Exploring the tapir family, how they evolved, their natural history and the four extant (currently living) and undisputed species of tapir – the Malayan tapir (Acrocodia indica or Tapirus indica), the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). I also explore man’s relationship with animals and why tapirs are endangered.
Category Archives: evolution
Caturday Special: The Eurasian Cave Lion, Panthera spelaea
A discussion about the European or Eurasian Cave Lion and the interwoven nature of the relationship between lions and humans since prehistory.
Top Ten Hated (But Misunderstood) Animals – 1 – Wasps
It’s about wasps!
Top Ten Hated (But Misunderstood) Animals: 10 – Bats (Order Chiroptera)
Bats! The order Chiroptera. Our mammalian cousins of-the-night, often considered a scary animal, associated with death, dark, withcraft and misfortune but are they really spooky? I argue no. They are a remarkably diverse order of species and even the spookiest of the bunch, the vampire bat, is a suprisingly conscientious and sharing species. So bats, some people may hate them but I think they’re just misunderstood.
The Origin of a Species: Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
A quick article about one of the most amazing predators on planet earth, the Saltwater Crocodile. We explore what they are, why they are not dinosaurs, what they eat, how they hunt and where they live.
Why Every Biologist Should Oppose Racism
Because they don’t want to behave like dicks? Okay, obvious answer out of the way let’s get to a little explaining. I’ve given you fundamentals of life, in my introduction to biology, if you want a recap go over it. In there I talk about how life has been evolving, constantly, for close to 4Continue reading “Why Every Biologist Should Oppose Racism”
Top Ten Sharks #7 – The Frilled Shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus and C. africana
If my intent is to convince people sharks are cute I’m definitely going about it the wrong way by including this one but I absolutely have to. The frilled shark is possibly one of the weirdest, most awesome sharks out there. It looks less like a shark and more like an eel, it has sixContinue reading “Top Ten Sharks #7 – The Frilled Shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus and C. africana”
Top Ten Sharks #8 – The Buzzsaw Shark, Helicoprion sp.
Today we discuss the Buzzsaw Shark, Helicoprion sp. – Which…inevitably leads us, via Michael Phelps, to Hallucigenia and back to the buzzsaw shark. It’s a weird ride but if you want to find out about a sea predator with a spiral of teeth in its maw, and how it used them, you need to be on it.
