Most Invasive Africanized Bees Africanized Bees are actually hybrids of the common honey bees (European bees) and African bees. They are colloquially known as "killer bees" due to their extremely defensive nature, much of this noteriety however is derived from the media attention garnered by the "african bee invasion" that was blown out of proportion. Although their behavior differs greatly from the better known European honey bees their body structure is very similar. Only their wingspan differs from 'regular' bees and even this disparity is too small to notice with the naked eye. Much of the fear behind the Africanized bees was the fact that they are indeed more defensive than their counterparts, they leave their hives in swarms at a faster rate as well (6 weeks as opposed to a year). This means they are far more difficult to control by humans. It also means that humans are more likely to encounter them on a day to day basis. Finally, Africanized bees create colonies in more confined, smaller spaces. This means they are able to compete with their European counterparts and drive them out of an area. This affects humans since much of our food supply derives from pollinating insects (mainly bees). Common Name: Africanized Bees/Killer Bees Scientific Name: Hybrid of A.m. Scutellata and various European subspecies (A.m. Iberiensis) Where on Earth is it a problem: The problem is mainly found in the southwest United States. Millions of these bees have 'taken over' states like Arizona, Texas and southern California. The problem is particularly worrisome for far. And although it has undoubtedly been blown out of proportion by the media, the infestation is very real. Although they cannot travel much further due to the colder temperatures in the upper latitudes. Where did it come from?: From Africa, introduced to the U.S via South America after years of migration northward. The Africanized bees were first introduced to Brazil. Most Endangered Male Lion The lion once roamed most of Africa and the Middle East, as far as India. Proof of that can be seen in the numerous ancient depiction of lion hunts. It is this fascination with Lions by humans that is endangering them, for millenia humans have hunted lions not for food but for sport, destroying lion populations everywhere but in the heart of Africa. Another threat besides hunting (which has dwindled due to conservation efforts) is the expansion of agriculture into the Savannah's and human encroachment. These threaten to destroy precious habit spaces and could further cripple the lion population. Common Name: Lion Scientific Name: Pantheras Leo Where does it live?: Mainly in Centra/Easternl and Southern Africa; it used to have a much larger habit encompassing much of the Middle East and even parts of Europe. Favorite Keystone Indian Elephant The Indian elephant is a bit smaller than its better known relative, the African elephant. It inhabits the subtropical jungles and forests of the Indian subcontinent where it is an import part of the culture, it is even venerated as an emissary of the Hindu gods. The reason why this animal is a keystone species is due to its size, it tramples vegetation in the forest, allowing for newer vegetation to grow and flourish. It also consumes a very large amount of vegetation, its feces is also used by the local wildlife in a variety of ways. For example, it serves as fetilizer for plants and food for decomposers. Common Name: Elephant Scientific Name: Elephas Indicus Where does it live?: Mainly in the Indian subcontinent, it used to have a larger habitat but due to encroaching humans it has been lessened. It is especially worrisome due to India's massive human population. Coolest Predator Adaptation Anaconda Anacondas are some of the largest snakes on the planet and are extremely deadly predators due to their venom and their size. Although they are enormous they are incredibly stealthy predators who stalk their prey using heat sensors. Perhaps their coolest (unique) adaptation is their ability to regurgitate the contents of their stomach when they feel threatened. This ability permits them to get away in case of danger or to go after another prey. Common Name: Anaconda Scientific Name: Eunectes Murinus Where does it live?: Anacondas live in the tropical jungles of South America (Amazon), they generally hunt via the various rivers and tributaries in the jungle, although some Anacondas also live in the tropical savannahs of the continent. Coolest Prey Adaptation Praying Mantis The Praying Mantis' coolest adaptation by far is its ability to blend into its sorroundings almost perfectly. In the image above you can see how the Mantis' thorax blends in with with the sorrounding leaves and stems. This allows the mantis to do two things, the first is to escape from birds and other predators. The second use for this camouflage is the ability to hide itself from potential prey, allowing it to kill them from very short distances and with minimal effort. The Praying Mantis also has massive eyes (in proportion to its size), allowing it to have superb peripheral vision that is both useful for hunting and for escaping potential predators. These traits make the Preying Mantis a prime candidate for "coolest prey adaptation. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis Religiosa Where does it live?: Southern Europe, introduced into North America later on.
Most Endangered Male Lion The lion once roamed most of Africa and the Middle East, as far as India. Proof of that can be seen in the numerous ancient depiction of lion hunts. It is this fascination with Lions by humans that is endangering them, for millenia humans have hunted lions not for food but for sport, destroying lion populations everywhere but in the heart of Africa. Another threat besides hunting (which has dwindled due to conservation efforts) is the expansion of agriculture into the Savannah's and human encroachment. These threaten to destroy precious habit spaces and could further cripple the lion population. Common Name: Lion Scientific Name: Pantheras Leo Where does it live?: Mainly in Centra/Easternl and Southern Africa; it used to have a much larger habit encompassing much of the Middle East and even parts of Europe. Favorite Keystone Indian Elephant The Indian elephant is a bit smaller than its better known relative, the African elephant. It inhabits the subtropical jungles and forests of the Indian subcontinent where it is an import part of the culture, it is even venerated as an emissary of the Hindu gods. The reason why this animal is a keystone species is due to its size, it tramples vegetation in the forest, allowing for newer vegetation to grow and flourish. It also consumes a very large amount of vegetation, its feces is also used by the local wildlife in a variety of ways. For example, it serves as fetilizer for plants and food for decomposers. Common Name: Elephant Scientific Name: Elephas Indicus Where does it live?: Mainly in the Indian subcontinent, it used to have a larger habitat but due to encroaching humans it has been lessened. It is especially worrisome due to India's massive human population. Coolest Predator Adaptation Anaconda Anacondas are some of the largest snakes on the planet and are extremely deadly predators due to their venom and their size. Although they are enormous they are incredibly stealthy predators who stalk their prey using heat sensors. Perhaps their coolest (unique) adaptation is their ability to regurgitate the contents of their stomach when they feel threatened. This ability permits them to get away in case of danger or to go after another prey. Common Name: Anaconda Scientific Name: Eunectes Murinus Where does it live?: Anacondas live in the tropical jungles of South America (Amazon), they generally hunt via the various rivers and tributaries in the jungle, although some Anacondas also live in the tropical savannahs of the continent. Coolest Prey Adaptation Praying Mantis The Praying Mantis' coolest adaptation by far is its ability to blend into its sorroundings almost perfectly. In the image above you can see how the Mantis' thorax blends in with with the sorrounding leaves and stems. This allows the mantis to do two things, the first is to escape from birds and other predators. The second use for this camouflage is the ability to hide itself from potential prey, allowing it to kill them from very short distances and with minimal effort. The Praying Mantis also has massive eyes (in proportion to its size), allowing it to have superb peripheral vision that is both useful for hunting and for escaping potential predators. These traits make the Preying Mantis a prime candidate for "coolest prey adaptation. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis Religiosa Where does it live?: Southern Europe, introduced into North America later on.
Favorite Keystone Indian Elephant The Indian elephant is a bit smaller than its better known relative, the African elephant. It inhabits the subtropical jungles and forests of the Indian subcontinent where it is an import part of the culture, it is even venerated as an emissary of the Hindu gods. The reason why this animal is a keystone species is due to its size, it tramples vegetation in the forest, allowing for newer vegetation to grow and flourish. It also consumes a very large amount of vegetation, its feces is also used by the local wildlife in a variety of ways. For example, it serves as fetilizer for plants and food for decomposers. Common Name: Elephant Scientific Name: Elephas Indicus Where does it live?: Mainly in the Indian subcontinent, it used to have a larger habitat but due to encroaching humans it has been lessened. It is especially worrisome due to India's massive human population. Coolest Predator Adaptation Anaconda Anacondas are some of the largest snakes on the planet and are extremely deadly predators due to their venom and their size. Although they are enormous they are incredibly stealthy predators who stalk their prey using heat sensors. Perhaps their coolest (unique) adaptation is their ability to regurgitate the contents of their stomach when they feel threatened. This ability permits them to get away in case of danger or to go after another prey. Common Name: Anaconda Scientific Name: Eunectes Murinus Where does it live?: Anacondas live in the tropical jungles of South America (Amazon), they generally hunt via the various rivers and tributaries in the jungle, although some Anacondas also live in the tropical savannahs of the continent. Coolest Prey Adaptation Praying Mantis The Praying Mantis' coolest adaptation by far is its ability to blend into its sorroundings almost perfectly. In the image above you can see how the Mantis' thorax blends in with with the sorrounding leaves and stems. This allows the mantis to do two things, the first is to escape from birds and other predators. The second use for this camouflage is the ability to hide itself from potential prey, allowing it to kill them from very short distances and with minimal effort. The Praying Mantis also has massive eyes (in proportion to its size), allowing it to have superb peripheral vision that is both useful for hunting and for escaping potential predators. These traits make the Preying Mantis a prime candidate for "coolest prey adaptation. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis Religiosa Where does it live?: Southern Europe, introduced into North America later on.
Coolest Predator Adaptation Anaconda Anacondas are some of the largest snakes on the planet and are extremely deadly predators due to their venom and their size. Although they are enormous they are incredibly stealthy predators who stalk their prey using heat sensors. Perhaps their coolest (unique) adaptation is their ability to regurgitate the contents of their stomach when they feel threatened. This ability permits them to get away in case of danger or to go after another prey. Common Name: Anaconda Scientific Name: Eunectes Murinus Where does it live?: Anacondas live in the tropical jungles of South America (Amazon), they generally hunt via the various rivers and tributaries in the jungle, although some Anacondas also live in the tropical savannahs of the continent. Coolest Prey Adaptation Praying Mantis The Praying Mantis' coolest adaptation by far is its ability to blend into its sorroundings almost perfectly. In the image above you can see how the Mantis' thorax blends in with with the sorrounding leaves and stems. This allows the mantis to do two things, the first is to escape from birds and other predators. The second use for this camouflage is the ability to hide itself from potential prey, allowing it to kill them from very short distances and with minimal effort. The Praying Mantis also has massive eyes (in proportion to its size), allowing it to have superb peripheral vision that is both useful for hunting and for escaping potential predators. These traits make the Preying Mantis a prime candidate for "coolest prey adaptation. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis Religiosa Where does it live?: Southern Europe, introduced into North America later on.
Coolest Prey Adaptation Praying Mantis The Praying Mantis' coolest adaptation by far is its ability to blend into its sorroundings almost perfectly. In the image above you can see how the Mantis' thorax blends in with with the sorrounding leaves and stems. This allows the mantis to do two things, the first is to escape from birds and other predators. The second use for this camouflage is the ability to hide itself from potential prey, allowing it to kill them from very short distances and with minimal effort. The Praying Mantis also has massive eyes (in proportion to its size), allowing it to have superb peripheral vision that is both useful for hunting and for escaping potential predators. These traits make the Preying Mantis a prime candidate for "coolest prey adaptation. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis Religiosa Where does it live?: Southern Europe, introduced into North America later on.