“…and today we’re talking about a petite predator– relatively speaking. But more on that later.”
Slithering through the shadows of swampy secrecy, the African dwarf crocodile is a pint-sized predator with a penchant for peculiarity. This crafty critter lurks in the murky margins of rivers and wetlands, a miniature menace shrouded in mystery. Some whisper of a clan cloaked in an eerie, otherworldly hue, thriving where light dares not linger—a riddle wrapped in a reptile, if you will. So, settle in as we wade into the weirdness, like the African dwarf crocodile here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“…and today we’re talking about an active kid that grows into a lazy adult. But more on that later.”
A tiny tadpole freely glides along ocean currents, going where it wills, seeking its thrills. The ocean is its oyster. But when a larva is on an adventure, it dreams of home, and when it’s home, it dreams no more. The Gold-Mouth Sea Squirt seeks a throne on which to rest forever–
No more to roam through Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“…and today we’re talking about the original member of a group that likes to go swimming in the winter in Coney Island.”
The Arctic is an unforgiving place—cold, desolate, and covered in ice as far as the eye can see. It’s a freezing wasteland where only the toughest survive, and no one does it quite like the polar bear. If there were an Olympic category for endurance swimming, this apex predator would be taking home the gold every time. They glide through icy waters, covering distances that would make even the most seasoned triathlete cry. But hey, when your home is melting beneath your paws, you’ve gotta be willing to go the distance—like the polar bear here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“… and today we’re talking about a funny little fish. But more on that later.”
They say the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but that might mean putting up with some prickly traits to band together against a common foe. The clown fish makes an alliance that requires a thick skin. But what do you expect from a small fish that carries a jester’s name through Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“..and today we’re talking about something that jealousy took two of the coolest animals for its name.”
If you’ve ever found yourself watching a toddler shove random objects into their mouth, you’ve witnessed a fraction of the chaos that is the tiger shark. With an appetite as indiscriminate as a black hole and the curiosity of a raccoon on Red Bull, this oceanic outlaw isn’t picky when it comes to mealtime. From sea turtles to license plates, if it fits in its mouth, it might just be dinner. But sometimes, those taste tests come with unexpected consequences—like the tiger shark here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“…and today we’re talking about little swimmers. And not the aquatic diaper brand.”
Let’s dive right into the cool, calm, and collected world of a lizard that’s not afraid to get its scales wet. Most reptiles avoid water like it’s hot lava, but not this daredevil. Imagine a scuba diver, a magician, and a survivalist all rolled into one—that’s the Water Anole for you. What secrets does it hold beneath the rippling surface? Stick around to find out, like the Water Anole here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
Description
Body: Their body is slender, with a long tail which acts as a counterbalance when they’re climbing or swimming.
Coloration: Water anoles exhibit a range of colors from greens to browns, often with distinctive patterns. They can change color, with males becoming brighter during mating seasons. Their ventral side (belly) is usually lighter, sometimes with yellow or white hues.
Skin: Their skin has a texture that aids in water repellency, which is crucial for their underwater air bubble formation.
Head: They have a relatively large head compared to their body size, with large, prominent eyes that give them good vision, both in and out of water. Their eyes can be yellowish or greenish, with a dark pupil.
Measure Up
Length: Around 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) in total length, including its tail.
Weight: Generally weighs around 0.1 to 0.2 ounces (3 to 6 grams)
290 anoles go into a gallon of propane
1,040 anoles go into a gallon of mercury (CORRECT)
504 anoles go into a gallon of gasoline
Fast Facts
Great Swimmers: Unlike many other anoles, water anoles are adept swimmers. They are often found near water bodies like streams and wetlands, where they can dive and swim effectively. They’ve been observed swimming underwater using their tails for propulsion.
Habitat: Water anoles are typically found in Central America, particularly in places with slow-moving streams and wetlands. Their habitat allows them to take advantage of both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Coloration: Like many anoles, the water anole can change its coloration to some extent, although it’s not as dramatic as some other species. Their coloration tends to be more subdued, usually brown or grayish, helping them blend into their natural environment.
Diet: They are insectivores, primarily feeding on small insects, spiders, and other arthropods they catch while foraging. Occasionally, they may even hunt aquatic insects that are present in or near the water.
Climbing Ability: Even though they are known for their swimming ability, water anoles are also skilled climbers. They are often seen on rocks, branches, and vegetation near their water habitats, where they can easily escape predators or bask in the sun.
Mating Displays: Like other anoles, males have a colorful dewlap (a throat flap), which they use in territorial displays to attract females or ward off rivals. The size and color of the dewlap can vary depending on the specific population.
Temperature Regulation: Water anoles are ectothermic (cold-blooded), meaning they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat. They can often be seen basking in the sun near water or on rocks to warm up.
Reproductive Behavior: They lay eggs, and the females usually deposit their eggs in moist, protected areas such as crevices or under rocks. The eggs hatch after a few weeks, depending on environmental conditions.
Resilience: Water anoles are relatively hardy and can survive in a variety of environments, as long as there is access to water and ample places to hide from predators.
Major Fact
Water anoles can breathe underwater using a clever trick involving a thin layer of air.
They create a “rebreather” effect by trapping a bubble of air around their snouts while submerged.
This air bubble allows them to extract oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
The bubble clings to hydrophobic skin, preventing water from collapsing it.
They can stay underwater for up to 16 minutes using this technique.
It’s a life-saving adaptation for escaping predators or hunting aquatic insects.
By staying submerged, they can hide from birds, snakes, and other threats.
The mechanism works similarly to how diving bell spiders use their air bubbles to breathe and star-nosed moles use air bubbles underwater to smell
Ending: So take a dip, bring some extra air, and plumb the depths like few reptiles ever could like the water anole here in LDT.
“…and today we’re talking about something that’s sticky. What is it?!”
Mold, grime, and disease are plagues that the human world does it’s best to keep at bay. But animals have to worry about these things too – even ants. The Red wood ant has found a true multi-purpose cleaner that they use to keep pathogens from infecting the colony. Sometimes building your house out of disinfectant is the most efficient method in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“…and today we’re talking about a rodent of unusual size.”
In the verdant wetlands of South America the world’s largest rodent lives a serene, communal life. The capybara’s day is spent basking in the early morning sun or submerged in cool, refreshing water, their eyes above the surface, watching for signs of predators. But these resplendent role models of rodentia are comfortable on both field and stream, giving them and escape route no matter what comes their way in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“…and today we’re talking about an NBC branded fish. But more on that later.”
Flat and fabulous, the peacock flounder is the Picasso of the seafloor. But beneath its cool, camouflaged exterior lies a wild anatomical twist that would make even the most seasoned contortionist wince. You thought you looked different as a kid, the flounder probably has you beat. Stick around, because there’s more than meets the eyes with the peacock flounder here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
“…and today we’re talking about something you probably haven’t ever heard of. But more on that later.”
You may think the age of exploration is over. Human beings have seen everything there is to see–at least on land right? But what if you knew there was an animal so rare that people didn’t think it was real for years. It must be because it’s endangered… you might say. But no… the Large-Billed Reed Warbler is a bird with a healthy population size. Yet it’s known as the least known bird in the world. Some birds just prefer staying off the grid in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.
