Dinosaurs: HERRERASAURUS: Being Avant-garde

(Copyright: Nobu Tamura)

Living in the late Triassic (about 225 million years ago), Herrerasaurus, one of the oldest Dinosaurs, emerged with a breakthrough body plan. A fast and ferocious hunter, this Meat-Eater set the standard for future Dinosaurs. Living just before the Age of Dinosaurs, Herrerasaurus had to cope with Protosuchus, the hunter of Dinosaurs. This ancient relative of the modern crocodile dominated the landscape. To evade this formidable predator, Herrerasaurus had to use his speed and agility, escaping through the underbrush.

Herrerasaurus was a predator in his own right. As one of the first predators to walk on two legs, He started the chain that resulted in future Dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex ruling the land. To successfully hunt, Herrerasaurus had sharp claws on his fingers. These claws had hooks to slice meat from the bones. Meanwhile, the bones in his short arms reminded paleontologists of modern Birds. One feature unique to Him was his sliding lower jaw, which enabled Herrerasaurus to rake his teeth through his prey. As one of the first Dinosaurs, Herrerasaurus is considered by scientists to be a Basal (Basic) Theropod. (Theropods includes T.-rex and other Raptors.)

First found on an Argentine ranch in 1950, Herrerasaurus (Herrera’s lizard) was not considered a new species. Only in 1988, when his skull was discovered, did anyone know that He was different. Then after scientists determined that He was a Dinosaur, they had a spirited debate about what Family Herrerasaurus belonged to. Since He was found in the same region as Eoraptor, They decided upon “Basal Theropod.”

As one of the first Dinosaurs, Herrerasaurus pushed the envelope beyond what existed at the time. To the Others, He was “the Shock of the New.” Living more than 100 million years before T.-rex, He stood up to hunt his prey. Furthermore, his arms precluded the advent of Birds. Herrerasaurus helped to usher in the Age of the Dinosaurs. He was avant-garde, since He was innovative, and expanded the boundaries of what Dinosaurs could become. When you embrace being avant-garde, you may be laughed at, but who knows what future you have allowed to come into being. Let Herrerasaurus show you how to shock people with the New.

MATAMATA: Stealth and Craftiness

The most unusual Turtle in the world is Matamata, who lives in the Amazon and Orinoco River Systems of South America. Instead of looking like a typical Turtle, He resembles a pile of debris. When a Fish nibbles on the fibrous parts of Matamata’s head, He springs into action. Expanding his huge mouth, He vacuums up the unfortunate Fish. Expelling the excess water, Matamata then swallows Fish whole.

Having a sedentary but predatory way of life on muddy river bottoms is reflected in his unusual features. Matamata has a snorkel for a nose and leaf-like skin flaps covering his head and neck. His powerful back supports his neck to enable Him to vacuum up his prey. (Matamata belongs to the Side- Necked Turtle Family (Pleurodira).) With his sixth sense, He detects water vibrations. Living at the bottom of dark waterways, Matamata never basks in the sun like other Turtles.

In their various languages, the Amazon Indians refer to Matamata as “I Kill”. Blending with his surroundings, Matamata waits for an unsuspecting Fish to swim by. He remains still as Fish snacks on his head. Suddenly without notice, He will suck the surprised Fish up into his mouth. In other times, Matamata will herd Fish into a pen. A poor swimmer, He walks along the bottom of the muddy water herding the Fish. When He finally corners the Fish, Matamata vacuums Them up.

Matamata uses stealth and cunning to catch Fish. Looking like a pile of leaves, He deceives a Fish into thinking He is a tasty snack. Matamata quietly waits for the unwary Fish to start nibbling. Springing to life, He sucks the stunned Fish into his mouth. Learn how to be crafty from Matamata.

Archeoastronomy: Inca Calendar

Though not a prehistoric society, the Inca Empire employed similar timekeeping methods and reasons for keeping a calendar. They established their calendar to maintain the welfare of their people. Furthermore, the Incas used their calendar to bind everyone together in their empire, by coordinating religious and agricultural activities from Cuzco, their capital. To keep social order, the Incas divided their cities into four quarters, with each quarter split into radical sections from a common center. The lines, called ceques, had sacred sites (huacas) along them to determine where the sun would be on a given day. Families were assigned to maintain the local huaca, to keep a sacred landscape for timekeeping.

One example of how the Incas kept time was detailed by the Spanish. They reported that overlooking Cuzco, in the northwest was a high mound called Cerro Picchu. On this hill were four marked pillars. When the sun went past the first pillar, it was time for farmers in the higher altitudes to prepare their fields. When the sun entered the two middle pillars, planting began in Cuzco. When the sun hit the middle of these two pillars, planting began in the valleys.

 The Incas also used the dark nebula constellations of the Milky Way to tell time. When the constellation Tinamou appeared, they knew to watch their crops since the tinamous (birds resembling a partridges) would come. When Toad appeared, the Incas held their religious rituals for rain, because toads brought the rainy season.

 In addition, the Incas constructed a lunar calendar to track their rituals. To keep this calendar in sync with the solar calendar, they tracked the sightings of the Pleiades. The first month began at the summer solstice, and featured the Great Feast of the Sun (Capac Inti-Rami). The following month was one of penance and fasting. In the third month, farmers harvested root crops and conducted ceremonies for growing corn. In the fourth month, farmers focused on their ripening crops. The fifth month honored the Inca Emperor at the Feast of the Incas. In the sixth month, the Incas harvested corn and gave thanks to their Gods. The seventh month was for the Inti-Raimi festival, when everyone had to go to Cuzco. The eighth month featured rituals for irrigation and water. In the ninth month, the Incas tilled their fields and sacrificed to all of their Gods for a successful growing season. The tenth month featured the Feast of the Moon. During this time, Cuzco was purified. The eleventh month was the dry season, when the Incas had ceremonies for rain. The last month was the Festival of the Dead.

 My theory of why the Incas developed their solar-lunar calendar was to ensure social order and the welfare of their people. Living in the mountains, the Incas had to pay close attention to their environment to stay alive. To feed and clothe their people, the Inca Empire structured their ritual activities around the growing and harvest seasons. Moreover, these religious rituals not only honored their Gods, but also focused on keeping the empire intact. Since the official timekeeping was done at Cuzco, everyone was conscious of the Empire in their lives.
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Works Used:

Aveni, Anthony, “People and the Sky,” Thames & Hudson: N.Y, 2008.
Gazzo, Bridget and Sarah Cahalan, “The Ancient Future: Mesoamerican and Andean Timekeeping,” Dumbarton Oaks, 2014, http://www.doaks.org/library-archives/library/library-exhibitions/the-ancient-future-mesoamerican-and-andean-timekeeping, .
Jrcalhou, “The Inca Calendar,” WolfWikis NCSU, 2008, http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/index.php/The_Inca_Calendar, .
---, “Inca Calendar,” Peru Travel Diary, 2009, http://www.machupicchu-inca.com/inca-calendar.html, .
Magli, Giulio, “Mysteries and Discoveries of Archaeoastronomy,” Copernicus Books: N.Y., 2009.

DROMEDARY CAMEL / ONE-HUMPED CAMEL: Saying No

Dromedary Camel is well adapted for extreme climates and harsh terrains. His hairy ears and heavy eyebrows with long eyelashes protect Dromedary Camel’s face from the sun and blowing sand. He eats vegetation that other desert animals cannot tolerate. Since He sweats very little, Dromedary Camel can go long periods without drinking.

Dromedary Camel’s hump stores fat for times when food is scarce. When food is plentiful, He overeats and stores the excess in his hump. Full of excess fat, his hump is erect and plump. When food is scarce, Dromedary Camel lives off the stored fat in his hump. As the fat is used up, his hump shrinks and flops over to one side.

Contrary to popular belief, Dromedary Camel is not bad-tempered and stubborn. He is actually patient and intelligent. What people account for stubbornness is Dromedary Camel saying, “NO!” When his load is too heavy or unbalanced, He will refuse to stand up. Only when the pack loader readjusts his pack will Dromedary Camel rise.

Dromedary Camel teaches the value of saying No. He is willing to help people except when He believes that He will get hurt. Then, Dromedary Camel says “NO!” He refuses to budge until it is safe to do so. From Dromedary Camel, learn that saying No can save your life.

ALPACA: Love

The Incas of South America said that Alpaca was a gift from Mama Pacha, the Earth Mother, a gift loaned to them for only as long as Alpaca was properly cared for. Magical and beguiling, Alpaca was treasured by the Incas for her fine wool. To the Incas, textiles were a source of wealth. They believed that if you stole and wore your enemy’s clothing, you had power over him. Since Alpaca's wool produced the softest and finest textiles, the Incas regarded Alpaca to be an animal of power.

To conquer the Incas, the Spanish had to kill off as many Alpacas that they could. To escape the invading Spaniards, some Incas fled to the high Andean plateaus. To save Alpaca, they took Her with them to places the Spanish could not go.

Then in the early 1800s, the Europeans discovered the softness of Alpaca’s wool. They encouraged the Peruvians to raise more Alpacas. The British Royal Family, like the Inca Royal Family centuries before, favored Alpaca's wool for their winter clothing.

Alpaca was safe, until the late 1900s, when Peruvian terrorists began killing them off. Again, Alpaca was saved by people who cared about her. The governments of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru sent Alpacas to Canada, the United States, and New Zealand to save Them. Through human efforts, Alpaca was safe again.

What was it about Alpaca that inspired people to help Her? Because of her hardy nature and gentleness, Alpaca kept people from harm with her warm wool. Out of love, they saved Her and cared for Her. They kept Her from harm by taking Her to safety. As Alpaca proves, love is powerful.

LLAMA: Watchfulness and Protection

Much more attractive than her cousin Dromedary Camel, Llama nonetheless has the same facial characteristics as He does–long eyelashes and long lips. For centuries, the people of the Andes in South America used Llama for transportation and food. Bred from wild Guanaco, Llama walks sure-footedly along high mountain paths. She moves with both feet on the same side of her body at the same time, to keep her balance. Unlike Horse, Llama does not suffer from mountain sickness.

Llama was important to the Incas. She carried their loads when they built their cities, roads, and irrigation systems. Still important today, Llama helps the people of the Andes, doing what She has been doing for centuries.

To express Herself, Llama hums or voices, "Orgle! Orgle!" She hums to her Baby (Cria) to assure Him that everything is all right. Different hums have different meanings. If She sees someone ready to harm her herd, Llama gives a loud orgle alarm. A chuckle followed by a snort means “BACK OFF!”

The Incas of South America had small stone images called conopas for their homes. These conopas were charged with protecting the home and the people inside. Many conopas were of Llama, who is fierce when protecting those left in her charge. She will attack the intruder by slashing with her front feet. Not only that, but She will orgle to warn everyone of danger. Llama is neither large nor powerful, but She guards well. Like Llama, you can learn to watch over your loved ones.

SHORT-FACED BEAR SUB-FAMILY (Arctodus): Interconnectedness of Life

The Family of Bears (Ursidae) is usually divided into three Sub-families – Giant Panda (Ailuropodinae), True Bears (Ursinae), and Short-faced Bears (Tremarctinae).  Today only Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) of South America represents the Short-faced Bear Sub-family.  Extinct members of the Tremarctinae included Arctodus pristinus (Lesser Short-Faced Bear), Arctodus simus (Giant Short-faced Bear), and Florida Cave Bear (Tremarctos floridanus).

            Although He had a similar lifestyle to European Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus), Florida Cave Bear was not related to Her, since European Cave Bear was a True Bear.  Though large and muscular, He was a vegetarian who preferred to eat berries instead of meat.  As well as dwelling in caves, Florida Cave Bear also roamed the swamps and valleys of the Southeastern United States.

            Meanwhile Arctodus simus and Arctodus pristinus split off from an earlier Bear Ancestor – Plionarctos, who lived in North America about 10 million years ago.  A. simus evolved to be the largest carnivore on earth since the Age of the Dinosaurs.  Smaller than A. simus, A. pristinus was still larger than the other Carnivores.  Because their snouts were short in proportion to their heads, these Bears became known as the Short-faced Bears or Bull-dog Bears.  However, these ancient Bears had the same skull proportions as modern Bears.

            When the bones of A. simus were first discovered, her huge size led many paleontologists to believe that She was the ultimate carnivore. They reasoned that both A. simus and A. pristinus needed a lot of meat to survive, and therefore ate it in huge amounts.  However, upon further investigation, various scientists had to revise their ideas to include the theory that these Bears were probably specialized scavengers.

            When various paleontologists examined the leg bones of these two Short-faced Bears, they realized that these bones were too long for their large bodies if the Bears were to be active hunters.  Moreover, these Bears’ legs were not those of a carnivore, since these limbs could not withstand the quick turns and long periods of running after prey.  Thus, the physical makeup of the Bears’ legs points towards these animals being scavengers.

            Other signs that A. simus and A. pristinus were probably scavengers were the construction of their nasal cavities, jaws and teeth.  To be a scavenger, an animal needs a keen sense of smell to detect rotting corpses from long distances.  The large nasal cavities of these Bears provided Them with an acute sense of smell.  Meanwhile, the jaws and teeth of these Bears were designed to crack open bones to get to the nourishing marrow inside.

            Short-faced Bears went extinct when the mega-fauna (Mammoths and others) of the Americas and their predators died off.  Though They were impressive in their size and scope, Short-faced Bears were specialized scavengers.  With the loss of large carcasses, They had nothing to eat and could not sustain Themselves. 

            Short-faced Bears demonstrate the interconnectedness of life.  As scavengers, They ate the leftovers from the kills of the super-predators such as Saber-toothed Cats. When the large prey animals such as Mammoths died off, the predators and the specialized scavengers had little to eat. (Only generalists such as Grizzlies, who could live off on Insects and berries, would survive.)  In this ancient world of mega-fauna, life seemed abundant, but something happened to cause this particular thread of life to snap.  When that web of life broke, these large animals became doomed.   

When we recognize our interdependence with others in our lives, we can keep these webs strong.  Because we need many others in our lives, we must keep these threads alive.  For our own survival, we must preserve the diverse richness of life in our own environments.  When all of us act as one, the web of life becomes strengthened.