Kingdom AnimaliaKingdom AnimaliaDr. NicholsDr. Nichols

Coronado HSCoronado HS

~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~

Body divided into sections/segmentsBody divided into sections/segments

Exoskeleton Exoskeleton

Jointed legsJointed legs

Well developed nervous systemWell developed nervous system

Largest group of animals on earthLargest group of animals on earth

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Phylum Arthropoda ~

3 subphyla:3 subphyla:

Classified into classes according to Classified into classes according to the number of legs, eyes and the number of legs, eyes and antennae they have. antennae they have.

SubphylumSubphylum ChilicerataChilicerata is divided into 3 classes is divided into 3 classes

Arachnida – spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites – spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites

Merostomata – horseshoe crabs – horseshoe crabs

Pycnogonida – sea spiders – sea spiders

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~Phylum Arthropoda ~

~Invertebrate Phylum ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum

ChilicerataChilicerata Class – Class – ArachnidaArachnida

no antennaeno antennae

4 pairs of legs4 pairs of legs

2 body regions - cephalothorax & abdomen2 body regions - cephalothorax & abdomen

spiders, scorpions, mites & ticksspiders, scorpions, mites & ticks

~Invertebrate Phylum ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum

ChilicerataChilicerata Class Class Merostomata

Horseshoe crabsHorseshoe crabs– Ancient group of species Ancient group of species

– Changed little over 350 million years Changed little over 350 million years

– Aquatic, mostly found on Atlantic & Aquatic, mostly found on Atlantic & gulf coasts of United States.gulf coasts of United States.

~Invertebrate Phylum ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum

ChilicerataChilicerata Class Class Pycnogonida

– Sea spiderSea spider

~Invertebrate Phylum ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Arthropoda ~ Subphylum - Subphylum -

CrustaceaCrustacea5 Classes5 Classes Aquatic ones have gillsAquatic ones have gills

2 antennae2 antennae

2 body regions or segmented2 body regions or segmented

Shrimp, lobsters, crabs, barnacles, Shrimp, lobsters, crabs, barnacles, isopodsisopods

Many species taste delicious in butterMany species taste delicious in butter

Subphylum Subphylum UniramiaUniramia: 3 classes: 3 classes

Class Class Insecta Insecta (insects) (insects)

Class Class ChilopodaChilopoda (Centipedes) (Centipedes)

Class Class DiplopodaDiplopoda (Millipedes) (Millipedes)

~Invertebrate Phylum ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Arthropoda ~ Subphylum Subphylum

UniramiaUniramia Class Class InsectaInsecta

3 pairs of legs3 pairs of legs

2 body regions - head, thorax & 2 body regions - head, thorax & abdomenabdomen

grasshoppers, ants, butterflies, beesgrasshoppers, ants, butterflies, bees

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Phylum Arthropoda ~ Subphylum Subphylum UniramiaUniramia

Class Class Diplopoda

Millipedes Millipedes

segmented animalssegmented animals Have 2 pairs of legs per segment Have 2 pairs of legs per segment

Primarily herbivores & decomposersPrimarily herbivores & decomposers

~Invertebrate Phylum ~Invertebrate Phylum Arthropoda ~ Arthropoda ~ Subphylum Subphylum

UniramiaUniramia Class Class Chiopoda

Centipedes Usually terrestrial Centipedes Usually terrestrial carnivores carnivores

Have 1 pair of antennae Have 1 pair of antennae

Are often poisonous, using modified Are often poisonous, using modified front claws to immobilize prey front claws to immobilize prey

~ Phylum Chordata ~ ~ Phylum Chordata ~ subphylumsubphylum VertebrataVertebrata

5 classes5 classesFish Fish

MammalsMammals

ReptilesReptiles

AmphibiansAmphibians

BirdsBirds

~ Characteristics ~ ~ Characteristics ~ MulticellularMulticellular

Eukaryotic with Eukaryotic with no cell no cell wallswalls

Heterotrophs (consumers) Heterotrophs (consumers)

~ Characteristics ~~ Characteristics ~ Have a nervous system to respond to Have a nervous system to respond to

their environment their environment Locomotion relates to ability to obtain Locomotion relates to ability to obtain

foodfood

Most animals develop from a Most animals develop from a zygote.zygote. A single layer of cells surrounding a A single layer of cells surrounding a

fluid-filled space forming a hollow ball fluid-filled space forming a hollow ball of cells called a of cells called a gastrulagastrula.

~ Developmental ~ Developmental Characteristics ~Characteristics ~ The gastrula isThe gastrula is made up of three made up of three

parts:parts:– EctodermEctoderm, a layer of cells on the outer a layer of cells on the outer

surface of the surface of the gastrulagastrula,, grows and divides grows and divides developing into skin and nervous tissue.developing into skin and nervous tissue.

– EndodermEndoderm, a layer of cells lining the inner a layer of cells lining the inner surface of the surface of the gastrulagastrula,, develops into the develops into the lining of the animallining of the animal’’s digestive tract. s digestive tract.

– MesodermMesoderm, made up of two layers of cells , made up of two layers of cells lying between the lying between the ectodermectoderm and and endodermendoderm, forms muscles, reproductive , forms muscles, reproductive organs and circulatory vessels.organs and circulatory vessels.

~ Developmental ~ Developmental Characteristics ~Characteristics ~

Animals that develop a mouth from Animals that develop a mouth from the indented space in the gastrula the indented space in the gastrula are are protostomesprotostomes..

Animals that develop an anus from Animals that develop an anus from the opening in the gastrula are the opening in the gastrula are deuterostomesdeuterostomes..

~~ Body Plans ~Body Plans ~ Animals that are Animals that are

irregularirregular in shape in shape are are asymmetricalasymmetrical..

Animals that are Animals that are regularregular in shape are in shape are symmetricalsymmetrical..

~ Body Plans ~~ Body Plans ~

An animal has An animal has radial symmetryradial symmetry if it can be divided along any if it can be divided along any plane, through a central axis, plane, through a central axis, into equal halves.into equal halves.

An animal has An animal has bilateral bilateral symmetrysymmetry if it can be divided if it can be divided down its length into similar right down its length into similar right and left halves forming mirror and left halves forming mirror images of each other.images of each other.

Which figure has bilateral Which figure has bilateral symmetry? Which has radial symmetry? Which has radial symmetry?symmetry?

~Invertebrates~~Invertebrates~ 8 main phyla8 main phyla

No backbonesNo backbones

95% of all animals are in this group95% of all animals are in this group

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Porifera~Phylum Porifera~

SpongesSponges

simplest form of animal lifesimplest form of animal life live in waterlive in water Do not move aroundDo not move around no symmetryno symmetry Pores (holes) all over bodyPores (holes) all over body 5000 species5000 species

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Porifera~Phylum Porifera~

Examples: Tube Examples: Tube Sponge, Glass Sponge, Glass Sponge, Sea Sponge, Sea SpongeSponge

~Invertebrate~Invertebrate Phylum Cnidaria~Phylum Cnidaria~

Live in waterLive in water

Most have tentaclesMost have tentacles

catch food with stinging cellscatch food with stinging cells

gut for digestinggut for digesting

~Invertebrate~Invertebrate Phylum Cnidaria~Phylum Cnidaria~

2 different 2 different shapesshapes

Medusa - like a Medusa - like a jellyfishjellyfish

Polyp - like a Polyp - like a hydrahydra

~Invertebrate~Invertebrate Phylum Cnidaria~ Phylum Cnidaria~ Examples - Examples -

Jellyfish, Hydra, Jellyfish, Hydra, sea anemones, sea anemones, and coralsand corals

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Platyhelminthes (Platys for Phylum Platyhelminthes (Platys for

short)short) FlatwormsFlatworms

Flat, ribbon-like bodyFlat, ribbon-like body

Live in water or are parasitesLive in water or are parasites

bilateral symmetrybilateral symmetry

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Platyhelminthes ~Phylum Platyhelminthes ~

Examples: Examples: PlanariaPlanaria

eyespots detect eyespots detect lightlight

food and waste food and waste go in and out the go in and out the same openingsame opening

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Platyhelminthes ~Phylum Platyhelminthes ~

Examples: Examples: TapewormTapeworm

Parasite that Parasite that lives in lives in intestines of intestines of host absorbing host absorbing foodfood

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Platyhelminthes ~Phylum Platyhelminthes ~

Examples: FlukeExamples: Fluke parasiteparasite

Lives inside Lives inside of hostof host

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Nematoda ~ Nematoda ~

RoundwormsRoundworms

– Round, tubular bodyRound, tubular body– small or microscopic small or microscopic – bilateral symmetrybilateral symmetry– have both a mouth and anushave both a mouth and anus– Live in water or are parasitesLive in water or are parasites

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Nematoda ~ Phylum Nematoda ~

Examples:Examples:– HookwormHookworm

– TrichinellaTrichinella

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Mollusca ~ Phylum Mollusca ~

Soft bodiesSoft bodies

Hard ShellsHard Shells

Live on land or in waterLive on land or in water

Have a circulatory system and a Have a circulatory system and a complex nervous system.complex nervous system.

Important food source for humansImportant food source for humans

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Mollusca ~ Phylum Mollusca ~

Class Class GastropodaGastropoda

– snails and slugssnails and slugs

– may have 1 shellmay have 1 shell

– stomach-footed - stomach-footed - move on stomachmove on stomach

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Mollusca ~ Phylum Mollusca ~

Class BivalvesClass Bivalves– 2 shells hinged 2 shells hinged

togethertogether

– clams, oystersclams, oysters, ,

scallops and scallops and musselsmussels

~Invertebrate ~Invertebrate Phylum Mollusca ~ Mollusca ~

Class CephalopodsClass Cephalopods

– squids and octopisquids and octopi

– internal mantelinternal mantel

~Invertebrate~InvertebratePhylum Annelida ~ Phylum Annelida ~

– Segemented wormsSegemented worms– Body divided into Body divided into

segments(sections)segments(sections)

– Live in water or Live in water or undergroundunderground

– Have a nervous and circulatory Have a nervous and circulatory systemsystem

~Invertebrate~InvertebratePhylum Annelida ~ Phylum Annelida ~

Class EarthwormsClass Earthworms

Eat soil and Eat soil and breakdown breakdown organic organic matter, wastes matter, wastes provide nutrients provide nutrients to soilto soil

~InvertebratePhylum Annelida ~

Class bristleworms Class bristleworms

~InvertebratePhylum Annelida ~

Class leechesClass leeches Parasites that feed on blood of other Parasites that feed on blood of other

animalsanimals

~InvertebratePhylum Echinodermata ~

Hard, spiny skinHard, spiny skin

Live in salt waterLive in salt water

Radial symmetryRadial symmetry

Name means Name means ‘‘spiney skinnedspiney skinned’’

EndoskeletonEndoskeleton

~InvertebratePhylum Echinodermata ~

Examples: seastar, sea urchin, sand Examples: seastar, sea urchin, sand dollar and sea cucumberdollar and sea cucumber

Organism of the Day!!!Organism of the Day!!! VelociraptorVelociraptor: : Velociraptor Velociraptor

mongoliensismongoliensis

KingdomKingdom: Animalia: Animalia

Class: Class: ReptiliaReptilia

Node: Node: DinosauriaDinosauria

Suborder: Suborder: TheropodaTheropoda

Raptor Facts!Raptor Facts! Existed approximately

75 to 71 million years ago during the later part of the Cretaceous Period.

. It was a bipedal, feathered carnivore with a long, stiffened tail and an enlarged sickle-shaped claw on each hind foot, which is thought to have been used to kill its prey.

Adults measuring up to 6.8 ft long, 1.6 ft high at the hip, and weighing up to 33 lb The skull, which grew up to 9.8 in long, was uniquely up-curved, concave on the upper surface and convex on the lower. The jaws were lined with 26–28 widely spaced teeth on each side, each more strongly serrated on the back edge than the front—possibly an adaptation that improved its ability to catch and hold fast-moving prey.

Cold-Blooded KillerCold-Blooded Killer Velociraptor was

probably warm-blooded to some degree, as it required a significant amount of energy to hunt. Modern animals that possess feathery or furry coats, like Velociraptor did, tend to be warm-blooded, since these coverings function as insulation.

However, bone growth rates in Velociraptors and some early birds suggest a more moderate metabolism, compared with most modern warm-blooded mammals and birds.

Aww…….ARHH!!!!Aww…….ARHH!!!!

Organism of the Day Organism of the Day (Thursday)(Thursday)

Giant Squid: Architeuthis duxGiant Squid: Architeuthis dux Kingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia

Phylum: MolluscaPhylum: MolluscaClass: CephalopodaClass: CephalopodaOrder: Teuthida (Squid)Order: Teuthida (Squid)

Giant Facts!!!!Giant Facts!!!! Recent estimates put the maximum size

at 43 ft for females and 33 ft for males from caudal fin to the tip of the two long tentacles. The mantle is about 6.6 ft long (more for females, less for males), and the length of the squid excluding its tentacles is about 16 ft. There have been claims of specimens measuring 66 ft or more, but no giant squid of such size has been scientifically documented.

More Facts!More Facts! Like all squid, a giant squid has a

mantle (torso), eight arms, and two longer tentacles (the longest known tentacles of any cephalopod). The arms and tentacles account for much of the squid's great length, making giant squid much lighter than their chief predators, sperm whales.

Sweet Facts!Sweet Facts! Giant squid have small fins at the rear of the mantle

used for locomotion. Like other cephalopods, giant squid are propelled by jet – by pulling water into the mantle cavity, and pushing it through the siphon, in gentle, rhythmic pulses.

Giant squid have a sophisticated nervous system and complex brain, attracting great interest from scientists. They also have the largest eyes of any living creature–1 ft in diameter. Large eyes can better detect light (including bioluminescent light), which is scarce in deep water. It is thought the giant squid cannot see color, but they can probably discern small differences in tone, which is important in the low-light conditions of the deep ocean.

Facebook PicsFacebook Pics

OUCH!!!OUCH!!!

Organism of the Day Organism of the Day (Friday)(Friday)

Komodo Dragon: Komodo Dragon: Varanus Varanus komodoensiskomodoensis

Kingdom: Kingdom: AnimaliaAnimaliaPhylum: Phylum: ChordataChordataSubphylum: Subphylum: VertebrataVertebrataClass: Class: ReptiliaReptiliaGenus: Genus: Varanus (alsoVaranus (alsoincludes Monitor Lizards)includes Monitor Lizards)

Komodo Dragon Fun Komodo Dragon Fun Facts!!!Facts!!!

It is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 9.8 ft in rare cases and weighing up to around 150 lb. Their unusual size has been attributed to island gigantism, since there are no other carnivorous animals to fill the niche on the islands where they live.

FEAST!!!FEAST!!! As a result of their size, these lizards

dominate the ecosystems in which they live. Komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals. Their group behavior in hunting is exceptional in the reptile world. The diet of big Komodo dragons mainly consists of deer, though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion.

AWWW YEAH!!!AWWW YEAH!!! Mating begins between May and August, and

the eggs are laid in September. About twenty eggs are deposited in abandoned nests or in a self-dug nesting hole. The eggs are incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in April, when insects are most plentiful. Young Komodo dragons are vulnerable and therefore dwell in trees, safe from predators and cannibalistic adults. They take about eight to nine years to mature, and are estimated to live for up to 30 years.

RECORDS!!!RECORDS!!! The largest verified wild specimen was 10

ft 3 in long and weighed 370 lb, including undigested food….WOW.

Senses: Hearing=terrible, Sight: Meh, can see color has a hard time discriminating things that remain still. Taste: Exceptional, use of tongue to sample the air.

Moderately venomous, bacterial saliva. Are thought to be monogamous lizards

(rare)

Dragons!!!!Dragons!!!!

EWW!!EWW!!

Organism of the Day!!!Organism of the Day!!!Kingdom: Kingdom: PlantaePlantaeunranked: unranked: AngiospermsAngiospermsunranked: unranked: EudicotsEudicotsunranked: unranked: Core eudicotsCore eudicotsOrder: Order: CaryophyllalesCaryophyllalesFamilyFamily: Droseraceae: DroseraceaeGenusGenus: Dionaea: DionaeaSpeciesSpecies: D. muscipula: D. muscipula

FUN FACTS!!!!FUN FACTS!!!! Dionaea muscipula, is Dionaea muscipula, is

a carnivorous plant a carnivorous plant that catches and that catches and digests animal prey—digests animal prey—mostly insects and mostly insects and arachnids. Its trapping arachnids. Its trapping structure is formed by structure is formed by the terminal portion of the terminal portion of each of the plant's each of the plant's leaves and is triggered leaves and is triggered by tiny hairs on their by tiny hairs on their inner surfaces. inner surfaces.

When an insect or spider When an insect or spider crawling along the leaves crawling along the leaves contacts a hair, the trap contacts a hair, the trap closes if a different hair is closes if a different hair is contacted within twenty contacted within twenty seconds of the first strike. seconds of the first strike. The requirement of The requirement of redundant triggering in redundant triggering in this mechanism serves as this mechanism serves as a safeguard against a a safeguard against a waste of energy in waste of energy in trapping objects with no trapping objects with no nutritional value.nutritional value.

Don’t get snappy!!!Don’t get snappy!!! There are 29 different There are 29 different

species of VFT. species of VFT.

With the Venus With the Venus Flytrap, prey is limited Flytrap, prey is limited to beetles, spiders and to beetles, spiders and arthropods. In fact, the arthropods. In fact, the Dionaea diet is 33% Dionaea diet is 33% ants, 30% spiders, ants, 30% spiders, 10% beetles, and 10% 10% beetles, and 10% grasshoppers, with grasshoppers, with fewer than 5% flying fewer than 5% flying insectsinsects

The Venus Flytrap is not a The Venus Flytrap is not a tropical plant and can tropical plant and can tolerate mild winters. In tolerate mild winters. In fact, Venus Flytraps that do fact, Venus Flytraps that do not go through a period of not go through a period of winter dormancy will winter dormancy will weaken and die after a weaken and die after a period of timeperiod of time

The Venus Flytrap is found The Venus Flytrap is found in nitrogen and in nitrogen and phosphorus-poor phosphorus-poor environments, such as environments, such as bogs and wet savannahs.bogs and wet savannahs.

FEAST!!!FEAST!!! Small in stature and Small in stature and

slow growing, the slow growing, the Venus flytrap Venus flytrap tolerates fire well, and tolerates fire well, and depends on periodic depends on periodic burning to suppress burning to suppress its competition. Fire its competition. Fire suppression threatens suppression threatens its future in the wild. its future in the wild. It survives in wet It survives in wet sandy and peaty soils. sandy and peaty soils.

Although it has been Although it has been successfully transplanted successfully transplanted and grown in many and grown in many locales around the world, locales around the world, it is found natively only it is found natively only in North and South in North and South Carolina in the United Carolina in the United States. Currently, there States. Currently, there are estimated to be more are estimated to be more than 3–6 million plants in than 3–6 million plants in cultivation compared to cultivation compared to only 35,800 plants only 35,800 plants remaining in nature.remaining in nature.

Sweet Pics Yo!Sweet Pics Yo!

Event of the Day!Event of the Day! Desert Swarms of the World!Desert Swarms of the World! A plague of locusts is a devastating natural disaster. A plague of locusts is a devastating natural disaster.

These infestations have been feared and revered These infestations have been feared and revered throughout history. Unfortunately, they still wreak throughout history. Unfortunately, they still wreak havoc today.havoc today.

Locusts are related to grasshoppers and the two Locusts are related to grasshoppers and the two insects look similar. However, locust behavior can be insects look similar. However, locust behavior can be something else entirely. Locusts are sometimes something else entirely. Locusts are sometimes solitary insects with lifestyles much like grasshoppers. solitary insects with lifestyles much like grasshoppers. When environmental conditions produce many green When environmental conditions produce many green plants and promote breeding, locusts can congregate plants and promote breeding, locusts can congregate into thick, mobile, ravenous swarms.into thick, mobile, ravenous swarms.

The locusts are coming!The locusts are coming!

Hopping Mad!Hopping Mad!

A desert locust swarm can be 460 square miles in size and pack between 40 and 80 million locusts into less than half a square mile. Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day, so a swarm of such size would eat 423 million pounds of plants every day.

Event of the Day!Event of the Day!

Largest and the OldestLargest and the Oldest

MethuselahMethuselahThere are such living things on Earth, the oldest of There are such living things on Earth, the oldest of

which is aptly named Methuselah, a 14,800-year-old which is aptly named Methuselah, a 14,800-year-old Great Basin Bristle-cone pine, located in Methuselah Great Basin Bristle-cone pine, located in Methuselah alley, Nevada. There was an older tree there named alley, Nevada. There was an older tree there named Prometheus but it had to be cut down in 1964, due to Prometheus but it had to be cut down in 1964, due to severe deterioration. This species of tree is thought severe deterioration. This species of tree is thought to be the longest lived of all, but there are many to be the longest lived of all, but there are many other ancient varieties.other ancient varieties.

Bark but no Bite….Bark but no Bite….

The bigger they are the The bigger they are the harder they fall….harder they fall….

Biggest: General ShermanBiggest: General Sherman At 275 ft, a diameter of 25 ft, and an At 275 ft, a diameter of 25 ft, and an

estimated age of 2,300 – 2,700 estimated age of 2,300 – 2,700 years, it is however among the years, it is however among the tallest, widest and longest-lived of all tallest, widest and longest-lived of all trees on the planet.trees on the planet.

Weighs 1,910 tons! That’s enough Weighs 1,910 tons! That’s enough wood to build 25 two story houses!wood to build 25 two story houses!

WOW!WOW!

Organism of the Day!Organism of the Day!

Hagfish: Hagfish: Myxine glutinosaMyxine glutinosa

The Atlantic hagfish, scientifically known as The Atlantic hagfish, scientifically known as Myxine glutinosa, is an unusual sea creature. Myxine glutinosa, is an unusual sea creature. Its body is covered with special glands that can Its body is covered with special glands that can emit a sticky slime. In fact, a single hagfish can emit a sticky slime. In fact, a single hagfish can produce enough slime at one time to fill a milk produce enough slime at one time to fill a milk jug. This has earned it the name "slime eel", jug. This has earned it the name "slime eel", although it is really not an eel at all. A hagfish although it is really not an eel at all. A hagfish will actually "sneeze" when its own nostrils fill will actually "sneeze" when its own nostrils fill with slime. with slime.

The sticky details….The sticky details….

Hagfish slime is different that any other natural slime Hagfish slime is different that any other natural slime secretion in that it is reinforced with tiny fibers. These secretion in that it is reinforced with tiny fibers. These fibers make the slime strong and difficult to remove. It is fibers make the slime strong and difficult to remove. It is believed that the hagfish uses this slime to protect itself believed that the hagfish uses this slime to protect itself from predators. It can also be used to easily produce a from predators. It can also be used to easily produce a protective cocoon for the hagfish. It is believed that this protective cocoon for the hagfish. It is believed that this slime can actually suffocate predators by clogging their slime can actually suffocate predators by clogging their gills if they come in contact with it. The hagfish has a gills if they come in contact with it. The hagfish has a trick for escaping this slime cocoon. Believe it or not, this trick for escaping this slime cocoon. Believe it or not, this animal can tie itself in a knot and then pass the knot animal can tie itself in a knot and then pass the knot down the length of its body to wipe the slime away.down the length of its body to wipe the slime away.

COME AT ME COME AT ME BRO….FISH!!!BRO….FISH!!!

Over 60 different species are known to Over 60 different species are known to science. There is actually some debate science. There is actually some debate among researchers as to whether the hagfish among researchers as to whether the hagfish is really a fish. It is more closely related to is really a fish. It is more closely related to some primitive creatures such as the some primitive creatures such as the lampreys. Hagfish have a long, eel-like body lampreys. Hagfish have a long, eel-like body that averages 18 inches in length, although that averages 18 inches in length, although it is believed that some of them can grow as it is believed that some of them can grow as long as 32 inches. long as 32 inches.

Long story made short…..Long story made short….. Since local populations of hagfish tend to be Since local populations of hagfish tend to be

quite large, as many as 15,000, it is believed quite large, as many as 15,000, it is believed that they have a low mortality rate.that they have a low mortality rate.

The Atlantic hagfish is a deep-water fish. They The Atlantic hagfish is a deep-water fish. They can be found at depths of up to 5,600 feet. can be found at depths of up to 5,600 feet. They are known on both sides of the North They are known on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean as far north as Norway. Hagfish Atlantic Ocean as far north as Norway. Hagfish prefer soft sea bottoms where they can quickly prefer soft sea bottoms where they can quickly bury themselves when threatened.bury themselves when threatened.

AWWW!!!!AWWW!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmaal7Hf0WA

Organism of the Day!Organism of the Day!

Horror/Hairy Frog: Horror/Hairy Frog: Trichobatrachus robustusTrichobatrachus robustus

The Horror Frog was discovered in The Horror Frog was discovered in 2008 and to the “horror” of scientists 2008 and to the “horror” of scientists who studied it has an amazing who studied it has an amazing technique. It has the ability to break technique. It has the ability to break its own bones in order to produce its own bones in order to produce expendable claws. expendable claws.

Oh…the HORROR!!!Oh…the HORROR!!!

The end result may look like a cat's claw, but the The end result may look like a cat's claw, but the breaking and cutting mechanism is very different breaking and cutting mechanism is very different and unique among vertebrates. Also unique is the and unique among vertebrates. Also unique is the fact that the claw is just bone and does not have fact that the claw is just bone and does not have an outer coating of keratin like other claws do.an outer coating of keratin like other claws do.

It does not appear to have a muscle to pull it back It does not appear to have a muscle to pull it back inside so the team think it may passively slide inside so the team think it may passively slide back into the toe pad when its muscle relaxes.back into the toe pad when its muscle relaxes.

Males of the species, which grows to about 11 Males of the species, which grows to about 11 centimetres, also produce long hair-like strands of centimetres, also produce long hair-like strands of skin and arteries when they are hurt.skin and arteries when they are hurt.

What a hairy situation…What a hairy situation… This species is roasted and eaten in This species is roasted and eaten in

Cameroon. They are hunted with Cameroon. They are hunted with long spears or machetes, apparently long spears or machetes, apparently to avoid being hurt by their claws. to avoid being hurt by their claws. The Bakossi people traditionally The Bakossi people traditionally believed that the frogs fall from the believed that the frogs fall from the sky and, when eaten, help childless sky and, when eaten, help childless human couples become fertilehuman couples become fertile

Frogger!Frogger!