thatpetblog
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Posts by thatpetblog
Assassin Bugs – Captive Care and Notes on Spider-Hunting Assassins – Part 1
Jan 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Assassin Bugs, while not the best known of invertebrate pets, are actually quite popular with insect specialists and in public collections. I began working with 2 African species in the early 80’s, and soon built up a collection of native forms as well. Recent studies at Australia’s Macquarie University have revealed that one Assassin Bug captures spiders by tweaking their webs in imitation of a trapped insect. I’ll cover the care of some commercially available Assassin Bugs in Part 2.
Hunting the Hunters
Assassin Bugs are predatory insects of the Order Hemiptera (insects with piercing mouthparts). Most lie in wait for invertebrates to stray within reach, others feed upon blood, and a few employ elaborate ruses in order to trick their prey within striking range. More >
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Loading ...A Turtle Basking Platform that Doubles as a Frog-Feeding Device
Sep 23rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I apologize for the awkward title, but try as I might this was the best I could do! Today I’d like to propose a new use for the Penn Plax Turtle Pier, a wonderful product that was originally designed as a resting/basking area for turtles, newts and frogs. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Newly Discovered Texas Dinosaur Likely Engaged in Head-Butting Contests
May 24th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Like many fellow reptile and amphibian enthusiasts, I’m very interested in dinosaurs. Happily, there have been many exciting new discoveries as of late…a beast recently christened Texacephale langstoni is a good case in point.
A New Hard-Headed Dinosaur
Years ago, most folks interested in dinosaurs were limited to gawking at fossils in museums. To be sure, these were fantastic, but modern study methods are now providing a glimpse at how these amazing creatures actually behaved.
Writing in the April, 2010 issue of Cretaceous Research, Yale University paleontologists theorize that a newly described Texas native probably rammed skulls with others of its kind, perhaps to establish dominance or mating rights.
The unique creature, related to the Pachycephalosaurs (please see drawing) but classified within its own genus, sported a rock-hard mass of bone atop its head. This unusual growth, about the size of a softball, is similar to those found on only a dozen other dinosaur species.
More to Follow…
T. langstoni, which roamed the American Southwest 70-80 million years ago, was relatively small as dinosaurs go, weighing perhaps 40-50 pounds – I wonder if its “helmet” might have found use as a weapon of self-defense as well?
Hopefully we’ll learn more soon…until then, keep reading and please write in with any interesting stories you might come by.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Further Reading
Some amazing ancient reptiles inhabited the USA as well – please see my articles on giant, dinosaur–eating snakes and crocodiles.
You can learn more about the new head-ramming dinosaur on the Yale University website.
Pachycephalosaurus image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Keith Schengili-Roberts
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A Reader’s Diet for the Filter-Feeding Tadpoles of the African Clawed Frog
Apr 7th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) is a very common pet and lab animal and yet holds many surprises for those willing to look – it has no tongue, produces skin secretions that have yielded valuable medicines, was once used by the millions to detect pregnancy and thrives as an invading species in habitats ranging from Texas cattle ponds to brackish marshes in England… and their tadpoles feed by filtering organic material from the water. More >
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