Here I put biology facts about a particular animal I find interest in or a friend requests. Enjoy!
SEA BUNNY (Jorunna parva)
Sea bunnies are a species of Discodorididae (dorid nudibranch) that live in the waters surrounding Japan and other eastern islands. They are usually defined by their black bunny-like rhinophores at the front of their bodies, meant to recieve chemical signals - like taste and scent - to search for their main source of food, toxic sponges! By eating these sponges, they absorb the toxins present in their bodies and become toxic themselves. Despite their cute appearance, they shouldn't be touched at all because of this!
And that's the sea bunny! Did you know some of them can be green or yellow?
BOOMSLANG (Dispholidus typus)
Boomslangs are a species of Colubridae (family of snake) - their name meaning "tree snake" in Dutch. They have incredible eyesight compared to most snakes, on account of their larger, rounder eyes! These snakes are also one of the few to show sexual dimorphism, a trait in which animals will have different physical characteristics depending on their sex. For boomslangs, the males have green scales with slightly blue edges, and the females have brown scales, but are otherwise identical. Another trait that sets Boomslangs apart from their fellow snakes is their extremely potent venom. While most Colubrida have small amounts of venom and are generally not very dangerous, Boomslangs have large fangs in the back of their jaw that they use to deliver a hemotoxin - a type of venom that disrupts the cardiovascular system by causing internal and external bleeding with the absence of blood clotting. These snakes pack a serious punch!
And that's the Boomslang snake! Make sure to watch out for them if you ever go somewhere in southern Africa!
AFRICAN PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus)
African penguins are an endangered species of Spheniscidae (penguin family) that live in the waters of southern Africa. They hunt fish and squid through a method called "pursuit fishing", which involves chasing their prey through the water, allowing for broader ranges of hunting while also taking more energy. To regulate their temperature, the pinkish glands above their eyes cool their blood down in hotter environments. Much like humans and their fingerprints, the black and white feather pattern on their chest is unique to each penguin!
And that's the African Penguin! Did you know penguins could live in sub-tropical climates?
FIRE GOBY (Nemateleotris magnifica)
Fire gobys are dartfish native to the Indian and Pacific Ocean. They live in coral reefs, but are sometimes kept in saltwater tanks! It's known well by fishkeepers for its pretty colors, but it isn't all for show - it uses its bright dorsal fin to alert other fish to predators incoming! Despite its name, it's nowhere near as aggressive as a fire! It's a very passive fish, living primarily in sand burrows and not even hunting its food, instead waiting for it to float into its mouth through ocean currents, eating things such as worms and shrimp.
And that's the Fire Goby! Have you ever seen one in a tank?
RED WARBLER (Cardellina rubra)
Red Warblers are passerine (order of birds that makes up more than half of all birds!) birds. They're so tiny - about 5 inches (13 cm) in length! They live in specific areas throughout Mexico, which have 3 subspecies, each different in ear patch and body feather color. Pictured here is an adult Red Warbler, but the younger birds are pink and brown. When they're born, both parents take care of the bird for about 10 days, then they're already up and flying out of their nest! They eat insects and mostly gun for the ones right above the forest floor! Most birds in the area sing during all sorts of weather, but not the Red Warbler - it prefers to wait for bright and sunny mornings! Sometimes, you can find them in flocks with different species of birds. To defend itself from predators, its feathers have nitrogen compounds in them - which make them either gross tasting or inedible entirely to possible predators!
And that's the Red Warbler! Have you ever seen one before?
GOLDEN JACKAL (Canis aureus)
Golden Jackals are wolf-like canids (family) that live in valleys near water in Asia and Europe. They are characterized by their coat changing throughout the seasons, from a cream yellow in summer to a dark beige in winter. They can live in many different habitats, and can move long distances with their long legs and smaller body! It mostly eats meat, specifically rodents and birds, and fruits. They form families for life and sometimes live with their litter as well, and also form packs with social behaviors such as communication and group howling and grooming! However, these canids still hunt alone, sometimes in pairs. They appear in Indian Folklore as intellegent creatures, and in Hinduism as a familiar of Chamunda, the god of cremation!
And that's the Golden Jackal! Isn't their fur pretty?