mystery creature

Mystery Creature revealed – the Harp Sponge

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Week 1st to 7th July 2013

There were quite a few correct answers for this week’s Mystery Creature!

photo credit: Emily G. Round via photopin

It was a Harp Sponge (Chondrocladia lyra)!  This deep sea sponge was only recently discovered (2012) off the coast of California .  It anchors itself to the sea bed (at depths of 3,300 – 3,500 metres) with a root like structure called a rhizoid.  The “harp” like structures called vanes, consist of horizontal extensions (stolons) containing a series of equidistant vertical branches.  The sponge can consist of one to six vanes.  Each vertical branch is covered in velcro like hooks that ensnares the sponges prey.  These carnivorous creatures feed on a range of small crustaceans, engulfing the captured prey in a thin membrane that slowly digests it, breaking it down to a size that can be consumed by the sponge.

 

Two Toed Amphiuma

Two Toed Amphiuma

nao

Week 27th May – 2nd June 2013

How did you do with this weeks “Mystery Creature”? A few correct answers… it was a two toed Amphiuma!

photo credit: brian.gratwicke via photopin cc
photo credit: brian.gratwicke via photopin cc
The two toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma means) is a snake like salamander found primarily in Southern USA.  They are often (incorrectly) called conger eel, congo eel or congo snake. It has four short legs with two toes on each which appear to serve no purpose.  These creatures can grow up to one metre in length and are nocturnal, feeding usually on small fish, snails, small salamanders, small frogs and even some snakes.  They tend to live in acidic waters in swampy areas.
The Amphiuma has a very slimy skin which make them very difficult to handle.  They do not pose any chemical (poisonous) threat to humans but can harm physically as they have a very fast sharp bite, with a double row of razor sharp teeth.  They are also thought to generate suction to draw in their prey.  Typical of salamanders they do not have a tongue, but unlike other salamanders they are not mute, but instead are know to make a whistle type sound.
The female lays up to  as many as 150 to 200 eggs, laid in a long string and then coils around them to incubate them for almost five months (20 weeks), until the young hatch.
Blue Sea Slug

Blue Sea Slug

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May 6th – 12th 2013

Well did you guess what this week’s creature was?  For those of you who had it just on the tips of your tongue … let me put you out of your misery… its a Blue Sea Slug, also known as a sea swallow or a sea dragon!

Image source: wikimedia commons
Image source: wikimedia commons

Blue sea slugs float on their backs on the top of the sea, so the beautiful blue colours we see are actually the underside (foot) of the creature.  Their backs, submerged in the water, are actually a silvery-grey colour.  They are able to float due to a large sac in their stomach which they fill with air.It’s official name is a Glaucus atlanticus and it is a nudibranch (a shell less* mollusck). These little creatures usually only reach about three to four cm in size but don’t let that fool you…. they have a mean sting!  The blue sea slug preys on larger toxic sea dwellers such as the Portuguese Man O’ War (Physalia physalis).  It is immune to the stinging cells (nematocytes) within these creatures and is also capable of storing these deadly toxins within its own body and using them for its own defense.   The more venom it accumulates the deadlier its sting!

*Nudibranches may have shells during early stages of development but are shell less when fully mature).

Kayan slow loris

Kayan slow loris

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Week: 22nd – 28th April 2013

How did you get on with this weeks CAN YOU NAME THIS CREATURE?  Did you guess it?  Got a fair few correct answers from people;  It is a Kayan slow loris!!!

Image credit: Ch’ien C. Lee

The slow loris is a close relative of the lemur and can be found in South east Asia.

These cute looking animals are listed as endangered and have been coveted as pets; not only do they not make good pets but they are also rare among primates in that they have a poisonous bite…. so their teeth are often removed as they are passed into the pet trade.  They often die of infection from such mishandling!

The slow loris is recognised by it’s large eyes, distinctive fur markings and lack of tail.  The Kayan slow loris was only recognised as a distinct species of slow loris is 2012 when more detailed recording of markings and features where recorded among the slow loris of Borneo.

Stay tuned for a new CAN YOU NAME THIS CREATURE post tomorrow!

Lacewing Larva

Lacewing Larva

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Week 25th – 31st March

Last weeks “can you name this creature?” image was supplied by Molly, who is ten years old.  Molly spotted this in her garden and, with the help of her Dad, Michael at Nature Learn, has shared it with me for this slot.  A big thanks to Molly!!

Lacewing larva – photo credit Michael and Molly Bell

So did anyone guess what creature this is?

It is a LACEWING LARVA!  A hard one this week I know, but we did give you some good clues!
I thought Molly did particularly well to spot this little guy as they only grow to between four to seven mm in length!

So now you know what it is do you want to learn some more?

These lacewing larva are a welcome addition to any garden as they like to dine on soft bodied insects, particularly aphids!  They like to hang out in humid environments and can be a great gardening aid to any greenhouse or poly tunnel!  They also feast on the eggs of certain other insects and spiders, as well as mites and mealy bugs.  All in all a real asset to the garden!

Although the larva stage does not last more than two to three weeks these little guys certainly have a big appetite …. consuming up to 600 aphids during this period.  The larva must make direct contact with it’s prey… injecting digestive enzymes into it and sucking back up the digested body parts once the enzymes have done their work!

Lacewing larvae are also experts in the art of camouflage, they often cover their bodies in debris to hide them from predators.  This debris often includes bits of body parts from their own prey!