What Have Animals Taught Us?

Turtles shut down a runway at John F. Kennedy International airport on July 8, 2009. At least 78 turtles emerged from a nearby bay and crawled unto the tarmac. The turtles were identified as Diamondback terrapins, a species common to Jamaica Bay that surrounds the airport. Although the turtles were gathered up in 35 minutes and deposited in water farther from the airport, JFK’s flight schedule experienced delays up to 90 minutes. It seems turtle spawning season occurs in late June and early July, providing a 21st century version of the air and the tortoise.

Deep Sea Worms were collected using undersea robots. According to research published in the journal “Science”, 7 new segmented species were discovered. Five of the species cast off glowing bombs to escape predators. These bombs seem to be made of gill parts and glow when ejected from the worms. The newly named “Swima bombiviridis” (good swimming green bomber) use comb-like body bristles as paddles to propel through the water. So far they’ve been found off the coast of the Philippines, Mexico and the U.S.; but because they live 1.2 to 1.9 miles below the water’s surface, Swima bombiviridis aren’t likely to light up our lives.

Jellyfish may help to reduce the effects of climate change. According to a study published in the journal “Nature”, jellyfish do this by participating in ocean mixing. Although tides and winds are the major participants, new movies show that jellyfish drag water behind them as they swim. To avoid predators jellyfish swim to the surface at night to feed. It’s expected that they take cold water to the surface and warm water to the ocean depths. They may also take dissolved carbon dioxide down with them, lowering the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Humans who ignore climate change, however, are a different kind of jellyfish.

Dogs are trained by Italy’s National Civil Protection Agency to be lifeguards. About 70 Labradors, Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers – all strong in the water – have been trained for at least 2 years from puppyhood. When these dogs see swimmers in trouble, they paddle to the swimmers – with or without their human partners. The troubled swimmers can hold onto the dogs or the dogs can tow the swimmers ashore by their bathing suits. In fact, these dogs are strong enough to tow three people simultaneously – giving new meaning to the “dog days” of summer.

Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three times a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds to read at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - What Have Animals Taught Us?

Read More     No Comments