New Animal Species Found In Papua New Guinea

“A tube-nosed fruit bat with an appearance reminiscent of the Star Wars Jedi Master Yoda has been discovered in a remote rainforest. The bat, along with an orange spider and a yellow-spotted frog are among a host of new species found in a region of Papua New Guinea. More than 200 animals and plants were revealed for the first time after two months of surveying in the rugged and little-explored Nakanai and Muller mountain ranges last year. The findings included two mammals, 24 species of frog, nine plants, nearly 100 new insects including damselflies, crickets and ants, and around 100 spiders.” w/ photos. Via: UniqueDaily

Crocodiles trained to recognise their names

A pair of dwarf crocodiles can recognise their own names after training, a Cheshire aquarium claims.

The tiny reptiles, called Paleo and Suchus, are even learning when they are allowed to open their mouths, the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port says.

The programme has been successful with mammals but it is one of the first times it will be used on reptiles.

Manager Tom Cornwall said: "They are very intelligent and started responding to their names in just a few days."

In a bid to train them, the crocodiles, which are called Cuvier's dwarf caiman, are given food as a prize if they react in the right way.

The programme is based on a similar scheme which is in operation at the famous Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in India. LINK

Sidekick Arbyn------Missing link ??

Could this animal be the missing link between whales and land mammals?
Link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7150627.stm
Via

http://presurfer.blogspot.com/2007/12/whale-missing-link-discovered.html

Sidekick Arbyn------Mysterious Mammal video

This mouse like mammal was filmed in the deserts of Mongolia. Via
Presurfer

http://presurfer.blogspot.com/2007/12/mysterious-mammal-caught-on-film.html