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[Tormy]

White tigers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tiger

A white tiger is a tiger with a genetic condition that nearly eliminates pigment in the normally orange fur, though they still have dark stripes. Another genetic condition also makes the stripes of the tiger very pale; white tigers of this type are called snow-white or "pure white". This occurs when a tiger inherits two copies of the recessive gene for the paler coloration, which is rare. White tigers have a pink nose, pink paw pads, grey-mottled skin, ice-blue eyes, and white to cream-coloured fur with black, ash grey, or chocolate-coloured stripes. Mr. H.E. Scott of the Indian police gave this description of a captive white tiger's eyes: "The colourings of the eyes are very distinct. There is no well defined division between the yellow of the comex and the blue of the iris. The eyes in some lights are practically colourless merely showing the black pupil on a light yellow background."

White tigers do not constitute a separate subspecies of their own and can breed with orange ones, although all of the resulting offspring will be heterozygous for the recessive white gene, and their fur will be orange. The only exception would be if the orange parent was itself already a heterozygous tiger, which would give each cub a 50% chance of being either double-recessive white or heterozygous orange. If two heterozygous tigers, or heterozygotes, breed on average 25% of their offspring will be white, 50% will be heterozygous orange (white gene carriers) and 25% will be homozygous orange, with no white genes. In the 1970s a pair of heterozygous orange tigers named Sashi and Ravi produced 13 cubs in Alipore Zoo, of which 3 were white. If two white tigers breed, 100% of their cubs will be homozygous white tigers. A tiger which is homozygous for the white gene may also be heterozygous or homozygous for many different genes. The question of whether a tiger is heterozygous (a heterozygote) or homozygous (a homozygote) depends on the context of which gene is being discussed. Inbreeding promotes homozygosity and has been used as a strategy to produce white tigers. Inbreeding is detrimental when deleterious genes are present, otherwise it is harmless. The white gene may be considered deleterious or categorized as a genetic defect.

Compared to orange tigers without the white gene, white tigers tend to be larger both at birth and at full adult size. This may have given them an advantage in the wild despite their unusual coloration. Heterozygous orange tigers also tend to be larger than other orange tigers. Kailash Sankhala, the director of the New Delhi Zoo in the 1960s, said "One of the functions of the white gene may have been to keep a size gene in the population, in case it's ever needed."

Dark-striped white individuals are well-documented in the Bengal Tiger subspecies, also known as the Royal Bengal or Indian tiger, (Panthera tigris tigris or P. t. bengalensis), may also have occurred in captive Siberian Tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), and may have been reported historically in several other subspecies. White pelage is most closely associated with the Bengal, or Indian subspecies. Currently, several hundred white tigers are in captivity worldwide with about 100 of them in India, and their numbers are on the increase. The modern population includes both pure Bengals and hybrid Bengal–Siberians, but it is unclear whether the recessive gene for white came only from Bengals, or from any of the Siberian ancestors as well. They are very gentle.

[Alexhans]

About the Bullet Ant (Paraponera clavata)

In some indigenous communities, to

enter manhood a boy has to endure being stung by the ant 20 times without

screaming

WTF!

the Kakapo is cute! only 62 in the whole world!    This is why we should care more

about echology.

monito del monte's are cute too... XD  wow. tail storage.  lol.

The velvet worm is so fucking cool!!!  Great legs.

And the archer fish is famous, but I hadn't noticed.

When I hear the word long I'll think of this (Polychaete worm.):


LOL for the drunken monkeys!!! woose... that fact that it is sad shouldn't stop us

from posting it.  It's a fact.   We should post facts.  And it's damn interesting the

statystical analysis that they draw out of it

White tigers are beautiful but they are in great danger of extintion.

[JoshuaFH]

I approve of the revival of this thread, bring me more animals.

[Tormy]

Okay, let's continue on with a beautiful bird! 
Resplendent Quetzal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resplendent_Quetzal





The Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, is a spectacular bird of the trogon family. It is found from southern Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals, which are found in South America and eastern Panama). There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis, the Costa Rican Resplendent Quetzal. This quetzal plays an important role in Mesoamerican mythologies.

This species is 36 cm (14 in) long, plus up to 64 cm (25 in) of tail streamer for the male, and weighs about 210 g (7 oz). This is the largest representative of the trogon order.
Resplendent Quetzals have a green body (showing iridescence from green-gold to blue-violet) and red breast. Their green upper tail coverts hide their tails and in breeding males are particularly splendid, being longer than the rest of the body. The primary wing coverts are also unusually long and give a fringed appearance. The male has a helmet-like crest. The mature male's beak is yellow and the female's is black.
The skin of the quetzal is very thin and easily torn, so it has evolved thick plumage to protect its skin. Like other members of the trogon family, it has large eyes that adapt easily to the dim light of its forest home.

The "song" is a treble syllable described as kyow or like "a whimpering pup", often in pairs, which may be repeated monotonously. Resplendent Quetzals have other unmusical calls as well.


The Resplendent Quetzal was considered divine, associated with the "snake god", Quetzalcoatl by Pre-Columbian Meso-Americaan civilizations. Their iridescent green tail feathers, symbols for spring plant growth, were venerated by the ancient Aztecs and Mayas, who viewed the quetzal as the "god of the air" and as a symbol of goodness and light. Mesoamerican rulers and some nobility of other ranks wore headdresses made from quetzal feathers, symbolically connecting them to Quetzalcoatl. Since it was a crime to kill a quetzal, the bird was simply captured, its long tail feathers plucked, and was set free. Quetzalcoatl was the creator god and god of wind, often depicted with grey hair. In several Mesoamerican languages, the term for quetzal can also mean precious, sacred, or erected.

Until recently, it was thought that the Resplendent Quetzal could not be bred or held for any long time in captivity, and indeed it was noted for usually killing itself soon after being captured or caged. For this reason it is a traditional symbol of liberty. However, a zoo in Mexico has kept this species since 1992, and in 2004 breeding in captivity was announced (Orellana, 2004).
Guatemalan ½ QuetzalThe Resplendent Quetzal is Guatemala's national bird, and an image of it is on the flag and the coat of arms of Guatemala. It is also the name of the local currency (abbreviation GTQ).

The bird is of great relevance to Guatemalan culture, being a character in the widely popular legend of the local hero Tecún Umán, a prince and warrior of the Quiché Maya during the latter stages of the Spanish conquest of the region. This quetzal was his nahual (spirit guide).

The Quiché repelled several attacks from the Spanish army, even though outmatched in weaponry (guns, armor and cavalry against spears and arrows).
Legend has it that on the day the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado fought against Tecún Umán, there was a quetzal flying overhead. On the first strike Tecún Umán, on foot, managed to disable Pedro de Alvarado's horse. Alvarado was then given another horse and on the second strike ran through Tecún Umán's chest with a spear.
The quetzal flew down and landed on Tecún Umán, dipping its chest in the warrior prince's blood. It is there that the bird acquired its distinctive red chest feathers.

It is debatable whether these events happened, but the Maya fought fiercely for their land and freedom during the conquest.

One Mayan legend claims that the quetzal used to sing beautifully before the Spanish conquest, but has been silent ever since — but will sing once again when the land is truly free.

[Zai]

I've always found mythology interesting, and the Americas are pretty interesting in that subject. The Quetzal really is beautiful enough to be related to a god.

[DeadlyLintRoller]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

WTF???

[Zai]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

WTF???

Garry's Mod meets real life.

[Strife26]

Ninja goats!!

[Kagus]

I had that thing as a desktop background for a while.  Goats are cool.

[Rilder]

I had that thing as a desktop background for a while.  Goats are cool.

They are really friendly too, provided you raise them by hand.

Don't get bucks though unless you want to smell like goat piss when they are in heat.

[Tormy]

Philippine Eagle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Eagle



The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle, Haribon, or Monkey-eating Eagle, is a bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae and the world’s largest eagle. It is the only member of the genus Pithecophaga and is genetically believed to be most closely related to the snake eagles. The Philippine Eagle has a dark brown back and white underbelly. Its nape possesses long brown feathers that resemble a crest. The bill and talons are large. This eagle is endemic to the Philippines and can be found on four major islands: eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, with most of the population living on Mindanao. It lives in dipterocarp and mid-montane forests, particularly in steep areas.

The Philippine Eagle eats flying lemurs, Asian Palm Civets, reptiles, birds, and occasionally monkeys. Pairs are known to hunt cooperatively, with one eagle distracting a group of monkeys while the other swoops in unnoticed for the kill. A pair requires a large expanse of territory of up to 130 square kilometers (50 sq mi). These eagles are believed to live for up to 60 years. Philippine Eagles mate for life and breeding occurs between September and February, depending on rainfall, prey accessibility, and which island the birds live on. Nests resemble huge platforms made of sticks. One egg is laid and incubation lasts for 58 to 68 days. The parents will care for their offspring for nearly twenty months.

The Philippine Eagle's nape is adorned with long brown feathers that form a shaggy crest. These feathers give it the appearance of possessing a lion's mane, which in turn resembles the mythical griffin. The eagle has a dark face and a creamy-brown nape and crown. The back of the Philippine Eagle is dark brown, while the underside and underwings are white. The heavy legs are yellow with large, powerful dark claws, and the prominent large, high-arched, deep bill is a bluish-gray. The eagle's eyes are blue-gray. Juveniles are similar to adults except that their upperpart feathers have pale fringes.[
This eagle is critically endangered, with only 180 to 500 birds surviving. Deforestation, pollution, and poaching are major threats. Charles Lindbergh led the first conservation efforts in the 1960’s. The Philippines have recognized the eagle as a national symbol, and major conservation efforts are currently underway.
The average female is about 112 centimeters (3.7 ft) long and weighs about 7 kilograms (15.5 lb). The adult male is about 10 to 20% smaller and averages at about 5 kilograms (11 lb). The Philippine Eagle is the world's largest living eagle in terms of length. The species has a wingspan of approximately 2 meters (6.6 ft). The wings of this eagle are shorter than large eagles of open country (such as the Martial Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Steller's Sea Eagle), but are quite thick and have a greater surface area than any other eagle.
The most frequently heard noises made by the Philippine Eagle are loud, high-pitched whistles. Additionally, juveniles have been known to beg for food by making a series of high-pitched calls.

[Ampersand]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5308217/4ft-jellyfish-found-on-British-beach.html

[woose1]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5308217/4ft-jellyfish-found-on-British-beach.html

Damn.

[Jackrabbit]

For the fruit posted about 8 pages back

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Having tried it, it tastes like nothing very much. Now, two animals from my fair (and totally lacking in dangerous animals, ha!) land.

The Kiwi


Aw, so cute! This flightless bird lives on the ground and scavenges for grubs with its long beak and sharp claws (which can rip someone open! But never have, Kiwis are cowards). The Maori story goes that one bird needed to live on the ground for some reason and was asked to by one of the Gods. The kiwi was the only bird who agreed and hence became the symbol of New Zealand.

The Moa

I've only seen the bones

Because they are now extinct thanks to hunting thousands of years ago

But by God they were huge. Strangely, they were unadapted to New Zealand and were prayed on by pretty much everything but it was man who finally got rid of the gentle giants. They also fell into holes a lot, stupid birds.

Good site

[Duke 2.0]

 I... didn't know Kiwi's were that big.

 Also, quite a few Australian animals are said to be able to rip a person open, despite the complete inability of them to do so. At best some nasty scratches. There are even military guides saying to avoid these creatures despite the lack of any real evidence of them doing so. I'm talking about Cassowaries here.