(no subject)

[den]

Stromatolites

Comments

Nature is cool!

[ursuscal.livejournal.com]

Those are beautiful formations. They reminded me of the lava pillows that form when lava flows to the sea from the South Pacific Islands, then cool as they hit the water and form layered pillows of black lava. I heard, though I don't know if it's true, that if a coral diver steps on a live coral formation, they must have the little critters scraped out of the wound, or they continue growing there for a time. Ewww.

Re: Nature is cool!

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

Polyps being simple critters can live (for varying values of "live") for some time outside their habitat before they finally succumb to not being alive. The real danger is from the byproducts they produce: UV protective slimes, toxins, tentacle barbs and waste. These can cause blood poisoning and other serious infections.

Polyps are actually very small anenomies and capture food the same way. Some are increadibly dangerous. I wouldn't wish a Fire Coral touch on anyone.

According to the Evolutionists, you can blame the Stromatolites for buggering up the original atmosphere by pumping that horribly toxic and reactive gas called oxygen into the air. They also took up all the really good light bandwidths to do this, which left just the blue and green bands available for the other plants. The bastards.