Human Bot Fly

Bot flies are probably the grossest animals I will be talking about on this blog. I was at my uncle's house watching t.v. when I flipped the channel and saw a picture of a guy with like seven bot flies IN his back. It was really disgusting, but it gave me the idea to write about them. I won't be posting any pictures of bot flies because they can be very disturbing, but if you want to see some, just go on google and type in bot flies. You will get some gross pictures.

There are different types of bot flies, but today I will only be talking to you about human bot flies (you don't want to read about bot flies in rabbits). Bot flies are indigenous to parts of Mexico, Central and South America. Adult bot flies tend to lay their eggs on mosquitoes and the eggs hatch when the mosquito starts to feed on the host. When the eggs hatch, the larvae begin to burrow into the host's skin. The hole that they create is called a warble, which allows the larvae to breathe while they feed on the host.

Common signs of bot flies include pain or discomfort (you're going to feel something while they make your body their home), a growing bump, and swelling and redness. People native to the areas where bot flies originated are used to bot fly infections and treat them by using a lighted cigarette to draw the larvae out of the host. The smoke forces the larvae to come out to breathe.

http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/botfly.html

http://animal.discovery.com/invertebrates/monsters-inside-me/human-botfly-dermatobia-hominis/?_context=in?headerText=SEND%20TO%20A%20FRIEND

Maltipoo

This week, I am going to be talking about the maltipoo. Maltipoos are a mix between a maltese and a poodle. I personally have one and I love him. His name is Biskit. Recently, maltipoos have become more popular and many people are beginning to adopt them.

This may be because of the fact that they don't shed. Because maltipoos are part poodle, it is very rare to get one that sheds its fur. However, an owner must brush their maltipoo's fur a couple times a week depending on the length of the fur. This will prevent matted or tangled fur. This is important because if a maltipoo's fur becomes too unruly, the owner will probably have to shave their maltipoo. It is very difficult to clean a maltipoo when their fur is messed up.Maltipoos tend to have a lot of energy, so they are good outdoor family pets. However, owners should keep small children away because maltipoos easily become excited and could accidently hurt small children while trying to play with them.

Piranha

Most people know not to mess with piranhas. They are deadly little creatures that usually attack in groups. Although adult piranhas still aren't very large, they do have very sharp teeth. However, their teeth aren't very large either, so when a piranha attacks, it is rarely a killing blow. Instead, when attacking, piranhas eat their prey alive by tearing off its flesh.

http://www.extremescience.com/zoom/index.php/animal-kingdom-records/100-piranha

Even as babies, piranhas are still killers. When first born, a piranha will eat small crustaceans or any other small animals that get too close. Baby piranhas will also eat fruits and aquatic plants. Even though piranhas are born with sharp teeth and ferocity, they are not safe. Adult piranhas have been known to eat their own babies and other piranhas will certainly sink their teeth into baby piranhas, if they get the chance.

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/fish/piranha-eat-cows.htm

Adult piranhas, which travel and hunt in groups, will eat just about whatever they can catch. Their diet includes other fish, animals that get too close to the water, and even sometimes people.

http://www.gurlygoround.com/setting-up-a-piranha-tank

In my opinion, piranhas aren't really that amazing. At first, I thought they would be a perfect topic to write about because I haven't talked about any fish yet. It was cool reading about how piranhas eat their prey alive, but, like birds, I've never really been interested in fish. Piranhas just seem like tiny sharks that can't get their mouth around their food. I really don't know what a piranha looks like a cross between. If I had to guess, I would say that the piranha looks like a mix between a shark, a trout, and a barricuda and the result having swallowed a ping pong paddle.

Spectacled Bear

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/printable/spectacled-bear.html

The Spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear, is the last of the "short-faced" bears. This species if indigenous to South America and more specifically Panama, Ecuador, and Peru, along with a few other locations. These bears are right at home in these areas, where there are lots of trees, because they have the ability to climb even the taller trees.

The Spectacled bear is a relatively small species of bear. Males are generally 286-440 lbs and females can reach up to 77-181 lbs. They are very distinct in that they have mostly black fur with beige-colored marking across their face and chest.

http://ursafreedomproject.ning.com/group/andeanbearsupport?xg_source=activity

While most people believe that bears are destructive killers, most bears, including the Spectacled bear, are very docile creatures. The Spectacled bears are generally peaceful animals that are non-territorial, but prefer to be solitary. Spectacled bears will most often run away or climb a tree when they encounter a threat, except when their cubs are in danger.

Surprisingly, a Spectacled bear's diet consists mostly of plants and fruit. Only about 5% of their food is meat from small mammals or birds.

http://www.thenaturewatch.com/2008/05/natural-world-spectacled-bears-shadows.html

I know I say this every week, but I like the Spectacled bear. I usually choose animals that I'm interested in, unless someone wants to leave a comment and suggest an animal. I thought of a raccoon when I saw the Spectacled bear's face. It also reminded me of a panda because of its flat face. I would say that the Spectacled bear is a cross between a raccoon, a giant panda, a wolverine, and a polar bear.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20127015.500-rare-animals-to-feature-on-google-earth.html