• Interesting Facts about Amphibians (3)
• Interesting Facts about Birds (22)
• Interesting Facts about Fishes (9)
• Interesting Facts about Mammals (48)
• Interesting Facts about Reptiles (16)

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Leafy Sea Dragon

DESCRIPTION: Particularly well camouflaged withelaborate, ornate skin filaments that hang from the head, body and tail makingthis animal virtually indistinguishable from the floating sea weed in which itlives. Usually green to yellow in color. The body is covered in protectivejointed plates instead of scales and long, sharp spines line its dorsal edge. FUN FACTS: The male sea dragon incubates thefertilized eggs in a specialized spongy textured brood patch on the ventralsurface of his tail. This area is composed of small cup-like indentations whicheach hold a single egg layed there by the female. It is during the transfer ofthe eggs from the female to the male that they are fertilized. Theapproximately 250 eggs remain attached until they hatch 4 to 6 weeks later. Seadragons are completely independent upon hatching. The young feed on the remainingyolk sac and then graduate to consuming zooplankton. Seadragons do not have any predators. Their combination of excellent camouflage,tough jointed plates and sharp dorsal spines offer adequate protection.Researchers have even observed sea dragons curling up to present predators withthe row of menacing spines.

Lizards

DESCRIPTION: Long reptile; most have legs (thoughthere are legless lizards); tail length and shape varies SIZE: Ranges from the 40 mm. Brookesia minima tothe 3 m long WEIGHT: Varies between species FUN FACTS: Their legs are not positioned like amammals, they stick out on each side and push the body along, undulating orwriggling. Of course the legless lizards move entirely by undulating movements,just as a snake does. Some lizards have a tail with weakenedvertebrae so it can break free and escape if caught by the tail. The tail canregenerate, though usually not to the same length and look of the originaltail. Geckoes are small lizards withflattened bodies and pads on their toes, enabling them to run on vertical andeven overhanging surfaces. The flying lizards of SoutheastAsia have extended ribs that support a membrane of skin. Byspreading the membranous skin out, the lizard is able to glide from one tree toanother. Chameleons are known for their abilityto change color. Communication is an important reason behind these colorchanges. Chameleons cannot display limitless colors and do not change colors ina camouflage response to their surroundings. Instead, their skin changes inresponse to temperature, light, and mood. TheGila monster and its close relative, the Mexican beaded lizard, are the onlytwo venomous lizards in the world. The venom glands are located in the lowerjaw. The venom is secreted through grooved teeth. Currently, there is notanti-venom for the Gila monster bite.

List of Animals English Globe