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.

They’re less than the size of a pencil.

1. ~30 anoles go into Toyota RAV4 (CORRECT)
2. ~400 anoles go into stretch limo 
3. ~2,000,000 anoles go into Lake Okeechobee 

Weight: Generally weighs around 0.1 to 0.2 ounces (3 to 6 grams)

1. 290 anoles go into a gallon of propane 
2. 1,040 anoles go into a gallon of mercury (CORRECT)
3. 504 anoles go into a gallon of gasoline 

Fast Facts

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.

“…and today we’re talking about an animal that sounds more sinister than it is. Bot more on that later.”

Step into the insect world where everything is weird and brutal…including courtship. Imagine a tinyl Casanova what brings the snacks to the party. If you’ve ever thought dating apps were transactional, wait until you hear about this suave insect’s approach to romance. In the world of love, loyalty, and legwork, few can outdo the hangingfly here in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

Ah, the ocean. It’s full of mysteries, marvels, and creatures that look like they were designed during a fever dream directed by HR Gieger. Among them swims a gelatinous giant with flowing, fibrous tentacles that seem to stretch into infinity. Meet the lion’s mane jellyfish, a giant egg yolk that can ruin your day with its spicy spaghetti. But when you’re an unthinking mass of stinging cells, you need to cast a wide net to find food here in LDT. 

“…and today we’re talking about a humble stead that once had a grand rider. But more on that later.”

Few animals gain widespread cultural significance in the human world. But a creature known for stubbornness, hardiness, and humility, also once shared its manger on a very important birthday. Today, it’s name is proclaimed with the words, “see, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” But humility often hides a hidden value in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…and today we’re talking about a bird that make a great gift if you can get them a-swimming. But more on that later.”

Nothing makes the Lords a-leap and the Ladies dance like the regal mute swan. But royal veneration and beautiful snow white feathers doesn’t change the fact they are wild animals, ready to defend the small piece of pond they’ve carved out for themselves. Even though they are the picture of nature’s beauty, a swan still needs to guard the lake with ferocity in Life, Death, and Taxonomy.

“…and today we’re talking about how when a red belly rises it means blood has been spilled this night. But more on that later.”

Description of the Red-Bellied Piranha

The red-bellied piranha is a small to medium-sized fish, well-known for its striking appearance and infamous reputation. Here’s a more detailed description:

• Color: Their most distinctive feature is their red belly, which is more pronounced in males and during the breeding season. The rest of their body is usually gray to silvery, with some speckling.
• Shape: They have a rounded, laterally compressed body, giving them a somewhat disc-like appearance when viewed from the side.
• Fins: Their fins are generally clear or slightly reddish, with a prominent adipose fin between the dorsal fin and the tail.
• Teeth: They have sharp, triangular teeth designed for tearing flesh, which contributes to their fearsome reputation.
• Eyes: Red-bellied piranhas have large, slightly bulging eyes that give them excellent vision, vital for detecting prey and predators.

Measure Up

Welcome to the beloved Measure Up segment. A part of the show! The part of the show when we present the animal’s size and dimension in relatable terms through a quiz that’s fun for the whole family. It’s also the part of the show that’s introduced by you when you send in audio of yourself saying, singing, or chittering the words Measure Up into ldtaxonomy at gmail dot com. We don’t have a new Measure Up intro! 

Length

6-10 inches (15-25 cm)

1. 5 go into Michael Jordan’s vertical leap
2. 3 go into the Stratocaster Michael Jackson played on the album “HIStory”
3. 1,575 go into Michael Johnson’s record setting event in 1999.

Weight

3.9 kg (8 lb 10 oz)

1. 39,000 peas
2. 9,800 green beans
3. 18 zucchini

Fast Facts About the Red-Bellied Piranha

Diet: Despite their fearsome reputation, red-bellied piranhas are primarily scavengers. They eat a variety of food, including fish, insects, crustaceans, and plant matter.

Social Behavior: Red-bellied piranhas are schooling fish and often travel in groups. This behavior helps them protect against predators and increases their efficiency in finding food.

Habitat: They are native to the freshwater rivers and lakes of South America, including the Amazon Basin.

Communication: Red-bellied piranhas communicate using a variety of sounds, including barks, grunts, and clicks. These sounds can indicate aggression, stress, or other social interactions.

Reproduction: During breeding, males develop a more intense red coloration. They build nests in the substrate where females lay their eggs. Both parents guard the eggs until they hatch.

Lifespan: In the wild, red-bellied piranhas can live for about 10 years, while in captivity, they can live even longer with proper care.