Tag Archive for 'eco-fact'

Friday Eco-Fact: The Platypus’ Unusual Bill

Published on June 5, 2009 in Wildlife. 0 Comments Tags: , .

One of Australia’s two monotreme species, the platypus has a feature that makes it stand out from all other mammals in the wild and that is its duck bill.  The first stories about these unusual animals that trickled back to England were at first not believed because it just seemed nonsense that an animal could exist that was a mix
between a beaver and a duck.  Even when the first stuffed pelts of the platypus were brought back to England many thought they were forgeries.

However as we all know now, there is nothing fraudulent about the platypus.  Its unusual duck bill is real and if you can believe much more useful then the bills on any bird in the world.  When a platypus dives underwater it closes its eyes and navigates entirely by using its bill.  The skin that covers the bill has electroreceptors that can detect potential prey.  The muscles in insects and animals creates small electronic currents when moving and the platypus’ bill is sensitive enough to detect these electric currents and allow the platypus to swoop in for the kill. The platypus’ monotreme cousin the echidna has also been found to have these same electroreceptors on its snout as well to locate ants to eat that is its main prey.

The electroreceptors of the monotreme is just another characteristics that makes the platypus one of the world’s most unusual animals.

Friday Eco-fact: Australia’s Many Species of Cockroaches

Published on May 8, 2009 in Environment. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

It really doesn’t surprise me that Australia has this many species of cockroaches:

Australia has a surprising 450 species of native cockroach, ranging from small and colourful beetle-like creatures, active by day, to the giant rhinoceros cockroach. They occupy many habitats, from suburban gardens to coastal heath to the arid inland.  [Australian Geographic]

Here is an example of one of the colorful Australian cockroaches known scientifically as Austral Ellipsidion:

If you can believe it one of the most common cockroaches in Australia is known as the American cockroach.  Shockingly these cockroaches are large and black. Unfortunately those were the only cockroaches I saw around my house in Victoria. 

You all living in Queensland actually have access to cockroaches that are supposedly popular as pets:

Australians looking for a little creature company in
their urban homes are shunning the dog and cat in favour of a more economical pet – the cockroach.

Workers in Australia’s pet industry say the demand for
insects as pets has risen in the past five years because of more cramped urban living conditions.

Cockroaches are particular favourites, especially as the largest of the species is native to Australia.

“Admittedly they are a bit of an unusual pet,” John
Olive, one of the major suppliers of giant cockroaches to the
Australian pet market, told the Reuters news agency.

“But the kids can play with them without getting hurt and they are very low maintenance.” (……..)

The cockroach believed to be most suited to pet life is
the giant burrowing variety – or rhinoceros cockroach – that is native to Australia, and found in the warm, north-eastern state of Queensland.

These gigantic cockroaches, officially called
Macropanesthia Rhinoceros, grow as big as the palm of a hand, measuring
about 80 millimetres (3.15 inches) and weighing 35 grams (1.2 ounces).

They are also known to live up to 10 years.

Some pet shops rename the creatures “litter bugs”, “rain beetles” or “macrobugs” to escape the cockroach stigma.  [BBC News]

You can learn more about the Rhinoceros Cockroach here. These cockroaches are just another example of the incredible biodiversity Australia has. 

So those of you living in Queensland, have you bought your kids a pet cockroach yet? If not what are you waiting for? ;-)