Bootylicious Bug

If Ms. Beyonce doesn't get enough of the spotlight, scientists recently have named a horsefly after the diva. The horsefly was first discovered in Australia in 1981, ironically Queen B's birthyear. The scientific name being Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae was named in honor of the insect having a rather large golden derriere. It is considered the "diva" of the insect world. Bryan Lessard, whose work was recently published stated that he hopes she takes the naming as a compliment and shed light in to entomology(the study of insects) and taxonomy(the classification of organisms). Take a look at that bum below...just this one time!

Scaptia (plinthina) beyonceae

Happy New Year!!

Hello everyone! I apologize for the hiatus...alot has been going on. Coming VERY soon(this weekend) I will be posting about my incredible trip to the Los Angeles zoo. You definitely should look forward to that!

Just for your quick viewing pleasure I have posted some "did you know?!? questions" Take a peak!

DID YOU KNOW??!?!?

1. Approximately 5000-7000 tigers are kept as "pets"-more than that exist in the wild! A tiger can be purchased for as little as $300, less than a purebred dog. (WHOA!...exotic/illegalpet trade)

2. Tarantulas are one of the top most exotic animals to own.

3. Madagascar hissing cockroaches (also a top exotic pet to own) are clean, odorless, harmless and can live for up to 1-3years. Some have been known to live up to 5! (yea....i don't do ANYTHING "cockroachy")

4. Chimpanzees have 7-10 times more strength than humans.

5. I stopped at 4 because that is my favorite number =)

Catch ya next post!

World's largest insect

Don't mind snakes too much, but roaches are my fear (especially flying ones) but this might be added to my list of phobias! The world's largest insect found in New Zealand called the Weta bug. What the weta! This insect has a wingspan of 7 inches and has the weight of 3 mice. Weta bugs are said to have been around for millions of years. Take a peak at how big this bug is! I also added a video clip of a man enjoying a Weta bug as a snack...they should add that to the X factor season or perhaps offer if to Andew Zimmerman (google it ppl...travel channel...great show!)


* you are not mistaken, it is nibbling on a carrot!

That's a big ole octopus!

The National Zoo located in DC is the new home to a giant Pacific Octopus, the largest species of it's kind. They can grow to be 600 pounds - Imagine seeing that swimming towards you in the water, pretty scary! Octopuses/octopi/octopodes (whichever plural form you prefer) are some of the smartest creatures in the world. Take a peak at some pics below...enjoy!

**Currently the size of the new octopus at the National Zoo is the size of a grapefruit.

How much did that cost?!

I know you all have seen the billboards around town publicizing the upcoming movie, "We bought a Zoo". Of course, it caught my eye...how great would that be to have your own zoo?! Based on a true story, the movie was shot in Thousand Oaks, CA. I've attached a link below so you all can watch the trailer to see if it's something you might want to go see. (seems like one of those "home-y" warm movies...kind of like Homeward Bound...remember that? good ole Shadow and Chance)

Comes out: December 23rd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUdX47LtXpw

Pig out on Pumpkins!

I'm not into all that scary Halloween stuff, but I figured I would post some cute pics of zoo animals celebrating this Fall season. Enjoy!

Have you heard?? It's a jungle out there in Ohio!

Recently Yahoo news posted an interesting article about some escaped animals in Ohio. The story suggests that the owner of an animal preserve set the wild animals free and then eventually committed suicide. Attached is the article and I urge you to check it out!

http://gma.yahoo.com/last-escaped-animals-being-hunted-down-zanesville-ohio-074109844.html

After reading the article, I realized they were killing these animals for the community protection but, my first thought was "why are they killing the animals?!" Why can't they tranquilize them and later relocate them? It later stated that the animals were "mad and aggressive" so ammunition had to be used to control the situation. (Wouldn't you be mad and aggressive if you got shot?..comes along with it...the medication doesn't affect the animal instantaneously)

It's unfortunate that such beautiful creatures had to be killed, but the safety of the community was priority. The man that owned this animal/nature preserve had these animals in unbearable conditions. My question is, if the community knew about these conditions, why did this event have to occur before they decided to do something about it? We need to be proactive with situations such as this.

Lastly, my favorite quote from the article, "'These are wild animals, wild animals that you would see on TV in Africa,' Lutz said at a news conference Tuesday evening." <----really? wild animals you see on TV in Africa...ignorance...so I had to chuckle.