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Walking leaves
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This stunning creature is the Amazonian leaf-footed bug ( Diactor bilenatus), a species that can be found throughout South American, in parts of Central America and on some Caribbean Islands. Although they look beautiful, when threatened the insect releases a bitter, unpleasant odour to scare of potential predators.
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7614 |
duddy |
11 years ago |
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How to withstand a piranha attack
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The arapaima ( Arapaima gigas) is one of the biggest freshwater fish on the planet and has evolved a multi-layer defence against the piranha. Its scales have an ultra-tough outer shell, which promotes tooth fracture at the point of penetration. The scales are also a corrugated shape, which deflect pressure to overlapping layers of collagen underneath.
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5210 |
duddy |
11 years ago |
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A new species of giant fish as been discovered
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The new species is member of the arapaima genus, which contains some of the world’s biggest freshwater fish that breathe air and weigh up to 200kg. Found in the central Amazon of Brazil, the new fish has been named Arapaima leptosoma and is the first new species of arapaima described since 1847.
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4139 |
duddy |
11 years ago |
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One extremely intelligent beak -- I mean bird
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This is the emerald toucanet, and it can be found camouflaging very nicely in the mountainous forests of Mexico, Central America, Venezuela and along the Andes. These beautiful birds are extremely intelligent - when reared by hand in captivity, they can learn tricks as fast as cockatoos.
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3664 |
duddy |
11 years ago |
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A monster of an ant
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The bullet ant, or Paraponera clavata, lives throughout Central and South America. What makes this ant a formidable insect are its large mandibles and stinger. The bullet ant is one of the largest ants, growing to a length of just under 1 inch. Most notable about the ant is its ability to produce an excruciating sting.
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3557 |
bio_man |
11 years ago |
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Salt is a hot commidity in the rain forest
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In the Amazon rainforest salt is a highly sought after commodity. Tears are full of salt, so these butterflies are literally drinking the turtles tears to get the vital mineral. This is a fairly common sight in the Amazon, and it's not restricted to butterflies.
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3444 |
duddy |
12 years ago |
