Extinction of dinosaurs 'led to mammals growing 1000 times bigger'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The largest land mammals that ever lived, Indricotherium and Deinotherium, which would have towered over the living African elephant (front)


Mammals grew in size 1000-fold after being left a food bonanza by the extinction of the dinosaurs, research has shown.

From their origins as small shrew-like animals, some became enormously large - and the same pattern was seen all over the world.

They included giants such as Indricotherium, a hornless rhinoceros relative from Eurasia that stood 18 feet high and would have dwarfed an African elephant.

Dr Jessica Theodor, from the University of Calgary in Canada, one of the study's authors, said: 'Basically, the dinosaurs disappear and all of a sudden there is nobody else eating the vegetation.

'That's an open food source and mammals start going for it, and it's more efficient to be a herbivore when you're big.'

The research, which looked at the fossil record of mammals around the world, showed that after the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago ecosystems did not take long to re-adjust.


An African elephant would have been dwarfed by prehistoric mammals


'Within 25 million years the system is reset to a new maximum for the animals that are there in terms of body size,' said Dr Theodor. 'That's actually a pretty short timeframe, geologically speaking. That's really rapid evolution.'

When mammals shared the Earth with the dinosaurs they grew no heavier than about 10 kilograms, said the researchers.

But after the dinosaurs' exit they quickly exploded in size to a maximum of 17 tonnes.

'Nobody has ever demonstrated that this pattern is really there,' said Dr Theodor, one of 20 researchers from around the world who worked on the study. 'People have talked about it but nobody has ever gone back and done the math.

'We went through every time period and said OK, for this group of mammals what's the biggest one? And then we estimated its body mass.'

The scientists gathered data on Perissodactyla, odd-toed ungulates such as rhinos and horses, Proboscidea, which included elephants, mammoths and mastodons, Xenarthra, the anteaters, tree sloths and armadillos, as well a number of other extinct groups.

The results showed that mammals in colder climates grew the most since bigger animals are better at conserving heat.

The research appears today in the journal Science.


source :dailymail

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Knock, knock. Moo's there! The runaway cow who ended up staring down a shocked housewife

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Unexpected visitor: the cow found itself in housewife Caroline Lowbridge's back garden after making a bid for freedom


A Nottinghamshire housewife has been left stunned after a runaway cow being chased by the police crashed into her back garden.

Caroline Lowbridge couldn't believe her eyes when the enormous animal came crashing through her garden fence - with a team of police officers and an angry farmer in hot pursuit.

The pedigree cow made a break for freedom as farmer John Croft tried to load it into a trailer - and leaped over a 9,000 volt fence before galloping off down the A52, in Nottingham.

Officers tailed the animal for almost two miles before finally entering into a police stand-off with the cow in Caroline's garden.

Caroline, from West Bridgeford, Notts, said: 'I was in my kitchen when I spotted this thing crashing through my garden fence.

'It came right up to the kitchen window and was breathing on the glass. I was scared as I thought it was going to smash its way into the house - you could tell it was really angry,' she added.

'The police tried to block it off by parking a police van across my neighbour's garden. But the cow smashed into the van and ploughed its way through the fence into another garden.


We are not a-moo-sed: police tried to corner the cow which was described as 'really annoyed'


'It was really annoyed.' Police had nearly managed to grab hold of the cow when it charged at the police line, scattering officers.

It took more than an hour for then to eventually coax the cow onto a trailer and return it to the farm, two hours after it originally escaped.

Farmer John said: 'We were getting about 50 pedigree cows off the field and into the cowshed for winter. 'This one just made a bid for freedom. It cleared the fence and legged it down the road.

'I was in a state of panic. I wasn't able to follow it as it just sped off like lightning down the public footpath. 'I jumped into the car but we lost it pretty quickly - but luckily the police called to say they had spotted it and were on its tail.


Bovine bother: the cow was eventually caught and returned to the farm two hours after it escaped


'I raced straight there with the trailer, and eventually, it gave up and decided to come home.

'It's doing good now," he said. 'We took it back to the stables and it calmed down over some water and food.

'We've never had this happen before and will be taking extra precautions now to make sure it doesn't happen again.'

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: 'Officers tried to corner the cow but it charged at them, causing one to take evasive action to avoid injury.

'The cow smashed through fences at the rear of three properties, before eventually being cornered.' PC Wendy Brown, one of the officers who caught the cow, said: 'This was definitely one of the strangest incidents I've had to deal with.'


source: dailymail

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Pegasus takes flight! Or how a trick of the eye created a mythical creature in the wild

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Just an illusion: it might look like a mythical creature at first glance, but the crane is behind the antelope


At first glance it looks like Pegasus, a winged divine horse from Greek mythology, or something out of a Harry Potter movie.

However this extraordinary mutation of antelope and bird is actually a clever optical illusion.

The picture was taken as the antelope was being pursued by an Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world.


The Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world, as it looks without an antelope in front of it


The animal had stumbled upon the bird's nest and had quickly been shooed away by the protective mother.

As the chase ensued, amused onlookers at the Keoladeo National Park, in Rajasthan, India, noticed the animals appeared to blend in to one.

The spectacle was caught on camera by photographer Jagdeep Rajput, who said people had compared the mutation to Pegasus, a mythical winged horse.

Mr Rajput, 49, from Delhi, added: 'The crane had laid a single egg and when the bull got close she chased it away.

'I was hoping to get a picture of the interaction between the two animals but I never expected I'd get anything like this.

'When I show people the photograph their first reaction is that it must be Photoshopped.

'Other say it looks like some new species of mammal or a bovine version of Pegasus.'
Pegasus was a mystical horse-god creature from Greek mythology.

Usually portrayed as white in colour he has been used in illustrations and literature throughout the centuries.

From the Middle Ages until the 17th century, Pegasus was a symbol for wisdom and fame.

He later became a symbol of poetry and still appears in movies and video games today.
In the 1997 Disney cartoon Hercules, Pegasus was portrayed as the hero's sidekick although the pair never encountered each other in Greek mythology.


source: dailymail

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Toddler mauled to death by uncle's pet bulldog 'did not stand a chance'

Fatal attack: the dog which mauled the 18-month-old toddler was an American bulldog (file photo)


A mother screamed in terror as her 18-month-old daughter was ripped apart by the family dog, an inquest has heard.

Zumer Ahmed was attacked at the family home in Crawley, West Sussex, by her uncle's pet dog, Game.

The American Bulldog burst into the kitchen when Zumer's two-year-old brother opened the back door to the garden and bit her head, the inquest at Horsham Magistrates Court heard yesterday.


Speaking at the inquest, West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield questioned whether American Bulldogs should be kept by families with young children.

Zumer Ahmed sustained horrific injuries after being set upon by the animal on April 17.

She was in the kitchen when the pet - six times her weight - entered the house from the back garden and started attacking her.

Two workmen nearby were alerted and tried in vain to rescue Zumer from its jaws but her injuries were too severe for her to survive.

Ms Schofield said that very little mention is made of the potential threat such dogs pose to young children.

She accepted she may face criticism from dog lovers and organisations for raising doubts over whether they should be kept in a young family environment.

But she said the case highlighted a 'real risk' to young children and that the death had left those close to Zumer 'completely and utterly devastated'.

'The little girl did not stand a chance,' Ms Schofield said at the inquest at Horsham Magistrates' Court.

'The dog was six times her weight and was acting instinctively. The dog, an American Bulldog, does not come under the Dangerous Dogs Act.


Danger: the house where the attack happened had this sign making reference to the dog owner


'And even today the American and English Bulldog are listed on the internet as suitable for family pets. Very little is mentioned, if anything, to the potential threat to children.

'But this case shows that there is a real risk to young children and that this case is not uncommon.

'Many dog lovers and organisations will be critical of me to question whether it is safe for children to live in close proximity to these dogs.

'However, one function of my role is around prevention of future deaths.'

Ms Schofield said she could not make any recommendations under the coroner's rules as owning such dogs remained a 'personal choice'.

'However, I'm aware that this case has attracted a lot of publicity and I therefore hope that the press will highlight this case and the danger of keeping such dogs in a family environment with young children,' she went on.


source: dailymail

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It's puppy love as Amanda Holden meets a homeless spaniel on the red carpet

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Puppy love: Amanda Holden arrives for the Collars & Coats Gala Ball to mark 150 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London


Showing off her slender figure in a flattering floor-length gown, Amanda Holden knew she was looking her best as she walked the red carpet last night.

But her beauty couldn't compete with the charms of her small friend - one of the residents of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

The King Charles Spaniel cuddled up to her as they posed for photos at the Collars & Coats Gala Ball.


Looking good: The Britain's Got Talent judge hosted the charity event


Britain's Got Talent presenter Amanda hosted the charity fundraiser at Battersea Power Station.

She was greeted by a welcoming committee of 150 dogs lining the red carpet as she arrived.

She tweeted: 'Just finished hosting Battersea Dog and Cat Home 150th Birthday Ball at Power Station!! Fab nite !Raised lots of dosh for our furry friends!'


Time to get down: The puppy decides he's had enough of posing


Amongst the guests joining Amanda was HRH Prince Michael of Kent, the Home’s President.

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke provided the entertainment, along with Spike’s All Star Band featuring Roger Daltrey, iconic lead singer of The Who, Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, Meat Loaf singer Patti Russo.

The ball came as the charity celebrated 150 years of helping London's unwanted animals.


Braving the cold: The Miss England finalists


Dog lovers: Mis-Teeq singer Su-Elise Nash and Shane Ward at the charity event


source: dailymail

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A two week old Black-tailed Marmoset infant sits on the back of its mother

A two week old Black-tailed Marmoset infant sits on the back of its mother in their enclosure at Chester zoo, northern England November 25, 2010.



A two week old Black-tailed Marmoset infant sits on the back of its mother in their enclosure at Chester zoo, northern England November 25, 2010.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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a ring-tailed lemur sits at the table during its Thanksgiving feast

In this photo provided by the San Francisco Zoo, a ring-tailed lemur sits at the table during its Thanksgiving feast, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, at the San Francisco Zoo, in San Francisco.

The "turkey" is made of omnivore chow with mashed bananas, while the platters consist of Madagascar green bean salad, sweet potato goulash, Sifaka (fruit) salad, and their beverage is cranberry juice with water.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo

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A baby white-naped mangabey monkey

This photo provided Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 by the Bioparco Zoo of Rome shows a baby white-naped mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), born on Nov. 7 being fed by its zoo keeper after it was refused by its mother, in Rome. White-naped mangabey monkeys, found in Ghana and Ivory Coast forests, are listed amongst the most endagered primates. The Bioparco Zoo is part of a group of European zoos involved in the breeding programs (European Endagered Species Programmes) of endagered species.




This photo provided Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 by the Bioparco Zoo of Rome shows a baby white-naped mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), born on Nov. 7 held by its zoo keeper after it was refused by its mother, in Rome. White-naped mangabey monkeys, found in Ghana and Ivory Coast forests, are listed amongst the most endagered primates. The Bioparco Zoo is part of a group of European zoos involved in the breeding programs (European Endagered Species Programmes) of endagered species.




This photo provided Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 by the Bioparco Zoo of Rome shows a baby white-naped mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), born on Nov. 7 being fed by its zoo keeper after it was refused by its mother, in Rome. White-naped mangabey monkeys, found in Ghana and Ivory Coast forests, are listed amongst the most endagered primates. The Bioparco Zoo is part of a group of European zoos involved in the breeding programs (European Endagered Species Programmes) of endagered species.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo

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23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo

Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.




Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.



Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.



Walker, a 23 month polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.




Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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Anything you can do... incredible moment a wolf catches a salmon using fishing technique copied from a bear

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Gotcha: The wolf wrestles with his catch within just yards of a brown bear as he looks to bring in his own


His powerful jaws clamped around a huge salmon, this wolf looks mightily pleased with himself.

This wonderful photograph captures the rare moment that a wolf was caught on camera fishing after learning the technique from bears.

With a massive grizzly in the foreground the wolf can clearly be seen setting itself, leaping and then grabbing the huge fish from the water.

The amazing sequence - which some even dubbed a hoax or photoshopped - was captured in just minutes by wildlife photographer Paul Stinsa.

Along with a party of enthusiasts Mr Stinsa was on actually on an expedition to see bears not wolves in Katmai National Park, Alaska.

But it turned out some of the best shots of his life were waiting for him at a spot named Brooks Falls - when out of the blue a wolf appeared from the trees.

Just feet from the far more powerful grizzly bear the incredible moment unfolded before Mr Stinsa's eyes as he watched from a viewing platform.

Paul and others had been standing on the platform looking at a large and a small male bear fishing, but when the action stopped some decided to leave.

The party were also surprised to see a wolf at the river earlier but it had been chased off by the bears.


The wolf plunges into the freezing water after learning the technique from bears fishing on the same river


He said: 'Nothing was happening at the falls, and some of the viewers left the platform to head back to camp.

'This would prove to be a mistake, as the wolf soon came trotting down the riverbank and into the water across from the viewing platform.

'I stood on the platform, scrambling to set the camera properly to photograph a dark, moving subject against a black background on an overcast day.

'I watched intently as the wolf slowly crept through the shallow water along the rock wall below the falls, sneaking up on the resting salmon from downstream.

'As the wolf neared the base of the falls, it dove headfirst into the pool. In a flurry of splashing water, it pulled its head out of the river with a salmon, desperately flopping, clamped in its jaws.

'The wolf then cautiously walked downriver and ran up the trail into the woods.'
Mr Stinsa and the rest of the group were left stunned - none of the rest of the group had been quick enough to get their camera out.


Success: Wet but triumphant the cunning wolf steps out of the river with a huger salmon clasped in its jaws


Mr Stinsa, 42, from Chicago, USA, said: 'Nobody on the platform, including the park ranger, had ever heard of this behaviour from a wolf, much less witnessed it.

'We all felt as though we had received a unique bonus on our bear- viewing trip.
'Apart from a local paper in the US no one else has seen these pictures, but a lot of people have said they are a hoax on the internet.

'When I think of the risk and difficulty for the wolf required to evade territorial brown bears to either feed pups or hide the dead fish in the woods without being attacked, I'm amazed at the intelligence shown by the wolf while fishing at Brooks Falls.

'What appeared obvious to everyone watching that afternoon was that this wolf had fished like this before.

'Its fishing skill was not an accident but rather a repeatable, successful process. The wolf had no intention of scavenging the leftovers from the bears.

'It had managed to catch all 15 fish and take them into the woods, returning each time by the same trail, without coming into contact with the bears walking in the forest above the river.'


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