I occasionally find out about new wonders of the world that no-one knows about, yet they are absolutely astounding. Naica Crystal Cave in Mexico is definitely one of them. Discovered only recently, Naica Crystal Cave contains world’s largest natural crystals (translucent beams of gypsum) some of which are as long as 11 meters. It’s very hot inside Naica Crystal Cave – temperature reaches 50 Degrees Celsius and humidity is almost always near 100% making for challenging visits. Sharp edged crystals along with unbearable environment resulted in Mexican Naica Crystal Cave labelled as one of the most dangerous places in the world.
Cueva de los Cristales (Cave of the Crystals) – as Naica is known among native Mexicans will be featured on “How Earth Made Us” program broadcast by British BBC and on The Deadliest Places on Earth feature by National Geographics in early 2010. You can seen the video with first footage ever recorded in Naica Crystal Cave in Mexico below. Filmed by Italian cave explorers, the video offers great perception on how hot and humid it is inside the cave.
I am not sure whether Naca Crystal Cave is open for tourists, but given that a human can only survive for some 10 minutes in such harsh environment without specialty protective clothing, I somehow doubt that. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who visited the area to find out what really is going on. Naica Crystal Cave is located near Delicias in Chihuahua state of Mexico. It was discovered in 2000 when Mexican miners were pumping mineral rich water from a well covering the cave. Neico is a range of mines in the Chihuahu state where mining has been done for year. A visit to this world marvel must be interesting. Too bad Mexico is so dangerous nowadays. Check out the mindboggling video below:
Let’s take a look at a few interesting jellyfish facts. Now, I know exactly what you’re thinking. You want to know why would I want to talk about jellyfish facts. To be honest, I’ve been really into this whole life below the surface of the sea lately and started working towards getting some scuba diving experience so I can get to know these sea creatures from up close and personal, in their own, native environment. Back to one of the most fascinating sea creatures, the jellyfish:
Jellyfish Fact #1: Jellyfish to Rule the Oceans
Because we the dumb humans keep overfishing the oceans, giant jellyfish such as the Echizen Jellyfish seen in picture above are taking over parts of the oceans, especially around South East Asia, The Gulf of Mexico, The Black Sea and The North Sea. Jellyfish strive because overfishing and climate change result in fewer fish in the seas giving more room to jellyfish to reproduce unhindered. It’s gotten far enough for researchers to believe that “jellyfish stable state”, a state in which jellyfish will rule the oceans is near.
Jellyfish Fact #2: Immortal Jellyfish
Yet another reason why numbers of jellyfish in the oceans seem to be growing rapidly as of late is the fact that certain species of jellyfish don’t have to die. Marine biologists discovered that Turritopsis Nutricula is the only animal known as hydrozoan, which means it can revert itself entirely to the state when it was young. This type of jellyfish somehow developed the ability to transdifferentiate. Transdifferentiation is the process of cell development in which the cell grows younger, not older. Scientists say that this jellyfish can repeat the process of transdifferentiation indefinitely which renders the creature potentially immortal. Observed Turritopsis Nutricula jellyfish, which are mere 5 millimetres long returned themselves repeatedly to a polyp state.
Jellyfish Fact #3: Jellyfish as Malaria and Dengue Fever Solution
While millions of dollars and years of research have been invested into a solution which could assist with desperate malaria and dengue fever infections situation in some parts of the world, so far there have been no help for endemic areas. Yet there is simple solution – white jellyfish love mosquito larvae. There is at least one biologists who sees that as a solution. Dr. Lisa Gershwin from Launceston in Australian Tasmania believes that Craspedacusta Sowerbyi, one of fresh water jellyfish which can strive in small bodies of water and loves mosquito larvae could easily turn into a natural mosquito eliminator. Since introduction of other mosquito predators, such as spiders or bats have not resulted in significant drop in mosquito infestations, perhaps attacking mosquito larvae with white jellyfish could yield better results.
Jellyfish Fact #4: Jellyfish Biology
Jellyfish Trivia: Did you know that jellyfish’s mouth and jellyfish’s anus are one and the same? It’s true. Jellyfish have one digestive cavity which serves the purpose of gullet, intestine and stomach all in one. What jellyfish eats goes in through the same opening as what jellyfish poops out. While jellyfish do have a mouth and an anus, they don’t have bones, brain or heart. 98% of jellyfish’s body is made of water. No wonder they near disappear when they are washed up on the shore.
More interestingly, jellyfish are radially symmetrical. That means if you could cut one jellyfish exactly in half, you would get two identical jellyfish halves.
Jellyfish Video
Check out this video by National Geographics (I love National Geographics) which will get you introduced to our #1 jellyfish fact – jellyfish invasion (warning – crazy Aussie accent in the video):
Echizen Jellyfish Photo Credit: YOMIURI SHIMBUN/AFP/Getty Images)
This Squirrel Vacation Picture is real – no photoshop there. The squirrel totally stole the scene for himself – no shame whatsoever. Melissa Brandts and her husband wanted to take a picture of themselves in the rugged wilderness of the beautiful Lake Minnewanka in the Banff National Park which is part of the Canadian Rockies, they put the camera on the rock, posed themselves up in front of it, pulled a happy smile when out of the effin blue a squirrel popped right in front of the camera and stole the shot. Total hotness in his eyes. The squirrel has natural modeling talent, he should be cast by Elite and pose for pictures in Tokyo, Milan and Paris. Send scouts to the Canadian Rockies. We have squirrels there that are naturally photogenic and are not afraid of cameras.
The squirrel vacation picture was submitted by Mrs. Melissa Brandts to the American National Geographics where it gains all kinds of applause. Canadian Squirrels for the win!
