Green lacewings, as their name would suggest, are insects whose bodies are usually bright green with translucent wings, which are slightly iridescent.
They are also referred to as "stinkflies" due to their ability to release a vile smell when feeling threatened, such as when being handled by humans.
16 February 2013
15 February 2013
Frighteningly Cute Lanternfish
Lanternfish can be found in oceans all over the world and are one of the most widely distributed and populous vertebrates in the world. They are also one of the most diverse of all vertebrates, but I bet you have never seen one as frighteningly cute as the little critter below!
14 February 2013
Luna Moth
The Luna Moth, also known as the Actias luna, is one of the largest moths found in North America. It is lime green in color, has a wingspan of up to four and half inches and distinctive eyespots.
Adult luna moths live for only seven days and their purpose is purely to mate. A female luna moth can lay anywhere between 100 and 300 eggs. The adult luna moth featured below has just emerged from the cocoon and is waiting on the bark of a tree trunk to dry and harden.
Adult luna moths live for only seven days and their purpose is purely to mate. A female luna moth can lay anywhere between 100 and 300 eggs. The adult luna moth featured below has just emerged from the cocoon and is waiting on the bark of a tree trunk to dry and harden.
13 February 2013
Laughing Kookaburras
Kookaburras are part of the kingfisher family and are native to Australia and New Guinea. There are a number of varieties of kookaburras and they are recognizable by the call which sounds like laughter. One of the species is even called the laughing kookaburra and it is not unusual to come across kookaburras in suburban areas.
12 February 2013
Does Kangaroo Mean I Don't Know?
Growing up, I learnt the story of how the kangaroo got his name. When Captain Cook first arrived in Australia and saw the kangaroos hopping around, they asked the Aboriginals what the animals were called. The local people answered, "Kanguru", meaning that they didn't understand what was being said to them. Captain Cook and his men thought that it was the name of the animal and it has then evolved into Kangaroo.
However, this story is actually untrue, although many Australians today believe it to be the truth. The word kangaroo actually derives from the word gangurru from the local people of the area where Captain Cook had stopped, the Guugu Yimithirr, and it is the word for the Grey Kangaroo in their language. Captain Cook recorded the name of these unsual animals as either "kangooroo or kanguru".
However, this story is actually untrue, although many Australians today believe it to be the truth. The word kangaroo actually derives from the word gangurru from the local people of the area where Captain Cook had stopped, the Guugu Yimithirr, and it is the word for the Grey Kangaroo in their language. Captain Cook recorded the name of these unsual animals as either "kangooroo or kanguru".
11 February 2013
Magnificent Kingfishers
Kingfishers are beautiful birds which are most commonly found throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Australasia, and the kingfisher family comprises of over 90 species. They are recognisable by their large heads, long and pointed bills and short legs.
Most species of the kingfisher have bright plumage and there is little difference in the colors between the females and males. Green and blue are the most common colors for kingfishers.
Most species of the kingfisher have bright plumage and there is little difference in the colors between the females and males. Green and blue are the most common colors for kingfishers.
10 February 2013
Cute Koalas
Koalas are one of the iconic animals of Australia - it is a marsupial, like many other animals native to Australia, and it is not a bear. When the English settlers first arrived in Australia, they called it a koala bear as it looked similar to bears. The name "Koala Bear" is still used outside of Australia - however in Australia, it is now only referred to as a koala.
Seeing a koala is often high on the wishlist for visitors to Australia, however they are only found in the coastal regions of souther and eastern Australia. The koala is not found in the wild in Western Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory. As koalas often sit quietly in trees, eating eucalyptus leaves, once you have spotted on, they make very good subjects of your travel photographs.
Koalas are very distinctive looking animals and make great subjects for cartoonists and illustrators with their fluffy ears and unique nose. Koalas make incredibly cute cartoon characters - as we can see from these cute critters below!
Seeing a koala is often high on the wishlist for visitors to Australia, however they are only found in the coastal regions of souther and eastern Australia. The koala is not found in the wild in Western Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory. As koalas often sit quietly in trees, eating eucalyptus leaves, once you have spotted on, they make very good subjects of your travel photographs.
Koalas are very distinctive looking animals and make great subjects for cartoonists and illustrators with their fluffy ears and unique nose. Koalas make incredibly cute cartoon characters - as we can see from these cute critters below!
09 February 2013
The Two Faces of Kittens
Kittens are cute, playful and even a little bit cheeky, which is one of the reasons why so many of us cannot resist them. They are inquisitive, some would even say nosey, which makes them quite adorable as they find themselves in amusing situations.
But... as many of us would also know, kittens are also somewhat devilish. Hiding in corners, waiting to pounce as you wander innocently past. They are sometimes a little crazy and always want to be the boss.
But... as many of us would also know, kittens are also somewhat devilish. Hiding in corners, waiting to pounce as you wander innocently past. They are sometimes a little crazy and always want to be the boss.
08 February 2013
Kraken - Real or Imaginary
Kraken are legendary giant sea creatures thought to live in the sea near Norway, Greenland and Iceland and there are a number of written descriptions of these frightening creatures from the 18th century. Many people believe that they may have actually been giant squid due to the descriptions of the size and general shape and characteristics.
If we are to believe the giant squid theory, just last month it was announced that the Ocean Researcher, Edie Widder has actually managed to capture footage of this elusive creature. The video footage was captured at approximately 2000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. So perhaps a kraken is a giant squid...
If we are to believe the giant squid theory, just last month it was announced that the Ocean Researcher, Edie Widder has actually managed to capture footage of this elusive creature. The video footage was captured at approximately 2000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. So perhaps a kraken is a giant squid...
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07 February 2013
Lazy Kestrels
Are kestrels lazy? Apparently kestrels do not build their own nests but use the nests built by other species. So... does that make them lazy or resourceful?
06 February 2013
K is for Kangaroo
Kangaroos are marsupials which are native to Australia - in fact, many people from other countries actually believe that there are kangaroos hopping down the main streets of the major cities in Australia. I can say, with considerable knowledge on the subject matter, that this is generally not the case.
Kangaroos are unusual looking creatures and are incredibly cute subjects for drawings and art. Today we are featuring a small range of gifts featuring kangaroos. So sweet!
Kangaroos are unusual looking creatures and are incredibly cute subjects for drawings and art. Today we are featuring a small range of gifts featuring kangaroos. So sweet!
05 February 2013
King Cobra
The King Cobra can be found in India and Southeast Asia and is the longest venomous snake in the world. The king cobra is considered a very dangerous snake and can look quite threatening when it rears up and creates a hood with its neck.
Though I must say, the king cobra featured here looks quite cute and not that scary at all!
Though I must say, the king cobra featured here looks quite cute and not that scary at all!
04 February 2013
Beautiful Koi
Koi, meaning carp in Japanese, are ornamental varieties of the common carp, which have been bred specifically to create their beautiful colors. Originally developed in Japan towards the end of the 19th century, koi are now popular throughout the world in ponds and water gardens.
In Japan, nishikigoi are considered symbols of love and affection and throughout my travels in Japan, I found them to be very commonplace in Japanese water gardens.
In Japan, nishikigoi are considered symbols of love and affection and throughout my travels in Japan, I found them to be very commonplace in Japanese water gardens.
03 February 2013
Cute Jellyfish
"Cute Jellysih" - they aren't typically two words that most people would put together... would they? Perhaps I should say, they are not typically two words I would put together! Cute is definitely not a word that usually comes to mind when I think of jellyfish, but looking at this little critter below, "cute" definitely comes to mind!
02 February 2013
Jaguar Beauty
The jaguar is the third biggest cat in the world, following only the tiger and lion in the size stakes and is the largest in the western hemisphere. It can be found from the southern United States, Central America and parts of South America, including Paraguay and Argentina.
While most jaguars have spots, similar to that of the leopard, approximately 6% of the jaguar population are mostly black, which is known as colour morphism, but their spots are still visible up close.
While most jaguars have spots, similar to that of the leopard, approximately 6% of the jaguar population are mostly black, which is known as colour morphism, but their spots are still visible up close.
01 February 2013
What is a Javelina?
A javelina is also known as a peccary or a skunk pig, and can be found in the southwestern areas of North America and throughout Central and South America. While javelinas look similar to pigs, particularly their snouts, they are not part of the pig family.
Unlike pigs, Javelinas cannot be domesticated as pets as they are generally too aggressive in nature. Javelinas mark their territories with their scent which can be smelt by humans which is how they have been given the name of skunk pig.
Unlike pigs, Javelinas cannot be domesticated as pets as they are generally too aggressive in nature. Javelinas mark their territories with their scent which can be smelt by humans which is how they have been given the name of skunk pig.
31 January 2013
J is for Jackal
The black backed Jackal, pictured below, is one of three species of jackals found in North Africa. It has black hair on the back which contrasts with the rusty red color of the hair on the rest of its body and a black tip on its tail.
In mythology, jackals are often depicted as clever sorcerers which probably reflects their nature in the wild, where they are resourceful.
In mythology, jackals are often depicted as clever sorcerers which probably reflects their nature in the wild, where they are resourceful.
30 January 2013
Three Things I Didn't Know About Japanese Beetles
1. Firstly, I didn't know there was a beetle called the Japanese beetle, and so I certainly wouldn't know what Popillia japonica was. As the name would suggest, the Japanese beetle is native to Japan.
2. The Japanese beetle can also be found in parts of Canada and the United States where it is considered a pest and does substantial damage to a large number of species of plants.
3. The life cycle of the Japanese beetle is typically twice as long in Japan where it is 2 years as opposed to the United States where it is only one year.
2. The Japanese beetle can also be found in parts of Canada and the United States where it is considered a pest and does substantial damage to a large number of species of plants.
3. The life cycle of the Japanese beetle is typically twice as long in Japan where it is 2 years as opposed to the United States where it is only one year.
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