Biology Facts

Hey, this blog contains daily information about interesting animals or plants. I love biology, chemistry and science in general. If you’re interested in daily biology facts follow me. I’m always open for requests.

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Look at this adorable Lesser noctule!!!

Nyctalus leisleri is a species of insectivorous bat belonging to the vesper bat family, Verspertilionidae.

[picture taken by me :) ]

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Citheronia phoronea

The caterpillar from the Citheronia phoronea, a species of royal moth is actually harmless but uses long spiny protrusions to deter predators.

Citheronia phoronea is a moth of the family Saturniidae.

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Poecilotheria metallica

Is also known as peacock tarantula. It is an Old World species of tarantula. It is the only blue species of Poecilotheria. The species is critically endangered. While it is young the spider is less chromatic and the coloring turns to blue as it matures.

When full size the leg span of the peacock tarantula is 15-20 cm (6-8 in). In the wild it lives in holes of tall trees where it makes asymmetrical funnel webs. The primary prey consists of various flying insects. It is a photosensitive species. There hasn’t been a recorded human death from its bite.

The Venom may produce a heart-rate increase followed by sweating, headache, stinging, cramping or swelling. Effects can last for up to a week. Extreme bites from the genus may still be felt months later.

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Eudocima phalonia

Also known as the Fruit Piercing Moth.

They’re native to the Indo-Malaysia Region and were first reported in Hawaii in 1985.

The direct feeding by the adult moth on a fruit causes premature ripening and early dropping of fruits.

The caterpillars are either dark green to black or pale green to yellow. They have small creamy-white spots and bars edged with black are visible on the upper surface of the body. They form a silk cocoon between webbed leaves and emerge as a moth 2-3 Weeks later. The adult moth has a lifespan up to 70 days.

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Halgerda hervei

Is a species of mollusks with only 5 observations. It’s on the red list.

It belongs to the genus Halgerda which is a genus of sea slugs dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropodmolluks in the family Discodorididfae

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Leptopoecile sophiae

Is a tiny purplish-blue bird with a chestnut cap, a soft pink belly and a pale brow. They were first described by Nikolai Severtzov in 1873.

The species os resident in the Tian Shan and central China as well as in the Himalayas where it is mainly found in winter.

Family: Aegithalidae

(photos by: David Irving, Vincent Wang, Aseem Kothiala, Flying Osprey)

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Pluvialis apricaria

Also known as European Golden Plover.

The bird gets its name from the spangled golden back. It is a relatively large species and it tends to breed in the arctic tundra and other moorland areas. The chicks mimic live moss. Both parents care for the chicks.

(not my photos)

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ZOMBIE MUSHROOM COULD POSSIBLY HELP TO CURE CANCER

Cordyceps militaris

Research suggests Cordyceps fungi, particularly a chemical compound found in the mushroom called cordycepin, have many possible health benefits—including potential antiviral and cancer-fighting properties—though their rarity in the wild and difficulties cultivating them make it hard to produce and test at scale.

(I do not own the rights to any of these pictures, credits to the photographer)

The fungus grows 1-8 cm (1⁄2–3|1⁄4 in).

Cordyceps has more than 400 different species. It parasitizes insects.

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Hericium erinaceus

The Lion's Mane mushroom gets its name from its distinctive appearance, which resembles a lion's mane.

Lion's Mane mushrooms have been found to have potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving cognitive function, and even supporting nerve regeneration. They contain a unique compound called hericenone, which has been shown to stimulate the growth of nerve cells.

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Euplectes progne

Also known as the long-tailed widowbird is a species of bird in the family Ploceidae. Male long-tailed widowbirds are readily visible due to their extremely long tails.

(credits for the photos to Chris JeK and others)

Between six and eight of their twelve tail feathers are approximately half a meter (20 inches) long.

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Chrysomallon squamiferum

Volcano snails live in 3 different deep-sea hydrothermal vent fields located in the Indian Ocean.

These hydrothermal vents can reach up to over 400 degrees celsius / 700 degrees Fahrenheit, but the water doesn’t boil due to the ~250 atm or 3,670 psi of pressure. Their shells are made of iron.

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Creobroter gemmatus

Also known as jeweled flower mantis is a species of praying mantis native to Asia.

They belong to the Hymenopodidae and grow about 3.8 cm (1.5 inches). The females are slightly larger.

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Dendrocnide moroides

This plant is also known as the suicide plant or gympie gympie. It is the most toxic type of stinging plants in Australia. The poison is a neurotoxin causes enormous amounts of pain. It's contained within the plants' stingers.

The stingers are small, but they easily burrow into your skin — even if you only lightly graze the plant. In fact, they're so small that your skin can easily close over them and seal them in. The pain can even last for weeks. In severe cases the toxin can lead to paralysis, cardiac issues and even death.

Gympie gympie has broad, heart-shaped leaves that are toothed on the edges. Leaves have furry appearance due to dense hairs on the surface. Gympie gympie produces small, white or purple-red flowers.

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Harpia harpyja

Harpy eagle are considered one of the most powerful and largest raptors globally.

The length of their rear talons is about 4-5 inches which is just the same size as the claws of a grizzly bear.

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Uropyia meticulodina

Is a master of camouflage. It seems to be pretending to be a dead leaf.

It is a species of moth and belongs to the Notodontidae family. It is found in Taiwan, China and Japan

The wingspan is 4,5-5,5 cm

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Lophotriccus pileatus

Scale created pygmy tyrant

It is a species of bird in the family Tyrannidae.

It was given its name for the small crown-like ring of feathers on the top of its head.

They are found in Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru, Venezuela and Panama.

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Hyloscirtus tolkieni

Also known as Tolkien Frog

A new species of frog has been described from the tropical Andes of Ecuador and was named after the well known fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien.

The scientists who published the first description of the species (Juan C. Sánchez-Nivicela, José M. Falcón-Reibán, and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia) said that they named the frog after Tolkien because “the amazing colours of the new species evoke the magnificent creatures that seem to only exist in fantasy worlds."

They also paraphrase The Hobbit in the introduction of their paper (see photo 4)

The adult frogs appear to be nocturnal animals