Anyone know who Sheena 5 is? Cephalopod character from a series Stephen Baxter novels. Very cool. Ever though about more adapted to space travel Squids are? Think on! :D
This lil chap is totally cute!
February 01, 2009
Niki said...
I LOVE SHEENA 5! holy crap, I'm reading that book right now its so great! Cephalopods are incredible, everyone should love these amazing things
January 15, 2010
My buddy Alan sent me this one. We're big fans of the cephalopods of the world, having encountered them on dives in Mexico.
Now, I hesitate to call this ugly. In fact, given its polka-dots and diminutive tentacles, I daresay its cute. But its a mollusk, so it belongs here.
You're looking into the eye of a Hawaiian bobtail squid. Chemical and Engineering News recently reported on them, highlighting the fact that they use unusual proteins to disguise itself from nocturnal predators: The squid has a light-producing organ on its underside that is powered by luminescent bacteria. The light emitted by these bacteria is reflected downward by stacks of silvery platelets located behind the bacteria-containing tissue. By beaming this light downward, scientists think the squid avoids casting a shadow and forming a silhouette in the moonlit waters, thus camouflaging itself against predators at lower depths that are looking upward for prey. The proteins used in this function are a new discovery, and have been dubbed "reflectins". But these proteins might have a value to more than just the bobtail squid. They might be usable in optical nanodevices. I'm not sure if I should root for an industrial application of these squid proteins, or if I should drop Michael Crichton an email so he can write us another best-selling novel warning us against their use.In the meantime, Beanie Babies should really consider making a Hawaiian bobtail squid plush toy. Thanks for the link, Alan. Photo source: University of Wisconsin-Madison [Image]
posted by Raging Wombat at 12:36 PM on Nov 13, 2007
9 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formAwww... pookie-pie!
That is a cute squid. Just look at that eye...
November 13, 2007
Bobtail squids are the cutest animals on Earth. There, I said it. Eat it, koala bears!
November 13, 2007
I would absolutely buy a plushie bobtail squid.
I'm developing a rather large love for cephalopods. Woohoo.
November 13, 2007
I think it looks like murano glass. Lovely!
November 13, 2007
I think I'm in love.
*swoon*
November 14, 2007
Cute? It's ADORABLE.
Get it off your blog! ;)
November 14, 2007
This is just more evidence of what I've been saying all along: Cephlapods are CLEARLY superiour creatures all-'round.
Someone needs to start making these plushies - STAT!
It almost makes me wish I could sew... almost.
November 14, 2007
Anyone know who Sheena 5 is? Cephalopod character from a series Stephen Baxter novels. Very cool. Ever though about more adapted to space travel Squids are? Think on! :D
This lil chap is totally cute!
February 01, 2009
I LOVE SHEENA 5! holy crap, I'm reading that book right now its so great! Cephalopods are incredible, everyone should love these amazing things
January 15, 2010