Sunday, December 30, 2012
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
On a walk through the forest you might spot rows of shallow holes in tree bark. This is the work of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, an enterprising woodpecker that laps up the leaking sap and any trapped insects with its specialized, brush-tipped tongue.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tarantulas
Tarantulas are unique among spiders as they have relatively long life spans. Male (pictured) and female tarantulas do not reach sexual maturity until 8-10 years of age. Males die shortly after breeding, but females may live for 20-25 years. As a result, individual tarantulas must survive for a long period of time (a very long time for your average spider) before they are even capable of reproduction.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Bismuth
Bismuth compounds account for about half the production of bismuth. They are used in cosmetics, pigments, and a few pharmaceuticals, notably Pepto-Bismol. Bismuth has unusually low toxicity for a heavy metal.
