The Amazing Octopuses That Make Their Own Mobile Homes

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 | 9:00 PM

KOMPAS.com - These incredible pictures show octopuses making their own mobile homes from discarded coconut shells - in what scientists believe is the first 'intelligent' use of tools by an invertebrate.

Researchers studied more than 20 of the eight-legged creatures in Indonesia, watching how they recycled the shell halves thrown into the sea by humans.

The animals did much more than simply crawl under a convenient shell. They collected coconut halves of the right size, stacked two together, and transported them under their bodies over distances of up to 20 metres.

The shell 'bowls' were then unloaded and placed with their open ends together to form a closeable lair.

To carry the shells, the octopuses developed a comical form of locomotion, dubbed 'stilt walking' by the researchers.

The soft-bodied creature would first spread itself over a consignment of coconut shells, making its eight tentacles rigid. It would then raise the whole assembly to amble on eight 'stilts' across the sea floor.

This made what the octopuses were doing very different from the actions of hermit crabs, which house themselves in empty mollusc shells, the scientists pointed out.

'There is a fundamental difference between picking up a nearby object and putting it over your head as protection versus collecting, arranging, transporting (awkwardly), and assembling portable armour as required,' said Dr Mark Norman, from the Museum Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

Colleague Julia Finn, who also took part in the research, added: 'While I have observed and videoed octopuses hiding in shells many times, I never expected to find an octopus that stacks multiple coconut shells and jogs across the sea floor carrying them.

'I could tell that the octopus, busy manipulating coconut shells, was up to something, but I never expected it would pick up the stacked shells and run away. It was an extremely comical sight - I have never laughed so hard underwater.'

The research is reported in the journal Current Biology.

'Ultimately, the collection and use of objects by animals is likely to form a continuum stretching from insects to primates, with the definition of tools providing a perpetual opportunity for debate,' the scientists wrote.

'However, the discovery of this octopus tiptoeing across the sea floor with its prized coconut shells suggests that even marine invertebrates engage in behaviours that we once thought the preserve of humans.'

Cosmic Firework Lights up The Sky above Mojave Desert

Saturday, 19 December 2009 | 3:39 AM

KOMPAS.com - This incredible picture shows a huge meteor hurtling to Earth during the annual Geminid meteor shower. Astro-photogrpaher Wally Pacholk captured this amazing shot in the Mojave Desert area near Victorville under a dark and almost clear sky.

A huge meteor hurtles to Earth during the annual Geminid meteor shower. The picture was taken from the Mojave Desert area near Victorville

The annual cosmic fireworks have been growing in intensity in recent decades with up to 160 meteors visible per hour under optimal conditions. They travel across the sky at about 22miles per second and are fairly easy to spot.

The Geminids are caused by the Earth crossing the debris-strewn path of the extinct comet 3200 Phaethon. The first recorded sightings were in 1862 in England and the U.S. In these early days only 14 meteors were recorded per hour.

Viewing conditions were particularly good this year because it peaked on Monday morning two days before a new Moon. They are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere although you can see up to 20 meteors per hour near the horizon in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mr Pacholka is an accountant by day and an award-winning astro-photographer at night. His shots have been used both by Nasa and National Geographic.

'I just love the night sky,' he said.

'Even as a teenager, I'd be out all hours of the night searching. My friends and family would ask me, "Why?"

'So I started taking pictures of the night sky to show them what they were missing.'

Bandhavgarh National Park of Tiger

Located in the state of Madhya Pradesh and established in 1982, Bandhavgarh is a tiger reserve. Until recently it was a hunting preserve for the royal family of Rewa. This is where the famous Rewa white tigers were discovered.

Spread over 437sq. km with semi evergreen sal forests, grassland, bamboo stretches and mixed forests at higher altitudes, this national park is the habitat for tigers, leopards, Indian wild dogs, jungle cats, mountain gazelle, hyena, porcupine, langur and many species of local and migrating birds.

The chances of seeing a tiger are very bright in this park. Tours on elephant backs are available in the park. The best time to visit the park is from November through June. The park will be closed during monsoon and most of the animals seek refuge in the dense forest from heavy rain.

The nearest railway station is in Umaira about 30km from the park. Accommodation could be arranged at the forest rest house or at Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp.