Posts by Rachel Shaw
July 24, 2009
Species of the Week - Pallas’ Cat or Manul
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on July 24, 2009
The manul’s low-set ears and high-set eyes are an adaptation to a treeless habitat.
July 17, 2009
Species of the Week - Western Redcedar
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on July 17, 2009
The Western redcedar is one of the most important species in the Pacific Northwest.
July 9, 2009
Species of the Week - Patagonian Mara
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on July 9, 2009
The long-legged mara is one of the world’s largest rodents.
Source: JanAnneO
July 2, 2009
Species of the Week - Tibetan Fox
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on July 2, 2009
This unusual-looking fox is found on the Tibetan Plateau, where it is locally known as the wa or the wamo.
June 25, 2009
Species of the Week - Banana Slug
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on June 25, 2009
Banana slugs are the second-largest terrestrial slug in the world.
Read more... | Comments (0) | species of the week, invertebrates
June 11, 2009
Species of the Week - Bobcat
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on June 11, 2009
Bobcats derive their name from their short, “bobbed” tails, not from their bouncing gait.
June 4, 2009
Species of the Week - Twinflower
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on June 4, 2009
May 28, 2009
Species of the Week - California Tiger Salamander
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on May 28, 2009
Endemic to the Central Valley, the yellow-and-black California tiger salamander depends on vernal pools and ground squirrel burrows for its survival.
California Tiger Salamander. Source.
Read more... | Comments (3) | species of the week, endangered
May 21, 2009
Species of the Week - Large Milkweed Bug
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on May 21, 2009
Brightly colored large milkweed bugs should not be eaten, due to the toxins they acquire from milkweed seeds.
Large milkweed bugs feeding on milkweed - note the different developmental stages present. Source
May 13, 2009
Species of the Week - Elegant Crested Tinamou
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on May 13, 2009
The elegant crested tinamou is a handsome representative of a family of partridge-like birds related to moas, kiwis, and emus.
Source: Photographer Vince Smith
May 6, 2009
Species of the Week - Dumbo Octopus
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on May 6, 2009
Like the elephant of cartoon fame, the dumbo octopus “flies” with its “ears.”
(Source)
April 30, 2009
Species of the Week - Markhor
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on April 30, 2009
The most noticeable thing about a male markhor is his horns - when you finally see him.
Image licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. (Source)
April 23, 2009
Amazing Ants
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on April 23, 2009
Link to some amazing close-up photographs demonstrating the great variety among ants.
April 21, 2009
Earth Day?
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on April 21, 2009
In which I think about why Earth Day, as a sort of secular holiday, warms the cockles of my heart in a way that holidays like the Fourth of July or Christmas do not.
(Excerpted and expanded from a post I wrote two years ago.)
April 20, 2009
Species of the Week - Welcome!
By Rachel Shaw | Posted on April 20, 2009
Welcome to Species of the Week, an ongoing column featuring various members of our biological community.
Read more... | Comments (7) | species of the week, natural history