| < PREVIOUS | NEXT> |
Wait, Watch, Wait, Watch – Attack!
The Komodo dragon, which lives only on five arid islands in Indonesia is a picky eater; it scans the landscape patiently for that perfect leg of meat. Because it’s a cold-blooded reptile, it can survive on the inhospitable islands with only a dozen meals a year.
These massive dragons, which measure about 7 feet in length and weigh around 170 pounds, adopt a watch-and-wait hunting approach. A dragon may spend days motionless beside a forest track waiting for prey like deer to pass. Then, it explodes. Reaching speeds of 11 miles per hour, the dragon snaps its jaw shut on its prey, often overpowering it and devouring it on the spot.
However, if the prey manages to get away, it’s only a matter of time before the dragon’s bite takes its toll. The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest venomous animal; much like the snake, it produces poison that kills prey by preventing blood coagulation, leading to massive blood loss. While small prey stand no chance against the venom, larger prey like buffalos takes time. But patience is the dragon’s virtue, and so is teamwork, as up to seven dragons may group up and spend days stalking the wounded prey and attacking it till it dies. Then the team feasts—with the largest dragon eating first and gobbling up to 80 percent of its body weight in one sitting.
| < PREVIOUS | NEXT> |
March 26th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
How someone manages to snap a photo like this blows my mind!
The depth of field is razor thin, the critter is in motion (most likely quite rapid motion), running straight at the camera and yet the eyes are in perfect, tack-sharp focus!
I’m a beginner, aspiring wildlife photographer, and for me, achieving this even with a stationary subject can be a challenge.
edit: this comment refers to the first photo, of the elephant shrew.
March 26th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
These are simply amazing pictures. What a world to live in!
March 27th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
“80beats” is an amazingly wonderful website.
March 27th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
WOW that komodo dragon has some truly epic drool going on.
re: Dennis: my guess would be a high speed camera tripped when the shrew is heading in, then hundreds of frame gathered in the few seconds it takes to pass, ensuring that it will be in focus when passing through the shallow depth of field required to take such high speed shots with no flash. (shallow depth of field = larger aperture = more light let in at once)
The flamingos sound like they throw a rave to hook up with their mates.
March 28th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
The Trials of Life (Sir David Attenborough) has the elephant shrew careening along runways in episode 5, Finding the Way, around minute 12. They too have low angle cameras and excellent footage of the little critter.
June 9th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I prefer to be given flowers, especially during wintertime. Many people generally jazz up your house and gives a great odor for the fresh air.
July 29th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
Thanks for your write-up. I have constantly observed that most people are desperate to lose weight as they wish to look slim and attractive. Nevertheless, they do not continually realize that there are many benefits just for losing weight as well. Doctors state that over weight people suffer from a variety of conditions that can be directly attributed to their own excess weight. Thankfully that people that are overweight in addition to suffering from numerous diseases are able to reduce the severity of the illnesses by means of losing weight. It’s possible to see a constant but notable improvement in health while even a small amount of fat loss is obtained.