A tiny bat with a big story!

The Bumblebee bat of Thailand, also known as the Hog-nosed Bat, is famous for being the smallest mammal the he world. This bat species is on average 1.3 inches and weights only 2 grams! This species is vulnerable, and the population is restricted to roughly 40 limestone caves in Myanmar and Thailand. Over the last 25 years, the population has faced a steady decline. Mostly due to limestone mining, disturbance of its roost, and increased tourism. Let's hope that conservation plans are successful so we can ensure the survival of this amazing little creature. 

 

Vulpes vulpes

This red fox was photographed by myself on Prince Edward Island. Foxes on PEI are use to people. Most of the time they will come right up to your car if you stop. They are fed during the summer when tourists are around and therefore many associate humans with food. Not good! 

Red foxes were hunted for their pelts on the Island in the 1970s and the population steadily declined. Restrictions on harvesting increased their numbers. The arrival of the coyote on the island in the 80s and 90s also impacted the population. But today, the red fox population has recovered. It is a good thing cause they are so cute and very photographic : ) ! 

Great Science Quote

"Science has promised us truth. It has never promised us peace or happiness." 
Gustave Le Bon

I love this quote. I think we will someday will be able to answer all the unknown questions we have by the means of science. But it doesn't mean that we will like what we find. 


Interesting side note: Gustave Le Bon was well known for his theories on crowd psychology (The theory that ordinary people can gain direct power by acting collectively). It is argued that his theories widely influenced fascist ideology in the 1920s, making him a direct influence on Hitler and Mussolini.

What is the largest Living Arthropod?

I asked myself this question today while studying for my Entomology exam and discovered an animal I had never heard of! The answer is the Giant Japanese Spider Crab. I couldn't believe it when I saw the picture I posted below. This crab is huge! It is the largest living arthropod (a phylum containing crustaceans, spiders, insects, ect.) in the world. This crab can be as long as 12 feet across with a body up to 15 inches wide!  It is found off the coast of Japan at depths up to 1,000 feet. These crabs may live as long as  100 years! Because it is found so deep in the ocean, it is not fished commercially which is a good thing cause these crabs are awesome! See, good things can come from procrastination! : )

"Seagulls"

Did you know there is no such thing as a seagull? I did not find this out until a few months ago on the first day of my Field Ornithology class. I am pretty sure this was the first thing out of my professor's mouth. You will not find a seagull in any field guide. Seagulls do not exist but gulls do. There are over 50 species of gulls. Gulls are found throughout the world. They are are long-lived, intelligent, and social birds. But why do we call them seagulls? Well because we usually see them by the sea and have had the term seagull drilled into our brain for our entire life. An important point to make is that not all gulls are found on the coast. There are several species of inland gulls. 

So next time you find yourself around these awesome birds, try your best to say gull not seagull. This would make my professor very happy. If he ever heard someone use the term seagull in class, he would definitely fail them. 

An introduction

Hi everyone,
I am a Wildlife and Conservation Biology major at the University of Rhode Island. I am in love with my major. Everyday I get to learn new things that continue to inspire me. I find new fascinations everyday and am constantly led in a new direction. A month ago I would have told you I want to be a Zoo Keeper when I graduate. A couple weeks later, I decide I want to be a scientist at the CDC studying the Ebola Virus. And today, maybe I will get a PhD in Hominid Paleobiology and study the evolution of humans. This is why I love science, the possibilities are endless. And everything is connected in the end.