Animal Photos Of The Week

This week saw a number of interesting animal discoveries.

Researchers working in the Andes Mountains in Peru recently discovered a new species of "brightly colored, water-loving lizards," reported OurAmazingPlanet. The 2.5 inch, cold-blooded lizard's ability to survive in alpine conditions has puzzled scientists.

A shrimper caught a 27 pound lobster, named "Rocky," several miles off the coast of Maine last week. Saved from the dinner table, Rocky spent several days at the Maine State Aquarium before being released into the Atlantic on Thursday.

In other marine life news, recently published research found that consuming shark fins could be hazardous to your health. A sample of shark fins -- which are used in Chinese cuisine -- from Florida waters contained "high concentrations" of a neurotoxin "linked to Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's disease," according to LiveScience.

A recent report from a mining company, "whose ... operations have polluted nearby creeks in southern Idaho," according to The New York Times, contains photographs of mutated and two-headed brown trout.

Despite its surprising images, the report concluded that it would be "safe to allow selenium ... to remain in area creeks at higher levels than are now permitted under regulatory guidelines." Gizmodo said the whole thing "seems like a Simpsons' episode."

Below, check out this week's most captivating animal pictures from around the world.

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Comments

[robertscreek]

11:05 AM on 02/28/2012

Hi, Photo #1 is a strelitzia not an orchid

[Robert Frank]

07:10 AM on 02/27/2012

Bear bile farms are a disgrace to the human race, as are fur farms, animal shelters, factory farms, animal trapping and everything else humans do that abuse and/or treat animals like disposable objects

[ramblinchuck]

07:53 AM on 02/27/2012

You can add zoos and circuses to that list.

[MCTSilverlakeCA]

12:35 AM on 02/27/2012

Sorry to disillusion the writer - but a 27 lb lobster would be totally inedible. Even a 4 lb one is often pretty tough, it's the reason you don't see more than 2 or 2 1/2 lb ones sold in grocers. I used to live on the East Coast when I was young, had lobster very frequently. I don't think we ever had one over 3 1/2 lbs. Besides at 27 lbs he might decide to eat you instead!

[insanityfollows]

05:56 PM on 02/26/2012

That very first slide of the hummingbird perched on a Bird of Paradise is a treat I enjoy every single day, I am happy to say. I have 3 Birds of Paradise right outside in my yard, and the hummingbirds come and go all day long. It is such a lovely thing to see, and we get all varieties, even the little tiny hummingbird that is barely bigger than a bumblebee.

I consider it a blessing to be able to see such a lovely thing each and every day.

[YankeeCanuck]

02:57 PM on 02/26/2012

Some of the most stunning photos of endangered species are by James Balog. I saw an exhibit of these and never forgot them. http://www.jamesbalog.com/portfolios/endangered-wildlife/

[kbeth]

04:54 AM on 02/27/2012

Beautiful, thanks for sharing.