Master Bates Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 With the current extinction rate 100 to 1000 times greater than the natural rate found in fossil evidence, it could be looked upon as fortuitous the discovery of over 1000 species of animals in the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia. World Wildlife Foundation researchers found a great variety of animals, according to the Star, including the world's largest Huntsman spider, a green pit viper, a hot pink dragon millipede, and a Laotian rock rat thought to have been extinct for a 11 million years. World Wildlife Foundation researchers reported in First Contact: New Species Discoveries that the area, which is comprised of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China's Yunnan province, "is a major global hotspot for biodiversity," according to spokesman Pete Ewins. The World Conservation Union reported back in 2004 that species were disappearing at an alarming rate. In just the previous two decades, 15 species had gone extinct and another 12 existed only in captivity. With the growing fear of climate alterations and bolstered by the knowledge that they could be running out of time World Wildlife Foundation researchers entered the Mekong area after it stabilized politically and began documenting the many heretofore "undiscovered" species of fauna. Among the discoveries was 88 new species of spiders. One species, the Heteropoda maxima, is considered to be among the largest Huntsman spiders every encountered. It has a leg span of over 30 centimeters (roughly 12 inches). Huntsman spiders, contrary to popular belief, are not lethal killers. Their venom is not potent enough. However, they do account for many human deaths each year, due to their nature of dropping from trees, bamboo, and bushes, causing the startled person to endanger themselves in an attempt to escape them. new rabbit species found new millipede rock rat green pit viper Among the finds is a spider called the Heteropoda Maxima — a creature the size of a dinner plate. The Heteropoda Maxima is considered a huntsman spider. When its legs are fully extended, the spider is a full 11.8 inches long, making it one of the largest ever documented worldwide. In all, 88 new species of spiders were found in the Greater Mekong. http://www.inquisitr.com/12068/greater-mekong-new-species-heteropoda-maxima/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 Can the Rock Rat not lift its head? It also looks like a certain ex poster, I am sure you know who I mean MB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 17 December, 2008 Author Share Posted 17 December, 2008 Can the Rock Rat not lift its head? It also looks like a certain ex poster, I am sure you know who I mean MB. I was just thinking that RE the head thing, but no, looks too cute to be Crouchie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robsk II Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 It's quite a nice rat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 I was listening to a piece on Radio 5 yesterday about this. Apparently the millipede is pink to warn off predators as it will squirt cyanide at them if attacked :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durleyfos Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 Great, what this planet needs is more f*cking spiders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robsk II Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 **** having cyanide squirted at you. And agreed, Durleyfos. Especially foot wide ones. I'm not phobic, but I'm not particularly keen on the ****ers. Especially ones that jump, sprint or ambush you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mack rill Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 That snake looks well happy:snakeman: Feckin hate to see it when its p*sed off;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillyanne Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 That snake looks well happy:snakeman: Feckin hate to see it when its p*sed off;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 I was listening to a piece on Radio 5 yesterday about this. Apparently the millipede is pink to warn off predators as it will squirt cyanide at them if attacked :shock: Would it be possible that humans with 'ruddy red cheeks' could do that also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 Would it be possible that humans with 'ruddy red cheeks' could do that also? We could call him the 'Poison DuckHunter' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastleighSoulBoy Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 We could call him the 'Poison DuckHunter' Do you mean a person who hunts poison ducks or (more likely to me) a duckhunter who is poison? Forkhandles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 17 December, 2008 Share Posted 17 December, 2008 Do you mean a person who hunts poison ducks or (more likely to me) a duckhunter who is poison? Forkhandles I'll have you know I spent HOURS on working out how to phrase that :mad: I could have put 'poisoned' duckhunter but that would imply he'd been poisoned (from my mouth to god's ears). I could have put 'duckhunter who is poison' but something would have been lost in such a clumsy phrase. Still you got my drift Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skintsaint Posted 18 December, 2008 Share Posted 18 December, 2008 Ive seen 3 huntsmen spiders since being in Oz, two being in my car. They were ******* massive, would have to see how big these biggers ones are!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 18 December, 2008 Share Posted 18 December, 2008 Seeing as how the rockrat only has one look I have decided to nickname them Zoolanders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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