Photograph courtesy Shane McInnes via The World’s Rarest Birds
One of the rarest birds of all is New Zealand’s kakapo. The above picture of the large, flightless bird approaching the camera snagged first place in the “critically endangered or extinct in the wild” category.
Only 124 animals remain in the wild—the species has been largely wiped out by introduced predatory mammals such as feral cats.
here’s the beautiful spider that i probably just scarred for life.
sorry baby!
Araneus diadematus i think
P. fera is widely considered the most venomous species of spider. Its venom contains a potent neurotoxin, known as PhTx3, which acts as a broad-spectrum calcium channel blocker that inhibits glutamate release, calcium uptake and also glutamate uptake in neural synapses. At deadly concentrations, this neurotoxin causes loss of muscle control and breathing problems, resulting in paralysis and eventual asphyxiation. In addition, the venom causes intense pain and inflammation following a bite due to an excitatory effect the venom has on the serotonin 5-HT4 receptors of sensory nerves. This sensory nerve stimulation causes a release of neuropeptides such as substance P which triggers inflammation and pain.
Aside from causing intense pain, the venom of the spider can also cause priapism in humans. Erections resulting from the bite are uncomfortable, can last for many hours and can lead to impotence. A component of the venom (Tx2-6) is being studied for use in erectile dysfunction treatments.
