Beauty in South America
NASA's Terra satellite captured this striking image of springtime in Patagonia, the mountainous region at the tip of South America, on Sept. 24.
Patagonia comprises parts of Chile and Argentina. Although there are no borders overlaid on the image, Chile lies roughly to the west of the Andes Mountains, which run from north to south and are snow-capped in this image.
Patagonia comprises parts of Chile and Argentina. Although there are no borders overlaid on the image, Chile lies roughly to the west of the Andes Mountains, which run from north to south and are snow-capped in this image.
Purple, you are.
Discovered a new type of acorn worm, scientists have. Named it after Yoda, they did.
The reddish-purple worm was found about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, and has large lips on either side of its head region that reminded researchers of the floppy-eared Stars Wars character. Its full scientific name is Yoda purpurata, or "purple Yoda."
The reddish-purple worm was found about 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, and has large lips on either side of its head region that reminded researchers of the floppy-eared Stars Wars character. Its full scientific name is Yoda purpurata, or "purple Yoda."
Change in Progress
How quickly autumn can arrive.
Within the span of only 11 days, fall has swept through Siberia's taiga forests, changing leaves from green to brown, as seen in these images captured by NASA's Aqua satellite. The first one was taken on Sept. 20, and the second on Oct. 1.
Within the span of only 11 days, fall has swept through Siberia's taiga forests, changing leaves from green to brown, as seen in these images captured by NASA's Aqua satellite. The first one was taken on Sept. 20, and the second on Oct. 1.
Dry but moist
The dryness of South America's Atacama Desert stands in stark contrast to the moisture evident in the clouds over the Pacific Ocean just next door in image taken by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Envisat satellite on March 4.
The Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth, with parts of it receiving only 1 to 3 millimeters of precipitation per year. It is 50 times more arid than California's Death Valley.
The Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth, with parts of it receiving only 1 to 3 millimeters of precipitation per year. It is 50 times more arid than California's Death Valley.
Twice the cuteness
A pair of white-belted ruffed lemur twins has been born at the Belfast Zoological Park in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Zoo first became home to white-belted ruffed lemurs in 2009, when male, Wakka, arrived from Newquay Zoo in Cornwall and female, Mianta, arrived from Beasancon Zoo in France. White-belted ruffed lemurs, including the pair at the Belfast Zoo are part of a European breeding program; Mianta and Wakka welcomed their twins on July 22.
Belfast Zoo first became home to white-belted ruffed lemurs in 2009, when male, Wakka, arrived from Newquay Zoo in Cornwall and female, Mianta, arrived from Beasancon Zoo in France. White-belted ruffed lemurs, including the pair at the Belfast Zoo are part of a European breeding program; Mianta and Wakka welcomed their twins on July 22.
Cool smoke
An astronaut aboard the International Space Station snapped this photo showing smoke from several wildfires snaking through Idaho's river valleys on Sept. 3.
Some of the smoke can be seen drifting to the east (note that the image is rotated so that north is to the right), carried by the wind. But much of the haze was trapped closer to the ground when air cooled at night and became denser, confining the smoke to the valleys.
Some of the smoke can be seen drifting to the east (note that the image is rotated so that north is to the right), carried by the wind. But much of the haze was trapped closer to the ground when air cooled at night and became denser, confining the smoke to the valleys.
Cutie pie
The San Diego Zoo's 9-week-old giant panda cub has completely opened his eyes and is now beginning to scope out the world around him.
Zoo veterinarians and keepers performed their weekly exam on the growing cub earlier this week, assessing his health and taking measurements. The cub (who will not be named until he is 100 days old, according to Chinese custom) weighed 6.6 pounds (2.99 kilograms), had a chest girth of 13.7 inches (35 centimeters) and an abdomen girth of 15.5 inches (39.5 cm). His growth is right on track with other cubs born at the zoo, according to a zoo statement.
Zoo veterinarians and keepers performed their weekly exam on the growing cub earlier this week, assessing his health and taking measurements. The cub (who will not be named until he is 100 days old, according to Chinese custom) weighed 6.6 pounds (2.99 kilograms), had a chest girth of 13.7 inches (35 centimeters) and an abdomen girth of 15.5 inches (39.5 cm). His growth is right on track with other cubs born at the zoo, according to a zoo statement.
Cooler weather
A large mass of cold air is moving south and east across the middle of the country, and within a couple days could bring temperatures in much of the Midwest and Northeast to the lowest points they've yet reached this fall.
The cold air mass can be seen as white clouds in the upper left of this image acquired by NASA's Suomi NPP satellite on Oct. 4.
The cold air mass can be seen as white clouds in the upper left of this image acquired by NASA's Suomi NPP satellite on Oct. 4.
Bouncing Zoo Babies of 2011
Beautiful Bouncing Babies
Here, OurAmazingPlanet takes a look back at the little bundles of joy that arrived at zoos in 2011, including this little guy, a satanic leaf-tailed gecko, the first baby born at the San Diego Zoo this year.
January: Chinstrap Penguin
This ball of gray fuzz is a baby chinstrap penguin, born on Jan. 16 at Moody Gardens, an aquarium and science tourism complex in Galveston, Texas.
Wild chinstrap penguins make their home in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. They're distinguishable from their emperor penguin cousins by a thin line of black feathers that wraps around their chins. Standing about two-and-a-half feet tall (76 centimeters), chinstrap penguins are also smaller than emperor penguins. [Gallery: Flightless Birds: All 18 Penguin Species]
Wild chinstrap penguins make their home in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. They're distinguishable from their emperor penguin cousins by a thin line of black feathers that wraps around their chins. Standing about two-and-a-half feet tall (76 centimeters), chinstrap penguins are also smaller than emperor penguins. [Gallery: Flightless Birds: All 18 Penguin Species]
February: African Black-Footed Cat
This furry little bundle of cuteness is an African black-footed kitten, one of two born Feb. 13 to a surrogate mother at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, La.
The kittens' history was several years in the making: Sperm was collected from a 6-year-old male named Ramses in Omaha, Neb., in 2003 and then frozen. Two years later it was combined with an egg, creating embryos. In December 2010 the embryos were thawed and transferred to a female black-footed cat named Bijou. Sixty-nine days later, the two kittens became the first of their species to be born as a result of in-vitro fertilization using frozen genetic ingredients.
Although the black-footed cats might look similar to domestic kittens found anywhere across the globe, their numbers, according to the Feline Conservation Federation, are very low. There are only 19 such cats in zoo collections in the United States, and only 40 around the world.
Native to arid regions of southern Africa, the black-footed cat is one of the smallest wild felines. The tiny cats, which average only about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) at maturity, are nocturnal and are poorly studied in the wild. While hunting them is prohibited, farmers in their range will sometimes poison or trap them.
The kittens' history was several years in the making: Sperm was collected from a 6-year-old male named Ramses in Omaha, Neb., in 2003 and then frozen. Two years later it was combined with an egg, creating embryos. In December 2010 the embryos were thawed and transferred to a female black-footed cat named Bijou. Sixty-nine days later, the two kittens became the first of their species to be born as a result of in-vitro fertilization using frozen genetic ingredients.
Although the black-footed cats might look similar to domestic kittens found anywhere across the globe, their numbers, according to the Feline Conservation Federation, are very low. There are only 19 such cats in zoo collections in the United States, and only 40 around the world.
Native to arid regions of southern Africa, the black-footed cat is one of the smallest wild felines. The tiny cats, which average only about 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) at maturity, are nocturnal and are poorly studied in the wild. While hunting them is prohibited, farmers in their range will sometimes poison or trap them.
March: Black Lion Tamarin
A baby black lion tamarin, a species of critically endangered monkey, was born March 22 at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in England, delivered by cesarean section.
Black lion tamarins are small monkeys, growing to only about 10 to 13 inches (25-33 centimeters) in length. Their long, silky black manes lend them their ferocious name. The species is also sometimes known as the golden-rumped lion tamarin because of a patch of golden hair on its rear.
The fingers of black lion tamarins are long and dexterous, as are those of the other lion tamarin species, and the monkeys are clever in proportion to their body size, they have more grey matter than humans.
Black lion tamarins are small monkeys, growing to only about 10 to 13 inches (25-33 centimeters) in length. Their long, silky black manes lend them their ferocious name. The species is also sometimes known as the golden-rumped lion tamarin because of a patch of golden hair on its rear.
The fingers of black lion tamarins are long and dexterous, as are those of the other lion tamarin species, and the monkeys are clever in proportion to their body size, they have more grey matter than humans.
April: Chinese Merganser Ducks
On April 26, the Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Park Zoo successfully hatched eight critically endangered Chinese merganser ducklings a first for any North American zoo.
The zoo has two breeding pairs of Chinese mergansers, or scaly-sided mergansers, a species of sea duck found in eastern Asia.
The Chinese merganser is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List with populations estimated between 1,000 and 2,500 and falling. The decline is due to habitat destruction, pollution, illegal hunting and human disturbance of breeding territory. With these hatchlings, WCS's Central Park Zoo will contribute to the understanding of how to better conserve the species.
The zoo has two breeding pairs of Chinese mergansers, or scaly-sided mergansers, a species of sea duck found in eastern Asia.
The Chinese merganser is listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List with populations estimated between 1,000 and 2,500 and falling. The decline is due to habitat destruction, pollution, illegal hunting and human disturbance of breeding territory. With these hatchlings, WCS's Central Park Zoo will contribute to the understanding of how to better conserve the species.
May: Spiny Turtle
This spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa) hatched on May 1 at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. These turtles have shells with distinctive pointed edges and are sometimes known as cogwheel turtles.
The aquarium is one of a handful of institutions in the United States that has successfully bred the endangered species. Like many Southeast Asian turtle species, spiny turtles have been overharvested in the wild for food and traditional medicine trade [Shell Shock: 25 Turtle Species in Terrible Trouble]
The aquarium is one of a handful of institutions in the United States that has successfully bred the endangered species. Like many Southeast Asian turtle species, spiny turtles have been overharvested in the wild for food and traditional medicine trade [Shell Shock: 25 Turtle Species in Terrible Trouble]
June: Red Pandas
A red panda baby boom hit the National Zoo this year, with four of the rare creatures born to two mothers in June. The first set of panda cubs arrived on June 5, at the institution's Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. Just 12 days later, another red panda gave birth at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on June 17.
Red pandas, sometimes called firefoxes for their reddish fur, bear a strong resemblance to raccoons, and feed on bamboo leaves, berries, flowers, small plant leaves and even bird eggs in temperate forests in western China, the Himalayas and Myanmar.
The species is listed as vulnerable, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. There are roughly 2,500 adult red pandas worldwide.
Red pandas, sometimes called firefoxes for their reddish fur, bear a strong resemblance to raccoons, and feed on bamboo leaves, berries, flowers, small plant leaves and even bird eggs in temperate forests in western China, the Himalayas and Myanmar.
The species is listed as vulnerable, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. There are roughly 2,500 adult red pandas worldwide.
July: Giraffe
This spindly-legged giraffe calf was born in the early hours of July 22 and, like most healthy giraffe calves, could walk within just two hours.
At 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weighing in the neighborhood of 125 pounds (56 kilograms), Zoo Atlanta's newest baby was already bigger than many humans, but still had lots of growing to do.
At 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weighing in the neighborhood of 125 pounds (56 kilograms), Zoo Atlanta's newest baby was already bigger than many humans, but still had lots of growing to do.
August: Siamese Crocodiles
Working with the government of Lao PDR, the Wildlife Conservation Society helped to successfully hatch a clutch of 20 Siamese crocodiles, a species threatened across its range by hunting, habitat fragmentation and loss, and other factors.
Hatched from eggs taken from the wild and incubated at the Laos Zoo, the baby crocodiles represent a success for a new program that works to save the Siamese crocodile and the wetlands and associated biodiversity of Laos' Savannakhet Province. [Related: What's the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?]
Hatched from eggs taken from the wild and incubated at the Laos Zoo, the baby crocodiles represent a success for a new program that works to save the Siamese crocodile and the wetlands and associated biodiversity of Laos' Savannakhet Province. [Related: What's the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?]
September: African Elephant
This male African elephant calf was born at 5:45 a.m. on Sept. 26, at the San Diego Zoo.
In the rare moment caught in this picture, the calf stood alone after he had wandered off a few steps, but shortly thereafter his mother, 5-year-old sister Khosi (koh-see), and 2-year-old brother Ingadze (in-Gahd-zee) rushed over to tend to the unnamed calf. Throughout the day the family watched over their newest member, letting him only stray a few feet.
In the rare moment caught in this picture, the calf stood alone after he had wandered off a few steps, but shortly thereafter his mother, 5-year-old sister Khosi (koh-see), and 2-year-old brother Ingadze (in-Gahd-zee) rushed over to tend to the unnamed calf. Throughout the day the family watched over their newest member, letting him only stray a few feet.
October: Western Lowland Gorilla
A little bundle of gorilla joy was born at the Zoological Society of London's London Zoo on Oct. 26.
The little male was born to first-time mother Mjukuu.
Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the largest living primates and are native to Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea. They are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
The little male was born to first-time mother Mjukuu.
Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are the largest living primates and are native to Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea. They are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
November: Capybara
When this picture was taken in late November, this baby capybara was only 1 day old and weighed 3 to 5 pounds.
Capybaras are the world's largest rodent species an adult male can weigh up to 141 pounds and a female up to 146 pounds.
The word capybara means "master of the grass" and its scientific name, Hydrochoerus, means "water hog" because of its love for water
Capybaras are the world's largest rodent species an adult male can weigh up to 141 pounds and a female up to 146 pounds.
The word capybara means "master of the grass" and its scientific name, Hydrochoerus, means "water hog" because of its love for water
December: Grevy's Zebra
This Grevy's Zebra foal was the second one born to the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota.
The zoo's 10-year-old zebra, named Trinity, gave birth to the male foal, who weighed 80 pounds. Foals typically weight between 50 and 80 pounds, and mothers gives birth after a 13-month gestation period.
These animals are endangered due to competition with domestic grazing animals, habitat destruction and human disturbance at critical water holes. In the 1970s, there were about 15,000 Grevy's Zebras across Africa; today only about 2,500 survive in the wild. [Read more:World's Cutest Baby Wild Animals]
The zoo's 10-year-old zebra, named Trinity, gave birth to the male foal, who weighed 80 pounds. Foals typically weight between 50 and 80 pounds, and mothers gives birth after a 13-month gestation period.
These animals are endangered due to competition with domestic grazing animals, habitat destruction and human disturbance at critical water holes. In the 1970s, there were about 15,000 Grevy's Zebras across Africa; today only about 2,500 survive in the wild. [Read more:World's Cutest Baby Wild Animals]
mages: Amazing Arctic - Creatures of the Bering Sea
A Shrimp Specimen
A shrimp specimen recovered from approximately 600 feet (182 meters) deep during undersea research of Pribilof Canyon in the Bering Sea, off the Greenpeace support vessel M/V Esperanza.
Northern Fur Seals
Northern fur seals sit on the rocks at Alaska's St. Paul Island.
A Giant Pacific Octopus
A giant Pacific octopus rests among anenomes and sponges at 1,132 feet (345 meters) deep during undersea research of Pribilof Canyon in the Bering Sea, off the Greenpeace support vessel M/V Esperanza.
A Specimen of Hard Cup Coral
A species of hard cup coral, Caryophyllia alaskensis, in the Bering Sea. It was retrieved by a remotely operated vehicle from approximately 3,000 feet (900 meters) deep during research along Zhemchug Canyon
Colorful deep
A sea anemone and a sea star on the seabed, with a basket star in the background. Also visible on the seabed are a hermit crab and shrimp. It was taken with a Deep Worker submersible at a depth of approximately 1,300 feet (400 meters) in Pribilof Canyon.
Evidence of Bottom Trawling
Evidence of bottom trawling, as seen at approximately 1,000 feet (300 meters) deep by manned submersibles during undersea research of Pribilof Canyon in the Bering Sea. Frame-grab from HD video.
Swiftia Coral
A piece of swiftia coral collected during undersea research of Zhemchug Canyon in the Bering Sea
A Deep Submersible with Dalls Porpoise
A deep submersible, piloted by Greenpeace's John Hocevar descends to the deep as a Dalls porpoise swims overhead during undersea research of Zhemchug Canyon.
Amazing Images from Kilauea's Lava Lake
Mount Kilauea
The lava lake at Kilauea's summit reached its highest level in October 2012, 150 to 165 feet (45 to 50 meters) below the floor of Halema'uma'u crater, since the vent started erupting in 2008.
Crater
A closer view of the spattering at Halema'uma'u crater in Kilauea volcano. This photo shows the spattering is actually 200 to 230 feet (60 to 70 meters) out from the vent wall, toward the center of the pit.
Kilauea's summit
The lava lake at Kilauea's summit was about 150 feet (46 meters) below the floor of Halema'uma'u crater on Oct. 14, 2012 the highest it has reached since the vent erupted in 2008
Lava lake
A view of the lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater with the caldera wall of Mount Kilauea in the background. The National Park Service's Jaggar Museum and the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are visible at the summit
Halema'uma'u Crater
The lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano, with spattering along its western edge.
Ponding and cooling
The lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano, with spattering along its western edge. The spatter from the lava lake was landing, in part, on the ledge adjacent to the lake, and then flowing away in a small channel toward the southern side of the vent where it was ponding and cooling.
Splattering lava
The lava lake in Halema'uma'u Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano. Continuous spattering at the southern lake margin tosses spatter onto the crusted lake surface as well as onto the rim of the ledge, building a steep spatter rampart (left side of image)
Pele's hair
Pele's hair covers much of the ground in the area immediately downwind of the vent at Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano.
Pele's hair covers much of the ground in the area immediately downwind of the vent at Halema'uma'u crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano.
Images: A Baby Giraffe Is Born
Mother Margarita and calf. Margarita the giraffe just gave birth to a female calf at the Nashville Zoo on Sunday, June 10
A baby giraffe smile
Just four days old, the baby giraffe already stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall (1.9 meters) and weighs about 160 pounds (73 kilograms).
Smooch
Mother and calf are doing well and are currently off exhibit, the zoo said. Zoo officials plan to carefully monitor the baby's development and will make a decision on her public debut in the coming weeks.
Baby stands
Masai giraffe are native to the savannas of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa and are known for their oak-leaf shaped spot pattern. They are the tallest giraffe subspecies, and the tallest land animal on Earth.
Nuzzle
monitor the baby's development and will make a decision on her public debut in the coming weeks. "We've been watching Margarita very closely in anticipation of this event," said mammal curator Connie Philipp in a statement. "This is her second calf, and she is showing us some great maternal skills. We look forward to showing the new calf to our guests soon."
Prize-Winning Photos Taken Through a Microscope
Small World Contest Winner
Nikon’s Small World competition honors images of objects too small for the unaided eye to see. Wim van Egmond, a photographer from The Netherlands, won first place in the 2013 contest for his image of Chaetoceros debilis, a colonial diatom.
2nd Prize Winner
This year's 2nd prize went to Joseph Corbo, for his photo of a painted turtle's retina, the light-sensitive membrane inside the eye.
3rd Prize Winner
Alvaro Migotto, a researcher at the University of São Paulo, took home 3rd prize for his magnified image of a marine worm
4th Prize Winner
Rogelio Moreno Gill created this photo of a Paramecium, showing the nucleus, mouth and water expulsion vacuoles.
5th Prize Winner
Kieran Boyle's award-winning image shows a hippocampal neuron receiving excitatory contacts.
6th Prize Winne
Dorit Hockman is credited for this amazing view of a veiled chameleon embryo, showing cartilage in blue and bone in red.
7th Prize Winner Ladybird Beetle
You've never seen a ladybug like this. Nikon’s 2013 Small World microphotography competition's 7th place prize went to Jan Michels, who took this image of an adhesive pad on a foreleg of ladybird beetle, or Coccinella septempunctata.
mages: The Emperor Penguins of Antarctica
Big birds
An emperor penguin strikes a pose. The iconic penguins are some of the largest birds on Earth.
Calling central casting...
Credit: British Antarctic Survey.Ta-daaa! An emperor penguin chick stands on the Antarctic ice.
Traveling birds
Credit: British Antarctic Survey.Emperor penguins moving along the Antarctic ice on their bellies.
Crowd of cute
Credit: British Antarctic Survey.A phalanx of downy emperor penguin chicks.
