Cat Adventure Story(Chapter 2) ~ The Flying Felinis

      The trapeze took a wild swing as I urged it forward with my paws. Then, the trapeze flew over the elaborate equipment, straight over the forest. This was actually quite enjoyable! I tilted my head into the breeze as the wind whooshed past my body. "Jump!", called Felicia. I stared downwards in disbelief. Was she crazy? I held on tighter as the trapeze rocked to a halt. "Look", said Felicia, annoyed. She shoved me off and effortlessly made the trapeze soar above the trees. Then, she leapt off it and flew through the air, paws outstretched, and landed on her front paws! She scrambled up a ramp without as much as a screech of her claws, and dashed straight off the platform, into everyone's waiting arms. "That's routine one.", she called  out. Determined, I hopped on the trapeze, still uneasy. Suddenly, someone gave me a forceful push. I shrieked and glanced down to see a cat, gazing up at me and grinning mischievously. "I'll tell you when I'm ready for a push!", I called back to that cat, irritably. The trapeze accelerated, and I tilted my head back in the breeze. The wind's breath in my face flicked my whiskers, and I laughed in joy. Without a second thought, I rocketed up in the air, twisting and turning. My heart soared higher than my body as I discovered my new-found passion. 

This is how I picture Crackers!

      Suddenly, interrupting my pleasure, my fall was broken by a soft bed. The ring of cats flipped me towards the ramp, and began leaping in all directions. Now what should I do? Remembering Felicia's performance, I leapt out and attempted to execute the series of back springs. I blindly waved my back legs, groping for the ramp. Then, my claw barely brushed the wooden plank. Up I shot, dashing straight into open air. Spreading my paws, I soared in midair, gliding past the moving mob of cats, until my glorious flight ended with a jolt. I submitted myself to the harsh whacks of paws that tossed me in the air. With a final flourish, I landed on one paw. I glanced nervously at Felicia. Was I good enough? Surprisingly, she was gaping. "I've never seen a cat who performs so beautifully on the first try.", she stammered. "I believe I know who shall be nominated as the star in our performances. Now don't think you're some special prodigy. You still need to practice." Still, I beamed, heart bursting with my praise. 

         "Come on! The qualification performance is next week! Hurry up!" I scrambled after Felicia, and walked to the spot marked 'POUNCE'. In my spot, that cat, Crackers, who had pushed me on the trapeze, was waiting for me. I quailed awkwardly, wondering what to say. "Is this how you welcome all your new members?", I asked, faltering. She chuckled. "Why are you in my spot?", I inquired. "We're dance partners. And I bet you don't even know my name." "It says so right there." I pointed to her spot marking. "If you really want to know my name, it's Pounce." "As you know my name is Crackers, in other words, the chief mischief maker.", she whispered with a grin. I feigned a laugh. The shrill sound of Felicia's whistle penetrated the silence. "Attention!" Her voice blared through a bullhorn. She tugged a frayed cord dangling from the ceiling. Immediately, a tune of chirping crickets filled the air. "Partners!", she cried. We whisked along the wonderfully coated wooden floor, stepping in tune with the music. The whole dance practice was spent over the next song, which was a wild disco. I twirled around until I made Crackers dizzy, and even leaped over her head. At the end, we tied tails, which was a somewhat painful operation. 

      That day, I also distinguished myself at yoga, being the only one to hold the 'Inside out' contortion for a full minute, and be able to fold myself in half. At last, we were dismissed to lunch. A cat named Crumbles was handing out plates of a dish she called tossed mouse. This, as I learned that day, was an overly fancy name for a burnt, olive-green lump. "Don't you have tuna?", I snapped, more menacingly than I intended. Felicia shrugged and crammed the food in her mouth. Silently, I departed from the table and headed to the stream for raw fish. Even though the stream was overflowing with fish, slashing at them with my claws was fruitless. Exasperated, I jumped straight into the water. 

        The cold water gripped me with icy fingers. The current tore at my hold on the bottom and dragged me away. "Help!", I bellowed at the top of my voice. Moments later, Felicia came darting to the shore. She snatched my back and hauled me up. "You'll have to miss afternoon practice." Dejectedly, still with an empty stomach, I shuffled to a patch of sun and stretched out to dry. At the end of practice, I was dry, but somewhat green from algae. "Hey, Pounce!" Crackers prodded me with a claw. "Let's go to town, and see what we can do.", she encouraged, with a wink. Gladly, I accepted her invitation.

What mischief will Crackers lead Pounce into? Find out with the next chapter! 

Cat Adventures Story(Chapter 1) ~ The Beginning of all my Adventures

This is a chapter from a story I wrote about a group of acrobatic cats who make a perilous journey to compete in the acrobatic contest that they have dreamed of winning. Chapters shall be published weekly!

"Grrowlchomp". I, Pounce, delightedly crunched a succulent stalk of the potted palm tree. "No, Pounce! How many time have I told you?" My human servant shoved me off my launchpad to the plant. I had been caught... again. Why must humans be so annoying? Somewhat guiltily, I trudged off to find my kitten sister, Sunny and the other cats. I padded across the marble floors of the sunroom, to Pammy's favorite chair. I did not see the familiar black ear poking from the blanket. Normally, Claude and Prance made a great racket in arguing over the cat food, but I heard not even an echo. Perhaps they were in the courtyard. I stepped through the golden gate, past the majestic, burbling fountain. On opposite sides of the path, there were lavender swings and an awning, threaded with dangling, flowering vines whose fragrant smells filled the air. The buzzing of bees, hurrying from flower to flower droned monotonously. Somewhere in a corner, there was a hive --- Sunny once upset it, making a great racket. I scurried past the jade statue of a unicorn spouting water into a koi pond, until I came to a towering tree turning into brilliant shades of amber and crimson. Squirrels scrambled to collect the acorns that sprinkled the ground. Interrupting my wonder at the lovely landscape, a loud "Meeowl!" penetrated the air. At that, all of my friends -- Pammy, Claude, Prance, and Pauline came darting out of the finely pruned bushes, squabbling over whose turn it was to toss the mouse they had caught. "What was that?", I asked them. "Have you been playing hide-and-seek?", I inquired, knowing that they often played hide-and-seek, but Sunny hid herself so well that no one could find her. "No." I gazed up in the tree, to meet Sunny's frightened gaze staring down at me from the highest branch. She always manages to get herself in trouble! I sighed resignedly at Sunny's mischief, and headed up the tree. Effortlessly, I scooped her in my mouth and tossed her to Prance. "Come on, Pounce, before our human calls us in.", Pammy shoved me forward. "Wait!", Claude cried, hastily depositing the struggling mouse in the sunroom. "A gift for you.", she chuckled, and headed back to join us.

The other cats dashed outside. I looked longingly after them for several minutes. I am the only one who is not allowed outside, because I have been declawed. I spend hours gazing out the window, dreaming fantasies of what life would be like outdoors. I know every dog and cat in the neighborhood, and can recognize all the neighbor's faces - but I have never met any of them. I swatted at a butterfly passing by, but, for the millionth time, found my paw blocked by cold, impenetrable glass. My humans think the outside world is not safe for me, but I know that is not true. They have seen my strength in myriads of times when they touch me in ticklish places. I have been declawed ever since I was a kitten - ever since I climbed the wall in the kitchen. Ever since then, I have yearned for freedom to explore. Every day, I watch my friends bring in mice, grass, flowers, and grasshoppers from outside. The only thing I have ever caught is the pink mouse on a string that the humans taunt me with. I watched as my friends skipped blissfully on the curb, chomping grass along the way. The balloon that contained all my desires for freedom popped. Taking no time to reflect, I dashed out the door - away from the confines of the house, to freedom. Birds chirped melodiously in my ear. I smelled the fresh,crisp air mingling with the scent of freshly chopped grass. Excitement filled my heart, and I darted off to catch up.

 We ran along the sidewalk, nibbling wildflowers and tearing tufts of grass. I challenged Pauline to a curb-race, which she accepted. I positioned myself, ready to take off on the curb, when... I found myself face-to face with a snarling German shepherd. "Run!", I shouted. We bolted straight down the corner, with the irate dog in close pursuit. There was no time to catch my breath. Then, I halted in my tracks when I came to another cat, baring her teeth. If only I hadn't ran along this street! Now, with danger on both sides, I had to steer off the trail. Then, to my great surprise, the cat flicked us behind her with a powerful claw. She raised a paw in the dog's direction and flexed four long, razor-sharp claws. The dog growled, and, defeated, darted backwards. "And who has stumbled on my territory? Normally I don't take kindle to trespassers. I only know how vicious that dog is, and want to prove myself dominant.", she snarled. I bared my own teeth.  "I'm Felicia Fellini, and if you think you can get my territory, I'll prove you wrong.", She flexed that lethal claw of hers. Then, she sprang on me. We fell into a tangle of claws and teeth. I lashed at her with my paws which bore the weight of rocks, deviously ducking her blows. "You fight well. Who are you? I am the leader of a world renowned acrobat team. You are invited to try and join. I don't let in members so easily." I could not believe what I was hearing! "I- I'm Pounce.", I stammered. " And I would be glad to accept your offer." "Meet me tomorrow.", she said, and ran into the shadows. The next day, at daybreak, I bolted out of bed and ran to our meeting place. "Follow me.". Felicia led me through a hidden, winding, muddy path, towards the menacing woods. No one had ever entered there, and for good reason. Sometimes, at night, eerie howls and screams emanated from those woods. Was this cat leading me into a trap? We threaded our way through the underbrush. "Yeow!", I cried. "Are you trying to wake up the coyotes?", Felicia growled. She tore leaves off a branch, and began pressing them on me. I grunted audibly, very much displeased by the large cat sitting on me. "I'm not your pillow!" "Do you want to hurt of nettle all day long?", Felicia retorted. She peeled the leaves off, and my pain vanished. Finally, we came to an untidy campsite. Props and costumes littered the ground, along with other, unidentified debris. Small shelters were leaning on trees. Is this what she called a world-renowned acrobat team? Hanging from a tree was a steaming cauldron, with vile smells spiraling from it. "Crackers!", she shouted. An orange cat with white spots came darting out of a closet. "What is this stew? I'll never appoint you chef again! Throw that in the river!", she ejaculated in disgust. "Now get started." Felicia shoved me towards a rickety-looking trapeze. It wobbled as I tried to hop on. My stomach churned as the trapeze teetered. 

Do you want to know what happens next? Please check next week to find out if Felicia accepts Pounce! How do you picture the characters? Here is how I picture Pounce:

I gave Pounce the same personality as my pet cat, and I picture her in almost the same way, too!

Here is how I picture Sunny:

Here is how I picture Felicia:

or like this:

Volcanoes!

Have you ever wondered what causes volcanoes to sometimes spew sizzling, scarlet lava, and why such eruptions are so different in intensity? The answer lies in gases under tremendous pressure and what type of volcano it is. There are three different types of volcanoes: composite, cinder cone, and shield volcanoes.  Composite volcanoes produce both quiet and explosive eruptions, because they contain alternating layers of lava, cinders, and bombs. Cinders are small pieces of rock, and generally do not cause much damage, but, on the other hand, bombs are rocks ranging from the size of a baseball to the size of a large car. Bombs, ash, and lava erupting from a volcano produce an explosive eruption. Composite volcanoes are often the tallest, and largest types of volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are much less steep than composite volcanoes, and produce only quiet eruptions. Why? Shield volcanoes formed from thin, runny lava flowing, gradually building a gentle slope. This gives the volcano the appearance of a shield. Cinder cone volcanoes form when cinders erupt from the vent of a volcano, piling up around it. Over many years, this produces a steep, yet small volcano.

Notice the layers in composite and cinder cone volcanoes, and the gentle slope of the shield volcano!

Shield Volcano

  

Composite Volcano                        Cinder Cone Volcano

Why do volcanoes erupt? Eruptions occur when dissolved gases in magma are under tremendous pressure. Similar to what happens when you suddenly open a bottle of soda, the magma rushes up through the pipe, or narrow, vertical crack in the volcano, spewing out of the vent. The trapped gases, along with the magma, or now lava, because it has traveled out of the mantle, flow out of the volcano. This creates a pyroclastic flow, a body of toxic gas and ash. These are deadly, wreaking devastation on anything in their path and beyond. Sometimes, as magma is traveling through the vent, it forces itself out of the volcano's sides. The newly formed cracks in the rock are known as side vents. Lava oozing out of the side vents and flowing down the slope is known as a lava flow.

Most volcanoes occur quite close to each other, and on plate boundaries. At such plate boundaries, plates either converge(push together), or diverge(pull apart). Volcanoes are often found on plate boundaries because, on these boundaries, the lithosphere is weak, allowing magma from the asthenosphere to reach the surface. Thus, along plate boundaries, there are volcanic belts, or a series of volcanoes bordering a plate. One of the most famous volcanic belts is the Ring of Fire, a chain of volcanoes reaching around the Pacific Ocean. The volcanoes on the Ring of Fire formed from a convergent boundary, due to subduction, where part of the oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench. Subduction produces volcanoes when the older, denser plate dives beneath the other, lighter one, forming a deep-ocean trench. Once the plate sinks beneath that trench, it reaches the asthenosphere and melts, forming magma. Once it melts, it is hotter and less dense than the surrounding material. Since materials that are less dense than their environment rise, the magma rises upward, back to Earth’s crust, creating a volcano. These resulting volcanoes form a string of islands called an island arc. Most volcanoes form due to subduction, which is why the majority of volcanoes are located in the Ring of Fire --- because the Pacific Ocean is one of the most active subduction zones.  However, some volcanoes are formed not from subduction but from hot spots, places where magma melts through the crust like a blow torch. These types of volcanoes are often found far from plate boundaries, in the very middle of plates. The islands of Hawaii were formed in this manner, as the Pacific Plate drifted over a hot spot.

Subduction


Perhaps you have heard of the recent volcanic eruption of Mount Sinabung, in the island arc of Indonesia. This composite volcano's eruption surprised both residents and geologists. How can eruptions be predicted so that people know in advance when to evacuate? Geologist use a variety of devices, such as laser-ranging devices, tiltmeters, and spectrometers. Laser-ranging devices detect any slight motion of magma by calculating changes in time needed for a laser beam to travel to a reflector and bounce back. If the distance to the reflector changed, that indicates that the crust is moving, due to the motion of magma. Tiltmeters measure similar movement, but they calculate motion in a very different manner. The most common tiltmeters consist of two bulbs filled with a liquid and connected by a hollow stem, buried underground. When the ground rises or falls, the liquid will flow from one bulb to the other. A scale in each bulb measures the depth of the liquid, and, thus, the severity of the upcoming earthquake or volcanic eruption. Since both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to the motion of magma in the mantle, earthquakes are often found to happen very close to volcanoes. If signs of an earthquake are appearing near a volcano, there is an extreme likelihood that the volcano will erupt. As well as using instruments to detect flow of magma, geologists can use monitoring procedures specific to predicting volcanic eruptions, such as investigating the water level in a volcano’s crater lake and escaping gases. However, this gas is very dangerous to sample. Scientists use a spectrometer, an instrument that analyzes light coming through a volcanic plume to detect gas emissions without having to venture near the volcano. Since each type of gas emits its own distinctive light pattern, researchers are able to identify what is coming out of the volcano. Such gas analysis tools helped geologists predict the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, saving countless lives.

Mt. Sinabung belches and blasts billowing blankets of ash and dust

Earth isn't the only place where there are volcanoes. Mars is home to the largest volcano in the whole solar system, Olympus Mons. It is so large that it covers an area as large as Ohio, and nearly 32 kilometers high! Venus shows volcanic history, but today, there is no evidence that any of its volcanoes are still active. We do know that they were once active, because of the 6800-kilometer long lava flow! On Io, one of Jupiter's moons, volcanoes erupt not lava and ash, but sulfur! On Triton, another of Jupiter's moons, volcanoes erupt nitrogen! On Earth, nitrogen is a gas, but Triton is so cold that nitrogen exists as a solid. Scientists hypothesize that Triton's surface absorbs the little heat from the sun. This heat melts some of the nitrogen beneath Triton's surface. The liquid nitrogen then expands, and, due to pressure, erupts. 

Nitrogen geyser on Triton!


Io


Olympus Mons(it's almost as big as Arizona!)

A volcano on Venus!

How to Identify Dytiscids(diving beetles) from Hydrophilids(water scavenger beetles)!

  

Just by looking at these two images, can you tell what family each one belongs to? These two insects look quite similar, but if you know what to look for, you shall be able to tell which one is which. The first image is that of a Dytiscid(predacious diving beetle), and the second a Hydrophilid(water scavenger beetle). Here is how to tell them apart by appearance: 
Dytiscids have a rounded ventral(under) side, while Hydrophilids have flat ones. Flipping the insects totally over onto the ventral sides, you may notice that Hydrophilids have an elongated spine stretching across their body segements, while Dytiscids lack this. Here is an image of what their ventral sides look like:  
 Hydrophilid spine

Dytiscid ventral side

These are the main physical differences between the two, but there are other differences in their diet. Hydrophilids are scavengers, while Dytiscids are predators. However, Hydrophilids will occasionally prey on mosquito larvae. Dytiscids also dive to capture prey, hence the name predacious diving beetle. When ready to dive, the Dytiscid stores air under its wings to breathe while it is underwater. In order to be so agile in the water, Dytiscids are very well streamlined, in fact, so streamlined that males need to have suctions on their legs to grip females while mating! 

Even Baby Mosquitoes are Cute!

You are probably very much acquainted with the adult forms of these insects --- mosquitoes! The larvae dwell in standing freshwater, and those 'whiskers' on its head are bristles used for feeding and feeling for food, which contains algae and bacteria. Mosquito larvae breathe through spiracles, so they sometimes need to come to the surface of the water. They remain in water for seven to fourteen days before pupating. As larvae, all they do is eat and eat, thus growing bigger. Since all arthropods possess hard exoskeletons, the larvae must molt into a new exoskeleton to fit their current size. They go through four instars, or stages in between molts.  After the final molt, unlike dragonfly larvae, they form a pupa, and emerge not from their larval bodies, but from the pupa. 

What is this small monster? At your first glance, you may think it is some exotic insect, but in fact, it's not. It's just a dragonfly nymph! It is not common to see these, but if you have ever tried aquatic catching, you have probably pulled one up from the mud. Just like the adult form of these insects, the nymphs are highly predacious, feeding on other small aquatic invertebrates, especially mosquito larvae, and sometimes even small fish or tadpoles. Thus, the nymphs are important in biological pest control. The insects in this order(Odonata) experience incomplete metamorphosis, or hemimetabolous development. Once the dragonfly nymph has completed its final molt, it exits its aquatic world, and out of its 'backpack' emerges a fully grown dragonfly. Since insects have an open circulatory system, it takes a few minutes for the adult's wings to fill with hemolymph, the insect's blood. 

This is the larva of perhaps the most common insect that goes through complete metamorphosis, or holometabolous development --- the butterfly! This passage focuses particularly on swallowtail caterpillars. You can recognize them easily by their osmaterium, the Y-shaped protrusion that they emit when afraid. Not only does the osmaterium startle predators, it also produces a foul smell! In addition, most swallowtail caterpillars are vibrantly colored, or have eyespots. The butterflies may be beautiful, and the caterpillars, but despite this, some of these caterpillars are very destructive to plants. All caterpillars eat leaves, but some eat the leaves of crops or destroy trees. 

This is not a common larva to observe, but its behaviors are remarkable. They are underwater architects when it comes to pupating. Using silk from glands near their mouths, they stick together pebbles and bits of wood to form their pupae. Their pupae are also portable -- they can walk, while still being enclosed in the pupa. Their cases are open at both ends, enabling them to take in oxygen. If you want to see such a remarkable pupa yourself, you may want to try searching in a pond at your local nature preserve, because these larvae are very sensitive to polluted water, and can indicate water cleanliness. Here are some pictures of caddisfly pupae:

Normal pupa

Artistic pupae(out of gold and beads)! These larvae were in captivity.

Here are the larvae of a less enchanting insect: calliphorids, commonly known as blow flies. Just like the adults, the larvae, also known as maggots, eat rotting meat and carrion. However, maggots have been raised in captivity for a very surprising reason --- cleaning nonhealing wounds! Since the adults are potential disease vectors, and the fact that they feed on animal carcasses makes maggots a very unlikely possibility for medication. However, they are capable of eating the dead or infected flesh -- they just must be very clean! One problem with this therapy is the issue that maggots may also eat healthy tissue. 

Have you ever raised a captive insectivore? If so, you probably fed them this: a mealworm(as shown in picture above). These are the larvae of Tenebrionids, or darkling beetles. As well as being food for captive insectivores, mealworms are also considered pests, eating stored products.

What on Earth is this? It's an antlion larva! As the name suggests, they are ferocious predators of ants(notice the mandibles)! However, the way they catch them is truly unique. They dig a pit in a spiral pattern so that the walls slope downwards. Once that is done, they bury themselves in the sand, leaving only their jaws hanging open. A curious ant wanders close and begins to slip down the walls of the small pit. Trapped, the ant wanders around until it blunders into the antlion  larva's powerful jaws. 

                                                              A close-up of the mandibles

Aquatic Hemipterans

Is this an alien from another planet? No! It's a nepid, a type of aquatic hemipteran.


Perhaps you have walked past an insect and casually called it a 'bug'. However, the term 'bug' does not refer to any insect. Bug actually refers to a specific order : Hemiptera. What makes a hemipteran a hemipteran? Hemipterans have piercing mouthparts, in a tube shape, meant for extracting nutriment from prey. No other insects possess such mouthparts. Not all hemipterans are aquatic, but here are some major families of aquatic hemipterans:

Hemipteran mouthparts(close-up image)

One of the most common types of aquatic hemipterans are gerrids, known as water striders. They dwell only in water, and their front wing is half-functional. If you have ever seen a gerrid, you may have noticed how they flawlessly scoot on the surface of the water. How do they do it? Their legs are long and slender, to keep themselves on the surface and reduce weight, and the legs are covered with minute hairs. These hairs prevent the gerrid from being weighted down by absorbing water. Gerrids also exploit water's high surface tension. Water molecules are polar and this causes them to attract to each other. The attractive nature results in the formation of a film-like layer at the top of water. This top layer has gravity acting downward in addition to the water molecules below pulling down the upper molecules. This combination creates a touch surface tension. Like all hemipterans, gerrids are predacious, eating insects found on the water's surface.

Gerrid

Another, less common type of aquatic hempterans are the Notonectids, commonly known as back-swimmers. They are called back-swimmers because of their habit of swimming with their ventral(lower) side up. Most aquatic insects' dorsal sides are darker than the ventral side, but, since notonectids swim upside-down, their coloration is reverse to aid it in camouflage.  Just like gerrids, these insects prey on small aquatic organisms in their habitat. 

                                               

                                                  

                                                   Dorsal side                                                       Ventral side

One other insect that looks similar to notonectids are the Corixids(water boatmen). However, their legs are positioned differently, and if you look closely, you can see that they have small hairs on them. These insects are actually not predacious, eating algae and other aquatic plants. Also, unlike unlike notonectids, corixids' bodies are completely flat. 

Corixid

Another type of aquatic hemipteran are the Nepids. The photo you saw in the introduction was the rarer type of nepid. The most common ones resemble gerrids, except for their pincer-like front legs, hence their common name water scorpions. Nepids are predacious, catching prey with their powerful pincers. 

Common nepid

Have you ever wondered how polluted water in a pond is? You could test it with litmus paper to measure pH, but here is a way to give a basic estimate with one glance: Does the pond have a multitude of aquatic insects? If you see gerrids, or possibly some notonectids and dragonflies, then you know the pond is healthy enough to support insect life. 
Notice the GERRIDS!

Here are some tips for catching aquatic insects: You need a net where you can let it get dirty. They get EXTREMELY muddy!! The best way to catch them is to wave your net around deeper in the pond. Be sure to hold the net away from your face as you pull it out, and hold it far back in removing algae. If you dig around in the mud, you may pull up a dragonfly larva. Notonectids would be found closer to the surface of the water, as well as gerrids. By groping around in the mud, I have caught dragonfly and asilid(giant, biting flies) larvae, and salamanders and tadpoles.  When you remove insects from your net, YOU MUST WEAR GLOVES!!! It is extremely dirty, and many aquatic insects bite. Then, place it into a container with water in it until you are finished observing it. Container should be open and shallow. Be sure to release your organisms where you found them! 

                                                     Notice the use of soft forceps!

BAD!!