Latest news with #AustralianMuseum
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Famed furry creature explores icy river after snow blankets Tasmania. Watch
Winter has hit the southern hemisphere, and with it, the highlands of Tasmania have turned into a wintery wonderland. Tasmania, the island state of Australia, sits about 150 miles south of the mainland and was hit with a 'cold snap' that 'brought some decent snowfall' to its higher regions at the end of May, photographer Michael Eastwell said in May 20 and May 22 Instagram posts. One critter was enjoying the fresh-fallen snow as Eastwell passed by on a walk, he said. Eastwell noticed the creature bopping along the snowy banks of a river, and snuffling through the icy water, he said. 'Ever seen a platypus in the snow?' Eastwell asked the post. The video shows the platypus starting in a shallow creek, moving its head from side to side in the water. The critter then comes up on shore and uses its webbed feet to scoot along the surface of the snow. The photographer also posted photos on Instagram, which were then shared by The Wilderness Society on Facebook. 'Anyone else feeling the cold? You might be, but this little one probably isn't!' the organization said in a May 30 post. 'Platypus habitat is all along the south-east of Australia.' The Wilderness Society said the dense fur covering the little critters helps to make the animal 'waterproof,' allowing them to 'swim in very cold water for hours.' 'It's even said to provide better insulation than fur of polar bears and beavers,' the organization said. Platypus are part of a mammal order known as monotremes, which includes echidnas, and means they lay eggs, according to the Australian Museum. Their paddle-like tail acts as a fat reserve, and they have strong claws that are used for burrowing on land, the museum says. Platypuses are primarily nocturnal or active around twilight and at night, staying in their riverbank burrows during the day. They forage for a variety of aquatic invertebrates for about 10 to 12 hours a day, the museum says. Aside from their bills acting as a disguise, they also serve as the animal's primary sensory organ, the museum says. The bill has sensors that are sensitive to pressure as well as electroreceptors, but the exact way the bill detects a platypus's prey is still unknown. Platypuses are found throughout eastern and southeastern Australia, and on the island of Tasmania.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
The aphrodisiac that unlocked the secret sex life of snails
Toilet rolls didn't cut it. Nor did PVC pipes. But sterilised palm fronds turned out to be the perfect aphrodisiac for a rare species of Norfolk Island snail thought to be extinct until five years ago. Fifteen specimens of Campbell's Keeled Glass-Snail (Advena campbellii) have multiplied into 800 in four years in a captive breeding program at Taronga Zoo Sydney. Next week, 600 of the gastropods will be placed in tanks packed into eskies and flown back to Norfolk Island for eventual wild release. Snails are hermaphrodites, but that doesn't mean they don't have sex. Some species are capable of self-fertilisation, but sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity. Tarryn Williams Clow, senior keeper at Taronga Zoo, said these snails were 'very secretive' about their sex lives. 'In all the years that we've had them here at Taronga Zoo, not once has any keeper really seen them mating,' Williams Clow said. 'We think maybe once we got a glimpse, but they're very private little snails.' What the keepers have witnessed is the snails giving birth to live young with fully formed shells through a genital pore on their necks. Dr Isabel Hyman, research scientist at Australian Museum, said similar species of snails have sex.
The Age
5 days ago
- Science
- The Age
The aphrodisiac that unlocked the secret sex life of snails
Toilet rolls didn't cut it. Nor did PVC pipes. But sterilised palm fronds turned out to be the perfect aphrodisiac for a rare species of Norfolk Island snail thought to be extinct until five years ago. Fifteen specimens of Campbell's Keeled Glass-Snail (Advena campbellii) have multiplied into 800 in four years in a captive breeding program at Taronga Zoo Sydney. Next week, 600 of the gastropods will be placed in tanks packed into eskies and flown back to Norfolk Island for eventual wild release. Snails are hermaphrodites, but that doesn't mean they don't have sex. Some species are capable of self-fertilisation, but sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity. Tarryn Williams Clow, senior keeper at Taronga Zoo, said these snails were 'very secretive' about their sex lives. 'In all the years that we've had them here at Taronga Zoo, not once has any keeper really seen them mating,' Williams Clow said. 'We think maybe once we got a glimpse, but they're very private little snails.' What the keepers have witnessed is the snails giving birth to live young with fully formed shells through a genital pore on their necks. Dr Isabel Hyman, research scientist at Australian Museum, said similar species of snails have sex.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Singapore's Treasured Natural History Drawings Debut at the Australian Museum
Exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Australia SYDNEY, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tails from the Coasts: Nature Stories of Singapore, featuring 36 stunning artworks from the much-prized William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, on loan from the National Museum of Singapore, has opened at the Australian Museum (AM) in Sydney. Exploring the breadth of biodiversity in Singapore through the collection of exquisite 200-year-old watercolour paintings, the exhibition's debut – from 10 May to 7 September 2025 – at the AM forms part of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, Kim McKay AO, thanked the National Museum of Singapore for entrusting the AM to host the precious collection – the first time it has ever left Singapore. "Regarded as a National Treasure in Singapore, these paintings are at once unique and familiar, featuring remarkable mammals, reptiles and stunning botanicals found across the exotic and lush bioregion of Southeast Asia. "Not only do these pieces document an important reminder of the fragility of the environment, but they also display outstanding skill and techniques of the local artists, who were working within a Western tradition of scientific work, and the combination of perspectives and cultures is compelling," Ms Kim McKay said. Key pieces on display include the binturong, a mammal found in Singapore-Malaya which is also known as a bearcat, though neither bear nor cat; the winghead shark, an endangered hammerhead with an especially wide 'hammer'; and the beguiling slow loris, Singapore's solitary primate which is now extremely rare due to habitat loss and poaching. Ms Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore, said opening the nationally significant exhibition at the Australian Museum was an important display of collaboration and connection between the two museums – both of which had their roots in natural history and are the oldest museums in their respective countries. "Natural heritage is something that is very important to both Singapore and Australia. The exhibition is an opportune collaboration to commemorate relations between both countries, through the lens of animals and geographies that connect us. We look forward to this exhibition sparking meaningful conversations around critical contemporary issues of environmental and animal conservation." "We thank the Australian Museum for their enthusiasm and work to ensure this important piece of scientific artistry is shared with visitors from across the region and we hope it inspires the same sense of wonder and awe of our natural world," Ms Chung May Khuen said. Tails from the Coasts: Nature Stories of Singapore is a free exhibition at the Australian Museum from 10 May to 7 September 2025. After which, the exhibition will travel to the Adelaide Botanic Garden from 4 October 2025 to 1 February 2026. For more information, visit Visitors looking to explore paintings from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings can also do so on Singapore's one-stop digital resource portal for exploring the nation's history, culture and heritage. Editors' note: Images here. For interviews, please email media@ About the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings Major-General William Farquhar (1774–1839) was the Commandant and Resident of Melaka (1803–1818) and Singapore (1819–1823). A trusted figure in Malaya, he accompanied Sir Stamford Raffles to Singapore to establish a British trading post. While developing Singapore's trade and port systems, Farquhar's passion for botanicals and natural history became prominent in his career, leading to the creation of the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings. The full collection consists of 477 watercolours of plants and animals, commissioned by Farquhar and painted by Chinese artists. The drawings employ traditional Chinese brush techniques while blending Western perspectives and naturalism. The collection is celebrated not only for its artistic merit but also for its scientific significance. Showcasing detailed representations of both plants and animals, the drawings provide a valuable record of the rich biodiversity of the Malay Peninsula in the 19th century. About the Australian Museum The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation's first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. As custodian of more than 22 million objects and specimens, the AM is uniquely positioned to provide a greater understanding of the region through its scientific research, exhibitions, and public and education programs. Through the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM also plays a leading role in conserving Australia's biodiversity through understanding the environmental impacts of climate change, potential bio-security threats and invasive species. Visit Australian Museum for more information. About the National Museum of Singapore With a history dating back to 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the nation's oldest museum. Beneath its 19th-century colonial exterior lies a progressive mind, offering fresh, multi-angled perspectives of Singapore's history and culture. Its galleries showcase the story of Singapore's development over more than 700 years, featuring important artefacts, cutting-edge technology and creative storytelling that redefine the conventional museum experience. As a cultural and architectural landmark, the museum was designated a National Monument of Singapore on 14 February 1992. The museum continues to host thought-provoking exhibitions and exciting events all year round, including the Singapore Night Festival, with dedicated programmes for children and the elderly. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Museum of Singapore Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Sydney Morning Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian Museum exhibition imagines a world where humans are replaced by Lego mini-figures
Once upon a child's playground, Lego was those annoying plastic bricks that would endlessly entertain preschoolers. Today, it is a recognised artistic medium, fascinating for adults and children alike, seeding a TV show and a new Australian Museum exhibition. Lego builders Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey, 2020 Lego Master champions who are bringing their Lego Relics exhibition to the Australian Museum. Credit: Steven Siewert Relics, A New World Rises – opening in August – imagines a future world where humans have pushed the environment one step too far and it has been repopulated by some 2000 mini-figures. Best friends Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey, winners of the first Lego Masters television series, have built 15 miniature civilisations within forgotten and reclaimed objects.
