http://creature.star.md Just another weblog Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:04:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Dolichotis patagona Also known as the Patagonian cavy, this large rodent is one of the world's few monogamous mammals. Its head and body length is up to 75 cm, and it weighs between nine and 16 kg. Home Range Central and southern Argentina Habitat Arid grasslands Diet Grasses and any other vegetation Reproduction Maras may produce three or ... http://creature.star.md/patagonian-mara-%e2%80%93-aka-patagonian-cavy/ Any of several species of toothless insectivorous mammals, covered with horny overlapping plates, that live in Asia and Africa. It has short, powerful forelegs with which it climbs trees and tears open the nests of tree ants, on which it feeds. Length: to 175cm (70in). Family Manidae; genus Manis. --- ... http://creature.star.md/pangolin-%e2%80%93-toothless-mammal/ Conidae "For centuries members of the Conidae family have been collected for their unique and intricately designed shells. Only during the last few decades have cone shells become an exciting area for scientific research." "Cone shells are marine snails and are found in reef environments throughout the world. They prey upon ... http://creature.star.md/cone-shell-%e2%80%93-marine-snails-with-unique-venom/ Found only on the islands of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, the happy face spider, such as this one guarding its eggs on a leaf in Maui, is known for the unique patterns that decorate its pale abdomen. Scientists believe Theridion grallator may have developed its distinctive markings to discourage ... http://creature.star.md/the-odd-happy-face-spider/ The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is a huge filter feeding shark which grows to be up to about 33 feet (10 m) long. It is the second-largest shark (after the whale shark). The basking shark is also called the sunfish, the bone shark, the elephant shark, the sailfish shark, and ... http://creature.star.md/cetorhinus-maximus-%e2%80%93-aka-basking-shark/ A marine biologist has discovered a startling new crab species that resembles a large strawberry. The unusual crustacean was found off the coast of southern Taiwan. It has a dramatic bright red shell covered with small white bumps. Professor Ho Ping-ho from the National Taiwan Ocean University said the crab resembles a ... http://creature.star.md/the-amazing-strawberry-crab-found-off-taiwan/ It's not so much eternal life, more a case of instant death. Parasitic beetles that dare to invade the hive of certain stingless bees end up entombed forever in resin. "They're stopped in their tracks and they dehydrate and shrivel up like a mummy," says Mark Greco, an entomologist at ... http://creature.star.md/parasitic-beetles-attack-stingless-bees/ Tapiridae Tapirs look something like pigs with trunks, but they are actually related to horses and rhinoceroses. This eclectic lineage is an ancient one—and so is the tapir itself. Scientists believe that these animals have changed little over tens of millions of years. Tapirs have a short prehensile (gripping) trunk, which is ... http://creature.star.md/tapir-%e2%80%93-mammal-that-resembles-a-pig/ A group of glowing worms has been found dwelling in the deep ocean, some of which release body parts as tiny "bombs" to ward off predators. Researchers describe the bizarre "Swima worms" in Science journal. The creatures, which the scientists say could be widespread in the deep sea, indicate the extent ... http://creature.star.md/glowing-worms-found-deep-in-the-ocean/ Dobsonflies are species of medium- to large-sized insects in the order Neuroptera, family Corydalidae. The life cycle of dobsonflies is characterized by a complete metamorphosis, with four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult dobsonflies are usually found near freshwater, especially streams, either resting on vegetation or engaged in an ... http://creature.star.md/dobsonflies-%e2%80%93-the-weird-large-sized-insects/