Biology Q&A with Tor Hansen: Biology Support Part Two

Introduction

• Tor Hansen, biologist and author, answers Twitter questions on various biology topics.

Myths and Facts

Ostriches

• Myth: Ostriches hide their heads in the sand.
  • Fact: They do not hide their heads; this myth has an unclear origin.
  • Male ostriches perform ground displays during breeding season.

Slugs and Salt

• Fact: Salt dehydrates and kills slugs.
  • Salt absorbs moisture, desiccates slug's skin.

Bulls and Red Color

• Myth: Bulls hate the color red.
  • Fact: Bulls are colorblind to red; it's the motion that irritates them.

Animal Behaviors & Adaptations

Ticks

• Mechanics: Latch on using knife-like blades and barbed tongue.
  • Saliva prevents clotting, expands blood vessels, and acts as a painkiller.
• Impact: Ability to transfer diseases like Lyme disease.

Mammals & Menstruation

• Fact: Most female mammals don't menstruate.
  • Instead, they absorb uterine lining (estrus cycle).

Murder Hornets

• Origins: Asian giant hornets likely arrived in North America via shipping containers.
• Behavior: Attack social insects like honeybees for food.
  • Large size, thick exoskeleton for defense.

Coral as Animals

• Composition: Tiny animals with mouths and tentacles.
  • Live in colonies, build structures for feeding and photosynthesis with symbiotic algae.
• Connection to Humans: Coral sediments turn into limestone, used in cement.

Weird & Dangerous Species

Strange Animals

• Zombie Worms: Dissolve whale bones using acid, symbiotic bacteria for nutrition.

Toxic Plants

• Rosary Pea: Beautiful seeds, but very toxic; one seed can be lethal.

Interesting Animal Facts

Cell Sizes: Elephant vs. Rat

• Fact: Cells are similar in size due to diffusion limits.
  • Some bacteria have vacuoles for essential parts, allowing larger cell size.

Mother Birds and Abandonment

• Myth: Birds abandon chicks if touched by humans.
  • Fact: Most birds have high nest loyalty and continue raising chicks despite disturbances.

Intra-species Attacks

• Examples in nature: Praying mantis (female decapitates male), Lingcod (fishes), Chimpanzees (planned raids).

Conservation and Extinction

Bringing Back Extinct Species

• Challenges: Extinction typically permanent.
  • Efforts: Examples include woolly mammoths with preserved DNA.
  • Reintroduction Success: Tree lobster bred in captivity, awaiting reintroduction.

Wildlife Conservation Importance

• Importance: Growing need due to diminishing wild/natural areas.
• Success Stories: California condor reintroduction.

Closing

• Thank you for watching Biology Support.