Creature Feature #254: Fulmar

Although it may superficially resemble a gull, a Fulmar is actually a tube-nosed sea bird, making her kin to the petrels and albatross. She leads a pelagic lifestyle, patroling the ocean in search of squid, fish and shrimp. She spends most of her life on the wing or the water, being clumsy on foot. During breeding season, she selects a rocky cliff ledge on which to lay her single egg. Historically, Northern Fulmar populations have been exploited for food, with their oil and feathers also being used by the island inhabitats of St Kilda until 1930.

Creature Feature #253: Fugu

The Fugu is the Japanese name given to the pufferfish, where it is a served as a delicacy in restaurants. There are several species of Fugu -all of which are toxic. Fugu poison is 1200 times stronger than cyanide and leads to paralyzation and asphyxiation. This poison is most concentrated in the liver. The fish has to be carefully prepared before it is suitable for human consumption, although aquaculture has now lead to "safe" fish being bred. In the wild, the Fugu is not a fast swimmer, although he can swim backwards and manoeuvre well. If threatened, he fills his elastic stomach up with water, bloating up to become almost spherical.

Creature Feature #252: Fruit Fly

Okay, so my Fruit Fly looks a wee bit punk.

The Fruit Fly is a small species of fly beloved by biologists and very popular in genetic studies. This is because she only has four pairs of chromosomes and breeds fast, producing a great many eggs. This does not make her so popular amongst homes, restaurants or orchards, however, where fruit left to spoil can quickly become infested. This individual is a female of the wild type, as it characterised by her red eyes and barred abdomen. She will be mated fairly quickly after emerging from her pupae, and will lay up to 400 eggs, in lots of 5, in rotting vegetative matter. Larvae can reach maturity within 7 days if temperatures are optimal (yes, this does mean that your compost bins, in summer, can quickly become a swarming hive of fruit flies).

Creature Feature #251: Fruit Bat

Fruit Bats, also known as Flying Foxes, are large tropical bats characterised by their fox-like muzzles. As the name suggests, her diet predominantly consists of fruit, nectar, pollen and sap. Unlike other bat species, Fruit Bats do not possess echolocation, relying instead on their well-developed eyesight and strong sense of smell. She can roam over 60 kms in search of food. Fruit bats are social roosters, gathering together in the same tree to sleep during the day. They are very noisy, and can be damaging to trees in the area. Recently a flock had to be evicted from the Sydney Botanic Gardens as they were threatening the palm trees growing there.

Creature Feature #250: Frogmouth

Frogmouths are related to the Nightjars and are sturdy, nocturnal birds characterised by their extremely large gape. The Australian species, like this Tawny Frogmouth, follow are carnivorous diet, eating invertebrates, small mammals, frogs and even other birds. During the day, he stands motionless in a tree and pretends to be a branch. He is so good at this, that despite the fact that he will happily reside in the urban environment, he is not frequently seen. He forms a long-term monogamous bond, holding the same territory for a decade or more. The pair will roost together, maintaining close physical bonds and grooming one another.

Creature Feature #249: Frogfish

The Frogfish is related to the Anglerfish. With his short, stocky body he has an atypical appearance fo ra fish, but it does permit him powerful camouflage. He relies on camouflage to both protect him from predation and also to ambush prey. If prey comes to rest near him, he will creep slowly forward, preparing himself for the lunge. His mouth opens to create a massive cavity and he engulfs the prey, literally sucking it in within about 6 milliseconds. He will happily devour anything up to twice his own size, and in captivity has been known to eat other frogfish, even potential mates.


Here he is in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUNhQ-uF3T4

Creature Feature #248: Frilled Lizard

The Frilled Lizard inhabits humid forests of northern Australia and southern New Guinea. He is characterised by the large ruff of skin that normally lies flat about his neck. This frill is supported by cartilage which allow him to erect it when he feels threatened or wishes to impress a female lizard. He leads an arboreal existence, feeding on beetles and termites, with a preference for moths and butterflies. His colouration varies based on his environment, with the mottled and cryptic blends of brown, black and grey allowing him greater camouflage.