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COSTA RICAN JUNGLE |
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Fer-de-lance
This poisonous snake, which is lethal for men, can reach a length of
2 meters. Spread between Mexico and Tropical South America, we find
it in forests and in farm fields where preys abound. Birds, small
rodents and other reptiles are part of its menu. It is called
lancehead because of the resemblance its head has with a spearhead.
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According
to the Encarta Encyclopaedia, the fer_de_lance’s poison contains
hemotoxins, which destroys red blood cells and the walls of
blood vessel, provoking inner haemorrhage and oedemas, along
with anticoagulant substances. Many components of its poison are
used in the fabrication of anticoagulant medicine. |
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Morpho
Perfectly camouflaged when its wings are folded up, the morpho
shows off all its grandness with its metallic blue wings, easily
noticeable in a dense forest. Many species are threatened of
extinction, because it is prized by collectors and by the
intensive deforestation of its habitat. |
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Dendrobate
Dressed with dazzling
colors, this small frog, which is not longer than 5 cm, exudes a
toxin by the skin that protects it from predators by burning and
paralysing their mouths. The poison produced by this amphibian
is used by Indians for hunting. The head of their arrows dipped
in this toxin is however not enough to intoxicate preys’
consumer. We find the dendrobate in the dense forests of Latin
America. |
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Praying
Mantis
The only insect capable of turning its head laterally, the
female has the particularity of eating the male after mating. It
uses its two front legs to grab preys, which are generally other
insects. We find it in tropical and temperate regions across the
world. |
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Sloths
Slow in its movements, the sloth descends on the ground about
once a week for urinating and defecating. Once on the soil, it
has great difficulty moving, it has to crawl on its back. The
formation of green alga on its fur allows it to mix up with
trees, where it passes most of its time. This way, it is safe
from its main predator, the jaguar. Again according to the
Encarta Encyclopaedia, the giant land sloth, which lived more
than ten thousand years ago, was the same height of an elephant.
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