World's Strangest Animals

[Elphaba]

I'll add one a day as I can find them. Go ahead and add your own as well.

Today's is a Leafy Seadragon

Named after the dragons of Chinese mythology, Leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) resemble a piece of drifting seaweed as they float in the seaweed-filled water. The Leafy seadragon, with green, orange and gold hues along its body, is covered with leaf-like appendages, making it remarkably camouflaged. Only the fluttering of tiny fins or the moving of an independently swiveling eye, reveals its presence.

Like the seahorse, the male seadragon carries as many as 150-200 eggs. After being deposited by the female, the eggs are carried in the honeycomb-shaped area (known as the brood patch) under the male's tail for approximately eight weeks. Seadragons have no teeth or stomach and feed exclusively on mysidopsis shrimp. Known as "Australian seahorses" in Australia, they are found in calm, cold water that is approximately 50-54° F (10-12° C). Leafy seadragons have been protected by the South Australian government since 1982.

Elphaba

[sgallan]

Platypus of course.....

The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record.

The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals; the male Platypus has a spur on the hind foot which delivers a poison capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the Platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognizable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin.

[Elphaba]

Platypus of course.....

Get a picture of one and a write up for stupid people like me. B) If you need help posting photos let me know.

Elphaba

[Elphaba]

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Platypus of course.....

The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young. It is the sole living representative of its family (Ornithorhynchidae) and genus (Ornithorhynchus), though a number of related species have been found in the fossil record.

The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, duck-billed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud. It is one of the few venomous mammals; the male Platypus has a spur on the hind foot which delivers a poison capable of causing severe pain to humans. The unique features of the Platypus make it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology and a recognizable and iconic symbol of Australia; it has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australian 20 cent coin.

YIKES!!! I never knew they were venomous. See. You'll learn stuff here. Stuff! Elphaba

[Iggy]

YIKES!!! I never knew they were venomous. See. You'll learn stuff here. Stuff! Elphaba

Only the males!

[Elphaba]

<div class='quotemain'>

YIKES!!! I never knew they were venomous. See. You'll learn stuff here. Stuff! Elphaba

Only the males!

Yeah, I got that. But I didn't know that before. Did you? (Yeah... you probably did!)

Elphie

[Iggy]

Yeah, I got that. But I didn't know that before. Did you? (Yeah... you probably did!) Elphie

Nope, I learned it - here!

[bunnzy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotreme

A baby is called a 'puggle!' Ecidnas and platypus' are monotremes, a specialised and very individual family of animals that are the only mammals that lay eggs. Platypus are very elusive and shy, so its not likely that anyone will get hurt by the males spurs unless they hare handling them wrong. Echidna males also have the posonous spur (like they need it with those spikes?)

My favourite weird animal is the starnosed mole. Follow the link for the picture. You will not believe your eyes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Nosed_Mole

"It appears the nasal star and dentition of this species are primarily adapted to exploit extremely small prey items. A report in the journal Nature gives this animal the title of fastest-eating mammal, taking only 120 milliseconds to identify and consume individual food items. Its brain decides in the ultra short time of 8 ms if a prey is comestible or not." - wikipedia

The guiness book of world record has a great close up shot in the 2006 book, if anyone has one and wants to see a close up of the star-nose!

[pushka]

Caminalcules and other unusual creatures

Caminalcules

The creatures evolving on the left are Caminalcules, named in honor of their creator Joseph H. Camin. Camin was interested in the methods used by taxonomists to determine the evolutionary relationships among species. To this end, he generated these creatures from a simple predecessor in a process that simulated evolution. The result was an evolutionary tree with many branches consisting of 29 recent and 48 "fossil" species. The animated GIF on the left follows one branch of the Caminalcule evolutionary tree and includes 13 species.

Pictures of the Caminalcules were first published in their entirety after Camin's death by Robert R. Sokal (1983a) in the journal Systematic Zoology (now Systematic Biology). In a companion paper Sokal (1983b) used the Caminalcules to compare different methods of numerical taxonomy.

My interest in Camin's creatures lies in their usefulness for teaching the principles of classification and evolution. I have written a laboratory exercise which we use in our introductory biology classes at I.U.P. If you download the lab you will find pictures of additional Caminalcules. I have also created a movie version of the animated GIF which uses morphing technology to create a smooth transition between species.

The pictures of the Caminalcules are copyrighted by Systematic Biology and Robert R. Sokal. They are displayed here with permission.

[Elphaba]

Komondor Dog

Females are 27 inches (69cm) at the withers. Male Komondorok are a minimum of 28 inches at the withers, but many are over 30 inches tall, making this one of the larger common breeds of dog. The body is not overly coarse or heavy, however, and people unfamiliar with the breed are often surprised by how quick and agile the dogs are.

Its long, thick, strikingly corded white coat (the heaviest amount of fur in the canine world) resembles dreadlocks or a mop. The puppy coat is soft and fluffy. However, the coat is wavy and tends to curl as the puppy matures. A fully mature coat is formed naturally from the soft undercoat and the coarser outer coat combining to form tassels, or cords. Some help is needed in separating the cords so the dog does not turn into one large matted mess. The length of the cords increases with time as the coat grows. Shedding is very minimal with this breed, contrary to what one might think (once cords are fully formed). The only substantial shedding occurs as a puppy before the dreadlocks fully form. The Komondor is born with only a white coat, unlike the similar-looking Puli, which is usually white, black or sometimes grayish. However, a working Komondor's coat may be discolored by the elements, and may appear off-white if not washed regularly.

This is what I looked like in my Bette Midler phase.

Elphaba

[Dr T]

I love those Elphaba. How about the half horse half zebra we saw on video a little bit ago? I can't find a picture.

[the Ogre]

Ah thin theez boyz coun' fer sumpin'.

[pam]

Oh my is all I can say.

[the Ogre]

Oh my is all I can say.

Yeah, cousins.

[bunnzy]

http://oddanimals.com/hybridanimals.html

At this link you will find photos of a few diferent hybrids.

Wolphin (Whale and Dolphin)

Liger (male Lion and female Tiger)

Tigon (male Tiger and female lion)

Geep (Goat and Sheep)

Toast of Batswana (no idea)

and yes, even featherless chickens.

http://oddanimals.com/deformedanimals.html

sorry, another page on the smae site, i couldnt resist. There are deformed animals. Fascinating and tragic, as most deformed animals do not live very long. A little grotesque as well... and sad.

[Elphaba]

The Angora RabbitThe Angora rabbit is a variety of domestic rabbit bred for its long, soft hair. The Angora is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, originating in Ankara, Turkey, along with the Angora cat and Angora goat. The rabbits were popular pets with French royalty in the mid 1700s, and spread to other parts of Europe by the end of the century. They first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s. They are bred largely for their long wool, which may be removed by shearing or plucking (gently pulling loose wool).

(Looks like a Wookie to me!)

There are many individual breeds of Angora rabbits, four of which are ARBA recognized. Such breeds include, French, German, Giant, English, Satin, Chinese, Swiss, Finnish, to name a few.

Elphaba

[pam]

It looks like a little cat face peaking out from some huge hairy costume

[Elphaba]

It looks like a little cat face peaking out from some huge hairy costume.

With those ears???

Elphie

[pam]

<div class='quotemain'>It looks like a little cat face peaking out from some huge hairy costume.

With those ears???

Elphie

I was referring just to the little face in the middle of all of that.

[Elphaba]

<div class='quotemain'>

<div class='quotemain'>It looks like a little cat face peaking out from some huge hairy costume.

With those ears???

Elphie

I was referring just to the little face in the middle of all of that.

Oh, yeah! You're right!

Sorry.

The Dummy

[Dr T]

Looks like an Ewok to me

[Elphaba]

Looks like an Ewok to me

Rats! That's what I meant when I wrote a Wookie! I'm getting so old . . .

Elphaba

[pam]

<div class='quotemain'>Looks like an Ewok to me

Rats! That's what I meant when I wrote a Wookie! I'm getting so old . . .

Elphaba

I didn't catch it. Goes to show how much into Star Wars I am.

[Elphaba]

<div class='quotemain'>

<div class='quotemain'>Looks like an Ewok to me

Rats! That's what I meant when I wrote a Wookie! I'm getting so old . . .

Elphaba

I didn't catch it. Goes to show how much into Star Wars I am.

Well, I guess you could say it looks like a Wookie whose taken a bath and had a nice, professional blow dry.

Elphie

[Dror]

Elphaba

LOL! Looks like a walking mop! (Hey, that could be very useful... )

Based on what I see in the news, by far the most bizarre animal on earth is the homo "sapiens" (people naming themselves "wise" is even more bizarre!)!

Dror