The maxilla and mandible of T. aculeatus is fused into a beak-like mouth. It isn't actually a beak, however, as it is made of specialised jaw bones and muscle, rather keratin coated bone (like a bird beak). They use their long tongue and long mouth to snuffle in soil for ants and termites (they are insectivores), and then use their tongue to grind up their food against a bony hard plate on the maxilla, along with a slight back and forth motion of their jaws, as opposed to the up and down motion humans do when we chew.
The Short-Beaked Echidna is the only native Echidna to Australia - the other 3 extant echidnas are native to Niu Gini! Thank you for the etymology! I had no idea they painted Ekhidna as such a gross sea-beast 😂
I studied the skeletal structure of T. aculeatus! They have a pectoral girdle that is really similar to the therapsids (mammal-like reptiles from the Permian/Triassic)! Shows how old of a species monotremes are! Their humerus is lateral to the body, giving them that waddle, and their tibia and fibula are "backwards" compared to mammals causing their hind feet to point caudally!
I think I've done what I can to prep for the presentation tomorrow - gonna do a few more reviews and editing (scientific names for animals should be in italics), and run through it with my partner.
I have a suspicion I may have put more info then they need, but I've adhered to the marking rubric so 🤷🏼♀️
Anyone want to know some cool facts about Tachyglossus aculeatus (The Short-Beaked Echidna)? 😂
Okay so for context on my opinion I'll state I am bisexual and non-binary.
I don't participate in pride month, but I also don't theoretically mind if game Devs/corps make it a big thing either. My sexuality has been erased or sexualised, bi ladies are "sluts and cheaters", bi men are "closet gays and cheaters" as an example of the rhetoric that is common. There are lesbians and gays who just think we haven't "decided", which is wild, wild stuff. Then considering how much abuse the community suffered/suffers because of powerful bigoted dickheads or just the government's of the past (and in some countries it's current governments), I like that the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum is kept in people's minds, that we can't assume we know a person's character because of who they love or how they see themselves. We're free (at least in Aus) to love who we love and be who we are and that should be celebrated. I've been personally told that I'm not actually bi because I'm with a man (I'm AFAB), but I don't think it's necessary to tell them my partner's self-ID just to clear that up or prove that I'm "worthy" of the queer alphabet soup.
On the other hand, capitalism. Companies make more money the broader their audience is, so being openly pro-LGBTQ+ and having rainbow merch or game skins means they increase their sales and profit. Then you have people who make it their whole damn identity without, like, developing their character or experiences.
I appreciate the added visibility, I dislike that it's capitalist companies doing it for profit or clout.
I have one quiz and one oral presentation until I'm finished with this certificate! And I've done most of that quiz anyway, just stick on question that the teacher had acknowledged is poorly written haha.
But after Friday, after this presentation, I'll be done! Then I just need to find a job (any tbh) so I can pay to get lessons for driving, then I can apply for more animal industry jobs.
Word. I wear no makeup, I don't have high-end fashion clothing, and I don't really do much to my hair or style it. The difference between me now and me 10yrs ago (when I did do those things) is funny and sad.
I'd rather do without all the extra stuff and, like you said, get a better read on character, than to doll myself up and question whether everyone is genuine or not.
While I do comment about Erin, I have not really made up my mind and my opinion will not change the outcome - there is a jury whose job is to do that (and the judge).
Lindy Chamberlain was such a phenomenon - so many TV shows and media made fun of her (thinking of that Seinfeld episode where Elaine says to the Aussie couple "a dingo ate your baby"), when it turns out that she didn't do it and the First Nations people were right - a dingo did take her baby. An example of society not listening to plain women (read: not a hot, skinny chick) and First Nations people. And what happened? They fucking found the baby's clothing in a dingo den - funny that.
Regarding this nurse, it was definitely trial by media, everyone already was talking about it like she did it and we were just waiting for the justice system to catch up. It sucks babies died, but it sounds like the hospital (specifically those wards) we're understaffed, so she picked up extra shifts. Statistically, if she picked up extra shifts and did overtime, she's going to be present for more deaths than other nurses who didn't. Her diary entries shouldn't be admissable, they were venting and trying to process the grief. Idk. It's fucked up all ways to Sunday.
The maxilla and mandible of T. aculeatus is fused into a beak-like mouth. It isn't actually a beak, however, as it is made of specialised jaw bones and muscle, rather keratin coated bone (like a bird beak). They use their long tongue and long mouth to snuffle in soil for ants and termites (they are insectivores), and then use their tongue to grind up their food against a bony hard plate on the maxilla, along with a slight back and forth motion of their jaws, as opposed to the up and down motion humans do when we chew.