Biology Support Q&A: Answers to Your Burning Questions
Summary
In this Biology Support Q&A session, biologist and author Tor Hanso answers questions from Twitter about various animals and biology-related topics. Some of the topics discussed include ostriches, ticks, menstrual cycles of female mammals, slugs, murder hornets, and more.
Table of Contents
- Insects with Large Body Size and Thick Exoskeletons
- Weird Animals in Extreme Places
- Coral: An Animal That Lives in Colonies
- Deadly Plants with Pleasant Names
- Do Bulls Hate the Color Red?
Insects with Large Body Size and Thick Exoskeletons
Some species of insects have evolved to have a large body size with a thick exoskeleton. One Twitter user asks about these insects and why they have evolved in this way. Tor Hanso explains that these insects are typically social insects that target other social insects to feed their young. They have evolved to be larger and have a thicker exoskeleton to protect themselves from the social insects they prey on.
Weird Animals in Extreme Places
Another Twitter user asks about finding weird animals. Tor Hanso suggests looking in extreme places, such as the carcasses of whales at the bottom of the ocean. Here, zombie worms have evolved to devour the bones of the whale without a mouth. These worms secrete acid that dissolves the bone, and they have evolved to have a unique body shape that allows them to burrow into the bone and extract nutrients.
Coral: An Animal That Lives in Colonies
A Twitter user asks about coral and how it is able to take on elaborate shapes. Tor Hanso explains that coral is an animal that lives in colonies. Each individual coral polyp is responsible for creating its own skeleton, which then forms the structure of the colony. The elaborate shapes of coral are designed to get the colony off the ocean floor to feed and to allow the dinoflagellates or algae to photosynthesize.
Deadly Plants with Pleasant Names
Another Twitter user asks about plants with pleasant names that are actually deadly or toxic. Tor Hanso talks about the rosary pea, which has beautiful black and red seeds that are often used to make jewelry. However, the seeds are deadly toxic and can cause death if ingested. It is important to be aware of the toxicity of plants before using them for decorative purposes.
Do Bulls Hate the Color Red?
Finally, a Twitter user asks about whether bulls hate the color red. Tor Hanso explains that bulls cannot actually see the color red. However, the motion of the cape or cloth that is often used in bullfighting attracts their attention. The color red was chosen for showy purposes and to hide bloodstains.
Conclusion
In this Biology Support Q&A session, Tor Hanso provides answers to various questions about animals and biology-related topics. From the unique feeding strategies of murder hornets to the deadly toxicity of plants with pleasant names, this session provides valuable insights into the world of biology.
