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“Death”
Gaboon Viper - Bitis gabonicaDespite the fact that the Gaboon viper ends up on many of the lists of “World’s Deadliest” or “Most Dangerous” animals, it’s actually not anywhere near the threat that you might think. Similar to the Australian sea snakes (with some of the deadliest venom), its docile nature renders the fact that it produces the highest volume of venom much less of a threat than, say, an aggressive snake with a small amount of venom.
Granted, you shouldn’t go around picking these guys up or threatening them, but they don’t chase down intruders or threats.
Bitis gabonica is the largest of its genus (commonly known as the puff adders), and at 8.5 kg (19 lbs), is the heaviest viperid in the world. If they do manage to get a bite on someone, the hemotoxic venom can cause internal bleeding, shock, local blistering, and eventually necrosis and the need for amputation, if not treated immediately.
ETA: Apparently the Gaboon viper also has the longest fangs of any species, and that, combined with the fact that they produce the most venom and that when they DO bite, they inject venom about 3/4 of the time (as opposed to 1 in 4 times for most viperids), is why they end up on all of these “most deadly” lists. I guess it fits. Docile and chill creature overall, but don’t piss it off or you’ll be hurting.
The Uganda Protectorate. Sir Harry Johnston, 1902.
(via mudwerks)
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Diaphanous Hatchetfish - Sternoptyx diaphana
There are approximately 40 species of marine hatchetfish, all with similar shapes, but varying in size from less than a silver dollar to almost six inches long. The upward-facing (but non-telescopic) eyes and downward-slanting mouth are characteristic of the Sternoptychinae family.
Like many deep-sea creatures, the hatchetfish have bioluminescent photophores on their body - unlike most other deep-sea creatures, though, the hatchetfish directly utilizes their bioluminescence in how they disguise themselves.
The low levels of light that they give off on the bottom half of their body reflect against their silvery scales, giving predators below them the impression that the only thing above is the sky (even if the sky might be thousands of meters above). Complimentary to that camouflage, the upper half of the hatchetfish is more darkly colored, giving predators above the impression that there’s nothing but open ocean below them. This type of camouflage is called “counterillumination”.
Résultats des campagnes scientifiques accomplies sur son yacht par Albert Ier, prince souverain de Monaco. Albert I, Prince of Monaco, 1911.
(via mudwerks)
