You beetle crushers will love this!
I was browsing a
wildlife website reading up on some deadly creatures I'd heard about. Things like the box jellyfish, the cone snail, and the blue ringed octopus. I came across an organism known as the beetle bombadier. It has a fascinating defence mechanism. As soon as I read about it, I could see it would remind you guys of me on this BBS - LOL.
Beetles-bombardiers really deserve the name a “chemical lab”. They have two glands secreting poisoning substances. Each one is parted in two chambers and one common antechamber, the latter of which secrete two enzymes. When the beetle is in danger, great amount of substances secreted in the both chambers get into the antechamber, where runs a rapid chemical reaction. The temperature rises to 100º and the beetle fires the liquid through his anus in up to 30 cm distance with an enviable archery skill. Some species can produce 15-20 consequent shots. The poison is extremely dangerous for the eyes and the mucous membrane.
Hehe, I am fascinated by some of these unusual creatures. If I ever make it to Australia, I'm going to want to visit places where I can see different kinds of exotic snakes, crocs, birds...
The only thing I might look forward to more is arriving in Melbourne in an A380 and going to the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Redd.
