Mar. 22nd, 2006

urbpan: (fox eyes)
News item: Cryptozoological mystery is an obligate urban animal.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/0321_060321_tyco_fox.html?source=rss

Perry Sumner, a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, said it's likely a red fox with a rare genetic condition known as Sampson, an abnormality in which the animal lacks a layer of fur called guard hair. Without this thick outer coat for protection, the normally nocturnal fox would be forced to hunt during the day when it's warm and sleep under heated buildings at night. In recent years, Sumner said, other Sampson foxes have been spotted in urban areas around the state
urbpan: (cold)


Urban species #081: Artist's conk Ganoderma applanatum

Most shelf- or bracket-shaped mushrooms (those that grow directly from wood without stalks) deteriorate within a few weeks or months. Artist's conk actually gets bigger. This is a rare example of a perennial mushroom: the same fruiting body persists for years, building a new spore-bearing surface with each growing season. In ideal conditions, an artist's conk can grow to be quite large, up to a foot or more in diameter. The bracket is exceptionally sturdy for a mushroom as well, so that it can support its ever-growing weight. Artist's conk is as hard or harder than the wood it grows from. This fungus is very widespread, found on all continents, on many different kinds of wood.

The common name of this mushroom comes from its usefulness as a kind of etching canvas. The fresh, white, spore-producing underside can be scratched away to reveal the dark brown color underneath. Especially skilled artists can use techniques to create half-tones.

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