Via Andrew Sullivan and Russ Thompson.
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BIRDS: Video close up of ruby-throated hummingbird feeding from hand
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Monthly Archives: March 2009
NATURE: The amazing sloth
One of the most unusual creatures are the sloths. Sloths are slow moving leaf specialists (but they are considered omnivores), which are found only in Central and South America. They come in two varieties—two- and three-toed sloths—and six extant species exist. Much larger ground sloths did exist, but humans no doubt played a part in their extinction. Currently, deforestation threatens this unique group of animals, and many are rescued and released back into the wild. Interesting sloth facts:
[Sloths] are exceptionally good swimmers. They spend most of their lives hanging upside down in trees, even giving birth upside down. Even more interesting the sloth leaves the treetops every eight days to come down to the ground to deficate (Myers,1999). Sloths are slow moving but can be very territorial and will slash rivals with their sharp claws if threatened.
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[S]loths have a very low metabolic rate. They have considerably reduced muscle mass, presumably to make room for the expansive gut, and are therefore unable to regulate body temperature by shivering. They have a low (30-34 degrees C) body temperature that they regulate by basking in the sun. (Jansa,1996)
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All sloths have multi-chambered stomachs with cellulose digesting bacteria which allows digestion of leaves (Jansa, 1996).
Females give birth once per year. They nurse the young for only six weeks, but will continue to carry their young on their backs for up to six months. Sloths reach sexual maturity at age three.
Also, more fascinating sloth trivia:
The Tree Sloth . . . has algae growing in its fur. These algae help to camouflage the sloth against the lichen-covered tree . . . . There is even a moth that lives only in the sloth’s fur and consumes the algae; this is a commensal relationship between the moth and the sloth.
Two-toed sloths actually have three toes on their hind limbs, but their front limbs have two toes.
Photo source for attribution here
Three-toed sloths
This little sloth almost looks like a baby Chewbacca—the wookie from “Star Wars.” Photo source for attribution here
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Interesting sloth pictures
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The skeleton of an extinct giant ground sloth. Photo source for attribution here
A sleeping sloth. Photo source for attribution here
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Sloth video
A sloth crossing the road very slowly—of course, many do not make it across.
Hilarious baby sloth video:
David Attenborough discusses some mysteries about the amazing sloth
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MADAGASCAR: Opposition leader Andry Rajoelina calls for President Marc Ravalomanana to resign
Madagascar’s political situation continues to deteriorate. From France 24:
In his first public appearance since he went into hiding earlier this month, Madagascar’s opposition leader Andry Rajoelina called on his arch foe, President Marc Ravalomanana, to resign Saturday.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters shortly after the opposition declared it had seized power in the Indian Ocean island, Rajoelina called on Ravalomanana to “humbly leave power in the next four hours”.
Reporting from Independence Square in Antananarivo, FRANCE 24’s Cyril Vanier said Rajoelina appeared on the platform before his supporters, flanked by military personnel in what was clearly meant as a signal that he enjoyed the country’s military support.
The former mayor of Antananarivo emerged from hiding Saturday to address a crowd of jubilant supporters sporting orange T-shirts, hats and scarves at Independence Square, which has been the epicentre of opposition protests in the past seven weeks.
But in his first response to Saturday’s events, Ravalomanana denied opposition claims that he had lost power.
In a communiqué released Saturday, the presidential office maintained that power was still in the president’s hands.
Video from France 24
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ANIMALS: Monkeys floss teeth with human hair
These macaques have better hygiene than some people I know.
More information can be found at National Geographic
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LEGISLATION: Who would vote against Pi day? Hmm . . . take a guess
The Committee on Science and Technology submitted House Resolution 224, which supports the “designation of Pi Day” on the 14th March, and it “passed 391-10.” It seems that ten Republicans weren’t big on promoting mathematics, since all the nays were from the Republican Party. From Ewen Callaway at the New Scientist:
[Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz's] latest tweet, as of 5:05 PM ET on Thursday, reads: “I cannot support Pi Day as just one day. It should go on forever. I voted “Nay.” It passed 391-10.”
Chaffetz previously tweeted his support for H.R. 224 yesterday afternoon: “Actually going to vote on supporting “Pi Day”. Yes, as in 3.14. I have nothing against Pi, but hard to believe we have to vote on this.”
Sounds like a flip-flop to me.
The other members voting Nay include: Jeff Flake, Republican from Arizona; Dean Heller, Republican from Montana; Timothy Johnson, Republican from Illinois; Jeff Miller, Republican from Florida; Randy Neugebauer, Republican from Texas; Ron Paul, a former presidential candidate and Republican from Texas; Ted Poe, another GOP member; Bill Shuster, a Republican from Pennsylvania; and last but most certainly not least, Mike Pence, a Republican from Indiana.
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Photo source for attribution. The author or licensor of this image does not endorse my work or me and their image is protected under an attribution license.
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