Tue, Jan 29, 2013
The chameleon fascinated naturalists since the family's discovery, mainly on account of its color-shifting, while arousing various legends, even being a diabolic spy created from other animals. David focuses on another anatomical oddity, the extraordinarily long, fast-propelled tongue, aimed thanks to the two independently-controlled eyes combining to full circle-sight. Giraffes always fascinated humans, making them an ideal princely gift from the Egyptian viceroy for major European monarchs. Its entire anatomy is out of whack to accommodate for the exceptionally long neck and legs, presumably mainly to reach high leaves.
Tue, Feb 5, 2013
When the platypus was discovered in colonial Australia, its bizarrely composite anatomy seemed a gross hoax. It took generations of research to classify it, given that even its reproductive system combines elements of mammals, birds and marsupials. Unlike most amphibians, the midwife-toad has its eggs worn on the male's legs, and they copulate on land, not in water, for which purpose male toads have 'adhesive' paw pads. A brilliant zoologist discovered that breeding them in different conditions can trigger a reversal to the other method and anatomy, a Lamareck-like amendment on Darwinism, which was abused for political purposes. He committed suicide after probably false accusations of fabricating evidence, as the results, although never reproduced in labs, were later found in the wild.
Tue, Feb 12, 2013
David focuses on two mammal species standing out with excessively wrinkled skin from an early age and with longevity, for large viz. small size species. Elephants have many adaptations, including the 'extra' skin serving to cool them down, and family life allowing to pass on vital information. Bald mole rats are a kind of rodents who live full-time in moist subterranean colonies, fully and bizarrely adapted in behavior and anatomy, even without nervous pain receptor.
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Tue, Feb 19, 2013
For centuries, superstition ascribed magical powers to the mythical unicorn. When the first tusks of the narwhal were brought to Western Europe, it was sold as unicorn corn, although the Vikings knew the whale species much earlier. The giant tooth's natural purpose remains a matter of speculation, especially as it's usually restricted to males. The twist is assumed to have a hydrodynamic stabilizing function. Snailhouses are generally twisted, a highly successful, strong design, as with the extinct ammonites, who ruled the seas a long time before the dinosaurs. For snails, it enabled conquering land.
Tue, Feb 26, 2013
The zebra, a never domesticated African equine, fascinates the Western public as well as naturalists. Most mysterious remain(s) the function(s) of its individually unique stripe patterns, possibly for mating or wider socializing rather then camouflage, or maybe to keep away the fatal tsetse fly. Butterflie species, numerous even by insect standards, exist in widely varied, often bright or bizarre color patterns. Some indicate being toxic, others mimic those. They see much more light frequencies then we vertebrates, enabling to distinguish 'invisible' pattern elements
Tue, Jan 29, 2013
Davis presents two species famous for their body armor, while wondering why it's not more common. First the skin plated rhinoceros, subject of myths until a tame female from colonial India was toured throughout Europe by a Dutch captain. Next the spines-covered hedgehog and his actually very different, not closely related African counterpart, the porcupine.
Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents two animal types who cope with deep dark fabulously, in different ways and surroundings. First the owls, whose eyes, skull and even spine are anatomically adapted spectacularly to allow incredible eyesight, even at night, yet depends no less on his fine hearing. Next the deep sea squids, a giant with the present fauna's larger eyes, who must use bio-luminescence in the pitch dark at about 1000 meters depth.
Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents two animals who have worse reputations then deserved. First the gorilla, long seen by none or too few Westerners in the flesh, which alas also got its scientific name after discoverer Savage. Next vampire bats, a story of mistaken species identity and mixing up with East Eiropean vampire myths, culminating in Bram Stoker's literature.
Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents aquatic animal species who make shockingly efficient use of self-generated electricity. First electric eels, who use such powerful current that it stuns or kills prey or assailants, even grown men. Next various other fish, who also master techniques to use electricity as a sixth sense to locate invisible prey.
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Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents vertebrate species who cope amazingly with freezing cold. First the emperor penguin, where the males especially brave incredible cold to mate and protect their offspring. Next North American frog species who mastered the art of surviving frost even in ice thanks to a sort of cry-stasis.
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Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents animal species who produce amazingly elaborate and efficient constructions. First spiders, and to a lesser degree caterpillars, who spin silk for webs and various specialized purposes, a process scientists still are unable to fully understand, let alone copy. Next weaver birds, whose hanging nests, a male's best bid to earn an impressed female as breeding mate, require incredible, largely innate qualities, including tying knots (uniqe for birds) and expertly selecting fit materials.
Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents two animal species who redistributed parental roles and properties most unusually. First sea-horses, where the male has a pouch to brood the eggs, a still largely unexplained role reversal with strong couple bonding, exponent of an evolution among its related precursors. Next hyenas, where females are larger, stronger, dominant but hard to distinguish as their external sex organs resemble a male's.
Tue, Jan 29, 2013
David presents animal species whose seasonal (dis)appearing has puzzled men for centuries. First geese and other migratory birds, which were long supposed to 'hibernate' in bizarre ways, a matter of dispute centuries even after emperor-falconer Frederic Hohenstaufen wrote down the actual fact. Next butterflies, who were believed 'sponteously generated' until people realized they are the adult form of utterly dissimilar caterpillars.