science is life

contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds can open their beak all the way just like other birds can!

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“Microbes don’t have this sort of complex visual processing, but many still need to know where the light around them–whether that’s to seek out food or avoid hidden dangers. They may not see things the way we do, but the mechanisms they have in place allow them to respond to light in extraordinary ways to meed the most ordinary of needs.”

Journey to the Microcosmos- Can Microbes See Without Eyes?

Images Originally Captured by Jam’s Germs

“Ophyroglena’s life cycle is made up of 5 established stages, as well as a few additioal, though more rare, possibilities. The organism starts in it’s theront stage, taking on an elongated shape as it swims freely about the microcosmos…. The Ophyroglena becomes more opaque as it transitions into its equivalent of adulthood: the trophont stage. But as trophont gives way to protomont… the protomont will begin to slow down. This is the protomont’s time for change, and so it morphs into a tomont. As a tomont, the Ophyroglena… prepares to reproduce. Some Ophyroglena species form a division cyst, while others create and stay attached to a sticky substance instead. Whatever the venus, the result is the same: the tomont divides several times to produce anywhere from 4 to 8 smaller and round tomites. The tomites might form a chain that slowly rotates for a few hours until to separates into theronts, bringing the cycle full circle. In some cases, the tomont might enter what’s been termed the “migratory stage”, which is noted for the largeness of the microbe and agitated movement before dividing into tomites, or in rarer cases, forming a cyst.”

Journey to the Microcosmos- Ophyroglena: The Tricky Transforming Ciliate

That head wound looked pretty concerning so this baby went for a CT scan to assess the damage to its skull and soft tissue.

It might seem crazy that this wild snake could survive a tire to the head, but rattlesnakes are incredibly tough critters. Their heads are so muscular that when they’re struck by a car they can often survive with minimal damage to the bony structures of the head. In this case, the trauma from the tire forced those impressive facial muscles through the skin without breaking any cranial bones. Fortunately, an incredibly skilled exotics veterinarian was able to surgically repair the damage. Here it is after surgery!