Crocodilia is an order of large, predatory, semi-aquaticreptiles. They appeared in the Late Cretaceous, and include true crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. Solidly built animals, they have long flattened snouts, eyes, ears, and nostrils at the top of the head and laterally compressed tails. Their skin is thick and covered in scales; they have conical teeth and a powerful bite. They swim well and can move quite rapidly on land. They are found mainly in lowlands in the tropics, but alligators are also found in the United States (American alligator pictured) and China. They are largely carnivorous; some specialise on fish while others have generalised diets. They are typically solitary and territorial. In some species, females care for their young. Eight species have attacked humans, the largest number of attacks being by the Nile crocodile. Crocodilian populations are threatened by habitat destruction and being hunted by humans, but farming the reptiles has reduced the unlawful trade in wild skins. They have appeared in art since at least Ancient Egypt. Tales of crocodile tears date to the 9th century, repeated by Sir John Mandeville in 1400 and William Shakespeare. (Full article...)
... that Albert Dubois-Pillet added the "Pillet" to his name when signing his paintings (example pictured) in an attempt to hide his art-related activities from the military?
Fifty destinations were served by Braathens, a Norwegian scheduled and charter airline that operated from 1946 to 2004. 23 of these destinations were in Norway and 6 were in Sweden. Braathens provided international services to 24 airports serving 22 cities in 17 countries. Braathens' main hubs were Oslo Airport, Fornebu; Oslo Airport, Gardermoen; and Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The main technical base was at Stavanger Airport, Sola. The destinations in Asia were served from 1949 to 1954. Then, Braathens became a domestic airline, and did not have international scheduled services again until 1987, except during part of 1960. From 1994, the airline market was deregulated and Braathens was free to operate domestically and within the European Economic Area. In 1997, Braathens bought Transwede and started domestic services in Sweden, but these were terminated in 1999. The company ceased serving all destinations in 2004, when Braathens merged with the Norwegian division of Scandinavian Airlines System to create SAS Braathens. (Full list...)
Diagram of the deep sea limpet Bathyacmaea secunda, which inhabits the thermal vents of the Okinawa Trough and others around Japan. The actual animal is largely colorless, 6 millimetres (0.24 in) long, and completely blind. Organs with names in parentheses are located behind other organs.
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