Adult fleas live off the blood of animals and are very difficult to kill. They have hard bodies that make them difficult to 'squish'. Fleas can jump distances of up to 1 metre (3.2 feet). A female flea can lay between 20-30 eggs in one day and she can continue laying that many eggs for between 6 and 9 months. If she lives for 9 months she'll have produced 8,000 eggs. If half of these fleas are females and start laying eggs, this will result in about 500 eggs per day being laid or 15,000 eggs per month!
High mercury levels threaten young loons
High mercury levels threaten young loons Elevated mercury levels in Nova Scotia are causing
young loons to exhibit unusual behavior that may be putting their
survival at risk. High levels of mercury are affecting the loon
chicks' behaviour. Researchers have noticed that they are preening
excessively and are not riding on their mothers' backs. The
investigators believe that mercury, which is a nerve poison, has
impaired nerve functioning and is making the chicks vulnerable to
predators. Six of nine of the high mercury-level chicks died during
the two-year study and it is assumed that they were eaten by gulls
or turtles. It is believed that if this contamination continues,
Canada's declining loon population will be at further risk.
Researchers say that mercury pollution has been contributing to the
decline of the loon population for the last 50 years. Loons are at
the top of the aquatic food chain and are ingesting mercury from
the fish that they eat. The fish themselves are ingesting mercury
from species lower down on the food chain. Concentrations of
mercury are rising because of industrial pollution from coal-fired
power plants and incinerators. Another reason for concern over the
species is the low reproduction rate of loons. It is believed that
without migration the birds in this area would die out. It is
recommended that there be more control of mercury emissions to
prevent further adverse effects to Canada's wildlife. APRIL, 2000
Cool Articles
