Humans and the fear of snakes exist in the genetics Few people know that, ophidiophobia or the horrible obsession with snakes and round, long, legless animals in general is the most common fear in human society (1/3 of humanity is afraid of snakes). In addition, scientists have confirmed: Most primates have inherited the instinct to… be afraid and run away from snakes. The reason, prehistoric people were so afraid of snakes because they had to face giant carnivorous reptiles, not hostages like now. First is Titanoboa cerrejonensis : Nearly 13m long, weighing about 1 ton, is considered the largest snake species discovered by man However, some studies indicate that Titanoboa was a piscivore rather than a megafauna-killer. So, is it a giant but gentle animal? Titanoboa cerrejonensis. Before humans left records of Titanoboa, the title of giant snake was given Gigantophis garstini They appeared about 20 million years after Titanoboa in Africa with a length of about 11m. Gigantophis’ favorite food was the ancestor of the modern world’s elephants. Gigantophis garstini. Madtsoia madagascariensis: Giant snake that specializes in eating dinosaurs Gigantophis’ close relative is Madtsoia madagascariensis , another giant snake that lived in Madagascar for several million years during the age of the dinosaurs. They lived with iconic dinosaurs like Majungasaurus , Masiakasaurus and Rahonavis as well as giant frogs Beelzebufo . And perhaps, Madtsoia is also more than enough to eat all the dinosaurs mentioned above. Madtsoia madagascariensis. Both Madtsoia and Gigantophis belong to the ancient family of giant snakes known as the Madtsoiids. Both of these genera lived long ago, but some survived until recently in Australia. Until Wonambi naracoortensis , a snake more than 6m long has inspired the legend of the Rainbow Snake of primitive Australians This size seems modest compared to the previous monsters, but it is still significantly larger when compared to the Anaconda python. Furthermore, over time it has coexisted with giant kangaroos, marsupial lions and primitive Australians – it may have inspired the Rainbow Serpent legend. mythical animals of Australia). Rainbow Snake, one of the mythical animals of Australia. Yurlunggur camfieldensis , a reptile that the Yurlungur aborigines believe is made of bronze, specializes in hunting virgins Living in the same period and place as Wonambi is a species Yurlunggur camfieldensis. They are named after the Yurlungur Aboriginal mythology – which tells of a bronze snake excited by the smell of a young girl’s menstrual blood that would come to eat her and her family. Yurlunggur is said to be up to 8m long and is a self-burrowing aquatic species. They will hunt underwater but live in burrows with soft ground. Though non-poisonous, the terrifying force of the contractions would kill their prey, similar to most pythons today. Yurlunggur camfieldensis. Palaeophiidae, Giant water snake up to 10m long, specializing in eating whales and prehistoric sharks Come to another ancient genus of giant snakes, Palaeophiidae of the genus Palaeophiid . Palaeophiidae evolved over 70 million years ago, and like the Madtsoiids, they survived the K-PG Great Extinction. Similar to modern sea snakes, Palaeophiidae lived entirely in water, only much larger. According to researcher Gary Meaney, Palaeophis colossaeus New is the scariest of all – it can hunt whales, giant sharks in the Eocene waters. It is very large, up to 10m long. Palaeophis colossaeus. Pterosphenus , a giant warm-blooded snake, much more active than a cold-blooded reptile Another branch of the Palaeophiid genus, Pterosphenus , which is also horrifying in size: 7m. In addition, these are giant sea snakes that have the ability to reproduce early and have a warm-blooded metabolism, making them more active than many other slow reptile monsters. Pterosphenus. To the giant, tens of meters long reptiles that dominate the earth During the Pliocene (geological period), did the Australian continent exist the giant python Bluff Downs or Liasis dubungila – one of the few prehistoric animals with a common name. It is more than 10m long and is considered the largest snake ever of this continent. Bluff Downs or Liasis dubungila. In prehistoric times, branches of the python family also gained horological dimensions. One of them is Chubutophis grandis, estimated at 22m in length. And if that’s true, Titanoboa will lose the title of the largest snake in history. They lived in the Miocene with a host of giant South American creatures: Elephant-sized Caimans, giant gharials, giant tigers and giant turtles… Chubutophis grandis. Finally, let’s come to the largest venomous snake known: Laophis , closely resembles the poisonous Gabon viper, which lived on the Greek islands during the Pliocene. According to scientists, it weighs twice as much as the largest venomous snakes of the modern world, more than 4m long. This size has nothing to do with the reptiles listed above, but they are not poisonous… Laophis. As such, Titanoboa was the only nightmare snake that slithered around in ancient times. It may be the biggest, but it’s probably not the scariest.

Illustration. White shark Jagged jaws and razor-sharp teeth make the great white shark the most feared killer in the ocean. Fast speed, sharp sense of smell makes it easy for great white sharks to defeat most aquatic creatures except giant whales. Sharks can smell blood from a great distance and quickly move to where their prey is injured. Photo:Discovery Adult great white sharks can be up to 4 m long and weigh about 1,100 kg. The great white shark becomes more aggressive when stimulated by the smell of blood, the researchers say. However, this animal does not intend to attack humans. Their poor eyesight causes them to mistake humans for seals or other animals. Great white sharks kill about 100 people every year. Photo:Discovery Killer whales Experts have had the opportunity to debate the hunting behavior of killer whales and come to the conclusion, this relatively complex way of hunting is not as rare as people think. “I’ve seen similar scenes with a number of different species of dolphins in oceans around the world, so I assume killer whales regularly ‘exercise’ complex hunting strategies with For example, with slower swimmers, such as seals and sea lions, killer whales prefer to use their tails to knock their prey out of the water, stunning it and then killing it. victim,” said an oceanographer from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). So how do killer whales possess superior hunting skills? How cruel are they? We will take a look at a few reasons why killer whales are known as the “cold-blooded” geniuses of the ocean. Saltwater crocodile The saltwater crocodile is the largest living crocodile and amphibian species on earth. They live in northern Australia, some countries in Southeast Asia or Africa. The habitat of this organism is saline rivers or lakes. Their body size can reach 6 m. The saltwater crocodile is the largest crocodile in the world and the largest living reptile in the world. Male saltwater crocodiles have been recorded at 23 feet (7 m) in length and 2,205 pounds (1,000 kg) in weight. Females are much smaller, measuring about 10 feet (3 m) long and weighing 330 pounds (150 kg). Adult saltwater crocodiles have an average of 66 teeth and the largest bite pressure of any animal in the world. The saltwater crocodile’s most feared weapon is a strong tail, large jaws and fast movement speed. They are known for their cunning for their unique hiding style and ability to approach their prey gently. This cheeky animal is ready to attack humans if they get the chance. Saltwater crocodiles kill between 600 and 800 people each year. Photo:Flick This is the largest reptile on the planet and every year they cause the death of more than 2,000 people. Lion Known as the “king of the jungle”, however, lions don’t actually live in the jungle. Instead, their main habitat is the grasslands and plains of Africa. This animal hides under the trees for about 20 hours a day to avoid the heat. They hunt in groups to increase their chances of killing their victims. The African lion is the largest animal of the cat family. Adult males can be from 3 to 3.3 m long. They use speed to chase their prey, pounce on their victim with their sharp claws before knocking it down with a fatal bite to the neck. Usually, the lion will try to separate the victim from the herd before surrounding and killing it. This animal kills about 800 people every year. The lion has many “gifted” physical traits that make it an excellent hunter in the wild. A lion’s vision, for example, is six times more sensitive to light than a human’s, giving it a significant advantage when hunting at night. Its claws can be easily retracted, stretched, and let out. In addition, they have the ability to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h in a very short time and jump as high as more than 10m. In addition to the symbolic roar, lions communicate with each other in the same ways that cats do: through whining and purring. Lions also rub their heads together as an act of bonding and spreading.” home scent.” This scent allows the lions to recognize the members of the pack when a dispute with an opponent occurs. Tiger Fish The tiger fish is the most bloodthirsty carnivore in the world. They breed and thrive on rivers in South America. The tiger fish’s most fearsome weapon is its sharp teeth, with more powerful bites than the T-rex tyrannosaurs if their jaws are as large as the most feared animals of prehistoric times. The teeth of the piranha are hard and have sharp, saw-like edges, making it easy for them to tear their prey. A school of tiger fish can tear large prey in minutes. The red-bellied tigerfish is the most ferocious of the piranhas. Scientists say tiger fish are attracted to the blood of shark-like prey. However, this animal is ready to attack prey hundreds of times larger than their body. There are also many cases of tiger fish attacking people in the wild.

Over the past 10 years, many conservation initiatives and solutions have contributed to effectively protecting the biodiversity common home. (Photo: Hung Vo / Vietnam +) After more than 6 months of launching, the program “Honoring organizations and individuals with many contributions to the conservation of wild species in the period 2010-2020” by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment The launch is coming to the last stage. It is expected that the ceremony to honor individuals and organizations participating in the program will be held on May 21, 2021, in response to the Day Biodiversity international (May 22). Thousands of species are named According to the representative of Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (Vietnam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), in the past decade, Vietnam has witnessed many changes in economic, social and conservation life. biodiversity is no exception. Although operating in silence, scientists and conservation organizations have contributed to creating a brilliant decade of biodiversity with a series of research, new species discovery and initiatives and solutions. effective conservation. Especially, right after launching the above honoring program in October 2020, the program has received many records from individuals and organizations working in the field of species conservation. Many animal and plant species have been studied and discovered for the first time for science and published in prestigious international journals. Among thousands of species of animals and plants recognized and recognized internationally, many species of insects, reptiles, amphibians … are classified as critically endangered, and should be prioritized for conservation; Many studies have found endemic species only in Vietnam. Some newly discovered species include scorpion Euscorpiopsis cavernicola (in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province) and scorpion Vietbocap thienduongensis (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province). In addition, precious tree species such as Moc Huong (Aristolochia), genus Arachniodes, … have also been studied on phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships for practical application. Through research, many valuable plant species in medicine and production are identified and have reasonable conservation plans. Many outstanding landmarks in conservation Along with species discovery research, the program honors organizations and individuals with many contributions to the work wildlife conservation the 2010-2020 period also recognizes many initiatives and solutions, contributing to improving the efficiency of efforts of all levels, sectors and the society in species conservation. The precious otter who was illegally confined and sold at the farm product disguised as Thanh Hoa, Long An province, was rescued by the competent forces after receiving a report from the reporter of VietnamPlus. (Photo: Hung Vo / Vietnam +) The first solution mentioned by the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity is the successful breeding and conservation of white-crowned Lei Lamas – a rare and endemic bird of Vietnam. In addition, the pairing and spawning of the White-bellied Cao Sand Bird has also been successful, serving environmental education and conservation in the future. Besides breeding solutions for endangered species, other initiatives also focus on wildlife rescue. Among them, there are groups of volunteers who have rescued 100 sea turtles, of which 94 are still alive and have been returned to the sea; or process of rescuing bears, raising bears in semi-wild environments … In particular, the program received a story from someone who used to be a hunter but now leads a voluntary group to conserve white-nosed langurs in Quang Binh. Thereby, it contributes to preventing the impact of the quarrying program, protecting the habitat for langurs. As a result, in 2018, the People’s Committee of Quang Binh province has partially planned the forest into a special-use forest to balance conservation and exploitation needs. In addition, some units also made a mark with the initiative of using camera traps to investigate wild species in some key areas or the application of technologies in monitoring and re-release. wild animals and preserve the gifts given to Vietnam by the Creator. Assessing the significance of the program, professor-doctor of science Dang Huy Huynh, ASEAN Biodiversity Hero, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and the Environment said that this is a conservation initiative. of great significance, helping to motivate and encourage the development of the scientific research movement on biodiversity. During the working process, the review board found that the submitted documents were in compliance with the rules, some documents were carefully prepared, showing the enthusiasm for the program. The dossiers are evaluated on the basis of selection criteria in the issued rules./.

Elephants in the Central Highlands. (Photo source: PV / Vietnam +) According to the General Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the subject of International Day of Biodiversity (22/5) in 2021 was chosen by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity “We are part of the solution.” The theme was chosen to continue the cross-cutting theme of 2020 “Our solutions are available in nature” as a reminder that biodiversity remains an important solution, an option for Sustainable Development . From nature-based solutions to climate issues, health, food security, drinking water and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation on which we can rebuild for the better. Due to the complicated ongoing COVID-19 epidemic around the world, the 2021 International Day of Biodiversity will be commemorated through an online campaign. In a new study published in the Journal of Frontiers in Forest and Global Change (excluding Antarctica), scientists identified only 3% of the world’s land is still ecologically intact, with healthy primitive populations and undisturbed habitat. This number is only for the nature of “approximate estimate.” The study used range maps of 7,000 word species Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Most of the data is from mammals but also includes some birds, fish, plants, reptiles and amphibians. The world is in a biodiversity crisis, many wildlife populations, from lions to insects, are plunging in numbers, mainly due to habitat loss. Some scientists believe that the 6th mass extinction on Earth is beginning and will have serious consequences for food, clean water and air. Vietnam is one of the most important and biodiversity countries in the world, both in terms of marine and terrestrial ecosystems (especially forest and mangrove ecosystems). According to the Vietnam UNESCO Office, 238 priority ecological zones have been recognized around the world, of which 6 are located in Vietnam. Several nature reserves in Vietnam are recognized by UNESCO for their unique universal natural value, including 3 natural heritages, two global geopark, 9 biosphere reserves and two Wetlands are located in two world biosphere reserves. However, Vietnam’s conservation efforts are facing various difficulties and challenges such as: biodiversity degradation trends have become more important due to deforestation and illegal logging. legal, overexploitation, economic growth and population pressure, have enormous impacts on the key services these ecosystems provide. According to the Department Nature conservation and biodiversity (Vietnam Environment Administration), nature-based solutions is a term that can be used to describe alternative and non-traditional approaches to environmental problems such as flooding, water scarcity or soil erosion, by exploiting natural capital. Can Gio mangrove forest. (Photo: Manh Linh / VNA) Solutions could include restoring and conserving coral reefs and mangrove belts to increase resilience to coastal flooding and sea level rise, serving as the first line of defense for dissipation. energy waves and vegetation to reduce the risk of landslides and create green belts to help replenish groundwater in areas facing water scarcity. In response to the International Day of Biodiversity on May 22, 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will honor organizations and individuals who have made many contributions to wildlife conservation in the 2010-2020 period. According to the General Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the Selection Council is composed of managers from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and other Leading scientists in the field of species conservation such as Professor, Doctor of Science Dang Huy Huynh – Biodiversity Hero of ASEAN. The dossiers to participate in the program honoring organizations and individuals with many contributions to the conservation of wild species are evaluated on the basis of the selected selection criteria. Each profile is consulted by all experts in the council, ensuring transparency and fairness. According to the Selection Council, the discovery of new species, initiatives and solutions for biodiversity conservation is of an important nature. Documents participating in this program show that there are thousands of named wild flora and fauna species, many of which are endemic to Vietnam. Many initiatives and solutions contribute to improving the efficiency of efforts of all levels, sectors and the society in species conservation. Initiatives on reproduction, breeding and successful conservation of rare species, care solutions, propaganda and especially initiatives from volunteer groups to protect species life and inspire those who has been and wants to contribute to this field. Scientists believe that the first time the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has an initiative to organize a program to encourage and encourage the development of the scientific research movement on biodiversity is a meaningful activity taking place. In the context of increasing climate change, the rate of biodiversity degradation of our country and the world tends to increase. It is expected that the Ceremony to honor individuals and organizations participating in the program will be held on May 21, 2021./.

The prairie lynx is a wild cat that is distributed in Africa and possesses the longest legs, of any cat with similar body size. Grass lynx has the scientific name Leptailurus serval. This wild cat species distributed in Africa, was first described in 1776. Grass lynx has a heat cycle that lasts up to four days, and is usually at the time when kittens will be born just before the peak breeding period of local rodent populations. They can be born many litters a year, but usually only if the previous litter dies shortly after birth. The pregnancy cycle lasts 66-77 days and usually produces two kittens, although sometimes more. Kittens are born in dense vegetation or a cave left by a piggy bank. Otherwise they can give birth under a shrub. Grassland lynx has a slender body, medium size, weight from 9kg – 18kg. Grassland lynx can travel 3–4 km per night in search of food. The long legs (longest of all cats of the same body size) show their adaptations to the steppe lifestyle, helping them reach a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour, and large ears with hearing. Very good at allowing them to detect prey, even in the ground. They can jump 2–3 m high to catch birds in flight and can jump up to 3.6 m. They are effective predators with a success rate of up to 50%. Grass lynx has a small head, large ears, an outer coat colored from golden to dark yellow with black spots and stripes, and a short tail with black tops. In particular, the prairie lynx has the longest legs of any cat with similar body size. It is the long legs that help the grass lynx achieve a maximum speed of 80km / h while the large ears allow them to detect prey even in the ground. Grass lynx usually hunts rodents, they also feed on birds, hares, hyrax guinea pigs, reptiles, insects, fish and frogs. Kittens weigh about 250 g at birth, and have not opened their eyes at first, with gray fur. They open their eyes between 9 and 13 days old, and start eating solid foods after about a month. By about six months, they have fangs and begin to learn to hunt, and will leave their mother by about 12 months. They reach maturity between 12 and 25 months of age. Their average lifespan is about 10 years in the wild, and up to over 20 years in captivity. Grass lynx confronted with leopard Clashes between grass lynx and cheetahs caught on the lens of Gavin Newfield, visitors to the Pilanesberg nature reserve, South Africa, Latest Sightings on February 16 reported. While Newfield was engrossed in watching a wildebeest, his girlfriend spotted a lynx nearby and showed it to him. It seems to be in conflict with the cheetahs hunting about the territory. “Four cheetahs, a grassy wildcat and a wild gazelle are the best sight I’ve ever seen,” says Newfield. Before that, he and his girlfriend had never seen a grass lynx. In the video, the grass lynx, despite its smaller size, still tries to confront the leopard. It and the same leopard came out in the middle of the fighting street, while the rest of the leopard was located close by. “In the end, the grass lynx ran away from the territorial battle. Upon seeing the lynx’s action, the leopard also rushed in that direction. Both disappeared from sight. Meanwhile, the 3 predators remained. chasing the wildebeest again, causing the animal to run away, “Newfield said. Grass lynx (Leptailurus serval) is native to Africa. They are skilled hunters, often targeted at rodents, reptiles, birds, frogs, and insects. Grassland lynx rarely has to eat scavengers. They can jump high to catch prey or catch fish swimming in the water. Video of a prairie lynx confronting leopard:

Mosquitoes transmit diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever and zika. (Source: wwmedgroup) These mosquito carriers, species rodent animals Destroying crops, wood boring insects, and even domestic cats are invasive species that are causing enormous harm to humans and the natural environment. According to a study published March 31 in the journal Nature, researchers working at the Laboratory of Ecology, Taxonomy and Evolution at the University of Paris-Sacla in France estimate invasive species. the so-called damaging alien species has cost the global economy nearly $ 1,300 since 1970, averaging $ 26.8 billion a year. The actual number could be even higher, researchers warn. The team synthesized a wide range of harms that invasive species cause to different habitats, including plants, insects, reptiles, birds, fish, mollusks, microorganisms or animals. mammal. Most harm is related to ecosystems, crops, fisheries and disease control measures. The team has made a preliminary list of the top 10 invasive pests, including the plant-eating rats and the Asian gypsy moth – two species that are devastating crops across the Northern Hemisphere. The list also includes zebra mosquitoes native to Southeast Asia that transmit diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever and Zika. According to the researchers, the average annual damage caused by invasive species triples every decade. However, there is some evidence that the number of invasive species has increased “exponentially” due to increasing international trade, as humans import many species of organisms. In Australia, wild rabbit populations of European origin, first recorded in the early 19th century, have become invasive species causing great harm to the ecology of the Oceania nation. this over the past 150 years. They reproduce at an uncontrollable rate, consume soil, damage native species, as well as destroy crops with billions of dollars in damage. On the island of Guam, US overseas territories in the Pacific, invasive brown tree snakes native to Australia and Indonesia have “slaughtered” the majority of native bird and lizard populations since being accidentally brought in to come here in the mid-20th century. They also threaten people and sneak into equipment, causing frequent power outages. In forests in the US and more recently Europe, the longhorn beetle originating from Asia is also destroying the vegetation, causing serious damage to the ecosystem. According to the study, domestic cats are also among the top 10 invasive pests. This animal that has been “traveling” around the world for hundreds of years has now become an “invasive” species on most islands in the world, “slaughtering” birds, reptiles and animals. Amphibians in many parts of the world. The United Nations Scientific Advisory Committee on Biodiversity (IPBES) said that it is among the top 5 culprits of environmental destruction worldwide, along with changes in land use and resource exploitation. , pollution and climate change. In 2019, IPBES estimates that the number of invasive species has increased to 70% since 1970 in the 21 countries studied. Laboratory director on Franck Courchamp said international trade will increase more species of organisms introduced, while climate change will help more of these imported species survive and thrive. With the above research, scientists hope that by giving a figure of the damage caused by invasive species, people as well as authorities will raise awareness about the severity. of invasive species. Early detection, good data combined with preventive measures can significantly reduce the damage invasive species cause. The researchers also hope this issue will be included in the list of the serious environmental challenges facing humanity to receive more attention.