tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63790342663609187662024-03-12T22:28:36.078-07:00World Largest Fish and Beautiful FishBudiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-13981394977473451022009-05-10T22:13:00.000-07:002011-04-26T19:04:39.539-07:00Mekong Giant Catfish<table align="right" border="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center"> <table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="10"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center"><a href="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper344/stills/2uch8zi1.jpg" target="new"><img name="pictureposition2" alt="A 646.2-pound Mekong giant catfish, netted in Thailand, may be the largest freshwater fish ever found. The fish was documented as part of a World Wildlife Fund-National Geographic project to identify, study and conserve freshwater fish around the world that exceed 6 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight." src="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper344/thumbs/t_2uch8zi1.jpg" target="new" border="0" /></a><div class="mediacredit">Media Credit: AP Photo</div><div class="caption">A 646.2-pound Mekong giant catfish, netted in Thailand, may be the largest freshwater fish ever found. The fish was documented as part of a World Wildlife Fund-National Geographic project to identify, study and conserve freshwater fish around the world that exceed 6 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight.</div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:78%;" ><a href="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper344/stills/2uch8zi1.jpg" target="new">[Click to enlarge]</a></span><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>by Mike Smith<br /><br />Daily Lobo<br /><br /><br /><br />Elephant Butte Reservoir can get fairly deep - around 80 feet near the dam - deep enough for sunken boats to stay sunken, for enormous fish to stay hidden and for stories of such fish to remain nearly impossible to confirm.<br /><br />These stories, told by fishermen, fishing guides and locals, tell of enormous catfish - catfish ranging in size from the slightly terrifying to the utterly panic-inducing.<br /><br />The stories say catfish around the base of the dam are like freshwater whales, growing as big as their massive aquarium will let them, and eating whatever the upper Rio Grande and its tributaries wash down - other fish, plants, swimming dogs, decomposing human bodies and even the occasional small deer that ventures too close to the water.<br /><br />"Basically, from what I understand, just below the dam there's just some really old catfish the size of you and I," Young's Water Sports owner Bo Young said. "I never witnessed it myself, but it's certainly feasible. Catfish do get pretty big."<br /><br />Frank Vilorio, an employee at Land of Enchantment Fishing Adventures, said divers repairing a wall of the dam saw several large catfish.<br /><br />"They compared one of those catfish to a Volkswagen bug with the hood open," Vilorio said.<br /><br />John Morlock, a semi-retired Elephant Butte fishing guide, said he once knew a woman who swore she knew divers who had been in the water and seen enormous whiskered catfish the size of school buses - catfish so huge and so frightening that one of the divers never re-entered the water.<br /><br />The New Mexico state record for the largest catfish ever caught was set at Elephant Butte in 1979. That catfish weighed 78 pounds and was almost 4 feet long. It was huge, but it wasn't bus-sized.<br /><br />Stories of giant catfish aren't unique to New Mexico or to the present.<br /><br />Father Jacques Marquette wrote about a gigantic catfish ramming his canoe on a Midwestern river in the late-1600s. A Protestant missionary, on the Ohio River in 1780, relayed the story of a catfish pulling a man from a riverbank to drown and then eat him. Mark Twain wrote a fictional account of catching a more than 6-foot-long one in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.<br /><br />"Others are quite current, including the persistent rumor of a large flathead (catfish) caught at the mouth of the Tradewater River on the Ohio, by Caseyville, Kentucky, which contained a human baby," wrote Jan Harold Brunvand in American Folklore: An Encyclopedia. "This supposedly occurred during the 1970s. ... Many river folk believe that very large catfish, hardly ever encountered by fishermen, live in deep holes in the river for decades. There are also legends of huge catfish living at the bases of dams, who prey on divers inspecting or performing maintenance."<br /><br />Such stories pop up all over the country in countless rivers and lakes and reservoirs, often with details startlingly similar to the ones from Elephant Butte - but this shouldn't make us think any less of our stories.<br /><br />Our stories may be unproven. They may lack physical evidence or firsthand witnesses, and they may have every hallmark of an urban legend, but they do have one thing going for them: Nowhere else in America are the fabled catfish ever so big.<br /><br />Ours are bigger than all of them, even if they are probably just as fictitious. Catfish the size of cars just aren't sufficient for New Mexico. We need them bus-sized.<br /><br />And we shouldn't stop at that, either.<br /><br />"I heard there was a two-headed fish caught out there," Young said. "A bass."<br /><br />Mike Smith is a UNM history major and the author of Towns of the Sandia Mountains. E-mail him suggestions for future columns at AntarcticSuburbs@yahoo.com.<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxk118dlvcZB-ZEFW-TcU_AMDx3Z1KbVk2UQElM4aXCGR3R36PMONr3t0IbwjeDY_IKrJ4Nlri-MD2I7DeQZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Youtube.</span>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-46240970465771806252011-03-02T17:54:00.000-08:002011-03-02T18:52:25.470-08:00Top 10 most Beautiful and colorful fish<div style="text-align: justify;">The mesmerizing feeling of warm sun rays leaning down into tropical waters, and breaking back through the water’s vivid facade as it rebounds off the glistening scales of a rare fish provides an experience that stays in one’s memory for a lifetime. I thought I’d share some of the most beautiful species that I know in the waters. There are in the order i consider them the most vibrant and beautiful, since, beauty is, ofcourse, in the eye of the beholder.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Mandarin Fish</span><br /><br />Not to be confused <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBW0yqLHoIh68UDyad2rDdh5VQ1vRkuwGeUu8EKVmmURkUvyns2GLGT3oMe4puLQzmZp1yewV24ZrI95134_RTG-ouSNSo0HUvjXYWLr2ogTBoUV9wzP_3MEV07Fc8aIumfAu09rfbjfu/s1600/1.mandarinfish-600x492.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBW0yqLHoIh68UDyad2rDdh5VQ1vRkuwGeUu8EKVmmURkUvyns2GLGT3oMe4puLQzmZp1yewV24ZrI95134_RTG-ouSNSo0HUvjXYWLr2ogTBoUV9wzP_3MEV07Fc8aIumfAu09rfbjfu/s320/1.mandarinfish-600x492.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579667778854387250" border="0" /></a>with Mandarin Fish (Chinese Perch). The <strong>mandarinfish</strong> or <strong>mandarin dragonet</strong> (<em><strong>Synchiropus</strong></em><em><strong> splendidus</strong></em>), is a small, brightly-colored member of the dragonet family, which is popular in the saltwater aquarium trade. A lesser-known species, these are probably the single most colorful and vibrant fish I’ve ever seen. The mandarinfish is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. Yes! They are definitely the most colourful fish in the world.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Juvenile Emporer Angel Fish</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84GUBD3YV2d1xW-xVdh3LavAyciIbLUUSIcUPOQa7W3gwVjT_yTUTcky63OUc79Y7HtIRFWFsOtxdQf1B1cvOWiifGMVSpmU1NXzK56csKWG68C65bT2XGLHQXKOCoyJ3mEP9tioksv2D/s1600/2.juvenile-emporer-angel-fish-600x450.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84GUBD3YV2d1xW-xVdh3LavAyciIbLUUSIcUPOQa7W3gwVjT_yTUTcky63OUc79Y7HtIRFWFsOtxdQf1B1cvOWiifGMVSpmU1NXzK56csKWG68C65bT2XGLHQXKOCoyJ3mEP9tioksv2D/s320/2.juvenile-emporer-angel-fish-600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579668624198955762" border="0" /></a><br />This a very famous fish known to non-divers more than the divers. However most of them don’t know the different between the youngs and the adults of these kinds. Juveniles are most fascinating fish in the waters. They are dark blue with electric blue and white rings; adults have yellow and blue stripes, with black around the eyes. It takes about four years for an emperor angelfish to acquire its adult colouring. They grow to 40 cm (15.75 in) in length.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Lion Fish</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMg5ToSSS7yRxNjSTMx1OUyhOS1lyCkjhmV_WX7MH9k2Fqu7F3YIHcR0d726UBKMq799Zs6Zm75ii6ImPMClf6429pPMKY8mrq_uGQiFnsDiyxIjx1t3YYXSzfi85-Zvw45Uw6jI1MeWH/s1600/3.Lionfish-600x565.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMg5ToSSS7yRxNjSTMx1OUyhOS1lyCkjhmV_WX7MH9k2Fqu7F3YIHcR0d726UBKMq799Zs6Zm75ii6ImPMClf6429pPMKY8mrq_uGQiFnsDiyxIjx1t3YYXSzfi85-Zvw45Uw6jI1MeWH/s320/3.Lionfish-600x565.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579669284256205698" border="0" /></a><br />The lionfish is one of the most venomous fish on the ocean floor. Lionfish have venomous dorsal spines that are used purely for defense. When threatened, the fish often faces its attacker in an upside down posture which brings its spines to bear. However, a lionfish’s sting is usually not fatal to humans. If a human is envenomed, that person will experience extreme pain, and possibly headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. However they are one of the most beautiful and colorful fish.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Clown Trigger Fish</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGrHhUR9YUGkEK0QZNkD-gnNS-xLXidnez9SQe512kTf11ZBa14rM0M6WFoi9ThTfWJV7ImRc85sEwbbgJLwI7gRgXQSAwSMOjkw_4-wcCv9HKATyZZZzcfSa2OjaFOXN7vosGTXcb9UQ/s1600/4.clown-triggerfish-600x450.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGrHhUR9YUGkEK0QZNkD-gnNS-xLXidnez9SQe512kTf11ZBa14rM0M6WFoi9ThTfWJV7ImRc85sEwbbgJLwI7gRgXQSAwSMOjkw_4-wcCv9HKATyZZZzcfSa2OjaFOXN7vosGTXcb9UQ/s320/4.clown-triggerfish-600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579670403804370530" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Triggerfishes</strong> are about 40 species of often brightly colored fishes of the family <strong>Balistidae</strong>. Often marked by lines and spots, they inhabit tropical and subtropical oceans throughout the world, with the greatest species richness in the Indo-Pacific. Most are found in relatively shallow, coastal habitats, especially at coral reefs, but a few, such as the aptly named oceanic triggerfish. One of the most beautiful of their species is the clown trigger fish, it’s designs and colours are literally breathtaking!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Nudibranch</span><br /><br /><strong></strong><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJMzwGi_G00PaP4TN1za9nMxAbOjHOpu1D-u4GqPTObVTiM-bDCgoDifAuauHvPQ5MCrB5_y_BmWs9sidO_Y0PZUqtbwTIVxPRB2EZzBfgsIIGCxFjifF2rkoKsCWaa1ILWwIQzbkF4Uu/s1600/5.nudibranch-600x450.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJMzwGi_G00PaP4TN1za9nMxAbOjHOpu1D-u4GqPTObVTiM-bDCgoDifAuauHvPQ5MCrB5_y_BmWs9sidO_Y0PZUqtbwTIVxPRB2EZzBfgsIIGCxFjifF2rkoKsCWaa1ILWwIQzbkF4Uu/s320/5.nudibranch-600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579671097015668898" border="0" /></a></strong><br />A <strong>nudibranch</strong> is a member of what is <strong></strong><strong></strong>now a t<strong></strong><strong></strong>axonomic clade now, rather than a fish. Nudibranchs are of<strong></strong>ten casually called “<strong>sea slug</strong><strong>s</strong>“, a non-scientific term. This has led some people to assume that every sea slug must be a nudibranch. Nudibranchs are very numerous in terms of species, and are often very attractive and noticeable. Among this group can be found the most colorful creatures on earth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Symphysodon</span><br /><br />All <strong>Symphysodon</strong> species have a laterally compressed body shape. , however, extended finnage is absent giving <em>Symp</em><em>hysodon</em> a more rounded shape. It is this body shape from which their common na<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVckbwNwvaT9-zolSdXu751EaGSTCJc0BlMCjRx2YWEGwJyRJ2suX8zwTpOex_EHKaFh7KeQXgsAzOnvjnKzetB_gmyG0WRdK8Uh_qx56Vr5pkP3xGQFaiQ2KXWQgZhZWDcneHNwDCj8Cv/s1600/6.discus-600x550.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVckbwNwvaT9-zolSdXu751EaGSTCJc0BlMCjRx2YWEGwJyRJ2suX8zwTpOex_EHKaFh7KeQXgsAzOnvjnKzetB_gmyG0WRdK8Uh_qx56Vr5pkP3xGQFaiQ2KXWQgZhZWDcneHNwDCj8Cv/s320/6.discus-600x550.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579671913660278146" border="0" /></a>me, “discus”, is derived. The sides of the fish are frequently patterned in shades of green, red, brown, and blue. The height and length of the grown fish are both about 20–25 cm (8–10 in).<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Mantis Shrimp</span><br /><br /><strong>Mantis shrimp</strong> appear in a variety of colours, from shades of browns to bright neon colours. Although they are common animals and among the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47FlFg0sxT3BqA0NF0IzOen-bJ-a4Aw4yJMQC_EPcWI0AbrmOoCVCY8trjpK3b5JiY2-WopnMWGpIE3VTunz3Gv6Ns4oVurSkXA92YW7JZdljIM8VD1HaMh7-_VbEkMecunnfvqDGObaW/s1600/7.mantis-shrimp-450x600.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47FlFg0sxT3BqA0NF0IzOen-bJ-a4Aw4yJMQC_EPcWI0AbrmOoCVCY8trjpK3b5JiY2-WopnMWGpIE3VTunz3Gv6Ns4oVurSkXA92YW7JZdljIM8VD1HaMh7-_VbEkMecunnfvqDGObaW/s320/7.mantis-shrimp-450x600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579672800259956114" border="0" /></a>most important predators in many shallow, tropical and sub-tropical marine habitats they are poorly understood as many species spend most of their life tucked away in burrows and holes. Although it happens rarely, some larger species of mantis shrimp are capable of breaking through aquarium glass with a single strike from this weapon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Moorish Idol</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50HGBmaQrdHWKhfITKNJMiNsIB4PzQ2KPvxp3c318TO0oU-IEUQpiBijaaHEV0iUS1fbazuqa3DHEifYxrmPxs6JOJd7DZQggjJAk2E7wXrsowZGpPEg6u_s8L7ICsct9b467m3ophdUb/s1600/8.mooris-idol-600x450.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50HGBmaQrdHWKhfITKNJMiNsIB4PzQ2KPvxp3c318TO0oU-IEUQpiBijaaHEV0iUS1fbazuqa3DHEifYxrmPxs6JOJd7DZQggjJAk2E7wXrsowZGpPEg6u_s8L7ICsct9b467m3ophdUb/s320/8.mooris-idol-600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579673499147075378" border="0" /></a><br />One of the most difficult fish to keep in a home aquarium (and very expensive as well), to most aquarists <strong>Moorish idol</strong> are the pinnacle of the hobby. You may think you’ve seen them before, but you’re probably getting them confused with another species, the <strong>Bannerfish</strong> (also known as the False Idol). With distinctively compressed and disk-like bodies, moorish idols stand out in contrasting bands of black, white and yellow which make them look very attractive to aquarium keepers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Clownfish<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCkOAxhiQr1b07smwHtNtskW5zm0zqvMJuZCVqqZXbbVXvGGZdFLTjPabs2MEFT1SYHKDsqr6IqTys83jXzqe5DQDoWZ_qVmHHZrUpiJEQRT03ome0sh7hynCEIwpsktQjYtSTyXNXlrX/s1600/Oceans-Clownfish-600x400.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCkOAxhiQr1b07smwHtNtskW5zm0zqvMJuZCVqqZXbbVXvGGZdFLTjPabs2MEFT1SYHKDsqr6IqTys83jXzqe5DQDoWZ_qVmHHZrUpiJEQRT03ome0sh7hynCEIwpsktQjYtSTyXNXlrX/s320/Oceans-Clownfish-600x400.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579674282043177090" border="0" /></a><br />Also known as <strong>An</strong><strong>emonefish, Clownfish</strong> are some beautiful fish which generally consist of a yellow/orange body with white stripes along with black lining along it’s fins or black body with yellow/orange areas along it’s lower body and fins , though this depends upon the species of Clownfish and they come in various displays. Many show white bars or patches. The largest reach a length of 18 centimetres (7.1 in), while the smallest barely reach 10 centimetres (3.9 in).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Rainbow Parrot Fish</span><br /><br />Named <strong>Parrot fish</strong> because of their calcareous bird-like beaks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QfTLm-j8y5420uYBNCLoavX1NMWgIT-T5IzBRfej3Cyx1zlAfTkm-D_PohNsoQl5xR6ewXrdsb3c7p4Yj09qQpV1GkLe64vYl7Xb0vBeQofM2vXztjdl9lIH71D1dbqDwpa1VfjwI3sg/s1600/10.-rainbow-parrot-fish-600x449.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QfTLm-j8y5420uYBNCLoavX1NMWgIT-T5IzBRfej3Cyx1zlAfTkm-D_PohNsoQl5xR6ewXrdsb3c7p4Yj09qQpV1GkLe64vYl7Xb0vBeQofM2vXztjdl9lIH71D1dbqDwpa1VfjwI3sg/s320/10.-rainbow-parrot-fish-600x449.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579675159222631218" border="0" /></a>. Parrot fish use these beaks to crush and eat the small invertebrates that live in coral. Much of the sand and sea floor of coral reefs are actually remains of meals from the parrot fish, they chew the coral, eat the invertebrates and spit out the leftover calcium. In most species, the initial phase is dull red, brown or grey, while the terminal phase is vividly green or blue with bright pink or yellow patches. The remarkably different terminal and initial phases were first described as separate species in several cases, but there are also some species where the phases are similar.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />source : http://www.smashinglists.com/top-10-most-beautiful-and-colorful-fish/</span></span><br /></div>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-64358767413726698512010-07-25T23:49:00.000-07:002010-08-31T22:12:30.915-07:00Arapaima Fish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoijMZ0okVkUncKOlYykE4TbCaHw3O8x5YrHbo_KKgSSLWiOQ9lvuV8-WKXkZwvfmU48uW5W5hSu77hgqT-B7l19UV6xwBWw2LA0drYwYDjru2UQmQGZ7C8c3zOfdeRECqXNRLTe_xzNL/s1600/arapaima+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoijMZ0okVkUncKOlYykE4TbCaHw3O8x5YrHbo_KKgSSLWiOQ9lvuV8-WKXkZwvfmU48uW5W5hSu77hgqT-B7l19UV6xwBWw2LA0drYwYDjru2UQmQGZ7C8c3zOfdeRECqXNRLTe_xzNL/s320/arapaima+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498106996709350274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />The <strong>Arapaima fish</strong> is also known as the <strong>Pirarucu</strong>, and is one of the biggest freshwater fish species in the world. Its scientific name is <em>Arapaima gigas</em>. This fish can only be found wild in the Amazon River Basin in South America. It can reach a length of 450 centimeters (177.17 inches) and weigh up to 200 kilograms (440 lbs). The Arapaima is grey and decorated with an orange speckling at the posterior end. The scales can grow up to six centimeters long on the largest Arapaima specimens. You will find two symmetrical fins on the body, located at the posterior end.<br /><br /> The Arapaima can be kept in aquariums, but you must of course be prepared to provide your Arapaima with larger and larger aquariums as it grows. A 450 centimeter long Arapaima is of course very impractical to keep for most aquarists. Since the Arapaima is near extinct in some parts of South America, you should choose your specimen carefully. Purchase a captive breed Arapaima or make sure that is has been caught in an area where it is not endangered.<br /><br /> The Arapaima is a very popular food fish in South America and it is also admired among sport fishers. More than 50 percent of the total body weight of this fish is made up by meat, and the meat is boneless, a fact which makes it even more popular as food. The bony tongue is used to prepare cylinders of dried guarana, while the scales are sold as nail files. (Guarana is an ingredient used in a South American beverage.) A majority of the caught Arapaima fishes are sold and consumed in Brazil. Arapaima harvesting is today forbidden in many regions, e.g. Guyana, but the illegal fishing still continues.<br /><br /> Over fishing has made it hard to find large Arapaima specimens. Once upon a time, there were a lot of Arapaima fishes weighing over 150 kilograms and measuring more than 3 meters in length. More than 30 years of over fishing have now drastically reduced the amount of large Arapaima fishes in South America, and has had a severe effect on the entir<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk5403hdmjv2Aea5VSMrYlFv2KneNn4JOK-KBb0jSkkgcy0zqQRDaL88aInKao5tsLaGqNENWvmTHJY70VTwrXBfvBdkxR8vnwu6u40SWB9_IylBX5iI27p4PD0r94YT1stCuCLkggafn/s1600/arapaima+3.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk5403hdmjv2Aea5VSMrYlFv2KneNn4JOK-KBb0jSkkgcy0zqQRDaL88aInKao5tsLaGqNENWvmTHJY70VTwrXBfvBdkxR8vnwu6u40SWB9_IylBX5iI27p4PD0r94YT1stCuCLkggafn/s320/arapaima+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498108019088674210" border="0" /></a>e Arapaima population as well. The Arapaima fish is usually netted or harpooned.<br /><br /> The Arapaima is a predatory fish that eats fish, birds and any other animal that it can catch. The major part of its diet consists of fish, but since it is a large opportunistic hunter it will happily gulp down other animals as well. Arapaimas prefer to hunt close to the surface since they need to breathe oxygen from the air. This does however not prevent the Arapaima from occasionally diving very far down. The fact that this fish needs to breathe air from the atmosphere every 10-20 minutes must of course be taken into consideration if you intend to keep an Arapaima in captivity. The aquarium must be arranged in a way that makes access to fresh air possible.<br /><br />Arapaima is found in various habitats in the Amazon River Basin which means that you can have some freedom when you decorate its aquarium. You will find Arapaima in the Amazon River, in the tributaries and in the floodplain lakes. It lives in white water as well as clear water, and the fact that it breaths oxygen from the atmosphere makes it possible for this fish to live in oxygen depleted swampy waters as well.<br /><br /> The Arapaima is an egg-laying mouth-brooding species that tend to its eggs as well as its larvae. Since Arapaima fish sometimes inhabit oxygen depleted waters, they will aerate the water to make sure that the eggs get enough oxygen. Adult fish can communicate with their offspring by exuding a special pheromone from the head. The pheromone makes the larvae stay close to their parents where they can be protected from predators.<br /><br /> The reproductive cycle of Arapaima fish depend on the seasons, and the female will lay eggs in February, March or April. During this period, the water levels in the Amazon River Basin are very low. The eggs are placed in a nest that has been built by the parents at the bottom. This nest is usually around 50 centimeters in diameter and 15 centimeters deep. W<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyFull" title="Rata Penuh" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 13);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Rata Penuh" class="gl_align_full" border="0" /></span></span>hen the eggs hatch, the flooding season is well on its way in the Amazon River Basin and the offspring can feast on an abundance of small aquatic organisms.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://www.aquaticcommunity.com</span></span>, <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">youtube</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyJ6lzoBhWGcekO6scfNtN1OaBzMDtApVpJcJpqRr-SvyJqL-1Gu8TuTBnQeR0pryi27B3SnOZdPL4sdZf1dA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-48027131766661639192010-07-20T21:07:00.000-07:002010-08-04T21:54:45.880-07:00Moray Eel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscOhU83NC2tq3M5SJLqzSifyWbty05xELLWId502QbwhqggWaRLN3RR2zk26_QLDZ660dMZePfTGI40zUb5XSN3pRat1ddvuTkiWVmJV3lferYcp8xD68rz1Ga_b7P6WyrD5iAByW59Dk/s1600/moray-eel+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscOhU83NC2tq3M5SJLqzSifyWbty05xELLWId502QbwhqggWaRLN3RR2zk26_QLDZ660dMZePfTGI40zUb5XSN3pRat1ddvuTkiWVmJV3lferYcp8xD68rz1Ga_b7P6WyrD5iAByW59Dk/s320/moray-eel+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496263580683984386" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />Moray eels</b> are cosmopolitan eels of the family <b>Muraenidae</b>. The approximately 200 species in 15 genera are almost exclusively marine, but several species are regularly seen in brackish water and a few, for example the freshwater moray (<i>Gymnothorax polyuranodon</i>) can sometimes be found in freshwater. With a maximum length of 11.5 centimetres (4.5 in), the smallest moray is likely the Synder's moray (<i>Anarchias leucurus</i>), while the longest species, the slender giant moray (<i>Strophidon sathete</i>) reaches up to 4 metres (13 ft). The largest in terms of total mass is the giant moray (<i>Gymnothorax javanicus</i>), which reaches almost 3 metres (9.8 ft) and can weigh over 36 kilograms (79 lb).<br /><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anatomy</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The dorsal fin extends from just behind the head along the back and joins seamlessly with the caudal and anal fins. Most species lack pecktoral and pelvic fins, adding to their serpentine appearance. Their eyes are rather small; morays rely on their highly developed sense of smell, lying in wait to ambush prey.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The body is generally patterned. Camouflage is also present inside the mouth. Their jaws are wide, framing a protruding snout. They possess large teeth, designed to tear flesh as opposed to holding or chewing.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="thumb tright"> <div class="thumbinner" style="width: 272px;"><br /></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Moray eels' heads are too narrow to create the negative pressure that most fish use to swallow prey. Quite possibly because of this, they have a second set of jaws in their throat called pharyngeal jaws, which also possess teeth. When feeding, morays launch these jaws into the mouth, where they grasp prey and transport it into the throat and digestiv<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpGiZCtJPpnzmiAhamYPgxjCPREeh-rtig60E14BhxUs0gbrIUvSZzeCh5B2TNT_CzTPR_bXF-ISsyLkRSv4fhZiwFPXK7K6IotTvqzehIprEOtLcmzPFqIj_8siB5UnWr3WyRWYPJeCn/s1600/moray-eel2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpGiZCtJPpnzmiAhamYPgxjCPREeh-rtig60E14BhxUs0gbrIUvSZzeCh5B2TNT_CzTPR_bXF-ISsyLkRSv4fhZiwFPXK7K6IotTvqzehIprEOtLcmzPFqIj_8siB5UnWr3WyRWYPJeCn/s320/moray-eel2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496276702652766722" border="0" /></a>e system. Moray eels are the only animal that uses pharyngeal jaws to actively capture and restrain prey. Larger morays are capable of seriously wounding humans.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Morays secrete a protective mucus over their smooth, scaleless skin which in some species contains a toxin. Morays have much thicker skin and high densities of goblet cells in the epidermis that allows mucus to be produced at a higher rate than in other eel species. This allows sand granules to adhere to the sides of their burrows in sand-dwelling morays, thus making the walls of the burrow more permanent due to the glycosylation of mucins in mucus. Their small circular gills, located on the flanks far posterior to the mouth, require the moray to maintain a gap in order to facilitate respiration.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Morays are carnivorous and feed primarily on other fish, cephalopods, mollusks, and crustaceans. Groupers, other morays, barracudas and sea snakes are among their few predators. There is a commercial fishery for several species, but some cause ciguatera fish pois ciguatera fish poisoning. Morays hide in reef crevices until their prey is close enough for capture. They then lunge out and clamp the prey in their strong jaws.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Cooperative_hunting">Cooperative hunting</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;">A species of reef-associated grouper, the roving coral grouper (<span style="font-style: italic;">Plectropomus pessuliferus</span>), have been observed to recruit morays to aid them while hunting for food. This is the only known instance of interspecies cooperation among fish.<br /><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Reputation">Reputation</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Morays have sometimes been described as vicious or ill-tempered. Morays hide from humans and would rather flee than fight. Morays are shy and secretive, and attack humans only in self-defense or mistaken identity (for example, a finger placed in a crevice where a moray resides may resemble a prey-item). Most attacks involve accidental bites during human-initiated interaction. Morays cannot see very well and rely mostly on their acute sense of smell. Morays, however, <i>do</i> inflict a nasty bite, and while the majority are not believed to be venomous, circumstantial evidence suggests that a few species may be.<sup id="cite_ref-Randall_10-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moray_eel#cite_note-Randall-10"><span></span><span></span></a></sup></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Eels that have eaten certain types of toxic algae or fish that have eaten some of these algae can cause ciguatera fish poisoning if eaten. Large morays can also cause extreme physical trauma, in some cases removing an incautious diver's finger. Morays rest in crevices during the day and hunt nocturnally, although they may ensnare small fish and crustaceans that pass near them during the day.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Habitat</span><br /><sup id="cite_ref-Bshary_9-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moray_eel#cite_note-Bshary-9"><span></span><span></span></a></sup></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Moray eels are cosmopolitan, found in both tropical and temperate seas, although the largest species richness is at reefs in warm oceans. Very few species occur outside the tropics or subtropics, and the ones that do only extend marginally beyond these regions. They live at depths of up to several hundred metres, where they spend most of their time concealed inside crevices and alcoves. While several species regularly are found in brackish water, very few species can be found in freshwater, for example the freshwater moray (<i>Gymnothorax polyuranodon</i>) and the pink-lipped moray eel (<i>Echidna rhodochilus</i>).<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://en.wikipedia.org</span></span>, <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Youtube</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRf-v53vhNIeCjGcnXTkZwg6qJiP1RTdf8cruMzzxf1ymdPvkxTIwkY_SPcVOMz3qKIdMqarvkgCKmr9pEng' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-89752935918743497872010-07-21T21:31:00.000-07:002010-07-26T18:24:09.206-07:00Oarfish<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii76pnws7B9sgNQrJsCZKqGrvdZS_23CQ164MIyrbXUn4V1NMRbH72O0ySOEu_MAc0i2eJD-iOIs7p0hL1JL_b9AQCt-s2aorDzs3VKJC4q3m25MSFzRj7PrmI2e-4So1eVT6psA1jcVX/s1600/oarfish.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjii76pnws7B9sgNQrJsCZKqGrvdZS_23CQ164MIyrbXUn4V1NMRbH72O0ySOEu_MAc0i2eJD-iOIs7p0hL1JL_b9AQCt-s2aorDzs3VKJC4q3m25MSFzRj7PrmI2e-4So1eVT6psA1jcVX/s320/oarfish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496583955355771634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Oarfish</b> are large, greatly elongated, pelagic Lampriform fishes comprising the small family <b>Regalecidae</b>. Found in all temperate to tropical oceans yet rarely seen, the oarfish family contains four species in two genera. One of these, the king of herrings (<i>Regalecus glesne</i>), is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest bony fish alive, at up to 17 metres (56 ft) in length.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The common name <i>oarfish</i> is presumably in reference to either their highly compressed and elongated bodies, or to the former (but now discredited) belief that the fish "row" themselves through the water with their pelvic fins. The family name <i>Regalecidae</i> is derived from the Latin <i>regalis</i>, meaning "royal". The occasional beachings of oarfish after storms, and their habit of lingering at the surface when sick or dying, make oarfish a probable source of many sea serpent tales.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Although the larger species are considered game fish and are (to a minor extent) fished commercially, oarfish are rarely caught alive; their flesh is not well regarded due to its gelatinous consistency.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anatomy and morphology</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The tapering, ribbony silver bodies of oarfish—together with an impressive, pinkish to cardinal red dorsal fin—help explain the perception of majesty taken from rare encounters. The dorsal fin originates from above the (relatively small) eyes and runs the entire length of the fish. Of the approximately 400 dorsal fin rays, the first 10 to 12 are elongated to varying degrees, forming a trailing crest embellished with reddish spots and flaps of skin at the ray tips. The pelvic fins are similarly elongated and adorned, reduced to 1 to 5 rays each. The pectoral fins are greatly reduced and situated low on the body. The anal fin is completely absent and the caudal fin may be reduced or absent as well, with the body tapering to a fine point. All fins lack true spines. At least one account, from researchers in New Zealand, describes the oarfish as giving off "electric shocks" when touched.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Like other members of its order, the oarfish has a small yet highly protrusible oblique mouth with no visible teeth. The body is scaleless and the skin covered with easily abraded, silvery guanine. In the streamer fish (<i>Agrostichthys parkeri</i>), the skin is clad with hard tubercles. All species lack gas bladders and the number of gill rakers is variable.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> Oarfish coloration is also variable; the flanks are commonly covered with irregular bluish to blackish streaks, black dots, and squiggles. These markings quickly fade following death. The king of herrings is by far the largest member of the family at a published total length of 11 meters (with unconfirmed reports of 15 meters or more) and 272 kilograms in weight. The streamer fish is known to reach 3 meters total length whilst the largest recorded specimen of Regalecus russelii measured just 5.5 centimeters standard length. It is probable that this little-known species can regularly reach a maximum length of at least 15.2 meters (50 ft).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distribution</span><br /><br />The members of the family are known to have a worldwide range. However, specific encounters with live individuals in situ are rare and distribution information is collated from records of oarfishes caught or washed ashore.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ecology and life history</span><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Rare encounters with divers and accidental catches have supplied what little is known of oarfish behavior and ecology. Apparently solitary animals, oarfish may frequent significant depths up to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). A photograph on display in bars, restaurants, guesthouses, and markets around Thailand that is captioned, "Queen of Nagas seized by American Army at Mekhong River, Laos Military<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxuLpxJNNg9ddocRlXyANuxIaBiqG68eZIGtieY-aAT1PmHINCuLUq9DuJV84N4pieJV8RarBErQ_EkWuD2E6ZgTGAgkCkWZ6RQ-_kvQ0LV3I7qGbznABkCrKpsUmpDZU0O3FnAi6VRYP/s1600/oarfish2.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxuLpxJNNg9ddocRlXyANuxIaBiqG68eZIGtieY-aAT1PmHINCuLUq9DuJV84N4pieJV8RarBErQ_EkWuD2E6ZgTGAgkCkWZ6RQ-_kvQ0LV3I7qGbznABkCrKpsUmpDZU0O3FnAi6VRYP/s320/oarfish2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496606107415255218" border="0" /></a> Base on June 27, 1973 with the length of 7.80 meters," is a hoax. The photograph is actually that taken by USN LT DeeDee Van Wormer, of an oarfish found in late 1996 by US Navy SEAL trainees on the coast of Conorado, California.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> A catch of an 11 ft 4 in (3.3 metres), 140 lb (63.5kg) monster that turned out to be an oarfish was reported on 17 February 2003 by Ms Val Fletcher, who was using a fishing rod baited with squid, at Skinningrove, a coastal settlement of north-east England.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oarfish#cite_note-6"><span></span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Behavior</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">In 2001 an oarfish was filmed alive and <i>in situ</i>: the 1.5 meter fish was spotted by a group of US Navy personnel during the inspection of a buoy in the Bahamas. The oarfish was observed to propel itself via an amiiform mode of swimming; that is, rhythmically undulating the dorsal fin whilst keeping the body itself straight. Perhaps indicating a feeding posture, oarfish have been observed swimming in a vertical orientation, with their long axis perpendicular to the ocean surface. In this posture the downstreaming light would silhouette the oarfishes' prey, making them easier to spot.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In July 2008, Canadian Researcher William Sommers captured footage of the rare fish swimming in its natural habitat off the Gulf of Mexico. It is the first ever confirmed sighting of an oarfish at depth, as most specimens are discovered dying at the sea surface or washed ashore. The fish was estimated to be between 5m and 10m in length.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oarfish#cite_note-7"><span></span><span></span></a></sup></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> From December 2009 through March 2010, unusual numbers of the slender oarfish <i>Regalecus russelii</i><sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oarfish#cite_note-8"><span></span><span></span></a></sup> (竜宮の使い “Ryūgū-No-Tsukai”,) known in Japanese folklore as the <i>Messenger from the Sea God's Palace</i>, have appeared in the waters and on the beaches of Japan; the appearance of which is said to portend earthquakes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feeding Ecology</span><br /><br />Oarfish feed primarily on zooplankton, selectively straining tiny euphausiids, shrimp, and other crustaceans from the water. Small fish, jellyfish, and squid are also taken. Large open-ocean carnivores are all likely predators of oarfish, and include the Oceanic whitetip Shark. Oarfish have no visible teeth.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Life history</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>The oceanodromous <i>Regalecus glesne</i> is recorded as spawing off Mexico from July to December; all species are presumed to be non-guarders and release brightly coloured, buoyant eggs, up to 6 millimetres (0.24 in) across, which are incorporated into the zooplankton. The eggs hatch after about three weeks into highly active larvae, that feed on other zooplankton. The larvae have little resemblance to the adults, with long dorsal and pelvic fins and extensible mouths.<sup id="cite_ref-EoF_3-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oarfish#cite_note-EoF-3"><span></span><span></span></a></sup> Larvae and juveniles have been observed drifting just below the surface. In contrast, adult oarfish are rarely seen at the surface when not sick or injured.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />source : http://en.wikipedia.org, Youtube</span></span><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPE2PzWRl0tMCnnTD-pQchYamh0yMP0dCmq4Rf6MP93HqjNBdkif4FP7JB3Mg-nZZf_peRzMc2Z0HzaRTmMg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-61525288085378529222010-04-26T17:50:00.000-07:002010-04-28T03:50:24.815-07:00Colossal Squid<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxcL2mnmxWmQUAA64m1Z24VTcAW1kchfginc41qz2AkbxNZSohahfTg2vV6HsqG_7zAiYfGPyRN8JWA1TsCtLZBeRvv-dgmDZ80Pa3molb5wS3Jl_5e03gTaZA7YZ7vWWvXtZsv_qvm8K/s1600/colossal-squid_big.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxcL2mnmxWmQUAA64m1Z24VTcAW1kchfginc41qz2AkbxNZSohahfTg2vV6HsqG_7zAiYfGPyRN8JWA1TsCtLZBeRvv-dgmDZ80Pa3molb5wS3Jl_5e03gTaZA7YZ7vWWvXtZsv_qvm8K/s320/colossal-squid_big.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464613779304432866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photographs courtesy New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries, illustration by Paul Hannan, National Geographic Digital Media <br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><b>February 22, 2007—</b>In Antarctica's Ross Sea, a fishing boat has caught what is likely the world's biggest known colossal squid (yes, that's the species' name), New Zealand officials announced today. <p> Heavier than even giant squid, colossal squid <i>(Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni)</i> have eyes as wide as dinner plates and sharp hooks on some of their suckers. The new specimen weighs in at an estimated 990 pounds (450 kilograms).<!--- deckend --> </p><p> The sea monster had become entangled while feeding on Patagonian toothfish ( toothfish photos) caught on long lines of hooks. The crew then maneuvered the squid into a net and painstakingly hauled it aboard—a two-hour process. </p><p> The animal was frozen and placed in a massive freezer below decks. Now in New Zealand, the carcass awaits scientific analysis. </p><p> "Even basic questions such as how large does this species grow to and how long does it live for are not yet known," said New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton in a statement. </p><p> The deep-sea species was first discovered in 1925, though the only evidence was two tentacles found in a sperm whale's stomach. Since then there have been only a scattering of sightings, including a colossal squid caught in 2003 in the same region as the recent find. </p><p> The new specimen is likely the first intact male ever recovered, Anderton said. </p><p> Squid expert Steve O'Shea told local press, "I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest." </p><p> For one thing, added the Auckland University of Technology professor, the squid would yield calamari rings the size of tractor tires. </p> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube</span><br /><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkSsHfS3_kwWPxtovL3S4Q34BqI4uPdcGjuadRepMHyN-dFIIOV46sJRBM0WY_Q0TqUCQO1yun3saC1s3_Zw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-590371120819090582010-04-26T17:16:00.000-07:002010-04-27T21:29:48.465-07:00Giant Squid<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzmwyZcbn-K1Hb3Jv_CB_8iHm68kKsNEzSYImTI7Q8cqs8eLan9DthRBT53BKPVSJAPpmHIhJJdKgXGdtagyX0TgrhXLniUttXtqPZtQQ3dfME4yBwr_ucSEZW-be7-jD8rnByqb-JGy8/s1600/giant-squid_544_600x450.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzmwyZcbn-K1Hb3Jv_CB_8iHm68kKsNEzSYImTI7Q8cqs8eLan9DthRBT53BKPVSJAPpmHIhJJdKgXGdtagyX0TgrhXLniUttXtqPZtQQ3dfME4yBwr_ucSEZW-be7-jD8rnByqb-JGy8/s320/giant-squid_544_600x450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464605532691631618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph courtesy Tsunemi Kubodera of the National Science Museum of Japan/AP</span></span><br /><br /><div class="article_text"> <p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The giant squid remains largely a mystery to scientists despite being the biggest invertebrate on Earth. The largest of these elusive giants ever found measured 59 feet (18 meters) in length and weighed nearly a ton (900 kilograms).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, their inhospitable deep-sea habitat has made them uniquely difficult to study, and almost everything scientists know about them is from carcasses that have washed up on beaches or been hauled in by fishermen. Lately, however, the fortunes of scientists studying these elusive creatures have begun to turn. In 2004 researchers in Japan took the first images ever of a live giant squid. And in late 2006, scientists with Japan's National Science Museum caught and brought to the surface a live 24-foot (7-meter) female giant squid.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Giant squid, along with their cousin, the colossal squid, have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, measuring some 10 inches (25 centimeters) in diameter. These massive organs allow them to detect objects in the lightless depths where most other animals would see nothing.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Like other squid species, they have eight arms and two longer feeding tentacles that help them bring food to their beak-like mouths. Their diet likely consists of fish, shrimp, and other squid, and some suggest they might even attack and eat small whales.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">They maneuver their massive bodies with fins that seem diminutive for their size. They use their funnel as a propulsion system, drawing water into the mantle, or main part of the body, and forcing it out the back.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Scientists don't know enough about these beasts to say for sure what their range is, but giant squid carcasses have been found in all of the world's oceans.</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;" class="title">Fast Facts</h3><div> </div><dl style="text-align: justify;"><dt><strong>Type:</strong> Invertebrate</dt><dt><strong>Diet:</strong> Carnivore</dt><dt><strong>Size:</strong> 33 ft (10 m)</dt><dt><strong>Weight:</strong> 440 lbs (200 kg)</dt><dt><strong>Group name:</strong> School</dt><dt><strong>Did you know?</strong> A giant squid's eye can be as big as a beach ball.</dt></dl><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube</span><br /><br /><br /></div></div><div> </div></div></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEy6K5UJUs4upqY1o-StDxb3qY8U0W0gctD6nX2chwJcH6D0eXNbj_HU2HgWe581-ZQY0LtiWJBYYONH40Bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-64305936178670096502009-09-07T18:41:00.000-07:002009-09-07T19:28:37.909-07:00Killer Whale<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrt-EWHaSYAtj7jz4Hhhxd8Nbrl9RgX_C8iaZqhROGcIVOOTSj6t_gzc-fvooSnWqS1qUJC74DWp6jz-LLNckuqjuHVtVws_pix5hkQUFncQ0z62b7iYBDvgNYIKa-KFi1F8AkWhYPD6P/s1600-h/KillerWhaleBreachingPS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrt-EWHaSYAtj7jz4Hhhxd8Nbrl9RgX_C8iaZqhROGcIVOOTSj6t_gzc-fvooSnWqS1qUJC74DWp6jz-LLNckuqjuHVtVws_pix5hkQUFncQ0z62b7iYBDvgNYIKa-KFi1F8AkWhYPD6P/s320/KillerWhaleBreachingPS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378910328166169746" border="0" /></a></h2></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Killer Whale (Orca) Profile</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphins and one of the world's most powerful predators. They feast on marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, and even whales, employing teeth that can be four inches (ten centimeters) long. They are known to grab seals right off the ice. They also eat fish, squid, and seabirds.<br /><br />Though they often frequent cold, coastal waters, orcas can be found from the polar regions to the Equator.<br /><br />Killer whales hunt in deadly pods, family groups of up to 40 individuals. There appear to be both resident and transient pod populations of killer whales. These different groups may prey on different animals and use different techniques to catch them. Resident pods tend to prefer fish, while transient pods target marine mammals. All pods use effective, cooperative hunting techniques that some liken to the behavior of wolf packs.<br /><br />Whales make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and each pod has distinctive noises that its members will recognize even at a distance. They use echolocation to communicate and hunt, making sounds that travel underwater until they encounter objects, then bounce back, revealing their location, size, and shape.<br /><br />Killer whales are protective of their young, and other adolescent females often assist the mother in caring for them. Mothers give birth every three to ten years, after a 17-month pregnancy.<br /><br />Orcas are immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white coloring and are the intelligent, trainable stars of many aquarium shows. Killer whales have never been extensively hunted by humans.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><h2><span style="font-size:100%;">Fast Facts</span></h2>Type: Mammal</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Diet: Carnivore</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Average lifespan in the wild: 50 to 80 years</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Size: 23 to 32 ft (7 to 9.7 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Weight: up to 6 tons (5,443 kg)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Group name: Pod<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >source : http://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube</span><br /></div><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCyGMvGhrwuemWtRQOjAhO4FHJCaz0dwyBQ5nrHqPjsI_TPm4eFpb3wO3Az3q2FeTP6jJnXlyRZaTFpQAvqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-80063716770848658572009-08-05T19:21:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:33:05.598-07:00Humpback Whale<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Humpback Whale Profile</span></h2><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPo0ScIGUPKWKKBsynkF22AQ3Q9EPJIpUDCdLwJzMaQijx1QTsAdvie5c6F-YjEe6mjGgCtMpgrOo_uez401muV_3oah7uaLI-O-Toq9W04nFjqf5sLzWaOCTqXbTP_EaFl3DZ5mTz2kZ/s1600-h/humpback_whale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPo0ScIGUPKWKKBsynkF22AQ3Q9EPJIpUDCdLwJzMaQijx1QTsAdvie5c6F-YjEe6mjGgCtMpgrOo_uez401muV_3oah7uaLI-O-Toq9W04nFjqf5sLzWaOCTqXbTP_EaFl3DZ5mTz2kZ/s320/humpback_whale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376322295324738450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Humpback whales are known for their magical songs, which travel for great distances through the world's oceans. These sequences of moans, howls, cries, and other noises are quite complex and often continue for hours on end. Scientists are studying these sounds to decipher their meaning. It is most likely that humpbacks sing to communicate with others and to attract potential mates.<br /><br />These whales are found near coastlines, feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton, and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the equator. Mothers and their young swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appear to be gestures of affection. Females nurse their calves for almost a year, though it takes far longer than that for a humpback whale to reach full adulthood. Calves do not stop growing until they are ten years old.<br /><br />Humpbacks are powerful swimmers, and they use their massive tail fin, called a fluke, to propel themselves through the water and sometimes completely out of it. These whales, like others, regularly leap from the water, landing with a tremendous splash. Scientists aren't sure if this breaching behavior serves some purpose, such as cleaning pests from the whale's skin, or whether whales simply do it for fun.<br /><br />Fast Facts<br />Type: Mammal<br />Diet: Omnivore<br />Size: 48 to 62.5 ft (14.6 to 19 m)<br />Weight: 40 tons (36 metric tons)<br />Group name: Pod<br />Protection status: Endangered<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy27WPQlQFuxFX_W8tGjxbc7Lks4_faYrCQFiVqI6WbzHdvgDBoxsyA6tQdRWK8gqbgPJXLTs0H0l9C-Nw5Kw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-67315368894360555652009-08-05T19:05:00.000-07:002009-08-31T19:12:56.414-07:00Gray Whale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAsjCx2QAboU8QMpOIcz93tFofrBpP00p8eikYh0PNbF95VUr00Vvsct-WiLk05bLxwQZ-SKa_2dI5mvG3oDQSnPspRbzFhxctlOiGlsKy3QE8jgkVVTbWeIsNoEugRMgg18RezBBWzqq/s1600-h/gray+whale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAsjCx2QAboU8QMpOIcz93tFofrBpP00p8eikYh0PNbF95VUr00Vvsct-WiLk05bLxwQZ-SKa_2dI5mvG3oDQSnPspRbzFhxctlOiGlsKy3QE8jgkVVTbWeIsNoEugRMgg18RezBBWzqq/s320/gray+whale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376309853546683858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The only member of the family <i>Eschrichtiidae</i>, the gray whale is a mysticete, or baleen whale. It is a "coastal" whale that migrates along the North American Pacific </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Coast between arctic seas and the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. Frequently visible from shore, gray whales provide a unique opportunity for land and boat observation, and commercial whale watching has become a major industry along its migration route. Visitors to the calving and breeding lagoons sometimes encounter the phenomenon of the "friendlies"; gray whales that closely approach small boats and allow themselves to be touched by humans.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gray whales have a streamlined body, with a narrow, tapered head. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The upper jaw is arched in profile, and slightly overlaps the lower jaw. The rostrum (upper jaw) is dimpled and each of the little depressions contains one stiff hair. There are 2-5 grooves on the ventral throat 5 feet (1.5 m) in length.</span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs1-physical-description" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">COLOR</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> The gray whale received its name from the gray patches and white mottling on its dark skin. On the skin are many scratches, scattered patches of white barnacles, and orange whale lice. Newborn calves are dark gray to black, although some may have distinctive white markings.</span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs2-color" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="edit-optional-ill-3" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FINS AND FLUKE</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> The gray whale has no dorsal (top) fin. About </span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs3-fins-fluke" --><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>2</sup>/3</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> of the way back on its body is a prominent dorsal hump followed by a series of 6-12 knuckles along the dorsal ridge that extend to the flukes (tail lobes). Its flippers are paddle shaped and pointed at the tips. Its fluke is about 10-12 feet (3.7 m) across, pointed at the tips, and deeply notched in the center.</span><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Length and Weight</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Adult males measure 45-46 feet (13.7-14 m) and adult females measure slightly more. Both sexes weigh 30-40 tons (27,200-36,300 kg).</span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs4-length-weight" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Feeding</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gray whales feed on small crustaceans such as amphipods, and tube worms found in bottom sediments. They feed primarily during the summer months of long daylight hours in the cold Arctic waters of the Bering and Chukchi seas. As a baleen whale, it has a series of 130-180 fringed overlapping plates hanging from each side of the upper jaw, where teeth might otherwise be located. These plates consist of a fingernail-like material called keratin that frays out into fine hairs on the ends inside the mouth next to the tongue. The plates are off-white and about 2-10 inches (5-25 cm) in length. To feed, a whale dives to the bottom, rolls on its side and draws bottom sediments and water into its mouth. As it closes its mouth, water and sediments are expelled through the baleen plates, which trap the food on the inside near the tongue to be swallowed.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U_4e_XPjpZKMaY9gexPX5xlr_0lrI8H1LU68rJiTeY5pjcVTxdRbwqobBAb7rp_6jtYKhyphenhyphenviLecFPxnNCB8nGX85Hk3JpojDqr8oIye3GLUclqoUC99wUHerfrqxctZZTgwLgl2RdFCN/s1600-h/gray_whale2.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1U_4e_XPjpZKMaY9gexPX5xlr_0lrI8H1LU68rJiTeY5pjcVTxdRbwqobBAb7rp_6jtYKhyphenhyphenviLecFPxnNCB8nGX85Hk3JpojDqr8oIye3GLUclqoUC99wUHerfrqxctZZTgwLgl2RdFCN/s320/gray_whale2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376309994255077458" border="0" /></a><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs5-feeding" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mating and Breeding</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gray whales reach sexual maturity at 5-11 years of age, or when they reach 36-39 feet (11-12 m) in length. Gestation is 12-13 months. The calf weighs 1,100-1,500 pounds (500-680 kg) and is about 15 feet (4.5 m) at birth. Calves nurse 7-8 months on milk that is 53% fat (human milk is 2% fat). Females bear a single calf, at intervals of 2 or more years. Courtship and mating behavior are complex, and frequently involve 3 or more whales of mixed sexes. Mating and calving both occur primarily in the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico, although both have been observed during the migration.</span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs6-breeding" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="edit-optional-ill-7" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distribution and Migration</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gray whales inhabit shallow coastal waters of the eastern North Pacific. The gray whale makes one of the longest of all mammalian migrations, averaging 10,000-14,000 miles (16,000-22,530 km) round trip. In October, the whales begin to leave their feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and head south for their mating and calving lagoons in Baja California, Mexico. The southward journey takes 2-3 months. The whales remain in the lagoons for 2-3 months, allowing the calves to build up a thick layer of blubber to sustain them during the northward migration and keep them warm in the colder waters. The return trip north takes another 2-3 months. Mothers and calves travel very near shore on the northbound migration. There are some individual gray whales that are found year round in the Straits of Juan de Fuca between the State of Washington and Vancouver Island, Canada, and some that are seen during the summer months off the northern California coast.</span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs7-distribution" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Natural History</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> A migrating gray whale has a predictable breathing pattern, generally blowing 3-5 times in 15-30 second intervals before raising its fluke and submerging for 3-5 minutes. A gray whale can stay submerged up to 15 minutes, and travel at 3-6 miles per hour (4.8-9.6 km/hr). Mothers are very protective of their calves, and earned the name "Devilfish" from early whalers in the lagoons because of their violent defensive behaviors. Orcas (killer Whales) are <span style="font-size:78%;">a </span>cause of gray whale deaths, and many gray whales have orca teeth scars on their flukes.</span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs8-natural-history" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="spreadtxt-sm1"> <span class="sectiontitle2" style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Status</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> At one time there were three gray whale populations: a north Atlantic population, now extinct, possibly the victims of over-hunting; a Korean or western north Pacific stock now very depleted, also possibly from over-hunting; and the eastern north Pacific population, the largest surviving population. Hunted to the edge of extinction in the 1850's after the discovery of the calving lagoons, and again in the early 1900's with the introduction of floating factories, the gray whale was given partial protection in 1937 and full protection in 1947 by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Since that time the eastern north Pacific gray whale population has made a remarkable recovery and now numbers between 19,000 and 23,000, probably close to their original population size.<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://www.acsonline.org/factpack/graywhl.htm, www.dickrussell.org, Youtube</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="fs9-status" --><!-- InstanceEndEditable --> </div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4ZJauqdoDgFhYymOPIVp6RVEZhLxeMcOsxkhgycDdYwxC_S02MCt7JQJ_VH3_4ePJcHF23SMix4994dgXrQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-27843660778987132172009-07-28T19:58:00.000-07:002009-07-28T22:37:33.117-07:00Sperm Whale<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRIv-iP_2_nTq2nwANqKyC7ErsxC7rHGJbfLgRM7IQMy9BIZnPSJ0U1xxWAp6rRj4jyB9KFxRKQWT2m72wMoqks2VVn7QGOwPhi2rlIroE6xS1dg_li8FGbjaqXSTPkR-tCZgbx-xGy2v/s1600-h/sperm-whale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRIv-iP_2_nTq2nwANqKyC7ErsxC7rHGJbfLgRM7IQMy9BIZnPSJ0U1xxWAp6rRj4jyB9KFxRKQWT2m72wMoqks2VVn7QGOwPhi2rlIroE6xS1dg_li8FGbjaqXSTPkR-tCZgbx-xGy2v/s320/sperm-whale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363711766639961346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photograph by Brian J. Skerry</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Sperm whales' heads are filled with a mysterious substance called spermaceti. Scientists have yet to understand its function, but believe it may help the animal regulate its buoyancy.<br /><br />Sperm whales are easily recognized by their massive heads and prominent rounded foreheads. They have the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth. Their heads also hold large quantities of a substance called spermaceti. Whalers once believed that the oily fluid was sperm, but scientists still do not understand the function of spermaceti. One common theory is that the fluid—which hardens to wax when cold—helps the whale alter its buoyancy so it can dive deep and rise again. Sperm whales are known to dive as deep as 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) in search of squid to eat. These giant mammals must hold their breath for up to 90 minutes on such dives.<br /><br />These toothed whales eat thousands of pounds of fish and squid—about one ton (907 kg) per day.<br /><br />Sperm whales are often spotted in groups (called pods) of some 15 to 20 animals. Pods include females and their young, while males may roam solo or move from group to group. Females and calves remain in tropical or subtropical waters all year long, and apparently practice communal childcare. Males migrate to higher latitudes, alone or in groups, and head back towards the equator to breed. Driven by their tale fluke, approximately 16 feet (5 meters) from tip to tip, they can cruise the oceans at around 23 miles (37 kilometers) per hour.<br /><br />These popular leviathans are vocal and emit a series of "clangs" that may be used for communication or for echolocation. Animals that use echolocation emit sounds that travel underwater until they encounter objects, then bounce back to their senders—revealing the location, size, and shape of their target.<br /><br />Sperm whales were mainstays of whaling's 18th and 19th century heyday. A mythical albino sperm whale was immortalized in Herman Melville's <em>Moby Dick</em>, though Ahab's nemesis was apparently based on a real animal whalers called Mocha Dick. The animals were targeted for oil and ambergris, a substance that forms around squid beaks in a whale's stomach. Ambergris was (and remains) a very valuable substance once used in perfumes.<br /><br />Despite large population drops due to whaling, sperm whales are still fairly numerous.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Type: Mammal</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Diet: Carnivore</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Size: 49 to 59 ft (15 to 18 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Weight: 35 to 45 tons (31.8 to 40.8 metric tons)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Group name: Pod</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="fastfact">Did you know? Sperm whales and giant squid may be mortal enemies. Many stories of deadly battles between these two massive animals exist, and sperm whales have even been seen with suction cup-shaped wounds and remnants of giant squid in their stomachs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="list-item"><div style="text-align: justify;">Protection status: Endangered<br /></div><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCBI_ltEsYPGN3DSVW4WIQl6oC8Cf3iOl6kU-S9b2bGTp8k6dnik7dMi56PkpPpVNwESg0n5xxUxHdF9qftA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube</span>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-19275817614151828612009-07-13T17:49:00.000-07:002009-07-13T18:41:46.574-07:00Bowhead Whale<p style="text-align: justify;">The bowhead is one of the largest of the baleen whale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52WC303LIogA3FGvJghNjwSrYbIRcRajiDTXivMyeg5IrTTiY_t4UM0djptMB4WGLO0S7iboxl8-GpofM15-6RjmUqe5C66DxNQTOqdGRQw-oXL1k3drb8U_BGF8mNZPyXSDXT-oAsTTh/s1600-h/bowheadwhale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52WC303LIogA3FGvJghNjwSrYbIRcRajiDTXivMyeg5IrTTiY_t4UM0djptMB4WGLO0S7iboxl8-GpofM15-6RjmUqe5C66DxNQTOqdGRQw-oXL1k3drb8U_BGF8mNZPyXSDXT-oAsTTh/s320/bowheadwhale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358113854738584050" border="0" /></a> species. Adults average nearly 19 m long (65 ft.) and may weigh more than 60 t (66 tn.).</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Its high-arching mouth ("bowhead") is distinctive, and the ponderous head forms more than one-third of its body length. Large sheets of baleen suspended from the upper jaw are used as screens for catching its food, mainly shrimp-like crustaceans known as "krill".</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Some Arctic adaptations include:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>thick blubber that provides the animal with food reserves and insulation against cold seas</li><li>an absence of a dorsal fin, which is useful for moving among ice floes</li><li>a massive head that can break through ice up to 0.6 m (2 ft.) thick when it is necessary to create breathing holes.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">This slow-moving whale inhabits the Arctic Ocean and the sub-Arctic waters of the north Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They cruise along at 2 to 4 knots, and sound for up to 30 minutes.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">These whales are among the longest-lived mammals; they are still growing after age 50, and have been proven to live well beyond 100 years.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Whaling for the bowhead began near Spitsbergen as early as 1611 and continued until the early 1900s. Around that time the demand for whalebone dwindled, and the number of animals became too low for hunting them to be of economic interest.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The bowhead has been protected by the International Whaling Commission since 1937. However, native peoples are still allowed to hunt them for food. Aside from humans, the bowhead's only other predator is the killer whale.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Bowhead populations seem to be recovering well in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, but recovery has been slower in the Baffin Island, Greenland and Spitsbergen regions, where whaling was more intensive and carried on over a longer period. The species remains endangered, with approximately 8000 bowheads in existence today.</p><p style="text-align: justify; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">source : http://www.sdnhm.org, http://nature.ca, Youtube</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzXiUDyrAMqP2O6jiI9wh3TA2eSyOBxSaHDNLQs0GW1nFY-6H93ghD8Mk7YEa5XNgNkWzRhJlowLFy0NSiQtw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-44435717777508111142009-07-13T05:07:00.000-07:002009-07-13T17:31:20.469-07:00Bottlenose Dolphin<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFvdx2Mder4Lht8Domc75QyfCmT4nA6TuotTxHQ1DZO8tNKh8JkAK4CHm-_qxoWJpiFE3jHfVBxeExar1u9QxrnZxrPJeHFAm3dJ8116iV1wVJI8eXrlt-85ULPd0B29IeJ2cy7pxkpb6/s1600-h/003065-450-bottlenose-dolphin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFvdx2Mder4Lht8Domc75QyfCmT4nA6TuotTxHQ1DZO8tNKh8JkAK4CHm-_qxoWJpiFE3jHfVBxeExar1u9QxrnZxrPJeHFAm3dJ8116iV1wVJI8eXrlt-85ULPd0B29IeJ2cy7pxkpb6/s320/003065-450-bottlenose-dolphin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357923628171435970" border="0" /></a></h2><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bottlenose Dolphin Profile</span></h2><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="overflow: hidden; height: 592px; text-align: justify;" class="XpanderClip"><div id="profile-text"><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Bottlenose dolphins are well known as the intelligent and charismatic stars of many aquarium shows. Their curved mouths give the appearance of a friendly, permanent smile, and they can be trained to perform complex tricks.<br /><br />In the wild, these sleek swimmers can reach speeds of over 18 miles (30 kilometers) an hour. They surface often to breathe, doing so two or three times a minute. Bottlenose dolphins travel in social groups and communicate with each other by a co</span><span style="font-size:100%;">mplex system of squeaks and whistles. Schools have been known to come to the aid of an injured dolphin and help it to the surface.<br /><br />Bottlenose dolphins track their prey through the expert use of echolocation. They can make up to 1,000 clicking noises per second. These sounds travel underwater until they encounter objects, then bounce back to their dolphin senders, revealing the location, size, and shape of their target.<br /><br />When dolphins are feeding, that target is often a bottom-dwelling fish, though they also eat shrimp and squid. These clever animals are also sometimes spotted following fishing boats in hopes of dining on leftovers.<br /><br />Bottlenose dolphins are found in tropical oceans and other warm waters around the globe. They were once widely hunted for meat and oil (used for lamps and cooking), but today only limited dolphin fishing occurs. However, dolphins are threatened by commercial fishing for other species, like tuna, and can become mortally entangled in nets and other fishing equipment.<br /><br />All dolphins, including the bottlenose, are porpoises. Although some people use these names interchangeably, porpoises are actually a larger group that also includes animals like the orca and the beluga whale.</span><br /></p><div class="list-item"><br /><br /><br /></div> <div class="list-item">Average lifespan in the wild: 45 to 50 years</div> <div class="list-item">Size: 10 to 14 ft (3 to 4.2 m)</div> <div class="list-item">Weight: 1,100 lbs (500 kg)</div> <div class="list-item">Group name: Pod</div> <div class="fastfact">Did you know? Bottlenose dolphins have been observed to breach up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) out of the water, landing with a splash on their back or side.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br />Fast Facts<br />Type: Mammal<br />Diet: Carnivore<br />Average lifespan in the wild: 45 to 50 years<br />Size: 10 to 14 ft (3 to 4.2 m)<br />Weight: 1,100 lbs (500 kg)<br />Group name: Pod<br />Did you know? Bottlenose dolphins have been observed to breach up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) out of the water, landing with a splash on their back or side.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube, seapics.com<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxHJitFND7fJzesq0uQXLR4oQtkUBCehPFKOT5HNKJeWf-iloqmDGWFjdLWParIQx5IMChAVUUQpcLblh3BnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-5391428099013686892009-07-12T18:58:00.000-07:002009-07-13T05:04:58.390-07:00Beluga Whale<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Beluga Whale Profile</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size:100%;">Belugas are also called white whales, and their unusual color m</span><span style="font-size:100%;">akes them one of the most familiar and easily distinguishable of all the whales. C</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUvEiYgGefGCmWsuX47GVh7KmSPamxBRJ7ZR3PZ8HAMBVmE60U1S8hZ0IMlMokw1o7U-CW6tOrwEBU5LZ-Aj8gFCOr1p2N0smu5I7iWoMipmYkPS2hPA6_QNivcHw01KmqcV5MfVPD8XX/s1600-h/whale-kiss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUvEiYgGefGCmWsuX47GVh7KmSPamxBRJ7ZR3PZ8HAMBVmE60U1S8hZ0IMlMokw1o7U-CW6tOrwEBU5LZ-Aj8gFCOr1p2N0smu5I7iWoMipmYkPS2hPA6_QNivcHw01KmqcV5MfVPD8XX/s320/whale-kiss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357763520542016658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">alves are </span><span style="font-size:100%;">bo</span><span style="font-size:100%;">rn gray or even brown and only fade to white as they become sexually mature around five y</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ear</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> of age.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> White whales are smallish, ranging from 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6.1 meters) in length. They have rounded foreheads and no dorsal fin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> Belugas generally live together in small groups known as pods</span><span style="font-size:100%;">. They</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> are social animals and very vocal communicators that employ a diversified language of clicks, whistles, and clangs. Belugas can also mimic a variety of other sounds.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> These whales are common in the Arctic Ocean's coastal waters, though they are found in subarctic waters as well. Arctic belugas migrate southward in large herds when the sea freezes over. Animals trapped by Arctic ice often die, and they are prey for polar bears, killer whales, and for Arctic people. They are hunted by indigenous people of the north, and by commercial fisheries that brought some populations, such as those in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to near collapse.</span><br /><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Fast Facts</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Type: Mammal</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Diet: Carnivore</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Average lifespan in the wild: 35 to 50 years</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Size: 13 to 20 ft (4 to 6.1 m)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Weight: 2,000 to 3,000 pounds (907 to 1,361 kilograms)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Group name: Pod</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="fastfact"><span style="font-size:100%;">Did you know? Unlike most other whales, the beluga has a flexible neck that enables it to turn its head in all directions.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item"><span style="font-size:100%;">Protection status: Threatened<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube, www.oneinchpunch.net</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxPlLn5reEoJaVvov9fCb3KX-NktJ3Cq4Nh8EvrALnGFJpo-GuYiXysIjf49tyPnDu1STzC0eIg4VFIyqrijw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-85797693833315163062009-06-21T21:32:00.000-07:002009-06-21T21:50:39.331-07:00Blue Whale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjBvJcuYsq7_Nqca1T12ceIa7zN-ugoYhMQk0Vbrkg9fd4wq-8BKXkSbqhsOiTi-Y-Ui7VmohjneUvVzullTuutcGo8PerDXsT1RqYi7XZN7HzCd4R0UIBvH8p1Sjrzfw-SGRlSR8qLk8/s1600-h/bluewhale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjBvJcuYsq7_Nqca1T12ceIa7zN-ugoYhMQk0Vbrkg9fd4wq-8BKXkSbqhsOiTi-Y-Ui7VmohjneUvVzullTuutcGo8PerDXsT1RqYi7XZN7HzCd4R0UIBvH8p1Sjrzfw-SGRlSR8qLk8/s320/bluewhale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350007265905248306" border="0" /></a>The largest creature ever known to have existed on Earth is the present-day blue whale. Today's blue whale is even larger than its prehistoric ancestors, reaching a total length of 30 m (100 ft.) and a weight of 136 t (150 tn.). Adult female blue whales are larger than adult males. The blue whale's heart alone is the size of a small car! Even the largest dinosaur weighed only about 18 t (20 tn.), although it probably reached 40 m (131 ft.) in length.<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The calves measure 7 m (23 ft.) at birth and weigh about 2.2 to 2.7 t (2.4 to 3 tn.). A female blue whale can produce more than 200 litres (50 gal.) of high-fat milk per day. The calf gains up to 4 kg (9 lb.) per hour. When weaned at about six months of age, the calf will already be about 16 m (52 ft) long.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">This giant animal is placid and shy. On the ocean surface, its normal cruising speed is about 12 knots, but it is capable of attaining 20 knots in short bursts. The maximum reported depth reached by the species is 194 fathoms. It is capable of remaining submerged beneath the surface for 50 minutes, although 10 to 15 minutes is more typical.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Blue whales have been found in every ocean of the world: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Southern.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Blue whales comprised about 90% of the whaling industry's total catch during the early part of the 20th century, after the advent of harpoon cannons. In 1931 alone, almost 30 000 of these majestic creatures were killed. By 1966 there were so few blue whales that the International Whaling Commission declared them protected. In 2000 it was estimated that there were fewer than 10 000 left.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://nature.ca, http://www.sbnature.org, youtube</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dznWAVw2QMnD4Okg8otM7-XyxKA2m5blolGmk2Ea45avIUBZlBDovUCwpPmIPBaPDEXm-A7xQkkThzUx1xbnA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-48819825873212335182009-06-21T20:53:00.001-07:002009-06-21T21:31:38.641-07:00Bull Shark<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4P9ukVAAo4_Igh4w8h8e0At1XvH44TN3v0cAWzvkq9h_xkTVS8cR-yN4p6oSY0HqGJOAPDf57iozSE62qL79PUmPSyV3VLVdvTwJxihr4YEZQTfJX_u5S2ymXcGz5WbojRrTMxSobRpF/s1600-h/bullshark-ga.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4P9ukVAAo4_Igh4w8h8e0At1XvH44TN3v0cAWzvkq9h_xkTVS8cR-yN4p6oSY0HqGJOAPDf57iozSE62qL79PUmPSyV3VLVdvTwJxihr4YEZQTfJX_u5S2ymXcGz5WbojRrTMxSobRpF/s320/bullshark-ga.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349995231380889538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph by Brian J. Skerry</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bull sharks are aggressive, common, and usually live near high-population areas like tropical shorelines. They are not bothered by brackish and freshwater, and even venture far inland via rivers and tributaries.<br /><br />Because of these characteristics, many experts consider bull sharks to be the most dangerous sharks in the world. Historically, they are joined by their more famous cousins, great whites and tiger sharks, as the three species most likely to attack humans.<br /><br />Bull sharks get their name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their pugnacious disposition and a tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking. They are medium-size sharks, with thick, stout bodies and long pectoral fins. They are gray on top and white below, and the fins have dark tips, particularly on young bull sharks.<br /><br />They are found cruising the shallow, warm waters of all the world’s oceans. Fast, agile predators, they will eat almost anything they see, including fish, dolphins, and even other sharks. Humans are not, per se, on their menus. However, they frequent the turbid waters of estuaries and bays, and often attack people inadvertently or out of curiosity.<br /><br />Bull sharks currently are not threatened or endangered. However, they are fished widely for their meat, hides, and oils, and their numbers are likely shrinking. One study has found that their average lengths have declined significantly over the past few decades.<br /><br /></span><div class="list-item">Type: Fish</div> <div class="list-item">Diet: Carnivore</div> <div class="list-item">Average lifespan in the wild: 16 years</div> <div class="list-item">Size: 7 to 11.5 ft (2.1 to 3.4 m)</div> <div class="list-item">Weight: 200 to 500 lbs (90 to 230 kg)</div> <div class="list-item">Group name: School or shoal</div> <div class="fastfact">Did you know? Bull sharks have been found thousands of miles up the Amazon River, and in Nicaragua have been seen leaping up river rapids, salmon-like, to reach inland Lake Nicaragua.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, youtube</span></span><br /></div><br /> </div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxWeCGG8oZSby7govx7n0RgLi6Ws8kPOUJZhoytmRVU_klb067pDhAWTkA6G0-kyQCe4H9txl-AmTCOnSmRgw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-30031539510285753702009-06-21T20:02:00.000-07:002009-06-21T20:46:50.183-07:00Goblin Shark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoDgkO_1UH2oxw82KlPEMXQvKwUatcmO2F8hJXEjNhirdgZudGlhS5NxB1oq-qyqyg5pfdBo_yYCIMnbuEnSxdjC2eZkszD0XLn0Mkd4UnYh-YdNnxik9-xBBHEhpggOnpBCyLTrSh1gg/s1600-h/golbinshark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoDgkO_1UH2oxw82KlPEMXQvKwUatcmO2F8hJXEjNhirdgZudGlhS5NxB1oq-qyqyg5pfdBo_yYCIMnbuEnSxdjC2eZkszD0XLn0Mkd4UnYh-YdNnxik9-xBBHEhpggOnpBCyLTrSh1gg/s320/golbinshark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349982656284198514" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>The Japanese fishermen who caught the first specimen of Mitsukurina in the "Black Current" off Yokohama called it tenguzame, which means "goblin shark." This has become its common name, although very few people besides ichthyologists and shark-book authors ever get a chance to use it. The shark is extremely rare, found only in deep water off Japan, South Africa, perhaps off Portugal, and, in one strange instance, in the Indian Ocean, cable malfunction necessitated the raising of the cable, and an awl-like shark's tooth was found embedded in the wire covering. The cable had been at 750 fathoms, and the tooth belonged to a goblin shark. </strong></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong> The shark is thought to have been feeding on some sort of animal life growing on the cable at that depth, but very little else is known of its feeding habits. Its awl-like teeth and protrusible jaws seem to indicate that it is a fish eater, but this is only a supposition. (It probably needs protrusible jaws to feed at all, given the nature of its forehead appendage. This seems a self-handicapping situation, so perhaps the protrusion serves some other, less problematical function.) The first known tenguzame was a 3.5-foot male, but subsequent specimens have been as long as 14 feet.</strong></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>This seems to me the strangest of all the sharks. It looks like some kind of prehistoric survivor, an experiment in shark design that doesn't seem to work. And yet, by definition, it does work. Triceratops, the dinosaur with three horns, is long gone, as are Pteranodon and hundreds of other "impossible" animals. There is little that can be said about this mysterious shark, because so little is known about it. And yet, we have the most curious, incontrovertible fact of all: Mitsukurina lives. </strong></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>According to National Geographic Kids: A fourth of the goblin shark's weight can be its liver. Scientists don't yet understand why its liver is so big. These sharks have been found as deep as 4,000 feet. This 10-foot-long shark preys on small octopuses and fish. It has rarely even been seen by people. The shark's "nose" is dotted with sensory cells. Scientists think the snout's main purpose is to help the shark find food in deep, dark waters.</strong></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >source : http://www.greengoblin.com</span><span style="font-size:78%;">, </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Youtube</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong></strong></span></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2e73Yo3Wzsgx5UezdTGqO-iNELs-5V0t7TgDb8GuueP4llIOaBf_wpD804U3AfEOdiyU8MXS59BkMzpfeXw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-49283016709584753892009-06-21T18:45:00.000-07:002009-06-21T19:11:10.174-07:00Great White Shark<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPojnBj2v3PxAgL13j7tUC3JcmvVYjwIG9EsbMqvOhbV9bi_Q4G_JSq3SSdT349z5IynWsis5xKnNlnEO56RpVNDhlp465sc9wWH3e8375y4hKGP3bRyTQmZTZceIm1RBWKARcdlKcBRZC/s1600-h/great-white-shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPojnBj2v3PxAgL13j7tUC3JcmvVYjwIG9EsbMqvOhbV9bi_Q4G_JSq3SSdT349z5IynWsis5xKnNlnEO56RpVNDhlp465sc9wWH3e8375y4hKGP3bRyTQmZTZceIm1RBWKARcdlKcBRZC/s320/great-white-shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349962388577161138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph by Brian J. Skerry</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Great whites are torpedo-shaped with powerful tails that can propel them through the water at up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour.<br /><br />The legendary great white shark is far more fearsome in our imaginations than in reality. As scientific research on these elusive predators increases, their image as mindless killing machines is beginning to fade.<br /><br />Of the 100-plus annual shark attacks worldwide, fully one-third to one-half are attributable to great whites. However, most of these are not fatal, and new research finds that great whites, who are naturally curious, are "sample biting" then releasing their victims rather than preying on humans. It's not a terribly comforting distinction, but it does indicate that humans are not actually on the great white's menu.<br /><br />Great whites are the largest predatory fish on Earth. They grow to an average of 15 feet (4.6 meters) in length, though specimens exceeding 20 feet (6 meters) and weighing up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) have been recorded.<br /><br />They have slate-gray upper bodies to blend in with the rocky coastal sea floor, but get their name from their universally white underbellies. They are streamlined, torpedo-shaped swimmers with powerful tails that can propel them through the water at speeds of up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour. They can even leave the water completely, breaching like whales when attacking prey from underneath.<br /><br />Highly adapted predators, their mouths are lined with up to 300 serrated, triangular teeth arranged in several rows, and they have an exceptional sense of smell to detect prey. They even have organs that can sense the tiny electromagnetic fields generated by animals. Their main prey items include sea lions, seals, small toothed whales, and even sea turtles, and carrion.<br /><br />Found in cool, coastal waters throughout the world, there is no reliable data on the great white's population. However, scientists agree that their number are decreasing precipitously due to overfishing and accidental catching in gill nets, among other factors, and they are listed as an endangered species.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Type: Fish</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Diet: Carnivore</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Size: 15 ft (4.6 m) to more than 20 ft (6 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Weight: 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) or more</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Group name: School or shoal</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="fastfact">Did you know? Great whites can detect one drop of blood in 25 gallons (100 liters) of water and can sense even tiny amounts of blood in the water up to 3 miles (5 kilometers) away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, youtube</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQKU0bFrK72sf-kaqxzhGYFLKWFsLkAaTsTYahftmWF0YYFL3c4RUcSvJ4KkjaCuV0NrnCfjGJIORvM1Zo6w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-54312161147821730042009-06-21T18:14:00.000-07:002009-06-21T18:37:34.880-07:00Hammerhead Shark<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYTDCnwgP1fz3kHFINyd9oCtIt3Uh6CsuQakhJphPS-JIeYCWpjLbbK4smSEZrkEu1AOMOaCIpmEm8q6iJqm1i-I27ix75vJpQP31ATQ_wNu7hmRN5A7R1EIq-G6yAj6AMHnVJnBCkdrd/s1600-h/hammerhead-shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaYTDCnwgP1fz3kHFINyd9oCtIt3Uh6CsuQakhJphPS-JIeYCWpjLbbK4smSEZrkEu1AOMOaCIpmEm8q6iJqm1i-I27ix75vJpQP31ATQ_wNu7hmRN5A7R1EIq-G6yAj6AMHnVJnBCkdrd/s320/hammerhead-shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349955669956748274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph by Brian J. Skerry</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hammerheads are aggressive hunters, feeding on smaller fish, octopuses, squid, and crustaceans. They do not actively seek out human prey, but are very defensive and will attack when provoked.<br /><br />Hammerhead sharks are consummate predators that use their oddly shaped heads to improve their ability to find prey. Their wide-set eyes give them a better visual range than most other sharks. And by spreading their highly specialized sensory organs over their wide, mallet-shaped head, they can more thoroughly scan the ocean for food.<br /><br />One group of sensory organs is the ampullae of Lorenzini, which allows sharks to detect, among other things, the electrical fields created by prey animals. The hammerhead's increased ampullae sensitivity allows it to find its favorite meal, stingrays, which usually bury themselves under the sand.<br /><br />The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. It can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length and weigh up to 1,000 pounds (450 kg), although smaller sizes are more common.<br /><br />Found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, far offshore and near shorelines, hammerheads are often seen in mass summer migrations seeking cooler water. They are gray-brown to olive-green on top with off-white undersides, and they have heavily serrated, triangular teeth. Their extra-tall, pointed dorsal fins are easily identifiable.<br /><br />Most hammerhead species are fairly small and are considered harmless to humans. However, the great hammerhead's enormous size and fierceness make it potentially dangerous, though few attacks have been recorded.<br /><br />Hammerhead populations are not accurately known, but appear stable worldwide, and they are not considered threatened.<br /><br /><div class="list-item">Type: Fish</div> <div class="list-item">Diet: Carnivore</div> <div class="list-item">Average lifespan in the wild: 20 to 30 years</div> <div class="list-item">Size: 13 to 20 ft (4 to 6 m)</div> <div class="list-item">Weight: 500 to 1,000 lbs (230 to 450 kg)</div> <div class="list-item">Group name: School or shoal</div> <div class="fastfact">Did you know? Hammerheads use their wide heads to attack stingrays, pinning the winged fish against the sea floor.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com</span></span><br /></div><br /></div>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-9562757754980150892009-06-19T02:35:00.001-07:002009-06-19T02:45:00.269-07:00Mako Shark<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_rxvymy6miXKWj0_MUEqTGqFTALYpy-uXHAbwMizI6cuwJM95mCpLoAwsGL8X_a51Yqos_1M0uqGhOXc-RHG3-XkD6WaczXcvSQ8ERAG670bccBCv6GJsRtCV8SadTbs7AKfVGHhPK4u/s1600-h/makoshark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_rxvymy6miXKWj0_MUEqTGqFTALYpy-uXHAbwMizI6cuwJM95mCpLoAwsGL8X_a51Yqos_1M0uqGhOXc-RHG3-XkD6WaczXcvSQ8ERAG670bccBCv6GJsRtCV8SadTbs7AKfVGHhPK4u/s320/makoshark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348970236778012754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >Photo modified from Sharks and Rays. TC Tricas, K Deacon, P Last, JE McCosker, TI Walker, L Taylor. 1997. Nature Company Guides, Time Life Book Series. Weldon Owen Pty Ltd San Francisco.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The shortfin mako shark is a sleek spindle shaped shark with a long conical snout. This shark has short pectoral fins and a crescent shaped caudal (tail) fin. There is a distinct caudal keel on the caudal base. Its second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first. The teeth are are slender and slightly curved with no lateral cusps, and are visible even when the mouth is closed. There is marked countershading on this shark: dorsally it is a metallic indigo blue while ventrally it is white.</span> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The shortfin mako can grow to lengths of 3.9 meters (13 feet). There is still some uncertainty about its life-span, but it is suspected to reach ages of between 11-23 years.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> As one of the fastest sharks in the ocean, this powerful shark can attain burst swimming speeds of up to 35 km/h (22 mph) and can leap clear of the water to heights of up to 6 meters (20 feet). These qualities have made this species a sought after sport fish in some parts of its range.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://new-brunswick.net/new-brunswick/sharks/species/pics/mako1.jpg" border="0" width="400" height="134" /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Diet</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The shortfin mako feeds mainly upon bony fishes including mackerels, tunas, bonitos and swordfish, but may also eat other sharks, porpoises and sea turtles.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Reproduction</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> Female shortfin makos usually become sexually mature at a length of 3 meters. Developing embryos feed on unfertilized eggs in the uterus during the gestation period of 15-18 months. The 4-18 surviving young are born live in the late winter and early spring at a length of about 70 cm, but have no placental connection during development (ovoviviparity). It is believed that females may rest for 18 months after birth before the next batch of eggs are fertilized.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Habitat</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> Shortfin mako sharks live in tropical and temperate offshore waters. They are a pelagic species that occur from the surface down to depths of 150 meters (490 feet). This shark is seldom found in waters colder than 16 degrees Celsius.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Range</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The shortfin mako is found worldwide. In the western Atlantic it can be found from Argentina and the Gulf of Mexico to Browns Bank off of Nova Scotia. In Canadian waters these sharks are not abundant as they prefer warm waters, but neither are they rare. Shortfin makos are often found in the same waters as swordfish as they are a source of food and both fish prefer similar environmental conditions.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Distinguishing Characteristics</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><span style="">Teeth are visible even when the mouth is closed</span></li><li><span style="">Teeth are long and slender with smooth-edged cusps</span></li><li><span style="">Distinct countershading, dorsally blue and ventrally white</span></li><li><span style="">Moderately short pectoral fins</span></li><li><span style="">Underside of the snout is white</span></li><li><span style="">Lunate tail and caudal keel</span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://new-brunswick.net, Youtube</span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6tHTDN04rGYRivAun7BDMsm2Yqnli5G0jtodNb3hRR45QUUWDyX16ApSeajo0QrX9HrgHivIYXQ0NiTo1yw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-8186869257830567382009-06-19T02:05:00.000-07:002009-06-19T02:28:01.755-07:00Sand Tiger Shark<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-SmgWbFy4b8oO7o5m1kXy1NjR5OTy_QYwapRwVPjcGogwzAR6rRm1GcrD_j1lzSRDjAPF0z0TMXA9AQNmpXLE3DoPCSQ_ul1PQWl1pwrjyoAqFfDFNeTURY4NH4jL1WyzZD0bInScZk6/s1600-h/sand-tiger-shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-SmgWbFy4b8oO7o5m1kXy1NjR5OTy_QYwapRwVPjcGogwzAR6rRm1GcrD_j1lzSRDjAPF0z0TMXA9AQNmpXLE3DoPCSQ_ul1PQWl1pwrjyoAqFfDFNeTURY4NH4jL1WyzZD0bInScZk6/s320/sand-tiger-shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348962717371766370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photograph by David Doubilet</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite their rows of ragged teeth and vicious appearance, sand tiger sharks are actually rather docile, usually attacking humans only in self-defense.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Sand sharks, also known as sand tigers and gray nurse sharks, have a deceivingly ferocious look. They are large-bodied and display a mouthful of sharp teeth that protrude in all directions, even when the mouth is shut. Despite this, they are a docile, non-aggressive species, known to attack humans only when bothered first.<br /><br />Sand sharks are brownish-gray with rust-colored spots on top and white underneath. They have a flattened, cone-shaped snout and a distinctive, oblong tail with a notched, upper lobe that is significantly longer than the lobe below. Individuals range in size from 6.5 to 10.5 feet (2 to 3.2 meters) in length.<br /><br />Their name comes from their tendency toward shoreline habitats, and they are often seen trolling the ocean floor in the surf zone, very close to shore. They are found in warm or temperate waters throughout the world's oceans, except the eastern Pacific.<br /><br />Sand tigers are the only shark known to come to the surface and gulp air. They store the air in their stomachs, which allows them to float motionless in the water, seeking prey. They are voracious predators, feeding at night and generally staying close to the bottom. Their staple is small fish, but they will eat crustaceans and squid as well. They occasionally hunt in groups, and have even been known to attack full fishing nets.<br /><br />Although this species is widespread and is not widely fished for food, it has one of the lowest reproduction rates of all sharks and is susceptible to even minimal population pressure. For this reason, it is listed as vulnerable and is protected in much of its range.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Type: Fish</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Diet: Carnivore</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Average lifespan in the wild: 15 years or more </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Size: 6.5 to 10.5 ft (2 to 3.2 m)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Weight: 200 to 350 lbs (91 to 159 kg)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="list-item">Group name: School or shoal</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="fastfact">Did you know? Sand sharks survive well in captivity, and their large size and menacing appearance makes them an extremely popular addition to public aquariums.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZ1SksyyUrzRC98yu3z41jksXTC_WQQX7d3MQfIFcoFONOZT-C5zt1n7GeFcc50wyTaYtnthXV_I5GT6u-tg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-296965054619583572009-06-19T00:18:00.001-07:002009-06-19T02:00:31.255-07:00Threser Shark<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00pAl8oKSy1qC0Mq6sh7hnaCJsfSDifTHPOE0mc_3FY0vGAmxAd9vEzLfc1NoFqGcBwE9x03RnyWYsbeWt4OuN5FhflSPVpkTTUX7BPGMuJOSRMoaeGO57KdPypEbXfMoCA_6dh0Qh-4x/s1600-h/thresher.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00pAl8oKSy1qC0Mq6sh7hnaCJsfSDifTHPOE0mc_3FY0vGAmxAd9vEzLfc1NoFqGcBwE9x03RnyWYsbeWt4OuN5FhflSPVpkTTUX7BPGMuJOSRMoaeGO57KdPypEbXfMoCA_6dh0Qh-4x/s320/thresher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348935661084819938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo modified from <i>Sharks and Rays</i>. TC Tricas, K Deacon, P Last, JE McCosker, TI Walker, L Taylor. 1997. Nature Company Guides, Time Life Book Series. Weldon Owen Pty Ltd., San Francisco.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="">The thresher shark is characterized by its large upper caudal fin. This tail fin may often be 50 percent of the total length of the shark. It has a short snout and large eyes placed forward on the head. The second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first. The thresher is a strong swimmer and can leap clear of the water. The jaws are small with small, curved sharp teeth without basal cusps or serrations. Colour varies from brown to black with metallic hues from above and irregular white markings on the underside. In Canadian waters sizes have ranged from 3.3 to 5.5 meters (10.8 to 18 feet) long. The maximum size recorded for this species is 6.1 meters (20 feet), however they generally are between 2 to 5 meters (10 to 16.5 feet) in length.</span> </div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Diet</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The thresher shark eats schooling fish, such as herring and mackerel and cephalopods such as squid. The large caudal fin is used to slap the surface of the water forcing fish to form tighter schools; the tail can then be used as a whip to stun or kill the prey.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Reproduction</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> This shark is ovoviviparous, with the eggs being hatched inside the female, and 2 to 6 live pups being delivered at a size of 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. During development the young may cannibalize their siblings within the uterine chamber.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Habitat</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The thresher often swims at the surface of coastal waters. However it can also occur at depths of 350 meters (1,150 feet) or more. The young may be found inshore in shallow water.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Range</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> The thresher shark is a summer visitor to the Canadian Atlantic region. They have been captured from July to November, but most frequently during August and September. The thresher ranges through all warm and temperate areas of the worlds oceans. Its northernmost range in the western Atlantic is eastern Newfoundland and it ranges all the way down the Atlantic to the West Indies and northern South America.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://www.new-brunswick.net, Youtube</span></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""><br /></span></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwMCI6k-0Am9gD3xx4Qd5uta8WYPdlP7RD1ndtvhotR0iqU7750cAqprF1y-nNKtJ0wSteM4Wg0CizdniSXmg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-11544765609623278902009-06-16T21:26:00.000-07:002009-06-16T23:54:35.255-07:00Tiger Shark<div style="text-align: justify;">Tiger sharks are named for the dark, vertical stripes found mainly on juveniles. As these sharks mature, the lines begin to fade and almost disappear.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_wA65-Lqg-zLe07V6X9u1I5h2tc5eREL6f7XETHjmKKqQu0SBbi3-P_Cbp0NKn2qfH9W1VGM6q9mD6bI58bWMIx5bV_zgd_AwzTcHOGRibfL6qhpu7fFtBu-K_UiVI0TdzsBtkphIO01/s1600-h/tigershark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_wA65-Lqg-zLe07V6X9u1I5h2tc5eREL6f7XETHjmKKqQu0SBbi3-P_Cbp0NKn2qfH9W1VGM6q9mD6bI58bWMIx5bV_zgd_AwzTcHOGRibfL6qhpu7fFtBu-K_UiVI0TdzsBtkphIO01/s320/tigershark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348149934337594946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These large, blunt-nosed predators have a duly earned reputation as man-eaters. They are second only to great whites in attacking people. But because they have a near completely undiscerning palate, they are not likely to swim away after biting a human, as great whites frequently do.<br /><br />They are consummate scavengers, with excellent senses of sight and smell and a nearly limitless menu of diet items. They have sharp, highly serrated teeth and powerful jaws that allow them to crack the shells of sea turtles and clams. The stomach contents of captured tiger sharks have included stingrays, sea snakes, seals, birds, squids, and even license plates and old tires.<br /><br />Tiger sharks are common in tropical and sub-tropical waters throughout the world. Large specimens can grow to as much as 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.5 meters) in length and weigh more than 1,900 pounds (900 kilograms).<br /><br />They are heavily harvested for their fins, skin, and flesh, and their livers contain high levels of vitamin A, which is processed into vitamin oil. They have extremely low repopulation rates, and therefore may be highly susceptible to fishing pressure. They are listed as near threatened throughout their range.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">source : http://akunidive.com, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com, Youtube</span></span><br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwcDbrrDaEKZLlD3utUUOklVttH3aTSWZf2wL1i0RZ87TEwAJg4LQESsPKeuARLbbGfvGJ3SVfXI6zkuNkUdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-60144628088401135132009-06-16T18:07:00.000-07:002009-06-16T20:34:02.436-07:00Whale Shark<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GENERAL DESCRIPTION</span><br /><br />The whale shark is a the biggest shark and the biggest fish. It is NOT a whale. It has a huge mouth which can be up to 4 feet (1.4 m) wide. Its mouth is at the very front of its head (not on the underside of the head like in most sharks). It has a wide, flat head, a rounded snout, small eyes, 5 very large gill slits, 2 dorsal fins (on its back) and 2 pectoral fins (on its sides). The spiracle (a vestigial first gill slit used for breathing when the shark is resting on the sea floor) is located just behind the shark's eye. Its tail has a top fin much larger than the lower fin.<br /><br />The whale shark has distinctive light-yellow markings (random stripes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tzRUd5chgzfdW6PJgMuLw2sYsUjNQzGZ3R_RrZbP-ZW6TBtDo_h70ObQearl1g-hs2EOolJ4O5p5lsdVm2OvlcI7oxb92f2YCcpxEVVKBM7iI6m1xPNWto4KNGE4SRWsOp7MQVwoKms8/s1600-h/whale_shark_research.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tzRUd5chgzfdW6PJgMuLw2sYsUjNQzGZ3R_RrZbP-ZW6TBtDo_h70ObQearl1g-hs2EOolJ4O5p5lsdVm2OvlcI7oxb92f2YCcpxEVVKBM7iI6m1xPNWto4KNGE4SRWsOp7MQVwoKms8/s320/whale_shark_research.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348107132830117042" border="0" /></a> and dots) on its very thick dark gray skin. Its skin is up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick. There are three prominent ridges running along each side of the shark's body.<br /><br />This enormous shark is a filter feeder and sieves enormous amounts of plankton to eat through its gills as it swims.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SIZE</span><br /><br />Whale shark<br /><br />A scuba diver above a Whale shark.<br />The whale shark is up to 46 feet (14 m), weighing up to 15 tons. The average size is 25 feet (7.6 m) long It is the largest fish in the world. Females are larger than males (like most sharks).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TEETH</span><br /><br />Whale sharks have about 3,000 very tiny teeth but they are of little use. Whale sharks are filter feeders who sieve their tiny food through their large gills.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIET AND FEEDING HABITS</span><br /><br />The whale shark is a filter feeder that sieves small animals from the water. As it swims with its mouth open, it sucks masses of water filled with prey into its mouth and through spongy tissue between its 5 large gill arches. After closing its mouth, the shark uses gills rakers that filter the nourishment from the water. Anything that doesn't pass through the gills is eaten. Gill rakers are bristly structures (the thousands of bristles are about 4 inches or 10 cm long) in the shark's mouth that trap the small organisms which the shark then swallows. The water is expelled through the sharks 5 pairs of gill slits. The prey includes plankton, krill, small fish, and squid. The shark can process over 1500 gallons (6000 liters) of water each hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SOCIAL GROUPS</span><br /><br />Whale sharks are solitary creatures. Groups of whale sharks have only rarely been seen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HABITAT</span><br /><br />Whale sharks live in warm water (near the equator) both along the coast and in the open seas. They spend most of their time near the surface.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DISTRIBUTION</span><br /><br />Whale sharks are found worldwide in the warm oceans from the equator to about ±30-40° latitude. They are not, however, found in the Mediterranean Sea.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SWIMMING</span><br /><br />Whale sharks are slow swimmers, going no more than 3 mph (5 kph). They swim by moving their entire bodies from side to side (not just their tails, like some other sharks do).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">REPRODUCTION</span><br /><br />The Whale shark was long thought to be oviparous (an egg 14 inches (36 cm) long was found in the Gulf of Mexico in 1953; this would be the largest egg in the world). Recently, pregnant females have been found containing hundreds of pups, so, Whale sharks are viviparous, giving birth to live young. Newborns are over 2 feet (60 cm) long.<br />Whale sharks are sexually mature at 30 years old. This is the age at which they are able to mate and reproduce.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHALE SHARK ATTACKS</span><br /><br />Whale sharks are harmless to people and usually indifferent to divers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LIFE SPAN</span><br /><br />It has been estimated that whale sharks may live up to 100 - 150 years.<br /><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dys9hsdPfvgkaHD9IdDUyAKkYLGhEb91_cIyJbhSn-m9sIexEIjDPHhXnCxjCjg3HNPg-0TL8lmAxrbYmRv0g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >source : http://www.enchantedlearning.com, http://sandynata.files.wordpress.com, Yutube</span>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6379034266360918766.post-45518138772125987042009-05-14T00:32:00.000-07:002009-05-14T01:26:43.330-07:00Blue Sharkby dsc.discovery.com<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Beautiful and elegant are not words often associated with sharks,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCTTTSjHakAwarbQFI8tV5cT3WUzrTZ4Q_2_cKroMw570CikId21G7u8_J_kB4QZG4dXTO5o2_bUJDlHxKh5T7e7ksjC17LQD4FFfuX5782Su2Zonn5lMwSLaJDueRtIrlHY8TY-W6uV0/s1600-h/blue-shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCTTTSjHakAwarbQFI8tV5cT3WUzrTZ4Q_2_cKroMw570CikId21G7u8_J_kB4QZG4dXTO5o2_bUJDlHxKh5T7e7ksjC17LQD4FFfuX5782Su2Zonn5lMwSLaJDueRtIrlHY8TY-W6uV0/s320/blue-shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335580035404150866" border="0" /></a> but they seem appropriate for the sleek <strong>blue shark</strong>. Its streamlined, indigo-blue body seems to move effortlessly from the surface to the deep sea that it favors. Its large pectoral fin and other appendages help with navigation, but its secret to buoyancy is a giant, oil-filled liver. This makes it easier for the shark to travel incredibly long distances. One tagged blue shark traveled from New York to Brazil, a distance of over 3,740 miles.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymF_ka6a7RqnyPM9UD5fnNeNKIIQlMpZcms8xIbkZiUYP3Y6f1hSTCapek63o2-4xTq6AktMqzw8t1a2v_MQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Budiyantohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02146781456122349107noreply@blogger.com0