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Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Incredible Photos Of Animals In The Womb

The animal kingdom is fascinating and the process that these amazing creatures develop is equally astounding.

Here are 10 incredible photos of animals in the womb.

10. Dolphin

This picture features a bottlenose dolphin approximately half way through its gestation at six months. Found in relatively warm regions of the ocean, bottlenose dolphins have a twelve month gestation period. At six months the bottlenose dolphin fetus has developed tiny teeth and its tiny tail are developing flukes.

9. Elephant

This perfectly proportioned Asian elephant fetus is halfway through its gestation period at 11 months. Elephants, unlike human infants, maintain physical proportions throughout their lives. You can also see that the fetus already has a perfectly formed trunk and even small hooves.

8. Tiger Shark

Sharks are extremely rare among fish, since they bear their young in the fashion of a mammal. This tiger shark will soon grow into one of the ocean’s deadliest predators. Even in the womb, its sharp teeth are clearly visible and just as intimidating—they even allow it to eat its unborn siblings if it feels the urge to do so. This shark species is responsible for deaths nearly every year, but most of them are avoidable.

7. Penguin Peep

Inside its protective eggshell is a tiny regal emperor penguin chick. Here you can see it is warm down, that will protect this soon to be born chick from the bitterly cold environment. For now though it is happily floating in its egg fluid protected by set of down which, as you can see, has already developed inside the egg. Attached to the belly is the last of the egg yoke.

6. Chihuahua

This tiny canine is already beginning to resemble its dog ancestors. When born this small puppy will develop a more pointed snout and will already be equipped with small sharp teeth.

5. Cheetah

This small cheetah is about two months into its three month gestation period. At around two-thirds to its birth date, this small cheetah fetus is already showing its distinctive spots and small claws. While completely helpless once born, this cheetah will one day be the fastest feline, or carnivore for that matter, in the world.

4. Snake

While snakes are one of man’ s most popular creatures to fear and hate, it is a fascinating creature that seems to have similarities with lizards and young birds at this stage. This ultrasound of a corn snake is observed from inside an egg that is hard and much like a birds egg. It also shares a distinctive brain region and well-defined spinal column with its lizard brethren and young birds.

3. Opossum

The marsupial opossums birth process includes almost two births. This picture is of the fetus opossum that has been born for the first time. While in this stage, the fetus makes its way to its mother’s pouch to fully develop before being ready to be born for a second time.

2. Lemon Shark

This newest member to the fastest tropical shark species in the world is only starting to develop. At this stage the small fetus looks more like a tadpole and you can see the frills that are the start of its gill covers. Once born its immediate prey will be fish but eventually with more maturity this tiny shark will be able to grab seabirds from the tropical surfaces.

1. Polar Bears

These small fetuses will one day grow into the largest carnivore species on land, but right now are only two-thirds through their gestation. Still, these brothers already sport their tiny claws and warm insulating fur. While it looks like these two fetuses are sharing some sibling love, siblingrivalry is inevitable and will only escalate after birth.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Sperm Whales Found Dead In Germany Stomachs FULL Of Plastic And Car Parts

(True Activist) In January, 29 sperm whales were found stranded on shores around the North Sea, an area that is too shallow for the marine wildlife. Only recently were details of the animals’ necropsy released. However, scientists were deeply disturbed by what they found in the animals’ stomachs.

According to a press release from Wadden Sea National Park in Schleswig-Holstein, many of the whales had stomachs FULL of plastic debris, including a 13-meter-long fishing net, a 70 cm piece of plastic from a car and other pieces of plastic litter.

Some suggest that the animals thought the items were food, such as squid, which is their main staple. Others, however, believe that the travesty is largely a result of humanity’s shocking disregard for marine life, which has resulted in an overabundance of plastic in the oceans.

Said Robert Habeck, environment minister for the state of Schleswig-Holstein:

“These findings show us the results of our plastic-oriented society. Animals inadvertently consume plastic and plastic waste, which causes them to suffer, and at worst, causes them to starve with full stomachs.”

Nicola Hodgkins of Whale and Dolphin Conservation echoed that statement. She stated:

“Although the large pieces will cause obvious problems and block the gut, we shouldn’t dismiss the smaller bits that could cause a more chronic problem for all species of cetacean – not just those who suction feed.”

This isn’t the first time a sperm whale has been found dead with innards full of inedible contents. In 2011, a young whale was found floating dead off the Greek island of Mykonos. Its stomach was so distended, biologists thought the animal swallowed a giant squid. However, when its four stomachs were dissected, nearly 100 plastic bags and other pieces of debris were found.

It should be noted that the plastic is not what killed the young male sperm whales. According to National Geographic, they died of heart failure. This was a result of mistakenly swimming into the North Sea, likely in search of squid, and then not being able to support their own body weights in the shallow water. As a result, their internal organs collapsed.

Regardless, the fact that many of their stomachs were full of pollution is a horrible indictment of humans. As has been reported in the past, 80% of the plastic which is discarded on land ends up in the oceans, where it is consumed by wildlife or swirls for years in great garbage patches. The fact that mankind – a species with a smaller brain than a whale – is responsible for such a travesty is ironic and saddening.

Until humans learn the value of living sustainably while respecting all life forms, travesties such as this one will continue to take place.

What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!