
The blue whale is one of the rorquals, a family that also includes the humpback whale, fin whale, Bryde’s whale, sei whale, and minke whale. On land an animal the size of a blue whale would be crushed by its own weight without the support of large heavy bones. Because its body is supported by water, as a sea animal, the need for heavy bones to support its weight disappeared. Continue Reading »
The Beautiful Bamboo Shrimp
This adorable species of shrimp from Southeast Asia which is commonly called Bamboo shrimp is a filter-feeding shrimp. They are sold in the US and UK as community tank invertebrates. Bamboo Shrimps can grow up to 5 inches long. Continue Reading »
The Alligator Snapping Turtle - North America’s Biggest Turtle Inhabiting Freshwater
Identification
The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. Larger than the Common snapper, it possesses many similar characteristics, such as a large head, a long tail, and a small cross-shaped grayish brown plastron. Continue Reading »