Mata-Mata (Chelus fimbriata)
is a freshwater turtle that is found in south america, primarily in the Amazon and other prominent rivers. also it is the sole species in it’s genus Chelus. this is probably do to it’s head which is fairly large, flattened and triangular and a horn on it’s snout accompanied with three barbels on it’s chin giving it the allusion of rotting leaves. size wise it can get up to 18in in full adulthood and weighs in at 33lb. they inhabit slow moving bodies of water such as stagnant pools and marshes. this allows for it’s hunting tactics to work it’s shell resembles fallen bark and it’s odd head looks like leaves, it lays motionless until potential prey goes by it then thrusts out its head and opens its large mouth as wide as it can creating a low pressure vacuum that draws the prey into its mouth where the prey is swallowed whole as the mata mata cannot chew due to its special mouth.
Phylogeny
Animalia-Chordata-Reptilia-Testudines-Pleurodira-Chelidae-Chelidinae-Chelus
Phylum Tardigrada
(Water Bears)
Tardigrades are a phylum of small water dwelling animals found throughout the world. Their most notable feature is their ability to survive in extreme environments they can survive in temperatures ranging from -459-304 degrees Fahrenheit and can withstand high amounts of radiation, several experiments have been conducted where tardigrades have returned from days of low earth orbit alive, making them the first animal to survive in the vacuum of space. Unlike their ursine relatives they are quite small with the biggest of the 1,150 species growing up to 1.5 mm long. The name water bear comes from the animals barrellike shape and legs (although bears don’t have 8 legs) making them look similar to a bear and the water part comes from the fact they live in water.
Phylogeny
Animalia-Ecdysozoa(panarthropoda)-Tardigrada
LOOK AT THE LITTLE FEETS
Maisie the Goat at Maria’s Animal Shelter in Probus, Cornwall, suffers from arthritis and has to wear wellington boots to help her condition. Recent downpours have left 12-year-old Maisie constantly squelching around in puddles and mud. So her keepers have provided pink wellies to protect her from foot rot - the animal equivalent of trench foot.
Picture: SWNS.com (via Pictures of the day: 14 December 2012 - Telegraph)
