Cats on the Funny Side

"Can't you see the funny side?"
"Well frankly, I cannot!"

Sherlock Dog

"It's elementary my dear Watson."

Evolution is Faster in the Tropics

It seems that with climate change we will lose some species but gain new ones - or have new "changed" species. Some species living at high altitudes have been changing as mountain tops become warmer with climate change. It was believed that accelerated evolution only occurs in cold regions, but it has been discovered that it also happens in the tropics.

While it has been accepted for a long time that plants and marine protists evolve faster, the process has only recently been recognized in mammals. What is unusual is that mammals are not directly affected by a warming climate because they naturally maintain a steady body heat.

It is now believed that evolution in the tropics is even faster that in temperate regions. There is a greater diversity of species in the tropics. This faster evolution and more species means that adaptation to changing conditions is rapid. The faster evolution actually makes for many more types of animals.

There must be something else, however, that is driving change in mammals than just a warming climate. Genes were studied from closely related mammals at both high and low altitudes. It was found that DNA substitution was much faster at low, warm latitudes. There are two theories on why this is happening: 1) mammals act in sympathy with other animals; and 2) mammals slow down and become torpid in a colder climate.

Personally, neither of these two theories seems realistic. Why should mammals act in Sympathy? Moreover, mammals in cold climates actually seem to be more active.
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Cat Swimming Lessons

"My swimming lessons are going well, thank you."

Handsome Gorilla

"I love posing for photographs, because I'm so handsome."

Ugly Bird

"There's an ugly looking bird in there."

Dog Day

"What a lovely day. I think I'll go out."

Game Begins for Lounge Cat

"The game will begin soon."

Scientist Says Aliens Visit Us

A scientist supports the view that we are being visited by aliens. In Professor Davies' opinion these non-Earth creatures have lived here inside the planet for centuries. They live in places which is too inhospitable for humans. That is why they have not been discovered - at least by the general public. These lifeforms are not made of the same stuff as humans, he concludes. He also says that finding them "would be the biggest discovery in biology since Darwin and evolution". He ain't kiddin'. It would shock people out of their complacency!

But, he is only saying what many people have been thinking for decades - that governments have already met these aliens and have reached an agreement with them which allows human experimentation. In return, governments like the US get information that enables them to make giant steps in the development of weaponry.

We have to be careful about people making outlandish claims, however. One guy says he has a picture taken by a Martian lander which shows a human skull on the ground, see picture. Like the "face" on the Moon, this will probably been shown to be an illusion. It's amazing what one can "see" in low pixelled photographs: like looking at clouds and seeing horses and angels.
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Cat Works Out

"The workouts are paying off. I'm really bulking-up now."

Dog Teeth

"Yeah. I've just been to the dentist. How'd you guess."