This is the largest creature on Earth that is still alive today

In the wild, the largest creatures on the Earth, turn out are gentle creatures, and not dangerous. Yes, the blue whales or Balaenoptera musculus, the sea creatures are believed to be the biggest living beings who ever lived on the planet, even bigger than the biggest dinosaurs.

The largest blue whale ever recorded weighed 181 tons and a length of 33 meters. If placed on the ground, the blue whale is equal to a length of 9 family cars! And the heart size of the sea mamals is similar to the size of a car, with the blood vessels was big too, so that we could swim in it.

Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZwX7w)

Imagine if we sail in the ocean for the first time, exploring the places that we have never seen, and suddenly at beside the ship, we saw blue whales come to the surface, and its size turned out to be more length than the ship that we were riding.

Maybe we will be afraid, especially perhaps because we have never seen a living creature with a size so large, we also do not know, what this giant sea creatures could do, whether it can flip over the ship and feed on humans. In fact, we need not fear with this giant sea creature.

The size comparison of some whale species. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZwXzs)

The staple food of blue whales is krill, though they also eat copepods in small quantities. Zooplankton species is eaten by various blue whales from one ocean to another. In the North Atlantic, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, Thysanoessa raschii, Thysanoessa inermis and Thysanoessa longicaudata were their common foods. While in the South Pacific, Euphausia pacifica, Thysanoessa inermis, Thysanoessa longipes, Thysanoessa spinifera, Nyctiphanes simplex dan Nematoscelis megalops. And in the Antarctic, they ate  Euphausia superba, Euphausia crystallorophias dan Euphausia vallentini.

An adult blue whale can eat up as much as 40 million krill per day. They always ate in areas with high concentrations of krill, so sometimes it takes approximately 3,600 kilograms (7,900 lbs) of krill in a single day. Blue whales filling their bellies in waters rich in krill in the Antarctic before migrating to breeding grounds in warmer waters and less rich in krill near the equator.

Perhaps one of the most spectacular of the blue whales are the sounds they make. Researchers have measured the low-frequency sounds produced by blue whales to communicate with each other using the decible-meter devices.

Some of their vocalizations have been recorded as loud as 188 decibels and can be heard as far as 848 km! Wow, just for comparison, the sound of jet aircraft that was taking off is 120 decibels. Thus, we can conclude that the blue whale is a living creature that is able to produce the loudest sound in the world.

Why the Blue Whale can be sized so big? So far, researchers still are not sure why, but they believe with certainty that any of the dinosaurs in the past, they never reached the size of a blue whale. This is the greatest living creature that has ever lived on the Earth, and is still alive today.

One important reason why whales can reach large sizes is that they have a large living space, a large area to move around and explore. Because more than 70% of the Earth is water.

Now, we get to know that the blue whales are completely harmless to humans, and in fact, they have something in common with the human, that they are the warm-blooded mammals who must breathe with the air.

They are also social animals with complex language and intelligence. And most importantly, the blue whales are not a monster at all, they are a gentle giant that we must respect, admire, and protect. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC INDONESIA]

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Turned out, the world's rarest wild boar species were live in Indonesia

The Bawean island is a small island in the Java Sea, lies around 120 kilometers north of Gresik, East Java province, Indonesia. Behind the beauty of Bawean island, it turns out save one of the rarest species in the world.

Here lies the Bawean island. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZckCw)

Not many people know when Bawean be home for Sus blouchi, a dwarf warty pigs species which are relatives of the Java wild boar (Sus verrucosus). At first glance the Bawean warty pigs looks like the wild boar in general. The pigs are characterized by distinctive markings. The females look very similar to wild boar while the males have three pairs of big warts on each side of the face.

And according to a study recently published in the PLoS One journal, revealed that the Bawean warty pigs are under threat of extinction. Mark Rademaker from the VHL University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands as well as the study author, said that if the current estimated only remaining about 250 mature Bawean warty pigs.

Female and male Bawean warty pigs -- image from camera trap. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1Zcjmg)

Furthermore, Rademaker added if the Bawean warty pigs population would drop dramatically suddenly due to changes in their habitat although the slightest, need to remembered the warty pigs isolated on the Bawean island. Moreover the Bawean wild boar are often regarded as the pests for the locals, so that they do not hesitate to kill the endangered species.

With a population of less than 250, Indonesia's Bawean warty pig is world's rarest pig. Experts said the animal deserves to be listed as endangered in IUCN's Red List. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZckXd)

Rademaker initially thought the Bawean warty pigs extinct before finally recording these wild boar at the beginning of this year using the camera traps mounted in the forest. Then the video was uploaded on YouTube channel.

Rademaker was so happy because this is the first time the Bawean warty pigs recorded on the camera. Based on the video uploaded on YouTube, and the Bawean warty pigs more active at night than daytime or called as the nocturnal animals. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MERDEKA | TECHTIMES]

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The story of the last Dragons on Earth

The medieval cartographers marking at a number of sites located in the Lesser Sunda Islands or Nusa Tenggara: as the abode of the dragon. The dragons what they mean can not fly or breathe fire. However, the creature was no less terrible than mythical animals in a fairy tale. With the body of 3 meters and weighing 70 kilograms, these animals can run up to speeds of 29 km/h to catch its prey.

So when they get or catch their preys in the form of a water buffalo or elk, these creatures will use their razor sharp teeth to tear prey, while injecting a poison that makes its victims to bleed to death were tortured.

The city of Labuan Bajo dubbed the 'Gate of Komodo'. So when you landed in Labuan Bajo not complete if you do not visit and look the Komodo (Varanus komodoensis) as the last dragons in Earth. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1XdBI1)

Not only animals, 'dragon' had also been prey on humans. The dragon in question is Komodo (Varanus komodoensis), which inhabits the island of Rinca, Gili Motang, Nusa Kode, Flores and Komodo.

Actually, the giant reptiles are originally from Australia, they lived in the Kangaroo continent millions of years ago before migrating and reach Indonesian territory about 900 thousand years ago.

Komodo dragons live in the rugged landscape, bush and savanna. Animals that can be camouflaged and waiting patiently for prey to approach them. They will eat anything, even human.

The natural beauty of Komodo Island from the top. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1XdBI1)

"I have seen what can be done by these animals and how much they could injure a human being," said Achmad Ariefiandy of Komodo Survival Program (KSP). "No need to be like a movie star anyway if you eventually will be bitten by them."

There was a horrendous incident related to the Komodo dragons attack. which occurred in the Los Angeles Zoo, the United States in 2001. At that time, a komodo dragon trying to prey on foot of Phil Bronstein, an editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, which incidentally is the husband of the famous artist, Sharon Stone. Fortunately, the victim can survive even had to undergo treatment at the hospital.

Komodo can devour prey up to 80 percent of their body weight, and then they do not need to eat for a few weeks with only silence to sun bath. On several occasions, they attacked the people who live near their habitat. There were four human costs in the last 4 decades, the locals treat it as 'sacred animal'.

"The creature has a number of weapons systems," said Bryan Fry of the University of Queensland, was quoted as saying some of the BBC on Sunday, February 28, 2016.

"The teeth become the main weapon. However, if you do not die due to rupture of the femoral artery, the prey will undoubtedly have died due to blood loss."

An endangered animal

Although Komodo survived from various natural disaster: the ice age, sea level rise, earthquakes, tsunamis that happened and also devastating on the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Although tough, in fact, the biggest threat to dragons is the population and the growing human activity. Komodo captured and sold to the zoo or to the collector. Their feet and skin are considered achievements in hunting activities. Besides that the rise in sea level that is also as a result of human activities.

So the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List gives the label as an endangered animal. The Komodo National Park and many conservation efforts have so far managed to keep the animals from extinction. However, that does not mean there is no threat at all. 

The other causes, the number of eggs produced by females very little. There is no guarantee the komodo dragons can continue to survive or grow up to 7 meters like their ancestors before.

Here it is, one good news, the animal conservation efforts are also done in some zoos. It was supported by the fact that the female komodo dragons can give birth in virgin condition. Flora, the Komodo dragon that living in the Chester Zoo, London became one evident. In 2006, she gave birth to eight Komodo eggs. Through the process of parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction without fertilization).

The incident at London Zoo was recorded as the first Komodo dragons parthenogenesis in the world. The animal conservation efforts began when Claudio Ciofi, a biologist at the University of Florence who arrived in Indonesia in mid-1990s and 'falling love' with the komodo dragons.

The fact that the Komodo dragons conservation efforts initiated and led mostly foreigners, recognized by Ariefiandy as 'shameful'. "Komodo is the Indonesian national animals, Indonesian people should be done more for the komodo research and another protection efforts," he said. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]

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Already extinct, the Zebra sub-species back to life

In 1883, after its population was reduced drastically due to act of the hunter, the world's last quagga died in the Amsterdam zoo. Quagga is a sub-species of zebra from South Africa, the only difference is they do not have dappled in the leg.

More than 100 years after the quagga extinct, scientists claimed that has been brought back the sub-species back to life, through selective breeding that diligently done for 30 years.

In the project called The Quagga Project, that begun 30 years ago, when Reinhold Rau, an inventor from the University of Cape Town, analyzing a collection of DNA samples from the quagga's skin. When the results arrived, he was surprised and delighted to discover the once-extinct creature is genetically the same as the zebra. In other words, quagga and zebra not a different species.

This knowledge is important, as it proves, the real difference between a zebra and quagga is located on fur patterns. With this information, Rau was planning to 'awaken' the species by selective breeding zebra to bring the quagga characteristics.

Scientist found that the Quagga genetically the same as the Zebra. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1WxuPA)

The main difference between the two species is the quagga graded stripes of black and white to brown or white plain towards the hind legs. Quagga in the 19th century sort of looks like the zebra after sat in the mud.

After breeding for 30 years, the team claims that the quagga has returned. Since the zebra and quagga have same DNA, scientists say, this latest generation was the extinct animals back to life.

"By all intents and purposes, the quagga back in. The project was a huge success," said one researcher, Eric Harley, as quoted ScienceAlert.

Although this sounds awesome project, many are critical of it and call it 'violates the natural law' and 'efforts to find public attention'. The team also responded that they did not use genetic modification to revive the quagga, and the project was responsible for the act of a hunter, and bring back the South African native animals they killed brutally.

However, the team agreed to call this new animal as 'Rau-quagga,' not quagga, to distinguish it. It is hoped this will silence the protesters.

One of the amazing aspects of this project, is that although rau-quagga were the breeding results animals, they are fertile. This is because, rau-quagga not the result of interbreeding. They are sub-species retain his genes, so that they can successfully breed.

The team hopes to continue the project to eventually create rau-quagga herd so that they could live freely in South Africa should their ancestors in the 19th century. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE QUAGGA PROJECT | SCIENCEALERT]

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Zebra stripes not for camouflage

More than 100 years that's why black and white pattern on Zebra has been a perennial secret. In fact, has invited a lot of debate among scientists. However, after reaching a general consensus that the zebra line is for camouflage. But, it turns to a recent study dispelled that argument.

Scientists from the University of Calgary and UC Davis shows a digital image of a group of zebra. Taken from Tanzania through spatial and color filter, and the simulation shows how the animal will be seen by their primary predators (such as lions and hyenas) as well as other zebra.

Zebra stripes not for camouflage, scientists confirm. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PRypaU)

They also measure the width and luminance or brightness of the lines to estimate their maximum distance which can be detected by different species, using information about their vision.

The study, published in the PLoS ONE journal, found that the stripes on the zebra was not used to camouflage. Predator can smell them and can still see the black and white motif on their body, as reported by Independent on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.

Researchers found, at a distance of 50 meters during the day and at 30 meters at dusk, when most predators hunt, the lines can be detected by humans but difficult for predators to distinguish. On a moonless night lines that make it difficult for all of the species to see zebra exceed nine meters.

Thus, this research says that the lines are not for camouflage, where a strip of black is considered the tree and white is the light that appeared between the trees.

What is the use of black & white pattern on the Zebra?

Amanda Melin, lead author of the study and assistant professor of anthropology biological at the University of Calgary, says, "The longest hypothesis for zebra stripe is crypsis, or camouflage, but until now the question is always through human eyes."

"Instead, we performed a series of calculations in which we were able to estimate the distance at which the lions and hyenas, as well as zebra, can see zebra stripes during the day, dusk, or during a moonless night."

Tim Caro, co-author of the study and associate professor of wildlife biology at UC Davis said, "The results of this new study does not provide any support at all for the idea that the zebra stripes provide some kind of anti-predator camouflage effect.

"On the contrary, we reject the hypothesis that has long been debated by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace."

After reviewing the location of striped animals and a number of variables that overlap, they concluded that the lines it is the evolution of the zebra to avoid blood-sucking flies.

Unlike other African mammals that live in the same area, zebra fur shorter than the length of the mouth of the blood-sucking insects. Making them particularly vulnerable. Allegedly, black and white are the result of evolution (a reaction to the problems they face). To repel those biting insects. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INDEPENDENT]

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Extinct tree frogs rediscovered in India after 145 years

Tree frogs are thought to have become extinct 1 century ago was found again in India. This remarkable discovery was found by Sathyabhama Das Biju and his team in the jungle northeast India.

This discovery gives hope that the tree frogs may be found in other areas of China to Thailand. Not only that, the study of these findings make the experts have to reclassify the entire genus.

Unusually, the frogs (Frakixalus Jerdonii) feed mostly on vegetation, rather than insects or larvae. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1RAWVmE)

The frog with the size of a golf ball that live in tree holes as high as 6 meters from the ground. That is why their presence is hidden and difficult to detect. This unique species of frogs. Females do not release eggs into the water, but incubated in the tree holes containing water. When it became a tadpole, they fed 'children' with the eggs failed to hatch. Unlike other frogs that eat larvae and insects, the adult tree frogs eat the moss.

Sathyabhama Das Biju eventually known as the Frog Man of India, because he has found 89 of the 350 species of frogs.

Instead of teeth, the tadpoles have smooth mouths, to suck in the eggs they eat. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1RAWVmE)

"At that time, we heard the lovely orchestra sound were playing. There was a very magical, and when examined we found them," Biju said as quoted by the BBC on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

The tadpole's eyes are closer to the top of its head than most - possibly so it can see eggs being dropped into its tree pond at feeding time. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1RAWVmE)

After the DNA test, Biju and his colleagues say the tree frog is a new kind. In other words, the animal was entitled to a new name. Frogs were originally named Polypedates Jerdonii was then given the name of the inventor Thomas Jerdon. Jerdon is a British biologist who first discovered this species in 1870 or 145 years ago.

Now the amphibians is called Frakixalus Jerdonii - taken from the name of amphibians and reptiles expert, Frank Bossuyt, a Biju's adviser when he studied in Belgium. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]

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Ninja lantern shark found hiding in the Pacific Ocean

A new species of sharks, named Ninja lantern shark was found hiding in the Pacific Ocean. Sharks with the Latin name 'Etmoterus Benchleyi' live in waters around 2,742 - 4,734 feet from the coast of Central America.

The new species has been discovered is called owes its name to a young cousin of Vicky Vasquez, one of the scientists that involved in the study of this new species. Research results published in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

A "Jaws" inspired view of the newly identified lantern shark species Etmopterus benchleyi. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/1QWOm5F)

"Its general name, Ninja lantern shark, referring to the black sleek shark color as well as the fact that it has fewer photophores (the organs that emit light) than others lantern shark," said Vasquez to Mashable via e-mail.

Based on that, the scientists feel the unique characteristics would make this species is hidden like a ninja. "The unique name was proposed by my niece who was 8-14 years old," added Vasquez.

This map shows where researchers collected the first (holotype) and later (paratype) specimens of the newfound shark. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/1QWOm5F)

In contrast to other types of lantern shark, the Ninja lantern shark creating less of light - possibly as a form of camouflage. That is why this shark is referred to as ninja shark. Furthermore, Vasquez called the ninja lantern shark as "lost shark" that covered by the other sharks which is more popular as the Great White.

The jaws of an adult female Etmopterus benchleyi. It's likely that the top teeth are used for grasping and the bottom for cutting. (PIcture from: http://bit.ly/1QWOm5F)

Since 2010, researchers have recently found some eight specimens of these sharks. To get more detailed information and answer their biological conditions, scientists must find a specimen more.

"If it is found more, we can explore new biological details of these sharks, such as 'how its maximum size?'. The largest specimens we found along 515 mm, and since it is spawn and we know that's adult female sharks," said Vasquez. "While we have not found adult male."

As for the scientific name of this species-Etmoterus Benchleyi-also has a unique story. The Benchleyi name is taken from the name of the author of Jaws, Peter Benchley.

"Although many people know the negative reaction to the film, but most do not realize that Benchley make something positive by creating Benchley Awards, which appreciate the people who contribute to marine conservation," said Vasquez.

According to Vasquez, the scientists in between 2000-2009 have discovered about 18 new species of Chondrichthyans (sharks and its relatives like stingray, shoes, and chimaeras) every year. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE]

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Scientists successfully breeding the Goats with Spider's DNA

Researchers from the University of Wyoming, claims to have discovered how to breed the goats with Spider's DNA that can produce spider silk. Referring to Phys.org, these findings have contributed to medical purposes such as to create the artificial tendons and ligaments.

The man who contributed behind the invention is Randy Lewis, a professor of molecular biology at the university. Working together with other researchers, he managed to extract the spider silk genes and incorporate them into a goat to produce a (silk) protein in their milk. However, not all goats can be infiltrated with spider genes.

Goats that produce spider silk protein in their milk could enable researchers to collect large quantities of the silk. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Ud2mFS)

Evidently, only three of the seven goats that could produce silk protein in the experiments occours in 2010. In spite of that, from this discovery Lewis earned its reputation as a biology scientist; he managed to collect thousands of pounds of recombinant spider silk from goat milk that he bred.

The good news, the goat does not show odd behavior after the injection of spider's DNA. It still behaves like goats in general; eating grass and still can not be united with rain.

Currently the scientists have to do the same discourse of the alfalfa plants -- the plants are used as animal feed. These plants can reliably generate the amount of silk more than goats. This plant is believed to generate as much as 20% to 25% of protein, and is ideal to produce silk protein. Moreover, according to them, these plants spread in a wider places.

Spider silk has become an important component for medical and industrial purposes. As mentioned earlier, spider silk is usually used to create a artificial ligaments, fixing jaw, and sew the eye. Spider silk is also used in several other applications such as bullet-proof vests and car airbags. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PHYS.ORG]

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Rare, the flasher deep-sea squid

There are different with squid on this one. It has a bioluminescent glow like a 'spotlight' on the end of her arms, and something that looked like a shiny red lips when passing at close range with a Remotely Operate Vehicle (ROV) in deep ocean waters near Hawaii.

The action caught on camera attached to the ROV operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. According to a report made by the vessel Okeanos Explorer site, even the squid itself was tether in the ROV and could stay in there for a few minutes.

On Sept. 19, this 1- to 2-meter-long (3.3 to 6.6 feet) squid was captured on video by a remotely operated NOAA vehicle during the craft's descent to the seafloor. (Picture from: http://cbsn.ws/1M3snBE)

Although initially identified by scientists on the ship as whiplash squid, the cephalopods animal was actually a Dana octopus squid or Taningia danae. The size is the same as the whiplash squid, but did not have tentacles to eat that are common in other squid species.

The underwater video 'star' was estimated has a length of 1 to 2 meters. Having a wide and flexible fins out of the squid mantle. With its flap, the organ function of regulating the speed of species T.Danae or Dana Octopus in the water.

On the bottom side of coat seen protruding out something that resembles a red lips. But in fact the unit was functioning removing water from the mantle cavity located behind the animal's eyes and pushed in the opposite direction. This is explained by Scott France, a marine biologist and leader of the expedition along with NOAA, which is also the owner of the voice who gave the explanation in the video.

Although the Dana octopus does not have the tentacles, it had an excess of amazing lighting system called 'photophores'. About the size of a lemon, these photopores is the largest light-producing organs in the animal kingdom today," said Mike Vecchion, a zoologist at NOAA's National Systematics Laboratory at the Smithsonian Institution who is also the curator of cephalopods at the National Museum of Natural History, both located in Washington, DC as quoted from Live Science on Thursday, December 10, 2015.

According Vecchion, squid light beam toward the ROV can support another hypothesis that sea creatures use bioluminescence as a way to lure larger predators attack immediately. The Hohonu Moana expedition lasted from July 10 to September 30, 2015, to investigating the deep sea ecosystems, and take pictures and videos of underwater strange life - small, large, bright or dark - were there. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE]

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A rare species of Nautilus reappear after 30 years in hiding

Almost 30 years have passed since the last sighting of Allonautilus scrobiculatus when these creatures are swimming in front of the camera Peter Ward at the end of August 2015 ago, far below the sea of Papua New Guinea.

Nautilus pompilius (left) swimming next to a rare Allonautilus scrobiculatus (right) off of Ndrova Island in Papua New Guinea. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PQiRpQ)

A rare species of nautilus, a marine mollusc, a distant relative of squid and cuttlefish, sometimes called a "living fossil" because of their appearance almost unchanged. They have inhabited the planet for 500 million years and survived two of largest mass extinctions, yet little is known about them.

A detailed shot reveals the fuzzy texturing of Allonautilus scrobiculatus as well as the visible spiral in its shell, and the pinhole eye and thin flexible tentacles emerging from the harder tentacle sheaths shared by other nautiloids as well. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1NyXew3)

Peter Ward, who is a biologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, and his colleague, Bruce Saunders first described the A. scrobiculatus in 1984. The shape of the shell looks heavier than the leaner shells from the other animals in the family Nautilidae. However, it seems they have evolved in a relatively new ways. "It was in over his head, what we think of as primitive," said Ward.

Gregory Barord releases two Allonautilus scrobiculatus with ultrasonic transmitters attached to the dorsal sides of their shells. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1NyXew3)

To finding them is a major challenge. To get a glimpse of the picture, Ward's team uses a special camera lowered deep at between 150m to 400m along with fish or chicken meat as bait. A. scrobiculatus can only survive within a narrow depth range, and only possible in some locations. Four of the creature has a radio transmitter attached to them so that the Ward's team can track their later.

Now some scientists and environment activists feared that their habitat may be under threat, ironically, by a company that bears their name. Nautilus Minerals, Toronto-based mining company, has been given permission by the government of Papua New Guinea to begin the mining of deep sea hydrothermal vents in the area. NGOs and environmental activist groups continue to campaign against the project. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | NATIONAL GEOGRAHIC | TELEGRAPH]\

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